Free Into the Fire by Jodi McIsaac

white chairs had been added outside of the Council circle, with standing room only beyond that. Cedar caught sight of Riona and Rohan, who waved to them and pointed to the empty seats beside them.
    Earlier that morning Cedar had discovered the Tír na nÓg equivalent of a walk-in closet in her room—a huge carved wardrobe that seemed to grow bigger when she stepped inside of it. Dresses and robes of every color hung on either side, and toward the back were drawers filled with jewelry, ribbons, and fresh flowers for her hair. She still preferred her worn blue jeans, but she had dressed for this more formal occasion in a beautiful charcoal dress with bell sleeves and light blue embroidery crisscrossing the bodice.
    They’d left Eden in the care of Riona’s friend Seisyll, who had promised to show her how to play some of the instruments that were hanging from the music branch in her room.
    Cedar looked around the courtyard and saw a few friendly faces. Felix was sitting a couple of rows away from them, looking as gorgeous as he’d appeared yesterday, and Dermot was next to Dáiríne, whom she’d met at the party the previous night. Murdoch and Anya were present too, and they nodded in her direction when she smiled and waved at them.
    Cedar! Behind you!
    Cedar swiveled around and caught sight of Nevan’s grinning face. Sam was sitting next to her, his arm draped around her shoulders.
    Many of the Danann in the crowd looked at her with undisguised curiosity. If last night’s welcome party had been any indication, they all thought she’d be making a competing claim for the throne today. She looked around for Nuala and found her in the seat directly behind the blonde councilwoman, Sorcha, who had so readily dismissed Cedar the day before. Her stomach tightened, but she knew she was surrounded by friends.
    The goateed councilman stood and cleared his throat. Riona leaned over and whispered, “His name is Deaglán. Did you meet him yesterday?” Cedar nodded, scowling at the memory.
    “The Council has already heard one claim for the throne of Tír na nÓg,” Deaglán continued. “This meeting has been called to determine if there are any others who believe they possess the qualities necessary to lead us. If you wish to be considered, please step forward and present us with your claim.”
    A silence fell over the room. Cedar held her breath, waiting to see who would step forward. After a few moments, a man stood and walked into the center of the circle. Cedar’s spirits rose. He looked like a great warrior, strong and powerful, but with a kind face framed by a thick beard. Surely the Council would choose him over Nuala.
    “Conchobhar,” the councilman said. “What is your claim?”
    Cedar listened as Conchobhar began to recite the great deeds he had done, wars he had fought in, and enemies he had destroyed. Her spirits started to sink as he spoke of Tír na nÓg’s weakened condition and the human “threat.”
    “The swords and spears of the Tuatha Dé Danann have grown dull!” he thundered. “We need a warrior king on the throne once more if we wish to regain our former glory—one who is noble and does not abuse our own people, but also one who is victorious!”
    After Conchobhar sat down, Cedar cast a worried glance at Finn. She wasn’t sure who would be worse, Nuala or Conchobhar. And if Nuala could accomplish the same goal without taking the Tuatha Dé Danann to war, surely the Council would choose her.
    There was another long silence as the Council waited for any additional claims. Cedar noticed that people were looking at her expectantly. She studied her hands in her lap, trying to ignore them. She felt Riona nudge her. “Are you certain?” Riona asked. Cedar nodded. Riona whispered something to Rohan, who immediately stood.
    “I wish to make my claim,” he said. He spoke of his close friendship with Brogan and how he fought against Lorcan, refusing to accept a tyrant as king. He spoke of his years on