Brothers

At last, Adair thought, at last Taranis was going to pay for bringing down the Seelie court, for turning them all out to Andais' tender care. All they had to do was get Aisling back over there with Barinthus...Manannan mac Lir. Get those two in their full cups and nothing this side of Hell (with apologies to the other fey) would stop them! Adair could taste it! Funny he suddenly had memories of when those two were the greatest powers in Eire before the coming of the Christians.

Born too late for the great wars, Adair had heard enough of them. The way Aisling and his older brothers had fought against Balor. And while it was not a common story, Aisling had actually used himself to lure Balor into Lugh's killing range.

Morrigan had revelled in that war, the second battle of Moy Tura. Heroes and Champions, all of them! And Macha! Macha dying beside Nuada. Aisling had taken her crazed gray stallion into the Brugh until Lugh gave it to his son Cuchulihann. Cuchulihann, Aisling's great grandson, a man so beautiful many thought he was Aisling when first glimpsed.

Revenge was coming! Revenge was at hand! So soon, he could taste it. Fierce pride swelled the sidhe's breast. REVENGE! He stopped, realizing his brother was not beside him. Glancing back, he met Aisling's troubled eyes. "Why do you drag your feet?" he demanded.

"I am afraid," Aisling confessed softly.

"Afraid?" Adair shot back. "I won't have it! Not now. WE are almost there, and I will not have you dragging your feet." Almost rushing his brother, Adair growled, "You have been my hero forever. Even when we lost you were always defiant. Of all the sidhe, only you stood up to this man Patrick."

"But I lost," Aisling softly reminded him.

"You tried! Who else tried?" Running his hand through his long golden brown hair, Adair thought he understood. Softening his approach, he said, "WE have been sorely abused, my brother, that is true. And the queen has taken particular pleasure in humiliating you and Manannan mac Lir. When Taranis found out you still lived and tried to have you killed, I thought I would go mad watching how the queen treated you."

Aisling lowered his incredible green eyes, the glamour not needed around his brother. "Her cruelty is unique," he admitted. Because of his ability to enchant his lovers, he had not been allowed into her bed. The exception had been after the assassination attempt. Andais had thought it amusing to caress him intimately while he bled on his own bed.

Adair smiled. "Please, Angus. Come now, let's finish this right."

"Only Dunnla calls me that," he replied affectionately.

"Dunnla may be the only wise one among us," Adair said and slapped him brother on the shoulder. "Come. The princess is waiting."

.......................................................................
Adair entered the room first and found the princess sitting on the bed with a surprised look on her face and the chalice in her hands. Frost and Doyle did not look pleased to see it.

"Is something wrong?" Adair asked, silently praying that the princess had not changed her mind.

The princess looked past him at Aisling, who was standing in the doorway, reluctant to enter. "I think the Goddess wants you to touch this."

"I am unworthy," Aisling replied and slowly shook his head.

"Let me be the judge of that," Merry said and held the chalice out to him. "Come Aisling, show me your face."