Free Blood of Half Gods: Kallen's Tale by Bonnie Lamer Page A

of Giants.  There are the Daityas who have mixed their bloodline with Cowan blood, and the Devas, who see them as weaker because of that,” Dagda explains.
     
    “So, it’s like the Pooka, the Sheehogue and the Cowan Fairies, then,” Xandra says.  The table becomes silent and now Alita’s face is the one to color.  Xandra certainly has a knack for making that happen.  Poor Alita.  She will have to grow a thicker skin if she plans to spend time with Xandra.
     
    Finally, Dagda says, “The difference being, we Fairies have learned to live amongst one another peacefully.”
     
    Xandra snorts.  “Are you kidding?  Racism is rampant amongst the Fairies.”  Dagda scowls but he cannot argue with her assertion.  It may even be said that I was once guilty of racism in my belief that I should only be with a full-blooded Fairy.  Fortunately, I came to my senses.
     
    Dagda inclines his head and says pointedly, “Be that as it may, we Fairies do not murder each other in cold blood to solve our problems with each other.”
     
    Clearly wanting to avoid more conflict, Xandra wisely ignores his jab at the Cowan world and moves on, “Okay, they hate each other and they’re killing each other.  Got it.  Is their magic strong?”
     
    Radella seems to have choked on a spoonful of soup.  Or she’s laughing at Xandra.  Which is probably the case.  She gets herself under control quickly when she realizes Dagda is trying to burn holes in her with his eyes.  And he’s drawing magic.  I have no idea why he even allowed her to stay for dinner.  Dagda must have known this would be disastrous.
     
    “Sorry,” she mumbles.  “My soup was hot.”  The lie slips easily from her mouth.
     
    Ignoring her interruption, I answer Xandra’s question.  “The Giants possess great strength, but they are not magical creatures.  They are, however, immune to many types of magic.  Witch magic is useless against them.”  Xandra’s eyes widen in surprise.
     
    “They’re not immune to Fairy magic?”
     
    Dagda leans forward and rests his arms on the table.  “Some, but not all.  It takes a powerful Fairy to go up against a Giant.”
     
    “But, they recognize you as King?”
     
    He nods.  “Yes.  It was a battle fought long and hard, but the Giants are now under my realm.  Both for protection, mainly from each other, and as citizens that recognize the laws of my dominion.”
     
    “What’s going on with them right now?”
     
    “I am glad you have finally taken an interest,” Dagda says with an amused smirk.  Xandra  wrinkles her nose at him, which just makes him chuckle.
     
    Leaning back again, he says, “There has been an increase in violence amongst the Giants.  Random murders, brawling, a complete breakdown of communication.  Each tribe is threatening to declare war.”
     
    Xandra is confused.  “As King, aren’t you the only one who can declare war?” 
     
    Radella chokes on her soup again in response to Xandra’s ignorance of this realm and the beings that inhabit it.  Since Xandra has had mere months instead of years to learn these things, I think she is doing very well.  She asks appropriate questions and is eager to learn. 
     
    My musing is interrupted when it becomes apparent that Radella is not simply trying to hide a laugh.  She is actually choking.  She is not making any noise and her lips are getting a little blue.  As much as I dislike the woman, I will not let her die this way.  I am about to help her when Xandra beats me to it.
     
    “Oh, good lord,” Xandra  grumbles.  She uses her magic to squeeze Radella around her middle, forcing whatever is lodged in her throat to be expelled.  I am not sure who Dagda is more angry with when the carrot hits him in the eye.  I do know he is using words at the moment that make me want to cover everyone’s ears.  I have never heard him rant this way, even on his darkest days.  I am sure this will not bode well for