To the Eternal (Away From Whipplethorn Book Five)

by Hartoin, A. W.

  Gerald dropped down in front of me and made like he was going to carry me to the empress. I suppressed a smile. Gerald was lucky to be able to carry himself around.

  “No. No. I’m fine. Let’s just get this over with.” I took off and was unable to stop myself from gasping as some of the healed spots ripped open again. Gerald buzzed around me, protesting, but I just kept going. That’s pretty much the answer to most problems. You just have to keep going.

  We flew into the servants’ hall and slowly made our way to Emperor Franz-Joseph’s office. I landed heavily on the desk and looked around to see if anyone was watching. Nobody was, so I quickly walked past the portrait of the beautiful and tragic Sisi, a gifted seer, to a spot behind the clock. Concealed in the desktop was a set of stairs that led down to Max’s office and the empress’s boudoir. I tapped my unique code on the polished wood and it folded open, revealing the simple stairs. I trotted down, holding Gerald’s hand into the dim passage lit only by golden foxfire fungus and the opening folded closed behind us.

  We passed Max’s office and the family archive and found the Empress’s door easily because Casper, old olive dryad, filled the opening with his crusty, frowning form. “What took you so long?”

  “Your Royal Highness,” interjected Gerald, his expression as snotty as it could get.

  “Yes,” said Casper, drawing out the word. “Your Royal Highness.”

  “Er…you don’t have to say that.” I flushed. Casper was the highest ranking servant in the palace and he was basically in charge of everyone, including me. Victory started tapping again, probably saying that Casper did have to say it. The tiny phalanx was all about rank, mostly because he believed he was the highest at hatching.

  “I know,” Casper said. “What took you so long?”

  “Sorry. I had to hitch a ride. I’m still flying super slow.”

  Casper’s expression changed from irritation to sympathy. “Of course. You’re still on the mend.” He shuffled out of the way. Behind him, the empress reclined on her fainting couch, reading a long parchment. I remembered my silly protocol and waited patiently for the empress to acknowledge me. What a waste of time, but it did give me a chance to check her progress. The empress’s cheeks were pink and had a fullness to them that I liked to see. She’d changed a lot since I’d started treating her. Her long blonde hair fell over her shoulder in loose waves. No more elaborate curls to distract from her pinched, suffering face. Even her clothes had changed to a less formal style and she revealed a hint of her collarbone now that the crusty, raised bumps that covered most of her body were so much better.

  She still insisted on squeezing her feet into tight, painful-looking shoes, but I think that was about fashion. I frowned at her poor feet and she looked up, holding out her elegant hands in their satin gloves. I took them in my cotton-gloved hands. The empress wore her gloves to hide the disease she carried, handed down generations from the first emperor, who married a horen to gain the throne hundreds of years before. I wore gloves to hide my hands that were hideous from months of scrubbing and battling klitzeklein trolls, the annoying little purple balls that were currently covering St. Catherine’s altar because there was no one around to toss them out on their bulbous little butts.

  “Matilda, good of you to come.”

  Like I had a choice.

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” I said and I didn’t even do it sarcastically. Pretty good for me.

  “We find ourselves in a difficult situation that requires discussion.” She glanced at Gerald and his bandaged hand. “Casper, please take Sir Gerald and Victory to Nanny. They look as though they need her care.”

  Gerald beamed at the sir and left without protest. Victory stalked out to my hand. “I should be privy to these discussions.” Fist pump. “I am Victory!”

  The empress stared the phalanx down until his tiny knees quivered. “You are an infant and you will go to Nanny.”

  To my surprise, Victory agreed and leapt over to Casper’s shoulder. Casper closed the door and the empress waved her hand and the door glowed blue for a second, sealing it against inquiring eavesdroppers.

  “How did you do that?” I asked. “He never listens to me.”

  “My rank is unassailable. He will learn humility.”

  “How?”

  The empress smiled. “You’ll think of something.”

  Not a huge help.

  “Have a seat,” she said, waving at a blue, tufted chair that matched her couch.

  “Will I? I mean, will I, Your Majesty?”

  She chuckled and nodded. I sat down and attempted to take her hand so I could examine it, but she pulled back and handed me the parchment instead. I looked at it, but it was completely in German. I had some German, but not enough to read that. I could see it was an official document with lots of calligraphy at the top and the symbols of the German Reich’s Fae, the political party that ruled the German fairy population with an iron fist. Gerald knew all about them and tried to tell me when I accepted the betrothal. I mostly ignored him. Something about the human’s World War II. I didn’t really care.

  I did spot my name repeatedly in the complicated, formal language, but I couldn’t tell exactly what they wanted. My betrothal had nothing to do with them. The Austrian fae supported equal rights for all fae and the Reich’s Fae absolutely didn’t. That much I remembered.

  The empress tapped my finger to get my attention. “So you must leave immediately.”

  Yes! Yes! Yes!

  Then I frowned. “Why?”

  “We really must have you tutored. Your German is sadly lacking.”

  I know. I suck. Get on with it.

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “If you were able to read adequately, you would see that the Reich’s Fae is requesting your presence at the peace talks between them and the French rebels.”

  “Requesting or demanding?”

  She nodded at me in approval. “Demanding is more accurate.”

  “What for? I’ve got nothing to do with it. And what does the king say? France is still his country. Sort of.”

  “His Majesty and the rest of the family”—a shadow of fear flashed across the empress’s face—“are still imprisoned at the Concergerie in Paris. He has nothing to say that anyone will hear.”

  “So what’s it about? Don’t Germany and France already have a treaty?”

  “The Reich’s Fae had a treaty with the king. Since he’s in prison and the country’s in a civil war between royalists and rebels, they consider the treaty to be null and void.”

  I bit my lip. I could see where this was going. “That’s not good.”

  “Indeed. The Reich’s Fae are demanding you attend as a representative of Austria.”

  “Not you or Max?”

  The empress flinched at my informality, but she didn’t correct me. “No. They want you. Alone.”

  I leaned back and sank into the comfy chair. “They want to capture me.”

  “You are the only kindler in the world,” she said.

  “Why do they need a kindler anyway?”

  “I think that if the rebels don’t agree to everything they want, they’ll invade France. You would be a great help in that endeavor.”

  I paled. “Are you kidding?”

  “I never kid. It’s not imperial,” she said, despite having a hint of humor on her lips.

  “Well, I’d never help them.”

  “Not willingly.”

  “Not ever.

  She smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.”

  I handed her the parchment. “They must’ve gotten the Bann of Marriage really quick.”

  “They don’t have it. They have spies watching us. Were you seen coming to the palace?”

  “I don’t think so. The anubis guards saw me, but they’re loyal to you.”

  The empress didn’t acknowledge that and it made me nervous. They were on the horens’ side when I fought them in the antique mall and I couldn’t help but feel that they were the enemy.
“You must take Iris and leave for Rome immediately. I’ll send a message saying you’re not available.”

  I crossed my arms and sneered. “Just tell them no. You don’t owe them anything.”

  “That’s not how it’s done.”

  Not that again.

  “Why do you care what they think? Gerald acted like they were terrorists or something,” I said.

  “The Reich’s Fae seized power nearly ninety years ago. I have to treat them accordingly.”

  “Or they’ll attack Austria.”

  She bristled. “They wouldn’t dare.”

  “I bet they would. People will dare anything if they think they can get away with it.” I was the same way, but I didn’t mention that.

  “France is in a shambles, an excellent target. We are united.”

  “Now that you’re better,” I said.

  The empress patted my hand. “Thanks to you, we’ve stabilized.”

  “And everyone’s going to know, especially after yesterday. You looked great.”

  A frown creased the empress’s high aristocratic forehead. “You think that’s a bad thing.”

  It wouldn’t help anything to tell her my theory about her daughter and grandchildren’s lives depending on hers, so I just said, “I think your recovery will change some plans.”

  She didn’t ask me what plans. Thank goodness. I don’t know what I would’ve said. She easily stood up and pulled me to my feet. “I’ll summon Senb to arrange escort.”

  “That’s not going to work. If the spies see a big procession leaving, the Reich’s Fae will know you lied.”

  “What do you suggest?”

  “I’ll slip out of town with Iris. Nobody needs to know.”

  “You must have a guard.”

  “I can protect Iris.”

  The empress touched the wing that I had draped over my shoulder. “But you’re not in fighting condition.”

  I couldn’t argue with that. “Alright. Two anubis. We have to stay small.”

  “When can you be ready?” asked the empress.

  I calculated quickly. “Two hours at the earliest.”

  It was the empress’s turn to gasp. “That long?”

  “I have to make your spells before I leave.”

  “Don’t worry about that,” she said, trying to lead me to the door.

  I pulled back. “No way. I’ll make you enough for a couple months.”

  “Matilda.”

  “Everyone’s paying attention to how you’re doing—the spies, the whole country, everybody. You don’t want to have riots again, do you?” I asked with a smile.

  “Heaven forbid.”

  And that settled it.

  A half hour later, I was on the roof of the palace with a bowl of stinky pink goo and a couple of healers as witnesses. Gledit, Max’s valet, stood off to the side, looking over Vienna as the worsening snow pounded against his flat green side. Gledit was a Brazilian phylliid and he never looked more out of place. His green leaf-shaped body was so springy and fresh. The snow swirling around him was totally wrong.

  “Okay. I’m ready,” I said. “You might want to back off.”

  Healer Bauer, a wood fairy with tiny dragonfly wings, immediately backed away, scribbling madly on a pad that he was taking notes on. He was the cathedral healer and normally shy, but I brought out the student in him. Healer Gruber was just the opposite. He was a Norwegian ice elf with a personality to match his species. He resented everything about me, particularly that I’d treated his patient, the empress, without his permission or knowledge. He took it personally. Gruber didn’t back away or take notes. He crossed his skinny blue arms and gave me a look full of derision.

  Fine. Have it your way.

  I stuck my arms in up to the elbows and began mixing the disgusting combo of pork, blood, and garlic. Gag. The smell made my mouth water and not in a good way. I checked Gledit’s position and he seemed okay, so I let it rip. I heated the blob fast with some of my best fire. It quadrupled before I could blink and I barely flew out of the way before it expanded to cover the entire section of roof, swallowing up Healer Gruber and chasing Healer Bauer and Gledit off the roof entirely. I’d thought it would be big, but that was crazy huge. Maybe my best fire wasn’t the greatest idea.

  I scanned the blob, looking for a sign of Gruber, when Bauer and Gledit zipped over in a panic.

  “It swallowed him whole!” yelled Bauer.

  “Will he die?” asked Gledit.

  “Well, he can’t breathe, so yeah,” I said.

  Gledit looked like he wasn’t completely against Gruber dying and I could understand it since Gruber talked to him like he was a piece of frog filth.

  “There!” I pointed to a section of the blob that jiggled. I couldn’t see Gruber, but he had to be in there somewhere.

  Gledit got in front of me. “We’ll get him. Go land and rest.”

  My wing was burning and I could barely keep myself above the blob, so I nodded and flew over to the railing, landing where the blob didn’t go over. Gledit joined Bauer in digging into the pink goo until they found a foot. If a foot can show anger, that one did. It flexed and fought them. It scratched Healer Bauer as he heaved Gruber out of the goo. They flew him over to another section of roof and laid him down gently.

  “Clean out his airway,” I said.

  Healer Bauer reluctantly stuck his fingers in Gruber’s goo-filled mouth and the ungrateful sot bit him. Bauer started screaming and Gledit smacked Gruber hard on the top of the head. Gruber didn’t let go. I ran over and helped Gledit pry his jaws open. Gledit continued to smack him the entire time. He was smiling, so I think he enjoyed it. Healer Bauer definitely didn’t enjoy it. Gruber nearly took off two of his fingers. He screeched while a river of blood ran down his arm. I closed my eyes and stopped the blood flow instantly.

  “That was interesting,” said Healer Bauer after he stopped screaming.

  “Interesting?” Gledit shivered and the little leaves all over his body stood up straight. He looked like a green porcupine. “I can see the bone.”

  “I know.”

  “Doesn’t it hurt?” I asked.

  “It does, but only a little.” Healer Bauer looked at his hand the way only a born scientist can. “I think the spell is an anesthetic.”

  “A what?” asked Gledit.

  “A painkiller. I need more…stuff.”

  I scooped some of Lrag’s rejuvenation spell off Gruber’s chest. He didn’t care. He was babbling about something I couldn’t make out on his blood and goo-covered lips. I gently wiped the goo onto Healer Bauer’s wounds, trying not to notice the bone showing through his ragged flesh.

  He blew out a deep breath. “Fascinating.”

  “Better?” I asked.

  “I can’t feel it at all now.”

  “That’s new.”

  “Where’s my notebook? Where’s my notebook?” Healer Bauer looked around for his pad and quill.

  I found it next to Gruber’s feet and gave it to him. “Gledit, where are the water buckets I asked for?”

  The phylliid was smoothing down his ruffled leaves and looked up, startled. “I think they’re in the blob. I didn’t think you meant that big.”

  “Neither did I,” I said. “Can you get more? We have to wash Gruber.”

  I used my hand to scrape off the spell and fling it away. When I looked up, Gledit was poised to take off, but then he snapped to attention.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  A pair of shiny black boots appeared at my side. I looked up at Max and his normally stern face was surprisingly amused. “Does it always smell this bad?”

  I took a good sniff. “Ya know, I think it’s worse.” It was worse, tremendously worse, but that made it sound like I’d done something wrong, which I hadn’t. “Water, Gledit, hurry!”

  Gledit looked at the emperor, who nodded, and he flew off. Who would’ve thought those teenie wings could go so fast? Gerald said they made a buzzing sound, but I had to take his
word for it.

  Healer Bauer squatted opposite me, trying to write on his pad while holding his injured hand aloft. “How many times have you made this rejuvenation spell?”

  “Three.” I cleared off Gruber’s face and he started licking his hand. I smacked it away. “Don’t do that.”

  “Why not?” asked Max.

  “It’s a topical spell. Are you going to help me or what?”

  Max blinked. “Help you?”

  “Yeah, like scrape this stuff off or, better yet, remove his clothes. Does he wear underwear?”

  Max stepped back and the array of metals on his starched uniform swung wildly. “You cannot be serious.”

  “I’m totally serious. He’s your subject and he needs help. Get in here.”

  “I can’t.”

  “You mean you won’t.”

  He shook his head. “It’s not what we do.”

  “What do you do? Watch stuff happen and say you’re too fancy to help?” I asked.

  “I’m not fancy,” said the emperor, who was covered in gold braid.

  “Well, you’re not not fancy.” I started unbuttoning Gruber’s trousers. “Come on, Max. Girls, love a hero.”

  “Oh fine, but don’t tell Her Majesty,” said Max, taking over trouser removal. Thankfully, Gruber did wear underwear with purple polka dots.

  “Bauer, you’re not to tell Her Majesty about this,” I said. “Or Casper. Definitely not Casper.”

  “What?” asked the healer. “So it didn’t smell this bad and it wasn’t an anesthetic before. What else is different?”

  “It’s bigger. About twice the size. Can we do this later?”

  “Have to get the facts while it’s fresh.”

  “Fresh isn’t the word I’d use,” said Max, making a gagging sound.

  Gruber grabbed the emperor’s hand. “Is it you, Your Majesty?”

  “Yes, it’s me. Try to relax.”

  “I love you.”

  Max looked at me. “Is that new?”

  “How would I know?” I asked and received a look of consternation and then startled realization. I kept my laughter to myself.