Free Azuri Fae by India Drummond

servant Eilidh questioned might report back. Her nerves frayed as she slowly progressed toward the castle entrance. She tried to walk with purpose, so as to not seem like she was skulking, but neither did she rush, in case Griogair hadn’t yet heard she was here. All she could do was hope he’d have someone watching for her.

    As she neared the exit to the castle, a voice came from across an arched entryway. “Mother above, that is an ugly dress.”
     
    Eilidh turned and met Griogair’s violet eyes. “Her Majesty thought so as well,” Eilidh said.

    He slipped into the hallway and motioned for her to continue the way she’d been walking. “Of all the things I can say about Cadhla, I cannot say she has bad taste.”
     
    “In clothing,” Eilidh added, then instantly regretted it. She had to remind herself she was speaking with the second most powerful faerie in the kingdom and mate to the queen. He couldn’t be trusted, no matter how charming his tone or how sincere he was about finding his son. He had an agenda, she reminded herself.

    Griogair laughed. “Indeed, she has atrocious taste in men.” He lowered his voice as they walked. “Did you speak to your druid?”
     
    “Yes. He says he needs to talk with you in person.”

    Griogair hesitated only briefly. “When?”
     
    “He has travelled several hundred miles in the human realm, and I must go to Skye first. The queen has ordered me to deliver a message to the azuri conclave.” She narrowly avoided saying “Higher Conclave” as she usually did. “I suspect she will know immediately if I don’t do it today. However, I think it will take them several days to argue about what to do. I can slip through the gates and tell Munro you have agreed. I will try to arrange the meeting for tomorrow’s nightfall. When the weaver crosses the four brothers.”

    The prince-consort nodded, coming to a stop as they approached the courtyard. “Which gate is nearest?”
     
    “Ashdawn.”

    “I will be as close as I can. When you cross, I will find you.”
     
    “Your Highness,” she said. “Is there any way you can come to us? It would be a great risk to bring Munro to the Otherworld. Sneaking past the Watchers in the borderlands would be difficult if I were alone, but with a human, I think it would be impossible.”

    “I cannot leave the realm without Cadhla. It’s forbidden, and she would know immediately. Don’t worry about the Watchers. I have enough influence to ensure they will let your druid pass.”
     
    She nodded, wondering how the queen would know if he left the Otherworld but not doubting the truth of it. “Very well.” She started to curtsy, but he stopped her, reaching up and running his hand along her arm.

    Griogair grinned. “Could you not smile at me, Eilidh? Everyone in the castle thinks I have seduced you, and it would not do to look so…formal.”
     
    “Faith,” Eilidh swore, then coughed when she realised what she’d said, and blushed as Griogair chuckled. “Then they will just have to think we have had a lovers’ argument.” She turned on her heels and marched toward the castle gates, his now earnest laughter ringing in her ears. It wasn’t too difficult to feign anger. Presumptuous … She stopped mid-thought because she couldn’t think of a word that fit how she felt about the prince at that moment.

Chapter 6
    “How did it go?” Sergeant Hallward asked Munro, who sank into a chair next to the sergeant’s desk. He’d driven straight over after his meeting with the Professional Standards Department in Dundee.
     
    “Well enough, I suppose. I did what you said. Told the truth as far as it made sense, pled memory loss where things got weird. I didn’t like it, but like you said earlier, it was the only thing to do.”

    “I don’t like it either, son,” Hallward said. “I will tell you this much, I don’t envy them their job. Most hated men in the department. I know you didn’t do anything wrong with