“Love, you know my people are open about sexuality. We generally marry out of expectation, and take lovers as we will. But I want to reassure you—to make you a promise—that I’m not doing that. I’m promising my faithfulness to you.”
I caught my breath. I had wondered when we would come to this discussion, and I had steeled myself in case Tam wanted to follow tradition. I hadn’t decided how I would handle it if he said he wasn’t cut out for monogamy, but I knew that the talk had to come. When he proposed, I had blanked it out of my mind—I had been too excited.
I rolled to a sitting position, turning to him. “Are you sure? Don’t make promises you can’t keep. The one thing I can’t abide is lying.”
“I know that, my love, and I promise you—if there ever is a day when I feel I can’t resist, we’ll talk first and decide how to proceed. But I don’t anticipate that day. You make me feel alive. There’s something about you that I can’t explain, my lovely goddess.”
“Don’t call me that,” I said. “I’m not a goddess.”
“But you are. You’re a Theosian. You are a goddess, minor or otherwise, whether or not you want to face facts. You may be bound to the Elder Gods, but you aren’t mortal, my love. Not in the way humans are. Not the way your parents were.” He took my hands in his. “How do you feel? I never asked you. Do you want to be monogamous? Do you want to take lovers? I suppose I should have asked before making my declaration.”
I stumbled over my words, feeling both awkward and yet strangely free. Tam and I were discussing the building blocks of our future, and everything seemed suddenly real.
“Oh gods, no. I’m far too busy for more than one man. You are the only one I want to be with. Honestly, I’ve never been one to hand out my heart—or my body—easily. And now that you have both, I want to reserve them for you. To get to know you in that way very, very old couples know each other. Every curve, every corner, every mood…I don’t think you can do that when you’re juggling a bunch of paramours.”
“Then it’s settled. We cleave to each other.” He kissed my fingers, one by one. “Now, as to setting a date. Perhaps the Winter Solstice? When the snows are thick on the ground and the holly berries are brilliant red, will you marry me?”
“That sounds perfect. By then, we’ll…” I started to say we’d have taken care of Lyon, but I didn’t want to jinx it so I just said, “That will give us time to prepare for the wedding. Yes, Winter Solstice is perfect.”
“Then Damh Varias will bring in a wedding planner and we can discuss your dress and the service. We’ll have to have a court wedding, love, tradition demands it.” He sounded wary, as if he thought I’d object.
“I don’t mind. As long as we’re together.” Secretly, I had hoped for something small and intimate, but I had learned enough about the traditions of the Bonny Fae to know that was a pipe dream. We would be married as royalty. “Now, make love to me. Hold me, touch me, remind me I’m yours.”
And he did.
WE WERE TANGLED on the bed together, basking in the afterglow, when there was a knock at the door. Tam pulled his robe on, and strode over. Outside, the guards were posted to keep anybody out who wasn’t invited and they knew better than interrupt for anything trivial. So it had to be important.
“Yes?” Tam opened the door a crack while I quickly began to dress over by the bed.
“Your Majesty, there’s an envoy waiting for you in the throne room. It seems important.” The guard’s voice traveled back to where I was standing.
“Envoy? From where?”
“Eleveanor. A messenger from a Mistress Tera.”
“Tera!” I hurried over, shoving my feet in my shoes. “I wonder if Shay is bothering them.”
“I don’t know. Take them into one of the private meeting rooms,” Tam said to the guard. “The Blue room. We’ll be there in a moment.” He closed the door and quickly dressed. “I hope to hell he hasn’t managed to cause problems for her again. I knew he’d be better off dead, but hindsight is always easiest. Let’s hope that everything’s all right.”
“Well, it can’t be all right, can it? Not with Sara killing herself. Tera’s probably at her wits’ end from that alone. If Shay has returned to Eleveanor, there’s no way for a good ending there.”
I waited impatiently as Tam finished dressing and brushing his hair. He was the Prince of UnderBarrow. He couldn’t afford to go anywhere unkempt unless it was the middle of battle.
We hurried down the hall, accompanied by two of his bodyguards. All the time we had hung out at Dream Wardens in Seattle, none of us had a clue that he was actually the leader of UnderBarrow. He had ditched his guards, never showing up with them, and we had all thought he was just Tam, one of the Bonny Fae.
We arrived at the Blue room—a private meeting chamber. It was decked out in soothing blues and ivory, like clouds against the sky, and Tam used it for meetings that might prove volatile, trying to calm the temperaments involved. As we entered, we saw one of the guards waiting with the visitor. It was Bryn, Tera’s new beau and the man helping her run Eleveanor. He looked exhausted, and I immediately knew that—whatever the news was—it wasn’t good.
“Bryn! What happened?” Tam clasped his hand and shook it. I seconded the action.
Bryn, a hefty man—tall and muscled and strong as an ox—slumped back in his chair. He looked defeated. “I’m coming to you to ask a great favor. Please know, we don’t expect you to say yes.”
“Tell us what happened.” Tam settled at the table.
Bryn ducked his head, staring at the floor. “Eleveanor is devastated. Shay returned, and he found the cull-fire magician and together, they rained fire down on the village. There are numerous injuries, and many of the houses burned to the ground. Luckily, we managed to prevent the flames from spreading through the forest.”
“Tera—is Tera…”
Bryn pressed his lips together. “She’s been injured, but she’ll live. Fire was raining from the sky and it clings like glue. We can’t move all the injured to Verdanya—not the ones in most need, at least. I was wondering if we could bring them here?”
“Of course,” Tam said. “We’ll send people to help you. What of Shay?”
“He’s dead. I caught him and broke his neck.” Bryn made a satisfied smacking sound. “He’s done his last and best to destroy his sister. I hope he rots in whatever afterlife awaits him.”
Tam motioned to the guard. “Summon Damh Varias immediately.”
“How many are seriously injured?”
“At least fifty are burned seriously enough that we’ll be lucky if they make the journey here. Another twenty-five with burns that are severe but not life-threatening unless they get infected. Numerous victims of minor burns and injuries, from collapsing houses and so forth.”
I turned to Tam. “Maybe we should marshal some healers to go to Eleveanor instead of forcing them to come to us? At least, they could prepare the injured for travel.”
“Good idea. What’s the state of your village?” Tam asked.
Bryn shrugged. “Seventy percent burned to the ground, or can’t be salvaged from all the smoke damage and the water magic that our mages threw at the flames.”
“Are you going to rebuild? I know it’s early to ask.”
“No, I think we’re done. A number of people are already on the move back to Verdanya. I estimate about one hundred want to join your village. They like this area and they wouldn’t mind being near the Elder Gods again.”
Tam and I glanced at one another. Tam paused, then said, “They will have to follow the rules in Willow Wood and if they do not, they will be forced to leave. And they must be made aware they’re moving to Willow Wood, but they will be under the rule of UnderBarrow.”
“I don’t think any of them will have a problem with that,” Bryn said. “Most who want to stay up this way are good with the bow and arrow, solid hunters and farmers. If they went back to Verdanya, they’d just be absorbed
again by the city. They like being out in the middle of the forest, with solid work that feels important.”
Tam nodded as the door opened and Damh Varias entered. Tam quickly explained the situation to him. “Gather a handful of healers who are willing to make the trip, and take supplies for stretchers, so carts will be a necessity. Ask Laren to lead them, since Tera’s his cousin. Elan shouldn’t go. I don’t want any duties to compromise her pregnancy.”
Cars couldn’t make it through this area of the Wild Wood and we had gone back to a healthy reliance on horses and carts.
“As you will, Your Majesty. I’ll make the preparations. Meanwhile, our guest might like to take a bath and rest for a bit. I’ll have a late lunch sent to you, sir.”
Bryn gave the advisor a grateful smile. “Thank you. I really need sleep. I’ve been on my feet for days, it feels like.” As one of the guards showed him out, we sat in silence. After they were gone, Damh Varias sat down at the table with us.
“Your Majesty. Have you thought about what an influx of this size might do to the town’s dynamics? I’m not sure if it’s best to allow so many to come at once.”
“I thought about that, but how can we say no? They’re in need. We have plenty and we can offer them help. But assign several assistants to get them settled. Treat them like immigrants—insist they take a few classes in village etiquette. Find them jobs. Do what you can to make them feel welcome and yet remind them, they need to be on their best behavior. Keep them busy.”
“As you will, Sire.” Damh Varias turned to me. “Milady, a welcoming speech from the Lady of the Land might be a nice touch. I’m sure that Patrice can find you something appropriate to wear.”
I blinked. This was the first time he ever said anything about my clothes. But then I thought back to my lessons. He had impressed on me that my position would not be a token one—I wasn’t going to be a figurehead. I would be queen of this realm. Or princess. I hadn’t figured out yet quite how Tam was considered both the king and the prince of UnderBarrow. Either way, I was heading into a position of power and I needed to handle it correctly. If that meant giving a speech to welcome newcomers, then I would do it.
“Will you help me write it? I’m not sure what to say and I don’t want to get off on the wrong foot. Most of my speeches start out with ‘Die sucker’ or ‘You’re going down.’ And then I attack the creature I made the speech to.” I had never had to give a public speech. Even reading fortunes and clearing houses was easier. Most of the time, I had my cards there to base my answers from. And with the ghosts, I wasn’t there to befriend them. If I was a spokesperson, it was to deliver a ticket out of town.
Damh Varias held my gaze for a moment, and I thought I detected a sense of respect as he said, “Of course, milady. I’d be honored to help you.”
“I want to make sure I do this right.” I glanced at Tam. “I’m taking this marriage seriously. I don’t ever want to be responsible for messing things up, and I’m overwhelmed. So I’m learning the language and customs and I’m having fun, actually. But making my first speech to a bunch of refugees? It feels huge. It scares me more than fighting an Abomination because I know how to do that and I’m good at my job.”
Ignoring our agreement, Tam pulled me into his arms in front of Damh Varias and gave me a long kiss. Damh politely turned away.
“Fury, my love. You will be a wonderful queen. And I’m so touched that you’re this worried, but never feel like you have to change who you are. I love Fury, the chosen of Hecate. I’m not looking for you to turn into a great lady—” Tam stopped abruptly. He glanced over at his advisor, who gave him a warning shake of the head. Tam turned back at me. “You’re right, though. Both of you. My people—soon to be our people—will expect you to know these things. You see more clearly than I do.”
Damh motioned to me. “Milady, if you would follow me, we’ll talk about your speech. Events like this will most certainly fall under your domain in the future.”
And so, I followed, continuing my training.
FOUR DAYS LATER, the village was back to normal as far as the Tripwater went, but we still weren’t sure who had sabotaged the wells. I wanted to know, but all Tam’s investigations had led to nothing and it wasn’t like we could pound on doors and demand the truth.
The herbalists had left with Bryn, and they were expected back the next day with the injured in tow, along with those able-bodied who wanted to join the village. Damh Varias had helped me write a speech. He had asked me to first write what I felt would be appropriate, and then he went over it, explaining why a few sentences set the wrong nuance, and why others needed refining. But the gist of it, he liked, which made me feel better.
Hecate had been laying off my training for a while, which surprised me, but as she put it, in the past six months I had come a long way and it would do me good to focus on something else until Heimdall finished the explosive he was making. Part of me wanted to poke around Temple Valhalla, nudging him to see if he could hurry it up, but I knew better. If he said it would take a month, it would take a month.
Patrice was helping me try on the dress in which I would greet our new villagers. It was actually a lot more comfortable than I thought, and I was startled to find that Damh had ordered it modified so I could still reach my whip if I needed to. The top was a fitted corset, which I liked, and the skirt flowed out, with a slit up to my right hipbone. The outfit was gauzy and light, in a midnight blue weave with metallic stars racing through the material.
The dress felt odd to me, only because I couldn’t help but think about how quickly it would get shredded, and how little of it would protect me in case of an attack. I happened to mention that to Damh Varias, but he laughed and asked if I expected to be constantly ready for action when I was queen.
“I’m not sure, shouldn’t I be?” I had said.
“Only during wartime, milady. There’s no war right now—oh, I do not speak of the greater battle against the Order of the Black Mist, but UnderBarrow is peaceful and we are in a time of growth.” He had winked at me, then headed back to discuss Barrow business with Tam.
“Are you sure it’s secure?” I asked Patrice. I shimmied, trying to see if my breasts were in danger of falling out of the strapless corset. But when I bent over, even though they spilled over the top, no nipple escaped. I stood up again, appreciating the fit that had gone into the leather piece. Unlike the skirt, the blue leather was sturdy and tailored.
“Yes, milady. No worries. You won’t be giving our new guests a peep show.” Patrice tugged at the skirt and it stayed put. “You look lovely, milady. Let me brush your hair.”
I sat down at my vanity and she began to brush my hair.
“Hecate stained your tresses with the crimson, right?”
I started to nod but realized that would hurt with the brush working through my hair. “Right. My hair would have been solid black, but the night she took me under her wing, she streaked it with the crimson.”
As she plaited it back into a long braid, there was a knock on the door. Patrice answered. It was Elan. We hadn’t had much time to talk in the past week or so, and I knew that her cousins were still in the Barrow.
“Patrice, you may go. I’ll ring when I need you.”
“Yes, milady.” She dipped into a quick curtsey and then excused herself. When the door closed, Elan turned to me and burst into tears.
“I didn’t know who else to talk to. I can’t talk to Laren about this, or Jason.” She hugged her stomach. I had never seen her so upset. I quickly hustled her into a chair.
“Is this about you moving back to Verdanya? About your cousins telling you that you’ll have to marry Jason?”
She hesitated, then nodded. “Yes. I left my home because I wanted to make my own way in the world, and do things my way. I knew I didn’t want a life like everybody else’s. I wanted to make my own decisions, whether or not they were the right ones. You don’t understand how strict the Woodland Fae are.” br />
“I get the impression that they’re pretty rigid.”
“That’s an understatement. You’re moving into the Bonny Fae Court, but life in Verdanya is nothing like this. Everything is structured. What you do, who you marry, how many children you have, when you have them. Everything depends on your parents. I finally convinced them to let me leave, but they only agreed if Laren came with me. Now, with Father taking the throne, I’ll never get away. I’ll never be able to live the life that I want.”
She pressed her lips together.
“What happens if you don’t go back? If you tell them you don’t want to?” Sometimes I was almost grateful that I didn’t have a family. Oh, my friends were my family, but we were all pretty much autonomous. That’s going to change, though, a voice inside said.
Elan wiped her eyes on her sleeve. “My parents would disown me. I’d never be able to return home. If you’re an heir to the throne—anywhere near the crown—you have to live in Verdanya. If I refuse to return, they’ll cast me out.”
She seemed so distraught that I could only think that her people were harsher than their supposedly darker cousins. “I’m going to ask you a question and I mean nothing cruel by it. Would that be such a terrible thing? It seems that if you return, you’re going to be unhappy. There’s no way to win in this situation without losing something. Return home and you lose your independence. Stay and you lose your family.”
Elan leaned back in her chair, contemplating my question for a long moment before she spoke. “That’s cutting to the chase. But you’re correct. Either way, I lose a part of myself. It all comes down to what means the most to me. My chosen life, or my family?” She paused for a moment. “Fury, you’re giving up things too. How do you feel?”
I shrugged. “To be honest, I gave up the biggest one by force—Seattle. I gave up the life that I knew but it wasn’t because of Tam. It was taken from me by Lyon. So really, I’m giving up nothing. Am I taking on a new culture? Yes, but I’m not giving up anything except the freedom to wander around looking for a new place to live. When I think about it, I’ve always been a nomad. I don’t have to give up Hecate, or hunting Aboms. I’m just taking on more.”