The Mound by Brendan P. Myers

Author:Brendan P. Myers [Myers, Brendan P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Genre Fiction, Literature & Fiction, Dark Fantasy, Magical Realism, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Paranormal & Urban, Mythology & Folk Tales, horror, Fairy Tales
ISBN: 1502413930
Publisher: Exigua Publishing
Published: 2014-10-23T04:00:00+00:00

Like everyone else, the McCulloch family and their entourage had watched the young man swagger into the room as if he were the belle of the ball. When Cavanaugh first took note of the scene, he fastened his gaze toward Lachlan and saw the king’s smile had morphed into a frozen rictus. Beside him, the queen’s face had affected a sour countenance like she had just smelled fresh baked bread.

Frustratingly, Cavanaugh noted the youngling prince seemed to pay no heed to what was going on, which happened to be a dire threat to the throne he was slated to inherit. He had for some reason cast his attention elsewhere. God help the Sidhe when this one becomes king, Cavanaugh thought, and not for the first time. But it was his job to put him there.

Cavanaugh noted too that all those who had been standing in line to wish the old king well and the new king success had turned to watch the last remaining male Sinclair put on his little show. All appeared appropriately aghast that the pipsqueak pretender had dared don the garments of his royal ancestors. It was the boldest breach of protocol Cavanaugh could remember since … well, since Lachlan himself had usurped the throne from Sinclair’s grandfather all those years ago.

But on this night, the boy’s sheer audacity made clear he wanted the throne back, and planned to fight for what he believed was rightfully his. It was what a human might call a “shot across the bow.”

And yet, the boy wasn’t content with just that. No, he had doubled down on his impertinence by daring to crown a queen, a mortal queen, and one as young and beautiful as any fae. Cavanaugh understood in that moment the entire performance was designed to tug at the heartstrings of those Seelie who had only tolerated the alliance that allowed an Unseelie to sit on their throne. Further, he knew that this appeal to emotion of those who remembered his grandfather had in all probability already swung them in his direction. But then, appealing to Seelie emotion never failed, Cavanaugh thought with a sigh. They were nothing but a sentimental bunch of do-gooders, whereas Unseelie were more predictable, preferring mischief and mayhem and pranks of all kind; and if humans happened to get hurt in the process, so much the better.

As he watched the boy take the girl in his arms to begin their first dance as betrothed, with a sharp wince Cavanaugh felt Lachlan reach into his mind and issue a three word order.

“Get me Miles,” Lachlan said.

Cavanaugh noted that even the king’s word thoughts were communicated through what sounded like clenched teeth. Taking another moment to stare at the couple, who he had to admit made a nice one, Cavanaugh nodded and was gone.

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