He was surprised by the number of runes and artefacts at the Zalian archive. Now that he’d seen their stores, he realised he’d have to be on his best behaviour. Access to the knowledge here might be invaluable for both the Druid Hall and the keepers. As the pair walked back towards the castle, through the pristine streets of the capital city, Aaron pondered a way to present a proposal to Princess Imena. After his arrogant outburst that morning, he wasn't certain how open she would be. A selfish part of him hoped Tràth would consider marrying the girl. A relationship like that might smooth the way for the Druid Hall.
As Aaron and Cen walked, the druid decided he would send word to Munro. He could continue studying while Tràth managed the negotiations for Caledonia. They would likely be in the city for weeks. Plenty of time for Munro to get back to him with how best to handle the situation. Although Aaron was not a master of runes, he was excited by the knowledge the Zalian archives contained.
As the pair came to the castle courtyard, Aaron turned to thank Cen for his help. He hoped the scribe might be willing to continue aiding Aaron during his stay. The boy was nervous at times, but eager, and his intuition with runes wasn't bad. He'd picked up on several nuances Aaron missed on one particular artefact and was keen to learn when Aaron explained his interpretation on others.
Before Aaron could speak, a twinge pulled his chest. The sensation caught him off guard, and for an instant, he couldn't breathe.
“Is something wrong, my lord druid?” Cen said with concern.
Aaron leaned against a wall, his hand over his pounding heart. “I need a moment.” As he had the previous night, he heard something like a whisper. This didn’t feel like telepathy. Eilidh had projected her voice into his thoughts many times before. This seemed more like a nearby presence silently calling his name.
Suddenly, the presence departed. This time, Aaron wouldn’t let it get away. Moving with the speed of the fae themselves, he raced away. Cen came close on his heels, calling out questions in an urgent tone, but Aaron paid him no mind. All thoughts of the archive and its remarkable contents were forgotten.
When Tràth and Imena left the meeting hall, they’d taken a walk. She explained her stunning proposal by saying Zalia was small and independent, but wealthy. They provided most of the precious gems in the kingdoms and more than three quarters of the metals. Their craftsmen were second to none and their work sought out and valued highly throughout the kingdoms. She hardly had to convince Tràth of the significance of her offer. He understood for Caledonia to be the one kingdom with such a tie to Zalia would be no small advantage.
For their part, Imena explained, Zalia would gain a powerful and promising ally in Queen Eilidh. She was bonded to a druid, and so was Tràth. By taking Tràth as a mate, Imena gained someone tied to both Caledonia and Tvorskane by blood, one with an unbreakable connection to the Druid Hall. Regardless of her mother’s view on humans, she conceded both mother and daughter recognised which way the tide would turn.
They walked, and she talked. Tràth listened, his discomfort growing. On paper, the union sounded ideal. Imena seemed to sense his hesitation, so after laying out her argument, she shifted the subject to lighter topics. She showed him around the castle and gardens, taking a long, leisurely circuit through the private grounds. The air outside was warm and humid, and Tràth relaxed as they talked. Imena chatted about herself and the city, not pushing for answers, willing to fill the silence with polite chatter. She was, he reflected, good company.
After a leisurely respite, they’d returned to the meeting hall. The diplomats had been hard at work producing a contract. Tràth was again stunned. The negotiations he’d half expected to fail, or at best require weeks of struggle, had concluded in a matter of hours. He examined the document. It specified the terms the princess had suggested, with additional detail as to quality, quantity, timing of shipments, conditions of breach, and similar legal phrases Tràth didn’t fully understand.
He read though the papers a second time. “You’re happy with this?” he asked his staff. Every one of them said yes. He turned to Imena’s representative. “And you?”
The squat faerie bowed. “Yes, Your Highness. It’s not everything we wanted, but the terms are equitable.”
Not one word about the mating agreement appeared in the document. Tràth looked at Imena. “I’d sign this moment if not for what is written between the lines. I’d sign and be pleased to do so. I wish I could.”
Imena frowned. “What are your concerns? Tell me and allow me to soothe them. This is good for both our kingdoms.”
“Yes,” he said. “Queen Eilidh would be more than satisfied.”
Tràth glanced toward his staff. “You’ve done good work today. Would you leave us? The rest I must handle with Her Highness alone.”
“Of course,” the head diplomat said. They left, but Tràth felt Alyssa increase the calming touch on his thoughts, even as they filed out.
Imena also dismissed her staff. The room seemed vast when empty, every sound echoing on the well-worn wooden floor. She sat in one of the large chairs at the head of the room and invited him to join her.
Tràth lay the contract on a nearby table. “We’ve only discussed the positives, not the negatives. There are things about me of which you are not aware.” His expression darkened. “Do you honestly believe Queen Eilidh was being coy when she called me unsuitable?”
“Your reputation is colourful,” Imena conceded. “But I’ve watched you myself, both at the Halls of Mist and since your arrival in Tafgul. Your so-called faults cannot be as bad as you pretend.”
“They’re worse, Imena.” He reached for the place in his mind that held his connection to Douglas. Alyssa had taught him to locate the bond, but touching it pained him like handling a thorny briar. Fortunately, he couldn’t sense Douglas’ thoughts from the other side of the portal. He did, however, still feel the spiky vine wrapped around his heart. He sat back and looked at her. “I like you,” he said.
She raised her brow in surprise. “Really? That isn’t the impression you’ve been giving.”
“It would be easier to say yes if I didn’t.” She opened her mouth to interrupt, but he held up a hand. “Please. I hadn’t planned to say this, but now I believe I should, even though doing so may embarrass my queen. As loyal as I am to Queen Eilidh, this is a matter of personal honour.” He glanced away. “You see, I am quite mad.” A smile came to his lips. It was almost a relief, acknowledging his problem aloud for the first time. “My magic is unstable. The flows of time are dark and dangerous, and I am nowhere near able to control them.”
“You seem fine,” Imena said quietly.
“If I do, it is because the faerie posing as my scribe is a talented astral fae. She is teaching me meditations to help me maintain some restraint, and meanwhile she induces a constant level of sedation in my mind. Without her…”
“Without her what?” Imena asked, her brow furrowed.
“I was late the night of the Caledonian dinner because I was intoxicated from smoking
gahn-seh
. Before Eilidh and Alyssa helped me, only using the drug allowed me to function. That night, after my father found me, Queen Eilidh used her astral power to clear my mind. Since then, only her and Alyssa’s power has enabled me to cope. My life is hopeless and frivolous, and I cannot function as a normal faerie. I was permitted to undertake this diplomatic mission because you insisted I was the only delegate you would accept. Queen Eilidh believed it too good an opportunity to decline, despite the risks.”
Imena stared. For the first time, he felt like she let down her mask. She sank into the chair and sighed. “I’m sorry you suppose you must present such ridiculous excuses.”
“What?” Tràth stiffened. “Every word I’ve told you is the truth.”
“Be that as it may, I’m working to benefit my kingdom, to stabilise Zalia and prepare us for the future facing the entire fae realm. I received many offers but made only one. I know about you, your reputation and taste for
gahn-seh
, the parties and orgies. Why do you think I was so surprised you turned me down last morning?” She smiled kindly. “I heard what happened in the human realm when you found your bonded druid, about your mother nearly succeeding in her efforts to find and execute you. If you need an astral fae to calm your mind, bring one. Bring a dozen. I’ve seen nor heard anything to make me think you are dangerous.”
“You know of the faerie Flùranach?”
“Yes,” Imena said. “My understanding is she serves the Druid Hall and is content to do so.”
“She should be in school, learning to control her magic with other children her age, or what should have been her age,” Tràth said.
Imena waved her hand. “
Should
is a useless word.”
Tràth tapped his fingers on the contract. Could he do this? “There is one other thing you should know.”
“Oh?”
He turned his gaze back to Imena. She was strikingly beautiful. The moonlight caught the diamonds around her eyes. “I wish to be your friend, Imena, regardless of how this turns out.”
“But?”
“When choosing bed mates, I prefer men.”
She laughed. “I prefer bed mates with dark eyes and limber bodies. What difference does that make?”
“Mine is a rather strong preference.”
“You’re saying you do not find me appealing?” She looked as though she might start laughing again.
“To the contrary, you’re lovely. I just don’t want to have sex with you.”
“Oh, Tràth, you silly boy. I don’t particularly want to have sex with you either.”
He grinned. Despite the difficult topics and hard truths, Tràth enjoyed the princess’ openness. “What about this morning?”
“That?” She shrugged. “It sounded like fun at the time. Perhaps even a challenge.” Then, she gazed at him, her expression fond. “As my mate, you’d be required to perform that duty only rarely. Once, of course, at our mating ceremony. After my mother dies, I’ll want an heir. So, once a year I will require you to make a sacrifice to the Mother of the Earth with me. My people are not particularly fertile, but I understand the azuri of Caledonia do quite well in that arena. Look at Queen Eilidh, a mother before she’s two hundred. Still, nothing is guaranteed. We might try for a century with no results, but surely once a year would not be too onerous an obligation.”
“It would not,” he said, lost in thought for a moment.
“I’d heard you had orgies with all kinds of people present, but I never thought to inquire about gender. When the time came, do you think you’d be…able?”
Tràth chuckled at her forthrightness. “I’ve been with women before, so yes. They’re merely not my first choice.”
She couldn’t contain her mirth. She was even prettier when she laughed. “Tràth, the life of a royal is no one’s first choice. If I had a wish, I’d be a craftswoman, maybe learn to make pipes or dulcimers. I’d work hard, and my situation would be modest.” She sighed. “My life isn’t meant to be simple, and I must consider of the welfare of many, many thousands before my own happiness.”
Tràth picked up the contract. “Why did you turn down the other suitors?” he asked. “I’m sure some were higher ranked and better placed politically than I.”
She gave him a half-grin. “I have my reasons,” she said. “Most of which I’ve already given you. Others are my prerogative alone. Perhaps I simply like you.”
Tràth believed something more motivated her decision, but his connection to the Druid Hall might be enough to tip the scales in his favour. “May I take time to consider without insulting you?”
“Of course,” she said. “Do you need to return to the Hall to consult your druid? I don’t pretend to understand the bond you share, but I recognise your choices affect him as well.”
“No,” Tràth said. “But thank you. I would like to stay in Zalia a few days at least. I want to see the city and get to know you and your people.”
She smiled and stood. “You love him? Your druid?” She held out her hand, and Tràth joined her. They strolled toward the door.
After a pause, he asked, “What gave me away?”
“Your expression changes when you talk about him.” She stared ahead. “If you become my mate, I won’t mind if you take lovers, even one as highly ranked as a druid lord. I will ask you to be discreet. I don’t expect fidelity in a pairing such as ours. I have several lovers who keep me entertained, and we both know our relationship will never be about anything other than politics. I request only that you don’t flaunt your exploits and avoid bedding my personal servants or advisors. Zalians are conservative compared to the citizens of your homeland, and I don’t want anyone accusing you of engaging in political machinations under the sheets.”
“Of course,” Tràth said. He stopped and kissed her hand. He couldn’t believe he was considering her offer.
Just then, the steward Essian entered the hall. “Forgive the interruption. I must speak with you a moment, Your Highness.”
“Yes?” she said and let him take her aside.
Tràth could overhear, but he looked away to be polite.
“It’s the druid lord,” the steward murmured.
“What happened?” the princess asked.
A trickle of dread moved up Tràth’s spine.
“He seems to have gone astray.”
Munro opened his eyes. The haze of his surroundings made everything seem unreal. Where light should have been, only softer shadows existed. If not for his Otherworld-enhanced vision, these strange, lifeless woods would have appeared pitch black. Lumbering to his feet, he glanced around, seeking out the peculiar person he’d spoken to before. Instead he found himself alone.
He moved with difficulty, as uncoordinated as if he were drunk. The best he managed was ungainly shuffling. Dead pine needles softened the floor of the wood, and he braced himself on the blackened trees as he passed. The trees shuddered as though they did not welcome his touch.
“Keep your pants on,” he muttered to the surrounding foliage. “I’m doing my best here.” He followed a meandering path. He found no clear trail on the ground, but the gaps between the trees led in only one direction. Every other potential route in the dense, dark forest seemed bleak and treacherous.