“I’m being summoned to a council meeting.”

“On your wedding day?” Captain Aengus asked quietly.

“Shall I come with you?” Niamh stepped forward.

Loran nodded at the messenger and sent him away.

“I was summoned to the council, not you.”

Niamh went silent. The king was no longer smiling and began walking back to the palace. He did not wait for his bride, but strode so purposefully that Niamh had to push herself to keep a close distance between ...