It took the blue-haired pixie some effort but she managed to calm down and relax. I forced my mouth into a dainty smile and waited while Taylor, clad head to toe in a suit made out of the new Adair tartan, came and helped me down.

‘Integrity,’ Aifric boomed. ‘What a pleasure. It’s so good of you to come and support the Games.’

I leaned forward, kissing him effusively on both cheeks and looking for all the world as if I’d missed his presence terribly. ‘It’s lovely to see you again,’ I said. Then I raised my voice to make sure no-one missed my words. ‘But I’m not here to support the Games.’

Aifric’s smile wavered slightly. ‘You’re not?’

‘Goodness no!’ Careful, Integrity, I warned myself. That was dangerously close to a simper. I had to be sure not to overdo it. ‘I’m here to compete.’

His mouth dropped open before he remembered himself. ‘Er, were you invited to participate?’

Ha! He knew very well I wasn’t. I looked concerned. ‘Oh, I thought that any Sidhe could take part. Isn’t that what it says in the rules?’

‘Well, yes, I suppose so. It’s usually for the honour of your Clan though ‒ and with their full backing. I’m sorry. I’m sure you understand…’

‘Of course! Of course! I don’t have a Clan. It’s just as well really. Knowing what I do about the Adairs, I think it’s best that they’re consigned to the history books.’ They weren’t even allowed that; the history books at the Cruaich had virtually wiped out any mention of them. My smile widened and I leaned forward to whisper, ‘Can I trust you?’

‘To death and beyond, my dear.’

I smiled at him like I’d expected nothing else. ‘The thing is,’ I told him, ‘it’s very lonely being Clan-less. I’m the only Sidhe without a clan and my friends are … well, they’re not Sidhe, if you know what I mean. I want to win so that I can ask to be accepted into a Clan as one of their own. Return to the fold, so to speak. The Scrymgeours looked after me before. Maybe I could prevail upon their goodwill and…’

Aifric looked delighted. No surprise there: if I swore fealty to a Clan like the Scrymgeours – hell, if I did that to any Clan – then the Adairs would be laid to rest once and for all. There would be no one left to take up their cause.

‘I think that’s a wonderful idea. Simply wonderful.’

I managed to blush. Go, girl! ‘I probably won’t win because I don’t have any Gifts like the others. But if I can use this opportunity to get to know everyone better, who knows what might happen?’

‘You’re so right.’ Aifric gazed at me like a proud father. As much as I abhorred violence, my fists itched. ‘But it will depend on the other Clans agreeing to your participation. Naturally you have my full support but you’ll need two supporters to secure your place. It’s a formality for most competitors but we do like our traditions. You’ll need their agreement before the opening ceremony if you’re going to compete.’