The Morning After (Novel excerpt)

There was work to be done, but he wasn't doing well at getting it done. The window kept distracting him, with its view of the forest. If he listened hard enough he could hear her laughter as they raced the horses through it. She wasn't as proficient as Etain had been. The memories might be there, but she'd grown up this time in a city of concrete without much access to horses. He'd let her win, and she'd known it but pretended not to, laughing back at him in triumph.

Fergus stood in the doorway, fidgeting a bit. Midir glanced at him, then tilted his head with an imperious air, cloaking himself in the mantle of the King.

"You have something to report?"

"Her mother took her to Dublin last night to catch the plane back to New York."

His stomach clenched, but he nodded. "I know. Is there anything else?"

"My lord..." Fergus sighed, a frustrated sound. "Midir..."

"Don't." Soft. Smooth. Chilled. Final. It was enough to make Fergus nod and fall silent. "Is there anything else?"

"Most of Fuamnach's supporters seem to have fled. The court is in chaos with it. Husbands. Wives. Parents. Children. The divisions were deeper than we ever thought."

Midir nodded. Taking one last look outside, he took a deep breath and turned from the window.

His voice was firm when he spoke. "This court has been in chaos, divided by civil war for over 3000 years. It's ended now, and it is time it was done." He held out a list of names. "These are people I suspect may still have been on Fuamnach's side. Investigate them. Do it quietly, as I've no doubt they'll be expecting it. Let me know anything you find. Those loyal to us, those we know are loyal without a doubt, I want brought before the throne this afternoon. They've fought for us for too long to not be rewarded. They deserve their due." And Fergus deserved his, though Midir couldn't think what that might be right now. He watched him, standing there attentive. Questions and concern in his eyes but staying silent for now, because he'd asked it of him. "It's time we rebuilt. Turned Bri Leith into what it used to be. Gave my people their home back."

"Without their Queen?" Fergus dared the question.

He didn't even flinch. "Without their Queen. Cailean and Aurelia can share the Queen's duties in court. Cailean needs grooming to take her place as Lady when the time comes for Diarmuid to take the throne, and Aurelia I've no doubt will find herself someone to manage eventually." If he noticed Fergus' flush, he gave no sign of it. "Send them to me when you go, and keep Elysandre away from Aurelia as much as possible. Just because I acknowledge the girl as my daughter, and Keelia is gone is no reason for that harridan to think she's stepping into anyone's shoes. Make that clear to her, and remind her that she does not want me to have to make it clear. I won't be as...diplomatic as you."

Fergus bowed. "My lord."

Midir watched him for a moment. "Would you go after Alisha?" Not that he would deny him Aurelia, if she were his choice, but he wouldn't wish her mother on anyone and the girl herself was a handful.

Fergus blinked, and flushed again, looking discomfited. Apparently he really did prefer blondes. "She has her life in New York, Midir." If they were talking about his love life, he was going to be informal. "I wouldn't fit there, and I wouldn't leave you, and she wouldn't want to be here away from her city and her...Manolo Blahniks?" He tested the word out, then shrugged. "Our worlds, our hopes, our dreams are too far apart for it ever to be more than a summer's fancy."

Midir wasn't so sure, but he nodded. It was selfish, but he couldn't think of losing Fergus without mild panic.

"That's all, then." Fergus bowed one last time and took his silent leave.

It was a new day, and if the ache in his heart screamed out for him to just curl up and fade away, Midir would ignore it. His people deserved better than that, and he had neglected them for far too long.