Caledonia Fae 05 - Elder Druid by India Drummond Page B

high-walled garden off the morning room. Inside, Eilidh’s three mates lounged and chatted. Munro had brought the child with him, much to the queen’s chagrin. A couple of nurses accompanied him, although he did keep them hovering in the background.
    “You’re not concentrating,” Eilidh said.
    “My mind wanders,” Tràth told her. With her help, the focus had been easier, but after concentrating for so long, he was growing tired. They’d made some progress, isolating the place in his consciousness where his bond with Douglas lay, but he’d not been able to get near it. Any time he shifted his focus, his sense of Douglas grew stronger. In those moments, he felt as though the druid stood right beside him. “Our efforts run contrary to the desired effect.”
    Eilidh touched his hand. “Don’t worry. That’s normal for someone who has not attempted these types of exercises and meditations before. Plus, you’re grappling with an added distraction.” Tràth couldn’t be certain if she meant Douglas or the time stream, but he decided not to ask. “We should take a break. Some refreshment, perhaps?” she offered.
    In the next room, Maiya gurgled with delight. Eilidh looked sharply in her direction. “I do wish he’d let the nurses take care of her, at least during the day. At this rate, English will be her first language.” She sighed.
    Tràth didn’t like to argue, but he had less resistance to the breaking of tradition than she. One thing he couldn’t deny: Maiya seemed blissful when she was with her father.
    A servant in Caledonian livery entered. Eilidh stood, looking pleased. “Finally. He should be bringing word we’re ready to depart for home.” She smiled at Tràth. “I’m eager for things to return to normal, and I’m sure you’re impatient to be away from the Halls.”
    “Indeed,” he said, rising with her. Together, they went to the day room and joined her mates.
    The servant bowed deeply. “Your Majesty, an emissary from the Zalian Hall arrived a few moments ago, saying he has been charged with making an inquiry.”
    Eilidh frowned, and glanced at Griogair, then back at the steward. “An inquiry?”
    The steward held out a leather-bound sheaf, which Eilidh accepted. “Interesting,” she said, glancing over the papers inside. She turned to Prince Koen. “Will you see to this emissary and offer all the comforts of our Hall? I want to be sure we cause no offense and give him no reason to report anything but that we paid him the highest honour. I will respond to the princess’ inquiry within the hour.”
    Tràth suspected she was using this as an excuse to be rid of Koen, but her newest mate merely nodded his agreement and followed the steward out.
    “What is it?” Griogair asked. “Is she requesting to open trade negotiations?”
    Eilidh glanced at Tràth. “Oh yes,” she said. “And more.” She turned to the nurses hovering nearby. “Take Princess Maiya for her morning’s rest, please.” They swept forward and retrieved the child from Munro’s arms and left quickly.
    “What does Imena want?” Munro asked, his tone wary.
    Eilidh frowned, reading over the papers again. Pausing a moment, she handed them to Griogair. After his eyes scanned the documents, he showed them to Munro. “The script is in the fae tongue,” he said.
    Eilidh glanced at Tràth. “You spoke to Imena after dinner?” Her tone was sharp.
    “Yes, briefly,” Tràth replied cautiously. “She was intrigued by our little game. Perhaps too much so. I made it clear I would not be pursuing a mating ritual with her and indicated I was leaving the Halls of Mist immediately, regardless of whether she continued talks with Caledonia. I was with her when you called. I may have exited abruptly, but she didn’t give the impression my departure upset her.”
    “What does this say?” Munro asked, gesturing to the missive.
    “She has invited a Caledonian trade delegation to Zalia to open formal negotiations,”