The sneak peek forThe Aos Si’s Gift continues with Chapter 4 over on Substack. If you’ve missed the prologue or the first two chapters, then you can find them as follows:
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Erik and his men met Gherald and another Hunter in the palace courtyard. Knight-Lieutenant Conrad was a tall, lean man with blonde hair and blue eyes. He looked visibly shaken. “Knight-Lieutenant Hod delivered the news,” Conrad informed Erik.
“I take it that her majesty did not receive the news well, Knight-Lieutenant,” Rolph quipped as they dismounted.
Erik cast a hard look over his shoulder, and the young knight snapped to attention.
“She’s furious,” Gherald grated. “A duel with Branheim? What were you thinking, Erik?”
Erik’s eyes hardened, and he glared at Gherald. The old knight had to be shaken as well to let such a formality slip in front of men who weren’t part of the Order.
“Forgive me, Lord-Captain,” Gherald apologized.
Erik nodded.
Conrad sighed. “I don’t think she’s angry with you, Lord-Captain,” he remarked. “She’s furious with Branheim, though. Patryk had to quietly remind her that having a lord, even a lesser one, hung, drawn, and quartered is generally considered bad form, especially when a formal challenge has already been issued.”
Erik winced.
Conrad shook his head. “Her majesty wants you to wait for Duchess Ileana Thallion of Dunlain and Sir Yewn Aldris to arrive before you go in,” he told Erik. “She wants to see the three of you immediately. She’s decided to formalize an arrangement in private.”
Erik felt a sting he’d thought long past when the blonde Hunter named Ileana as duchess. He masked his reaction quickly and nodded. “I’ll see you inside,” he told the two Hunters.
The two Hunters strode into the palace, leaving Erik to wait for Ileana. He paced the courtyard and turned at the sound of horses. Ileana rode in through the gate, accompanied by Yewn and several guards. Erik strode over to her and helped her dismount. She looked at him for a moment, then seemed to remember that she was angry with him. “What am I walking into,” she asked coolly.
“I’ll be escorting you and Sir Yewn to her majesty’s council chamber,” Erik replied.
Ileana nodded as if she’d been expecting the decision.
Erik motioned for them to follow and led them into the palace. Gaebril Brandt stopped them as they crossed the great hall. “Going somewhere, Lord-Captain,” he drawled.
Erik shook his head while Ileana quietly stepped behind him. “I have business with the queen, Lord Gaebril,” he replied.
Gaebril shook his head. “When don’t you,” he snorted and motioned with his head toward Ileana. “Be careful. A few of the others are noticing her.”
Erik shook his head. “Just let it go for now, Gaebril,” he said mildly.
Gaebril shook his head. “You’re getting in over your head this time,” he chuckled, then looked at Ileana. “Oh, I almost didn’t see you there, your grace.”
Ileana said nothing.
“What? No fast comebacks this time,” Gaebril continued relentlessly.
“That’s enough, Gaebril,” Erik growled.
“What are you going to do,” Gaebril demanded. “Hit me again? Well, there aren’t any stairs around this time.”
Erik shook his head. “You’d think a man would get past something like that after sixteen years,” he drawled.
Gaebril scoffed. “Maybe you would,” he growled. “But, then you’ve always been like that.”
“That’s unfair,” Ileana snapped.
“And, look at you,” Gaebril chuckled. “You have to get involved even when you have no idea what you’re getting into. My mother was right. You two really are a matched pair.”
Erik felt a warm rush run up his spine and smelled roses. “Walk away, Gaebril,” he said quietly.
Gaebril’s voice dropped to a harsh whisper. “Read between the lines for once, dammit,” he grated. “I don’t want my sister on the throne, but I can’t say no.”
“I don’t particularly care at the moment.”
Gaebril motioned with his head toward Ileana. “Are you trying to get her killed,” he growled. “The seneschal moves a piece, the queen moves another, but somebody is moving other pieces. We all know that Seneschal Klein is savvy enough to take a loss with at least an air of dignity, but what about that third player?”
Ileana shook her head. “We’re not teenagers here, anymore,” she reminded Gaebril. “We’re all adults. Don’t you think we should start acting like it?”
“You’ll really want to be walking away now, lad,” Yewn told Gaebril. “We have business with the queen, and we’re already late. You wouldn’t want us to be dropping your name when she asks us why, now, would you?”
Gaebril laughed. “I’ll be seeing you,” he growled at Erik and strode off.
Erik turned to look over his shoulder as the warmth and scent of roses faded. Yewn’s shook his head, and Ileana was looking away from Erik. “Are you all right,” Erik asked Ileana in Elvish.
Ileana nodded. “I’m fine,” she replied quietly.
Erik watched Ileana for a moment. Then, he nodded and turned to Yewn. “Thank you for that, Sir Yewn,” he told the red-haired elf sincerely.
Yewn shrugged. “Well, you may be a good commander on the battlefield, but diplomacy doesn’t seem to be your strong suit,” he replied lightly. “Looked to me like he just needed a nudge in the right direction.”
Ileana rounded on Yewn. “That’s enough, Sir Yewn,” she snapped.
“I meant no offense, your grace. It’s not an uncommon thing. Men like Lord Vespin have a lot on their minds. They can’t always spare the time to play nice.”
“I’m sorry, Yewn.”
Yewn looked briefly between Erik and Ileana, then grinned. “It’s all right, your grace,” he said lightly. “I understand where you’re coming from.”
Ileana blinked at that.
Erik cleared his throat. “We really are running behind,” he reminded the two elves.
Yewn nodded.
Erik led the way through the corridors toward the main council chamber. Ileana walked next to him, and Yewn Aldris followed a few feet behind, his hands clasped behind his back. After a short distance, Erik looked at Ileana. He felt the renewed sting when he looked at her, even though she was angry with him. “I am sorry for your loss,” he told her sincerely.
Ileana gave Erik a questioning look.
Erik looked back ahead. “Knight-Lieutenant Conrad mentioned that you’re the Duchess of Dunlain now,” he explained.
Ileana shook her head and sighed. “My parents are still living, Erik,” she told him. “They’re taking a hiatus and left me in charge. I’ve let them know what’s going on and appointed a steward. They’ll be picking the household back up as soon as they get back to Dunlain from visiting family in Eire.”
Erik shook his head. “I thought,” he began sheepishly and trailed off.
“I know what you thought,” Ileana replied gravely and laid a hand on Erik’s shoulder. “Just as I know that you are a touch more sensitive to such things than you would prefer to let on. I do appreciate your concern, though.”
Erik nodded. “Why did they bring a priestess to the meeting of the Baronial Court,” he asked.
Ileana sighed. “They didn’t really see fit to explain to me what was going on,” she replied.
Erik grimaced.
“It’s unusual, but it does happen from time to time. Although, she did say something troubling to me. She told me that failure is not an option.”
Erik looked at Ileana. She stared ahead, making that serious face she did when she was trying to figure something out. Erik shook his head and knocked on the council chamber door when they arrived. The door swung open and Gherald curtly motioned for them to enter.
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