Free Poison by Megan Derr Page B

for you. Being the Unicorn does not give me leave to be a bastard. I am sorry."
    Noire gave a rough, short laugh of relief, a couple of stray tears slipping down his cheeks. "You are the Unicorn, and I don't want to break tradition. I know the Triad is important, and I'm just—"
    "You're not just anything," Gael said fiercely, kissing the tears away before taking Noire's mouth. "You're my entire world. I lived for duty before you, Noire. I was tired of it all. Only my nightmares keep me from telling the world about you. A smarter man would have kept his distance entirely until the ceremony was over—"
    "No!" Noire burst out, gripping the front of Gael's jacket, startling him. "Don't leave me. I hate being a secret. I hate seeing them touch you. But I hate more the idea that I won't have you at all. What if the ceremony doesn't work? What if in two and a half months you die? I would rather have you as a secret for the past three years, than not at all."
    Gael swallowed, gently took the hands holding fast to his jacket, and pulled them up around his neck, then slid his own arms around Noire's waist, holding him tightly and burying his head in Noire's throat. "I love you, kitten."
    "I love you, too," Noire whispered. "I won't die, no matter what your nightmares say. But you can't die either."
    "No matter what it takes, kitten, I'll come back to you. Hopefully, you will still want me as a god."
    Noire laughed. "I cannot see loving a god being so different from loving a prince as long as that god is you. I think if anything, a god will not want me."
    "Then I would make for a very stupid god," Gael said with a faint smile and drew him into a last, lingering kiss. "Come, we had best go. But if I must throw everyone out of the palace on whatever excuse I can devise, I will have you naked upon your sheets before the month is out."
    The words made Noire close his eyes, swallow, and shiver against Gael. "Do not say such things, or I will demand you put me right back over the sofa."
    "Do not tempt me," Gael said, and made himself step away. "Now—" He froze as Etain's voice shot through his mind. Get back here at once! Where are you? Now! There's been another one.
    "What's wrong, Gael?" Noire asked.
    Gael took his hand and led him to the door, throwing discretion aside as he unlocked it and yanked it open. "Etain says there's been another." Noire did not bother to ask another what, as they both knew full well Etain could only mean the White Eagle.
    Where are you? Gael asked.
    The Crystal room, it looks like he was meeting someone.
    Gael did not ask further question, simply let go of Noire's hand as they returned to the main hallway. They kept walking until they turned a corner at the opposite end, then walked halfway down that one until they reached the crystal room.
    Candlelight sparkled off the profusion of crystal decorations that gave the parlor its name. Slumped in a chair, eyes closed, was Lord Lyall, the White Wolf. Freddie stood beside him, combing through his hair, face etched with worry and a touch of fear. She looked up as they entered. "Exactly like Elianne. That is two Beasts. We cannot assume this is a personal matter regarding the Eagle."
    Gael nodded his agreement. "Where is Lord Ailill?"
    "Still at Elianne's estate," Freddie replied.
    "Then he must be recalled at once and given this new information." Gael looked around the room, taking in all the details, hoping for some clue:  a tray of wine; two glasses, one half-full, the other lying on the floor by Lord Lyall's feet. So that was the likely method of delivery for the poison. But what poison? Gael crossed the room and picked up the glass, licking the inside of it—but all he tasted was the residue of wine.
    Setting the glass on the table, he stood up. "Who found him?"
    "Etain," Freddie said with a sigh. "You know she always sneaks off here halfway through the party. She found him just sitting here. Came and found me. We looked briefly for you ... "
    Gael shook his