Beyond the Pale: A Thin Veil Novella (The Thin Veil Book 3) Read Free Page B

would never have chosen this for myself,” she said. “I would have chosen you.”
    She turned and walked through the door, but not before hearing his voice crack as he whispered, “Then why didn’t you?”

 
     
     
CHAPTER THREE
     
     
    That evening Kier and her parents were joined by her older brother, Brion, who was captain of the Royal Guard. Kier and her brother had been close as children, but she hardly saw him anymore. He kissed her cheek.
    “Well done, little sister,” he said, and she gave him a tight smile. He had always been the more ambitious sibling, and she was quite sure he was calculating how much his own prospects would be furthered by her new position.
    Together they proceeded to the Hall, where the High King and his grandfather awaited them. Nuadu Airgetlam was an imposing figure. He had held the position of High King more than once during their people’s long history, and it was he who had spearheaded the creation of Tír na nÓg when the Danann left Ériu for good.
    His grandson Brogan was very handsome. He had glowing skin, thick black curls, and a pronounced dimple in his cheek when he smiled. Kier knew him socially, before he became king, but had never considered him as a suitor…or a husband. He took her hand and kissed it. “Greetings, Kier,” he said softly.
    She forced her lips into a smile and said, “Your Majesty.”
    “I trust that this news was welcome?” he asked, almost shyly.
    Kier hesitated, but the pressure of her father’s gaze made her nod. “Any woman would be pleased to be in my position,” she replied. The king was not so easily misled.
    “And are you ?” he asked, so quietly that only she could hear him.
    Kier looked into the dark eyes that were fixed on hers. How honest could she be with this man who was about to become her husband? “I am striving to be, Your Majesty,” she said. “It was…unexpected.”
    He frowned and nodded slowly, but then dinner was announced and they proceeded to their places at the table. Many of the other Elders were in attendance, and the food and wine were sublime, but Kier hardly tasted anything. She listened in silence as plans for the wedding and the Departing ceremony were discussed and the Elders fondly reminisced about the Four Cities and their eagerness to return there.
    Brogan tried to catch her eye several times over the course of the evening, but she didn’t return his gaze. Lorcan’s words were ringing in her ears: Why didn’t you? Could she? Could she reject the king and choose Lorcan instead? Part of her wanted to be reckless, to follow her heart. But two hundred years of training had drilled into her that her first responsibility was to her family. None of her noble ancestors had been chosen as High King. For her to be queen would bring everyone in her lineage great honor.
    It’s the right thing to do , she told herself. Besides, she had only been with Lorcan for a short time. Perhaps she could find the same happiness with Brogan if she tried. She lifted her eyes from her plate and saw that Brogan was still watching her, his gaze thoughtful. She managed a small smile this time, which he returned. But the memory of Lorcan’s devastated face flashed through her mind, and the look in his eyes drove her gaze to her plate once more.
     
    * * *
     
    Kier spent the next two days fielding visits from dressmakers, musicians, cooks, and winemakers. The royal family was taking care of all of the preparations for the ceremony, but each contributor wanted Kier’s blessing. She gave it robotically, without paying much attention to what they were proposing. This was her parents’ wedding, after all, not hers. Between these visits, Kier’s mother drilled her on what would be expected of her as queen. From what Kier could tell, it would mostly involve hosting a lot of parties and making every family in Tír na nÓg feel more important than they were. On the second day she was given a tour of the royal chambers in the Hall,