Netherby Halls (31 page)

Authors: Claudy Conn

Tags: #regency romance, #steamy, #paranormal historical

BOOK: Netherby Halls

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“I see,” Aaibhe said so softly Royce almost couldn’t
hear her, and then she asked, “So then, my Princess, do we make it
our business to round up any humans that survived an attack by the
Dark Fae but are in critical condition and heal them? Is that what
you are suggesting?”

“No, I know that is not possible, although I wish it
were. I know we can’t reveal ourselves to the general population,
but in this case I was right there! I saw it happen, and before I
could do anything to stop it …” She shook her head. “David and
his family are friends of mine, and I have a great affection for
them … and … I … I couldn’t …”

“You were there because you were involved with a
human family—and overly involved and attached with this child. It
put you in a precarious situation. You lent your aid without
permission, you risked exposing yourself and
us
to humans,
for what? So that you could heal the boy. I am not without
compassion, my dear. I do understand. I do see it all very clearly.
The question is
do you
?” Aaibhe said grimly.

“I am their friend—they don’t know that I am a
Fae … let alone a Fae princess. They didn’t know that David’s
injuries were serious. I healed him before they knew anything. They
simply did not realize anything untoward had occurred.”

“Let me understand your point of view. Are you saying
that when we happen to be on the spot … and
a favored
human
is injured, we may heal them without taking precautions
or worrying about the repercussions?”

“No … that is not what I am saying.” Royce
pleaded with her eyes and hoped her queen would understand. “These
were extraordinary circumstances. The Dark Fae
were
our
responsibility, and they escaped because
we didn’t
keep them
contained. They were loose … killing and maiming, and David
was there, right before my eyes, and he would have been crippled
all his little life and …”

“And as I have said, I quite understand, do not think
I don’t … but what I want to know because I am your queen and
must discern your reasoning—is did you give some thought to what it
would mean to the future if you healed him?”

“I … no, there wasn’t time.” Royce hung her head
and then raised it. “Besides, we can never be sure what is destined
and what is not. Perhaps there was a reason I just happened to be
there when this took place … perhaps I was meant to heal
him?”

“You have this all worked out then, have you?” the
queen said with a cluck of her tongue. Then with pursed lips she
took Royce’s chin in her hand and made her look into her eyes once
more.

“I … didn’t think about anything else. He is a
child, and I care for him …” Royce pleaded.

“Of course you did, and I do believe you know that
when you broke our rules, rules that were put in place after great
consideration and necessity, you walked the edge of danger with
regards to the workings of our beliefs. We Fae understand that
tampering with the fates is a serious act.” Aaibhe clucked briefly
and then added, “Your parents are concerned about your obsession
with humans, and unlike Prince Breslyn, you don’t have the maturity
and experience to deal with the intricacies of ‘breaking the
rules’.”

“My Queen …” she started. “His fate should not
have been determined by the Dark Fae.”

Aaibhe put up a hand and halted her from speaking. “I
have asked you to sit in on council meetings with Aida and Ete as
your guides … do you not care for them?”

“I adore them. They are like older, wiser
sisters … well, Ete is. Aida is just so much fun …”

“And still you do not attend the meetings,” the queen
said, clearly reproving her. “What am I going to do with you? You
need to mature, Royce. You need to take your place on the
council.”

“The council meetings are so boring, and I am not
interested in politics.” She sighed and studied a work of art
across the room.

“Duty sometimes is boring but nevertheless
necessary.” The queen waved off any answer her princess might give,
and it was clear that she was becoming impatient with her. “So,
because the Trackers and our Royal Houses are overtaxed rounding up
the stray Dark Fae in Ireland and Scotland … and even
England …”

“Yes, my brother said some have escaped to England,
and he went after them this morning …” she stuck in, hoping to
show that she was in fact concerned about the situation.

“Indeed, and we are even working with the Milesians,
one in particular, Chancemont LeBlanc …” The queen inclined
her lovely head. “I know that you have heard something of
that
tragic story.”

“Yes, Trevor has just left me to join the Milesian in
the effort of tracking and capturing Pestale.”

“Precisely, my Princess.” The queen rose from her
seat and took a turn in place. Royce watched her with dread.
Here it comes
, she thought.

“As it happens, Princess Royce, I have decided to
make you a part of
their team
. You have specific and
extraordinary abilities that they might find useful.”

“
Me
… my punishment is to team with
Trevor?” Now this was beyond wonderful, Royce thought, almost
clasping her hands together.
Is this what she calls
punishment?

The queen’s iridescent eyes narrowed, and one
delicate brow rose. “Do not think you have gotten away with your
misbehavior. Indeed, little one, I am putting you in grave danger.
It is time you stopped playing mother to these humans and began the
business of being who you are—a Seelie Fae princess.” She waved off
Royce’s objection and silenced her with a glare. “This is a mission
that you must execute with purpose and determination. It is time
you wake up and realize your duty to your own kind. I need you to
open your lovely eyes and recognize what is important in the large
scope of things.” The queen sighed and then added, “This will not
be easy, child. Chancemont will not want you to accompany them, and
he will not welcome you. If you wish to carry out your Queen’s
orders, you will have to prove yourself to him, and I expect that
you will find a way to do so.”

Royce was so relieved that the queen was not
relegating her to the middle of a mountain without power to get
out—she had heard enough stories to worry about this— that she
almost jumped up and hugged Queen Aaibhe. However, she checked
herself and bowed her head. “Yes, my Queen … I will do as you
ask.”

About Claudy Conn

Claudy Conn, a native New Yorker, now lives with her
husband, Bob; their wolf, Cherokee; and Cherokee’s son, Rocky Man,
who weighs in presently at 190 pounds.

She loves horses and riding and raised her
ten-year-old gelding Southern Pride from the moment he was born.
She also loves gardening, swimming, skiing, hiking, and travel—and
of course, reading, writing, but no, she says, no arithmetic!

To get her monthly news, her reviews for all her new
paranormal romances, and excerpts, come on and visit her at her
website:
http://www.claudyconn.com

To see pictures of Cherokee—and her shepherd-wolf
son!—have a look at her Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Claudy-Conn-Paranormal-Romance-Author/135826686471445

Discover this and other titles by Claudy Conn at
Smashwords.com:

Risqué Regencies

Oh, Cherry Ripe
–
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/135532

Myriah Fire
–
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/109011

Rogues, Rakes & Jewels
–
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/171997

Taffeta and Hotspur –
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/179452

Wildfire Kiss
–
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/221331

Runaway Heart
–
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/239110

Legend Series

Prince Prelude—Legend
–
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/159840