Bittersweet (30 page)

 

 

“
That's
the key?” I shook my head in disbelief. My breath puffed in the cold air. “A
serpent
?”

“Ay lass, a serpent,” Tilak replied.

I stood on the frosted balcony of my room, while Tilak described in horrifying detail what Zanthiel refused to last night.

A monstrous snake, with a venomous bite and a mouth that could swallow a car whole.
Figures
. Why couldn't information come from bunnies or squirrels?

“So the serpent's jeweled eyes are the key to enter my father's court?” I chewed my fingernail and stepped back into the warmth of my room.

“'Tis the only way in, since the attacks. Not even the dark prince will be granted access unless King Oberon himself has called for him. But I'm afraid, lassie, you'll not be accompanying him on this one.”

“Why not?” I was his best chance at survival, assuming my magic cooperated.

“It's invisible to the female species. Only males can see it.”

A misogynistic serpent. I sighed. Well, we'd already battled a dragon and won; surely a snake wouldn't be a match for Zanthiel's strength. Still, I wanted to be sure he'd succeed and come back to me alive. “Tilak, can you find Hawthrin?”

His brows furrowed. “A wizard who does not wish to be found will remain unfound, lass.”

“I know, but can
you
find him? You're a tracker. Zanthiel will need help, even though he'll never admit it.”

“Humph.” He grunted. “Stubborn as rotweed, that one.”

“No argument here. But if I can get him out of the castle, can you lead him to the serpent?”

“Leading him there isn't the trouble, dearie. It's getting him out that'll be tough.”

I paced a few steps then stopped. “We will only have one shot at this, with his mother breathing down our necks. She's determined not to let us out of her sight. If we both tried to leave, Mab would stop us, but she's more likely to believe that Zanthiel's nearby if I'm still here. She knows he'd never willingly leave me.”

“Aye. And that's our next hurdle, isn't it? The dark prince isn't likely to leave you to his mother's mercy.”

“I know. But that's for me to worry about. You just have to get him to the serpent's cave and back in one piece.”

“Have him meet me at the quartz quarry by dusk. I'll get him there and back again, no worries.”

I'd forgotten what no worries felt like. “Good.”

The doors to my room swung open, just as Tilak disappeared off the balcony into the night.

Zanthiel made no apologies for barging in.

“Save your breath and your words. I know what you have in mind, Lorelei. And the answer is no.”

“I wasn't asking for your permission, Zanthiel. We have to do this.”

“We are supposed to be trying to keep you alive. Have you lost sight of that already?”

“That's why you have to agree to my plan.”

“Your plan is madness. It will never work.”

“Why do people keep saying that?” I huffed.

“You are asking me to leave you here with my mother. I know the horrors she inflicts on beings she dislikes far less than you. You cannot trust her.”

“And my father trusts no one. Without the serpent's key, we'll never get into his court. We're short on options here. Mab will see it my way. I promise. Just give me some time. Tilak has gone to find Hawthrin. Without his help, we're stuck here. And then how long before she kills you?”

“The more important question is how long before she kills
you
?”

I lowered the barriers around my thoughts, granting him full access. “Zanthiel, look inside me. You know I can do this.” I felt vulnerable being so wide open to him, but it was the only way I knew to get him to see what I saw.

“We have no way of knowing what lies ahead for us, but if it should come that we have to rule as King and Queen of Faery, we have to be able to trust each other to do whatever's necessary to keep those we love safe.”

He looked away, grinding his teeth. “It will not come to that.”

“I hope not. But it could. So we have to be ready. It begins now. I believe that you will find him and bring back the help we need. Believe that I can convince her that nothing is wrong. Please.”

“I cannot leave you. Not this way.”

“Just go.” I grabbed hold of his arm.

He winced under my touch, but didn't look back at me.

“And promise me that you'll come back in one piece.”

My hand fell away, and he left without another word.

****

A black winged crow swooped in and landed on my balcony, a few hours after Zanthiel had left. In a swirling gust of black smoke, he transformed into one of Mab's guards. His raven feathers vanished as he stepped forward and handed me a parchment scroll.

“A request from Queen Mab,” he said. “She wishes for you to join her in the Great Hall.”

Another summons. Perfect. The fact that the queen hadn't requested Zanthiel's presence could be quite fortunate, or the total opposite. I gestured for him to lead the way, thankful he didn't expect me to fly there, and followed him through the cold castle. Patterns of frost coated the crumbling stone walls like they'd been hand painted in place. Each minuscule flake as beautiful and individual as the next. Errant flakes fell to the floor as we walked the winding halls.

We stopped in front of two massive doors, which opened for us on their own. The guard bowed at me, and then stepped aside as I walked into the Great Hall. A series of arched passageways lined one wall, opening to the wastelands of winter. Nothing grew in this realm. Unlike the blinding white and ice of Noctria, the Winter Court was dark and cold, a barren tundra where light seldom bothered to shine, except for the ever present shimmer of malicious magic in the air.

Mab launched a diminutive faerie girl airborne across the room. She landed on her knees, in the corner. Then she threw the glass vase full of flowers at her. It shattered, raining glass over the cowering girl.

“Ugh. Must I take care of everything myself? Is no one capable of serving their queen any longer?”

The other servants and guards nodded and bowed quickly, but not quickly enough. Mab lashed out with her staff and sent a blast of icy fire at one of the guards. The flame reached into his chest and ignited his body from the inside out. Within seconds, he crumbled into ash on the ground.

I gasped, covering my mouth with both hands. “What did you do?”

The queen ignored me. “There.” She smirked, pleased with herself. “Problem solved. Anyone else wish to try my patience this fine morning? No one? Good. Then let's see some real work being done.” She snapped her fingers and pointed to the ash. “Clean that up.”

My stomach twisted as the queen's gaze finally landed on me. She took hold of my arm. “I'm afraid he had to die. He was keeping secrets from me. Something I do not tolerate in my court.

I recognized the guard. He'd been the one I'd coaxed to lead me to Zanthiel's cell in the oubliette dungeon. This guard had been killed because I'd paid him to keep quiet about what he'd seen. It was my fault he was dead.

“Now, dear. You must bear me heirs as quickly as inhumanly possible. It is your primary function as reigning queen, and let us face facts, your only value.”

Playing the dutiful daughter-in-law was not going to be easy. “Of course, my queen.”

She waved her hand. “Please, dear girl, we are to be kin. You must call me Mab.”

I nodded and forced a smile. “Thank you. Mab.”

She smiled kindly.

My bones quivered.

“I understand my son has been playing a game of hide and seek.”

I swallowed, then cleared my throat. “Is that so? I saw him not that long ago. I think he said he was going hunting. Or, something.”

“Zanthiel does not hunt.” She peered into me, her cold gaze chilling my soul.

“Really? Huh. I must have misunderstood. I did see him on the grounds not long ago though.”

Mab shrugged. “No matter. Someone knows his true whereabouts. I will continue my query until I get answers.”

By query, she meant slaughter. She'd stop at nothing once she realized he was missing. Clearly, she trusted him less than he trusted her. No one was safe. If she had to cut down every being in the place, she would. Then she'd come after me. I had to do something.

The queen clapped her hands suddenly.

"A ring."

I frowned. "Sorry?"

"A ring, a ring. Of course. How could we have forgotten?"

I could feel the familiar panic wrapping around my throat in a choke hold. A ring said too much. It went beyond words, or promises. It was real, a tangible symbol of what we'd agreed to. It was a noose. Cutting off oxygen to my life. I didn't want to wear one, least of all one she could have spelled with magic.

I managed a sliver of a smile. "Of course. A ring," I said.

It lacked any semblance of enthusiasm and the queen noticed.

She scowled. "I thought tokens such as those were quite common in your world."

"They are, it's just..."
think fast...
"I, um, always thought I'd wear my grandmother's ring on my wedding day." It was true enough, had I ever imagined myself getting married.

Mab wrinkled her nose. "Is it as tiny and insignificant as most human trinkets are?"

"Not really.”

"Does it have any gems? Any value at all?"

"Bloodstone surrounded by diamonds." I tripped over the words.

Her eyes scanned the impossibly high silver ceiling as she gave it some thought. "Good enough. We shall have something fashioned to resemble it, since you will not be returning to your world to retrieve it." She gave me a pointed look.

"Of course not," I said. Then I averted my gaze to hide the lie within it.

Another guard entered the hall. “My queen, you asked to speak with me.”

I winced, knowing why she'd called for him.

Plan B, the one I didn't actually prepare for, would have to do. I needed a potion. A sleeping spell. Something strong but not lethal. And I needed it now.

****

“Maybe I should check on Zanthiel,” I said. “He was in the courtyard sparring with a sage when I saw him last. Probably lost track of time.” I bowed and backed out of the room.

Once I was out of view of any servants, I ducked down the long torch-lit corridor, heading for the kitchen. Only a few staff remained, as most were busy preparing the dining hall for the evening's feast. I approached a diminutive faerie girl, cloaked in tattered leaf gown sewn together with thick leather cords.

Her eyes bulged when she saw me. “You're not supposed to be in here. The queen would skin us alive if she knew we permitted it.”

“It's all right, I'm not staying. It's just the queen is missing her favorite wine,” I said. “I thought I would bring it for her, before she gets too upset over it.”

The girl shook her head “Oh no, you mustn't. I'll fetch it.” She didn't bother to ask me anything else. She just scrambled to fulfill her queen's request.

I searched the pantry shelves quickly. It was an easy recipe. Only required a few ingredients found in any well stocked kitchen, and a simple incantation. Remembering how to make it was easy. Finding what I needed with zero time to spare, wasn't. I heard voices in the hall. I opened a few more cupboards. There were more golden filigree serving dishes and plates than there were bodies in the Winter Court. I crossed the kitchen to search the cabinets closest to the fires. With the last door I opened I found everything I needed in one place. An assortment of bottled herbs lined the shelves. Freshly cut herbs and flowers hung drying in bundles tied with silk. Below it was a row of herb infused oils. Just like in Gran's café.

Pushing the memory aside, I quickly assembled what I needed. I needed to finish before the kitchen staff returned. Crumbling them in my hand, I sprinkled dried chamomile, lavender, valerian root. I sprinkled them into a decanter of red wine and spoke the incantation. “
Dormite jam, donec te excitaret
.” The contents bubbled and sparked, then settled at the bottom of the liquid. I hurried out the door as two serving girls entered. They looked at me with confused stares as I rushed past them.

When I returned to the hall I set the decanter on the table among the other drinks and pastries.

“Zanthiel plans to join us soon.” I gestured to the bottle. “He tells me this is your favorite wine. A new barrel just arrived. I offered to bring it to you, hoping you'd allow me to taste it.”

Mab winced and looked away. “You are going to be a queen.” Disgust poured from every word. “You do not do the work of a servant girl. Not ever. Do you understand?”

“Of course. Sorry.” I waited for the tall slender faerie by her side to pull out my chair before sitting down.

A bewildered faerie girl rushed forward to pour wine into two goblets. Their stems were a dragon's tail spiraling upwards toward the smoked quartz cup. Mab leaned back with an exasperated sigh. “Where is my son? I have been holding the meal for his arrival. There is much to discuss over your impending union. How long does it take to prepare for a meal?” She snapped her fingers at one of her guards. “Go. Find him now.”

Of course he did, scurrying through the door before she could turn him into a toad.

“Honestly. Even his bride to be is here—” She paused, her eyes narrowed and cut to mine. “Never in the history of any event has a male taken longer to prepare than a female. Especially when the female requires extensive preparation to appear presentable.” She tapped her fingers on the side of her glass. “He isn't here because he isn't in the castle. Is he.”

It wasn't a question, so I didn't answer.

“Where did he go?”

“I don't know what you mean, my queen, er, Mab.” I swallowed. “I'm sure he'll be here soon.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You are attempting to escape this union. Perhaps you think he will save you from your fate. But he cannot.”

“I'm not trying to escape. But for the sake of argument, our history books are full of people who've outrun a destiny forced on them, and lived to tell the tale.”

“Not for long. I have lived far more lifetimes than you will likely see. The past was not written by those who have fallen, but by those who have survived it. Clearly, I am one who has survived. Had I waited on a male to come to my aid, I'd have waited an eternity. A true queen must reach out and make her own destiny.”

“I have no intention of waiting to be saved,” I said, lifting my goblet. “I've been pretty good at getting myself out of things too. Of course, I'm not referring to my engagement to Zanthiel. I want that.”

She chuckled darkly. “Of course you do, dear. I'll continue to blindly buy your untruths.”

Mab looked at the girl who'd poured our wine. The one I'd run into in the kitchen.

“Where is my son? Where has he gone?”

“My queen?”

“I know that you know. Out with it.”

She quivered, chewing her lower lip.

“Quickly now, out with it. Contrary to popular belief, I do not relish destroying innocent beings.”

“Yes, my queen. I saw him leave. Leave the castle. And—”

“Yes. Yes.” She snapped her fingers. “Oh, how you try my patience.” Mab clenched and unclenched her hands.

“But that's all I know. Please, my queen. I don't want to burn for what I saw.”

I shook my head. “The queen would never have you burned alive. You've been so cooperative.” I looked over at Mab. Her smile faded.

“Such nonsense. The girl knows only heretics are burned alive. Liars are beheaded.”

Then she raised her staff and incinerated the girl on the spot while I sat helpless and in shock.

“Unfortunately, I'm in the middle of dinner, and the headsman isn't available.” She laughed a dark and sinister laugh, then took a deep sip from her goblet.

Finally
.

I watched. Waited. Would it work? I'd had so little experience with the poisonous potions in Gran's grimoire. She pushed back from the table, gripping the edge with both hands.

A guard rushed into the room. “My queen. Your son is gone. Rumor has it he took the eastern road accompanied by a dwarf. He's gone for the serpent's key.”

My stomach clenched.
No. It
'
s too soon.

Mab pushed out of her chair. She took a step toward me. “The serpent's key. To return to the Shadow Court? Is that your plan, hand the power I've granted you to your father?”

“Of course not. We just need to retrieve his crown too.”

“I no longer feel the need to entertain your lies.” Mab took another step, her footing faltered. Her body swayed as she picked up her goblet. “What is in this?”

Her voice thinned like a serpent's hiss and her eyes bulged. The goblet slipped from her hand, splattering to the floor. Some of the potion splashed onto my face.

Servants rushed forward but she waved them off.

“Stay back. You.
You
did this...” she reached for her staff and pointed it at me. It shimmered with the glistening darkness of magic. A blast of violet energy rushed at me as the queen's body collapsed in a heap on the ground.

I steadied myself, preparing to block it, but Zanthiel lunged into me, hurling us both out of the way. It collided with the wall with a thunderous crack that left a hole the size of a small window. We laid there on the ground, his cold body half-covering mine. My breath came in short, rapid spurts, my chest heaving inside my impossibly tight corset. “You came back. Did you find it?” I panted.

“I found it,” he said darkly. Then my head fell back against the ground and I closed my eyes.