Remington: Queen’s Birds of Prey: Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance

by Kathi S. Barton

  “I can feel it as well. It’s an amazing feeling.”

  He was enjoying being fae through her eyes. He had to speak to his mom and thought of her. When she landed in the grass beside the two of them, Remy invited her to sit with them, and they spent most of the evening and well into the night sitting and talking to whatever came out of the woods to speak to them.

  Chapter 5

  Basil was quite pleased with himself. Not that he would wish what had been happening to him on anyone. But he was free of the poison in his body, and not only that, his wife and brother were being brought to justice for it. Looking around at the crowd that had formed for the trial today, he could see many people he’d not seen in a very long time.

  “How are you feeling, Basil?” He was standing up when his lordship Duncan told him to sit. “We’re not as formal as you’d think. I’m taking cues from my mom on how to let my people be able to come to me when there is a problem. I’m to understand from Remi that you’re not going to sentence your wife and brother.”

  “No. I think it should be left up to her and Harlin to do it. It’ll show that they’re not going to be tolerant of breaking the laws. Also, I think they’ve already done more for my people—their people—than I ever did. And they’ve only been king and queen for less than two days.” Duncan mentioned how he’d seen them at the storage house earlier. “Yes. They were there taking an inventory. I’d not been able to do that for some time. I guess they’re going to make sure it’s cleaned up and out at least twice a year.”

  “Good for them.” They watched the people for a little bit more before Duncan spoke again. “I’ve heard that Rosemary isn’t doing well. They wonder if she is willing herself to die. The killing of her son, though I know it had to be done, has taken its toll on her. I think, should they have stayed here and not had all this other drama going on, things would have been different.”

  “Yes. I suppose it would have been. My wife was never faithful to me, I guess. I’m not saying I was the best person for her, but she was having an affair with my brother from the very start. Even before. I have been to speak to him. He, of course, is saying that since he is my blood brother, I should at least give him a sentence that will make it so he can live.” Basil laughed a little. “I guess there are people like him, even in humans. Thinking that whatever they’ve done can be washed away simply because of who they’re related to. Sad state if you ask me.”

  “Are you going to see if he can get a lesser punishment?” Basil shook his head and told him it was out of his hands. “Good for you, Basil. However, you should know that Remi is thinking, only because he is your only living relative, that you would want them to do that. Give Juniper a lesser sentence than the death that he deserves.”

  “I know. That’s why before this begins, I’m going to dissolve my relationship with him and Rosemary. It’s an old law, saying that when a sibling or other blood relative has created trouble for the pip, then the king can and should take them out of his lineage so there will be no favoritism.” Duncan asked how it worked. “Nothing to it, really. I’ve already spoken to Harlin—now there is a smart man if you ask me, and Remi is his exact opposite in the way she is very outspoken. Anyway, I’ve spoken to him, and he is going to grant me time at the start so I can do this. He’s all for it. Then when the trial is over, Rosemary and Juniper have their hearts and heads removed. That is mostly ceremonial. It simply means because they’ll never be whole, no one can visit them at a faerie circle and call them forth. Just to talk to them and such.”

  “I wish I had done that for my mother. I would love to talk to her on occasion.” Basil started to tell him they’d gladly do that for him when he continued. “But she told me I’ve been wasting too much time talking to a dead old woman and that I should get on with my life. I think she’s right in that. If I could see her like a thing a faerie ring would grant me, I’d never leave her side.”

  As more people started filling out the large open field, some of the other birds and their families joined them. Basil was handed an infant as soon as Mercy and her husband joined them, and he looked down at the little boy. Basil wondered if they knew the power this young one had.

  “They know.” He looked up at Remi when she sat down in front of him. “He’s been a handful with his power. I heard Mercy telling someone the other day that she was terrified he will figure out more things to do and their house will be destroyed or something. He’s a cutie, don’t you think?”

  “He is. I’ve never held a child before.” She said he was a pro at it. “Thank you. Now, what is it you’re here for, my dear queen? You don’t usually start out with something entirely different than what you want to say. So say it so that we can talk about other things.”

  “Rosemary is dead. They found her body earlier this morning, and she was just skeletal remains. She also left you a note. I have it here should you want to read it.” He asked her if she’d read it to him. “I can tell you what it says. I don’t usually read other people’s mail when it’s addressed to them, but I didn’t want her saying something to you that would hurt you any more than she had.”

  “She’s asked for forgiveness.” Remi nodded. “Anything else? Did she want me to have mercy on my brother? I won’t do that in the event that’s something she asked for.”

  “No, she said for you to take him to task in all, and then she listed some of the things we’re going to bring up here. She also wishes you a long and happy life.” He looked down at the child in his arms and let the tears flow onto his soft cheeks. “Basil, she said to tell you that you’re not to worry over what happened to Sorrel. He honestly was not your child.”

  He burst into tears then. “I thought he might have been. You’ve no idea how much I wanted it to be so, right up until he was killed. Then I thought of all the things I knew about Rosemary and Juniper, and I was heartbroken to think, even for a small time, that they’d stolen away my son.” Remi put her hand onto his as he held the child to his heart. “Thank you for that. Remi. You’re going to be a wonderful, compassionate queen.” She snorted, and he laughed. “Or perhaps we’ll leave that part to Harlin.”

  When Juniper was brought from the cave he’d been housed in, Basil could see that his magic was fading. He’d be dead by the end of the week. Perhaps sooner. Wondering where the magic was going, he only had to look at Remi when she stood up to go to her mate to see that she was getting all of it. Then she spread out her wings when Harlin did.

  “Good Mother Earth.” He’d not meant to say that out loud, but now that it was out there and everyone had turned to look at him, Basil stood up and went to the couple. “You’re them. The King and Queen of Forever. I never thought to see such a sight as I see before me now. You’re the couple this world and many others have been waiting for forever.”

  “You’ll have to explain that to us later, Basil.” He nodded and started away when he realized that Harlin was right. “No, please stand with us. We’d both like to have your input on this as we go on.”

  “Yes, all right.” Juniper stood up and asked where Rosemary was. “She’s dead, Juniper. She let the magic go and has left this earth. She has asked that I forgive her, which I’ve not decided to do as yet. She also gave this couple a list of misdeeds that the two of you were up to when you were still within the boundaries of fae territory.”

  “I wish for you to forgive me as well, my brother. I have messed up badly, and I ask for your mercy and forgiveness. I do not wish to be put to death but to serve the time left to me by making up for what you deem as doing bad deeds.” He told him it wasn’t up to him. “Sure it is. You can ask them to do whatever you want. I just lost my son and my wife. The very least you can do is to consider that punishment for everything else.”

  “I don’t have any say in what you’re going to be tried for, Juniper. But I would like you to know that I am no longer your brother. I am taking away any and all magic you received as suc
h. Once I touch you, all that you had, all that I gave you in the form of magic and longevity, is no longer yours to use. The things you stole from the fae are now on your head. The deaths of Rosemary and her son Sorrel are not your fault solely. You are related to me no more, by the law of the fae.” He watched his brother as his words sunk into his mind. Before he could say anything, even had he anything to say, his body began the process of aging. “You will now be dust, so your remains will be cast out and put to sea, so you will never rise again with any magic.”

  The screams could have been heard for miles, Basil was sure. When Remi put her hand onto his arm, he could feel the power surging into her. It wasn’t gentle either, the hold or the magic, but he stood there while she got everything that was for her to use.

  “By order of the king of all fae, Juniper Herb, you are hereby sentenced to death. You will pay for your crimes by becoming no more.” Juniper was suddenly nothing more than skin wrinkled around bones, his heart slowly pumping the last of its life-giving blood.

  His beating heart was then lifted from his body and destroyed by Remi. She did nothing but squeeze it tightly in her fingers before it was nothing more than particles of dust that fell to the earth rather than fly away on a breeze. Then his head was removed, and his skull crushed beneath her booted foot. The removal was complete. The same ritual had been performed on Rosemary’s body earlier. It would be as he had said. Neither Juniper nor Rosemary would ever be able to rise again in a faerie circle.

  Basil didn’t know what he expected from the crowd, but cheering and happiness would never have been on his list. They were beyond thrilled with the events, he thought and wondered how much more he’d missed while being king. When people came to him, thanking him for a job well done, he tried hard to make sure everyone knew that he was no longer their king. They didn’t seem to care about that either and greeted the new couple with hardy handshakes and hugs.

  “That really wasn’t a trial.” He grinned at Alma. It had been a very long time since he’d seen her. “Not that it didn’t end as it should have, but as for trials, that one sucked. How are you, Basil?”

  “I’m wonderful now that I’ve found your son and daughter-in-law. They’re a magnificent couple.” He kissed Alma on the cheek and stepped back. “Alma?”

  “Yes, we are mates. I’ve known for some time now. It’s your smell, you see. When Harlin came to see you, I would smell your scent on him and knew what it meant. To think that we both went a different path and still ended up together.” She laughed a little. “I guess the fates, they knew what they were about. I’d not have Harlin as my child had we gotten together long ago. Don’t you think? You do want to be my mate, don’t you?”

  “Yes. Yes, and yes more.” They were both laughing, and it occurred to him that they’d been speaking in fae. When he turned to Harlin, he knew then that he was well versed in the language and decided he’d have to remember that in the future. “Do you mind so much, my king? That I have your mother as my mate?”

  “So long as you understand that I’d not hesitate a moment to do worse to you than anything anyone has ever done to his victims.” Basil shivered. “I’m very happy for you both. You deserve a lot of happiness. Later we’ll talk about this couple thing you were talking about. I’m assuming it’s something extraordinary?”

  “You have no idea.”

  They were both laughing as he and Alma walked away from the couple. They held hands as they spoke to people. They asked a lot of questions of him, and when he didn’t have an answer, Alma did. It was wonderful, he thought, having someone at his side that didn’t take swipes at the people they were around. Alma didn’t even mind when people hugged her.

  It was nearing midnight when the crowd started to disburse. He’d connected with a great many friends he’d not seen in some time, and he was able to be with Alma. They’d made a lot of decisions when they were alone tonight, and he was as happy as he’d ever been. They were going to find them a home tomorrow, one close to the kids, and he was excited to start the next chapter of his life with her.

  He was headed to bed for the last time in the castle when a whisper of his name floated from down the hall toward him.

  “Hello, Basil.” He didn’t see the person until they stepped out of the shadows. “I cannot stay here long, but I wanted to wish you well in your new life. The fates have given me this time to assure you from my own mouth that Sorrel wasn’t your son. I am both glad and sad about that.”

  “Rosemary, how are you here?” She told him again that she’d been granted this special boon to tell him about Sorrel. “Thank you for that. I know you said it in the letter, but it was difficult for me to bear.”

  “I never loved you, not like I should have. I don’t think I even loved Juniper like I should have. You are lucky to be able to find love now. Alma is a good woman.” He nodded and told her he hadn’t been this in love either. Rosemary laughed. “I’m sorry. That came out wrong.”

  “No, it was just right. You never loved me either. Which is good. It will be easier for you to move on now.” She looked to her right, and he did as well. There was nothing there for him to see, but Rosemary nodded and looked at him. “I have one more gift for you. You don’t have to worry about it harming you, but it is there in your room.”

  “Thank you again. I wish we could have at least parted in a better way. Did you enjoy your life with Juniper?” She didn’t answer him, and he thought that was right too. “I’ll miss you, Rosemary. I truly will.”

  “You were too good of a man for me. I should have seen that before. You were the best there was in all that you did.” Again, he thanked her. “I must go. You and Alma will be happy. I know that.”

  Then she was gone. He moved into his bedroom, careful of where he was stepping. He realized then that he didn’t trust Rosemary even after death. Striding to his bed, determined to forget the way she had come to him, he nearly flopped into the bed. A soft mewing sound came to him as he jerked back the covers.

  The baby. It was just a tiny little thing staring up at him as hard as he was her. When she smiled at him, he could see that she was full of magic too. Her tiny body seemed to be vibrating from it. Picking her up, he knew she was fae, and that was when he found the note attached to her little outfit.

  “Her name is Pixie. Please raise her as your own, as both her parents are dead. She needs good parents such as yourself.” The note wasn’t signed, but he knew it wasn’t from Rosemary. She could neither read nor write. Pulling the little blanket off Pixie, he laughed when he saw her markings. She was indeed fae.

  ~*~

  Remi didn’t know what to think about the castle she was to live in with Harlin. It was cold and drafty. There didn’t seem to be any kind of indoor plumbing. Nor did she like that the kitchen wasn’t a part of the place, but a stone building out back that was much too small for her tastes.

  “My lady? If you would allow me to see what you have in mind for this place, I can make it better. I can see that you’re upset.” She nodded to Snow, the faerie that had been following her around since she entered the building. “You are unhappy with it all?”

  “Yes, that pretty much sums it up. There is nothing here to make it worth not ripping it down and starting over.” She knew she’d shocked the little creature, but she didn’t care. “How are we supposed to keep warm when the weather turns cold? None of the fireplaces have proper ventilation. There isn’t any way to go to the kitchen and grab a snack when I want. I’d have to walk out in the weather to not just get something to eat but to take a shit as well. Who designed this mess? A hermit that had no needs beyond a roof over his head?”

  “I don’t know who that might be or who would be living here without your permission, my lady.” She growled and scared Snow more. “Just allow me to fix one thing for you, and we can work on the hermit. I will find him and set him out if that is what you wish.”

  Thinking abou
t how explaining to her what a hermit was would take too long. Instead, she told her that she wanted electricity in the whole place. Snow only stared at her, and Remi had to count to ten five times before she could explain what she needed her to do.

  “I want you to go to Piper and Grant’s castle. See how it’s made. Spend some time there getting a good picture of what I want. In fact, look around there and come back here and make this castle like theirs. That way, once we get that portion of it fixed up, we can work on the other things.”

  Snow smiled, snapped her fingers, and left her. Remi went to find Harlin. It looked like he was having difficulty too.

  “No, I’m not unhappy about the greenhouse. I’m not happy with the way it’s designed. You need to start over with this one, and we’ll begin again.” Whoever he was talking to was too small for her to see from where she was. Getting closer, she could see that there were two brownies sitting on the stone waiting for him to tell them what the hell he was talking about. He looked at her, and she could see his frustration all over his body. “I can’t make them understand me.”

  “I can fix that.” She put out her hand, and they came to her. “There is a greenhouse behind Lord Grant’s home. Have you seen it?” They both nodded. “Good. I want you to make this one look like that one, with all the running water and walls here. Only larger. Ten times—”

  Harlin interrupted her. “No, not ten times. The same size for now. That way, if it’s still not what I’m looking for, I can add on as we work. All right?” They disappeared the same way Snow had. “Is it going well for you? I have been out here for the last forty-five minutes trying to explain to them that this system no longer works for what we will be producing. I had no idea the faeries and the brownies were here to serve our kind, did you?”

  “Not until today when Snow showed up with her crew. I didn’t have any more luck making her understand either. I sent her to Piper’s home to figure it out.” They were both laughing when he pulled her into his arms. “I did go over the handbook this morning. It’s like reading a book written in several languages, then translated into this one. It’s currently being worked on with my magic to go back to the original one and work from there. That should help me get a handle on what the hell it is that I’m working with.”