“My queen?” The painted-faced servant bowed deeply.
“Pack his bags, Milo. This male’s attendance is no longer required.”
Two things happened at once. Milo’s eyes grew wide in astonishment. I’d felt restless last night after Ragoth had left my room and had set about finally learning the names of a great majority of my servants.
I’d never called any of them, save for Dru, by name. The poor man looked fit to be tied that I’d done so now.
Crossing his arm over his chest, he bowed far deeper than he had initially and muttered reverently, “As my queen wishes, so shall I do.”
Midas, on other hand, looked astonished, dumbfounded, and then shivering with fury. “You cannot simply just toss me thus—”
I laughed, slipping easily back into the character of the queen I once was. “Oh yes, I can. You’re a vile, no-good, despicable liar who only came to the games for a chance at the crown. A crown you’d never have received, by the by. I was not looking for love, Midas, but I was certainly not looking for you.”
“You foul bitch!” he snapped.
Dukes could be so predictable. Snapping my fingers, I called yet another servant to me.
“Titus,” I said to the brute of a man whose eyes widened just as Milo’s had, “you may toss him out on his arse. Just get rid of him.”
Easily twice as broad as Midas and equally as tall, with twin tusk-like teeth that curled upward from his bottom lip, Titus was an imposing figure. My guard tucked his hand behind Midas’s collar and began to drag him out.
Midas shrieked. “Unhand me, vermin. You’ll pay for this. You’ll all pay for this!” He reached up and brushed his finger across Titus’s cheek, but my guard laughed.
“You think to turn me to gold, you foul leech?” Tossing his head back, he boomed, and if it hadn’t been obvious to Midas before, it certainly was now.
Titus wasn’t human. Or at least not entirely. Part ogre, he was—just like Ragoth—immune to most magics.
“Stupid human.” Titus grunted, and then quick as a blink rammed his hammy fist across the pretty man’s temple, knocking him out.
I grinned, snorting happily to myself. There was nothing wrong with being just a little naughty sometimes.
Lifting a finger when Milo started walking past, carting Midas’ valises, I stopped him. “Oh, Milo, one last favor.”
My servant paused, giving me a reverent bow of his head. Odd, but I thought I might have just made another ally in this place.
“My queen?”
“Send that spineless worm, Jonas, down to me as well.”
Anxiety scrawled across his forehead as he shifted on the balls of his feet. “I, uh, meant to tell you, queen, but—”
He paused for so long that I snapped with exasperation, “Well, spit it out, boy.”
Still looking nervous, he met my gaze head on. “He hied it out of here late last night, my queen. Said you weren’t worth the trouble.”
“Wasn’t worth the trouble,” I muttered.
And instantly Milo cringed. But I must have done the very last thing he’d expected, because I tossed my head back and laughed to the rafters.
“Well, how do you like that? Not worth the effort, indeed. Send him a box of chocolates in the morning post, Milo.”
I knuckled tears from my eyes. I thought that maybe my pride should be a little more wounded than it currently was. Indeed, I felt very little other than amusement.
“My queen?” he asked in confusion. “You would have me send him...chocolates?”
I grinned with delight. “Yes. The very best decadent chocolate from the very best chocolatier in wonderland.”
“O...kay.” He nodded, looking confused as he turned to leave.
“But make sure you tell the confectioner to fill them with skunk wart juice.”
Milo’s eyes danced with laughter, and I clapped my hands with satisfaction. Oh yes, being a little naughty could be very, very fun.
I hadn’t heard Icarus come through the doors, but he stood leaning against the wall with his lips twitching as though with suppressed laughter.
Dressed in casual clothing this morning, black leather breeches tucked into dark riding boots, and a snow-white shirt, he rather reminded me of a pirate.
“I like the look.” I nodded appreciatively.
He chuckled and shrugged, casually walking over to my side, before taking a seat beside me. I frowned, wondering what he was about.
“I rather suspected,” he began in his deep shivery timbre, “that today we’d all be axed.”
“Did you?” I steepled my fingers beneath my chin. “And how so?”
Leaning in, until his mouth was mere inches from my ear, he whispered, “I spied the dragonborne leaving your room late last night.”
Leaning back, I eyed him speculatively. “Indeed.”
I didn’t say more. I wasn’t exactly sure what he was getting at. If I’d slept with Ragoth all the men would have known it, as the magic of the joining would have immediately nullified the games.
Smiling widely, he reached over for a slice of toast and nibbled on it. “I knew I didn’t stand much chance after what the dragon had done yesterday. Fact is, my queen, I knew the moment you saw him that none of us stood a chance.”
It was impossible to dislike the man.
“I will leave as soon as I’ve broken my fast, if that is okay with you.” He dipped his head.
And I grabbed his hand, just as Ragoth walked through the archway. He stopped, eyeing our twined fingers, but saying nothing.
My heart lurched the moment I saw him. He was so beautiful, even dressed in Charles’ old clothes. The reds, golds, and blacks looked incredible on him. Ragoth Nur had been born to be a king.
He smiled gently back at me and I returned the look. Moving to the other side of the table, he took a seat and inclined his head in greeting toward Icarus, who looked confused at the two of us.
“Icarus,” I said without looking back at Ragoth. Part of leading was leading. I loved my dragon, but he was not my master. “I would never treat you as I’ve treated the other two. You’ve shown me nothing but respect, and I wish to do the same with you.”
I finally let his hand go, and he nodded slowly. “Okay.”
“I suspect very strongly that you are the leader of your village. You strike me as a truly good and honorable man. There was a dual purpose to this gathering, and that was my desire to show my people I can be the queen they need. When you return to your village today, I wish to ride with you and speak with your people. Would that be okay?”
He frowned deeply. “Truly?”
“Of course.” Finally turning to Ragoth, I said, “Pick me up when the sun sets. I shall wait for you out in the square. I wish the people to meet their soon-to-be king as well.”
I picked at the food on my plate nervously, not daring to look him in the eye. I’d not given Ragoth any warning as to what I’d had planned; I could only hope he’d agree to it.
Grabbing my hand in his calloused one, he kissed my knuckles tenderly, making me gasp as my stomach curled with heated delight.
“It would be an honor, my queen.”
Chapter 16
Zelena
Icarus could have flown high above me if he’d chosen, but instead he remained by my side, practically floating as he gently flapped his wings beside me.
My cherry-red mare trotted along at a lazy pace. The countryside was lush and beautiful, the sky clear, and the air crisp from the scent of whispering flowers. I’d never had much of a chance to talk with Icarus, not as I’d wanted. I took the few hours still left to us to learn what I could about him.
I glanced at him and stifled a giggle when his brows lowered in intense concentration as he tried to work the tough leather seeds out of the dragon heart fruit to get to the meat inside. Icarus’ diet, I’d noticed, consisted mostly of grains, nuts, and fruit. The man was truly part bird.
“I’ve never really traveled this far west in wonde
rland. Tell me more of Avion, Icarus.” I said it slowly, so as not to startle him; the sound of my voice after miles of comfortable silence was still shocking, however.
“Hm?” Grunting, he glanced up, took a moment to register what I’d said, and then answered. “What would you wish to know, m’lady?”
“Describe it to me. I know that there are tall cliffs and many places from which to swoop and glide, but not much more than that.”
Smiling indulgently, he inhaled a deep breath, and in moments I could see his mind transported back to his homeland. “You are right; the cliffs climb for miles in all directions. Not all of my people have wings, but those of us who don’t have cloven hooves with which to climb the sharp, steep cliffs of our home. The world isn’t quite as nonsensical as it is around your castle, but we have our odd little beasties here and there. Pixies with horned tusks, wallarams—”
I grinned. “I thought them extinct.”
Wallarams were a hybrid species, like most of the rest of wonderland, but a little more unique. Part roo, part ram, they were cute and deadly, and many places in wonderland had had them hunted into extinction because of the velvety softness of their pelt.
He shook his head. “No, a few have survived. Though they’re shy and timid, we still see evidence of them now and again. Lately we’d noticed tracks cutting through our trails.”
“You suspect poachers?”
“Wallarams’ fur is far more valuable than gold in certain parts of Kingdom; yes, the council at Avion very much suspects hunters.” He shrugged.
Pursing my lips as I nodded, I said, “Then perhaps my visit will be fortuitous after all. This is a platform I could get behind. Let us save the wallarams.”
Chuckling, he dipped his head low. “I should like that, queen.”
Not sure what to say after that, I looked to my left, feeling suddenly awkward and shy myself. It was odd, I was sure, to be here with Icarus when I’d basically told him he’d lost his chance at the crown.
Also, I thought it better for my people to see me, just me, without a theatrical processional behind me. But suddenly I wasn’t sure I should have come out here alone, especially without my magic.
I touched the stone of Charles’s now blackened Heart ring.
“You’ve lost your powers.” Icarus said it so casually that it startled me.
“What?” I snatched my hand back, giving him a dazed look. “But how did you—”
“Know?” He finished my question. “Because the games smacked of a magician’s smoke and mirrors.”
It would have been nearly impossible for him to see through the deception; true enough I was magicless at the moment, but a powerful witch had cast the spells inside the castle. The illusions were flawless.
“My grandmother is a witch, you see, I recognize the feel of real magic.”
I shivered. “Did you tell anyone?”
“No.” He reached for a low-hanging branch, snapping it off at the base, and toyed the leaves through his fingers. “I figured you were going to such great lengths to hoodwink us, that it seemed rather obvious you’d not want the ruse revealed.”
I patted my suddenly slick fingers down the burgundy crease of my riding habit.
“And how do you know that I ever had magic then? For all you know, it was always a ruse.”
His grin was brilliantly white, and I couldn’t help but respond back to it. I really could have been happy with Icarus, but I’d never have felt the passion.
“My grandmother came and saw you years ago; she’d remarked on your heroic take-down of a wocky who’d come tromping through your forest—”
“Ah yes, that.” I snorted, recalling how I’d almost lost an eye when that brute had fallen, kicking up so much dirt and debris in the process that a stone the size of my palm had smacked me straight in the left eye. I’d seen blurry for a month after that. “Well, someone had to do it.”
I shrugged.
“You act as though it was no big deal; very few magic wielders could have brought the likes of it down alone. I knew then I had to meet you.”
Feeling embarrassed by his praise, I flicked his words away. “Really. It was nothing. Truth is, Icarus, I’ve not often felt like a good queen for my people. And the death of Alerid only cemented that reality for me.”
He nodded. “The family receives a basket once a month from an anonymous source. Full of food, clothes, and even at times, tradeable commodities. I wonder if they know how much they owe you.”
I cringed. Gods, the man was much too smart. “I really want that to remain between us, please. Regardless that I try to help as I can, the truth of it is, Ic, I’m directly responsible for the death of their father.”
“No, their mother is. She painted him in such an ugly light that even my own people believed her lies. Astira’s viper tongue fooled us all. You cannot hold yourself responsible for sentencing him to what, at the time, was a justifiable punishment. Thievery is nothing to be tolerated.”
“Yes, except he didn’t thieve, did he? And his death is a constant reminder to me of the wrongs I’ve committed not only to his family, but to all of wonderland. I fear I have a rather wretched reputation among my people.”
“Reputations can be fixed.”
His words, with no rancor or condemnation to them, did actually serve to make me feel a little better. Not much, but a little. Perhaps someday I wouldn’t hate myself quite so much anymore.
~*~
I spent the rest of that afternoon and early evening visiting with the people. Hearing their words, promising to make restitutions where possible, and finally, I’d screwed up my courage enough to visit the farmer’s children.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover them clean, healthy, and most of all safe. The thatched-roof home was in good working order; the children were well clothed and tended to by a kindly neighbor who served them warm meals each night.
After my promise to their people to put a strict ban on further hunting of wallarams, I’d like to believe that their overall sentiment concerning myself had changed. If only a little. I had no allies here yet, except for maybe Icarus—who’d not once taken his eyes off me during my visit—but I also knew that at least in this part of wonderland, my reputation was no longer quite so tarnished.
I waited now for Ragoth to come. Most of the villagers had returned to their nests and burrows for the evening, but Icarus remained by my side still.
“And how did you like Avion, my queen? I hope we made you feel welcomed.”
Nodding, I took in the splendor of a land part of my own and yet entirely foreign at the same time. There was a mystical splendor to the place that made me happy. Something ancient and magical, and for a moment, I could only wish I’d been born here, amongst these people. My life could have been so different.
“I quite liked it and plan to visit more often. And truly, if any of your people should ever need my ear, my doors are always open to you.”
Nodding deeply, he took my hand and kissed it gently. “I think I could have loved you, Zelena,” he whispered, for my ears only, and I shivered.
It was easy imagining a life with Icarus by my side. It would have been safe and peaceful.
“I have no doubt of it. When the walls come down, my Lena is very easy to love.”
Ragoth’s deep, shivery voice cut through our retrospective moment, and I had to stifle a groan as my body erupted in flame from the sensual caress of his words alone.
When standing side by side, there was no comparison or confusion between the two of them. Twirling on my heel, I rushed to Ragoth’s side and wrapped my arms tight around his neck.
Laughing, he banded his own arms tight about my middle and squeezed. “I missed you today.” He said the words hotly in my ear.
Aware that there was still a small, and now very curious, crowd surrounding us, I forced myself to pull away. But I didn’t release him completely. Taking his hand in my own, I nodded regally at the people.
“This is my soon-to-be
mate, and your soon to be king, Ragoth Nur of the royal house of Drakon.”
Just that word caused the eyes of many to swell with the first stirrings of fear. But Icarus held up his hands, and in his booming voice said, “I know him. He is a good man and will be an equally good leader. Long live the queen and her king.”
And even though I still sensed the beat of fear, Icarus had the ear of his people. He bowed first, and the rest followed suit.
I was more grateful to him than he could ever know.
Ragoth dipped his head in acknowledgement. “I vow that there shall be no eating of wonderlandians in my future.”
The only thing you could hear after his pronouncement was the chirping of crickets. But then Icarus tossed his head back and laughed.
And even though the few citizens that remained outside took a heavy step back, they at least had stopped trembling.
“You wish, lizard,” Icarus hissed. “I happen to know a siren who could—”
Ragoth growled, but the sound was neither deadly nor menacing, more of a humored, grumpy kind of sound that brought a smile to my face. Whether my dragon had intended to or not, he liked the bird almost as much as I did.
“Say another word about it, and I’ll pluck your feathers and roast you on a spit.” His large smile exposed his fangs.
Apart from Icarus, the rest of Avion vanished, no doubt taking refuge from the dragon in their presence. But the noble Icarus walked over to Ragoth and held out his arm in farewell.
My dragon took it in his own, and they gave a powerful handshake.
“Take care of her, lizard,” Icarus said with a note of warning, “for I now know where you live.”
Chuckling, Ragoth nodded. “You’ve no need to worry there. And should you need anything from us, our doors are always open to you.”
Then turning to me, Ragoth placed his hands tenderly on my shoulders. “Are you ready to go home?”
Icarus had already been given instructions on returning my filly to the castle. I wished to be with Ragoth alone for a while. Our times alone had been few and far between, and I was greedy for more of it.