Rising Queen

by Crawford, C. N.

Those in the hall started to murmur. It felt like a dark miasma of menace was sliding over the room, slowly, like twilight shadows. Maybe it was my love potion wearing off, but the feel of the room seemed to have shifted into something colder, with a dangerous edge.

  “I didn’t want to marry at the time,” said Salem. “I hadn’t yet controlled the curse, remember? Marriage seemed a death sentence to me. Like being thrown in a well and covered with rocks. Things have changed. I’m a different man now, and I can see how a marriage could be pleasurable for both of us.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “You thought being married to me would be like being stoned to death.”

  He took another sip of wine. “Not you in particular. The concept of marriage itself disturbed me at the time. It seemed like another curse. My feelings have changed. I can see we would enjoy each other, and the kingdom would thrive.”

  There was something cruel in her smile. “Of course. Of course you would fear marriage, after what happened.”

  What happened? My heart slammed against my ribs.

  Salem was still feigning boredom, his expression only half interested, but I could feel all his muscles rigid beneath me. “Oh. That.”

  I clenched my jaw, growing frustrated that this woman seemed to know more about Salem than I did. I felt left on the outside, in the shadows outside their kingdom.

  “So, what changed your mind?” asked Richelle.

  “I simply wanted my kingdom back.” He traced his fingertips down my side, and I shivered. “I don’t belong in exile, banished outside the city walls. Do you know what it’s like living outside of civilization, in the wastelands and the wilderness? Where the corpses of the cursed are left to rot? Where stinking fires burn eternally? I wandered barefoot over rocks, unable to remember words. And without words, there’s no meaning. Nothing”—he breathed in sharply—“means anything when you are cursed.”

  He was holding me tight, like he was desperate for something.

  “I belong here,” he continued. “My original home. I deserve a kingdom, don’t I? I was born to reign, and I want to rule again, with a powerful queen at my side. I want to stride through my kingdom with my subjects bowing before me. And why shouldn’t I have what I once possessed?”

  Her keen gaze bored into him, and her body went very still. “We shall see.” She flicked a hand at me. “Let me see if I can work any magic on this swan of yours before I make promises. I’ve never battled with the hex of the sea god before.”

  Richelle rose from her throne and came to stand before the obsidian throne, her lip curled a little with disgust as she daintily lifted my hands. She grabbed my wrists, pressing on them so hard that I knew she’d leave bruises. Closing her eyes, she began murmuring in the ancient fae language.

  With a rush of sea magic, Richelle’s spell began to work, tingling over my skin. It was a euphoric feeling, the tendrils of shimmering green that snaked around my arms. Slowly, the strength returned to my muscles. It was working!

  Gods, we had really done it. I was being healed. As I stared at my wrists, the magic under my skin began to roll back one millimeter at a time. Hope blossomed in my chest.

  The scent of the sea curled around me, and I felt some of my magic returning, wending its way through my body. Joy bubbled inside my chest. I had a fraction of my magic back already. Nowhere near the full amount, but just a glimmer of it—

  That was when Richelle dropped my wrists, and the healing stopped cold.

  Leaden disappointment pervaded my chest. “Why did you stop?” I asked. “That was working. I could feel it. But you only just started.”

  I was stepping out of character now, I knew. But panic was starting to pound in my skull.

  She wiped her hands off on her dress, looking disgusted. Her gaze was on Salem, not me. “Your whore is stronger than I imagined. As I restore her strength to her, I can feel it in my own body. Powerful. Magic flows both ways. This swan could be dangerous.”

  No. No. No.

  We’d been so close.

  Salem’s muscles stiffened, but he seemed to compose himself. “You don’t need to worry about that, Lady Richelle. She’s completely under my control. And you told me you were powerful. Is that not true?”

  Richelle took a step back, down the dais. “I’ve proved I’m powerful, haven’t I?” she snapped. “You heard what she said. I started to heal her.”

  So. Freaking. Close. Could we still bring this back?

  She pointed at Salem. “You’ve seen what I can do, Salem. I’ve proven that I’m powerful. But what about you and that curse of yours? You’re not proven. And this swan of yours is dangerous.” She took another step down, backing away from us.

  I opened my eyes wide, trying to convey a look that said, I’m dumb as a rock. “I’m not a danger to anyone.”

  Another step down. “That may be the case, but before we go on, I’m going to consult those more powerful than us. Then you’ll have your answer. Because this—everything that happens next—it’s more important than this little swan, isn’t it? It’s the future of our ancient kingdom. It’s the future of a paradise we could build together. I will not ruin it by acting hastily.”

  Salem’s body was heating beneath me. “Which higher powers, exactly?”

  “Don’t worry about that.” She waved a dismissive hand. “As I said, Salem, I want to speak to the higher powers about removing your curse. I will do that now, and I will ask about your swan at the same time. Then we will know everything, won’t we?”

  Lifting her skirts an inch off the ground, she turned and walked all the way down the steps, to the large pool of water in the center of the hall. Standing before it, she held her arms out to either side and began to chant in the fae language.

  I felt goosebumps rise on my skin, and a malign presence seemed to seep into the hall. Shadows and light played over the water. A cold wind rushed past, and Richelle’s body glowed with silvery magic. Her hair whipped around her head as she stood before the pool, her back arched as if in ecstasy, mouth open.

  The sound of her spells rose louder, echoing off the marble. Her palms opened, and white light beamed from them. Then she started to shimmer away, her body glittering, flickering as though it were moving in and out of this world.

  What higher powers? was a very good question.

  At last, the beaming white light faded from her palms. Richelle let out a long, loud breath, almost a moan. She tilted her head and whirled back to us, catching her breath like she’d just had a good romp.

  “The higher powers have spoken, Salem. Two paths await you: you will either rule Mag Mell as king once more, or you will ascend to the heavens as a god. One of these is your destiny.”

  Gasps erupted in the hall. Salem’s secret was out, and no one had anticipated this.

  21

  Aenor

  Salem let out a low chuckle. “The heavens? What would I do in the clouds? No one to fuck or kill? What a dreadful existence. No, of course I’d rather return here as king.”

  She smiled. “I agree. You belong here, my king. This is your first home.” She steepled her fingers before her lips. “But there is one problem.” Her gaze flitted between Salem and me. “Neither of those two destinies can happen as long as you are cursed. And I’m not inclined to heal your whore unless you are of value to me, as king.”

  I heard the breath catch in Salem’s throat. This was news to him.

  He couldn’t ascend.

  “So, remove the curse, Richelle. We are in agreement.” He kept his voice steady.

  She pouted. “But the higher powers won’t let me remove the curse until you’ve achieved another task first.”

  “Oh?” he asked sharply. “What task?”

  My heart was like thunder booming over the horizon. It was as if the room was holding its breath.

  “You need to find your mate.”

  Salem pulled me closer, nearly imperceptibly. “And what then?”

  She opened her palms to the ceiling. “Then you need
to kill her. It is the only way you can be free to achieve your destiny. It seems you must pay for the things you did in the past, and this is your punishment. This is your reckoning.”

  The air left the room. Now, I felt as though I were standing on a razor-thin precipice, a shard of rock, abysses yawning on either side. Fall one way and Salem remained cursed, tethered to this world—descending into madness again, burning everyone around him.

  Fall the other way and Salem killed me.

  And this was the truth, because Richelle was an oracle, and she couldn’t lie. Not this. Disappointment spread through my body like warm blood diffusing in water.

  Salem had wanted this destiny for eons—to reign as a god again. He’d spoken of exile from cities, banished to a world with no meaning. But I didn’t think he had really been talking about Mag Mell. His true pain was exile from the heavens. He’d wandered here for eons, empty, and he’d been longing to return ever since.

  All he had to do was drive a blade into my heart. Not hard when I had only the faintest hint of my magic.

  My heartbeat was frantic now, and I looked around the room at the courtiers, dressed in their rough, severe clothes. I was in enemy territory here, a total outsider.

  And I sat on the lap of a man tasked with killing me to become a god.

  How much did I trust him? Should I reach for that shard of glass right now?

  I stole a glance at Salem. For the first time since we’d arrived here, he’d let the mask slip.

  This news had shocked him, and it showed on his beautiful face. In the next breath, his composure returned—that look of boredom and his easy smile. But I’d seen enough, and the sound of his heart beating might as well have been echoing off the walls.

  “Unfortunately, Lady Richelle,” he said, “I do not have a mate. You are powerful, aren’t you? There must be another way.”

  My racing heart slowed a little.

  Richelle let out a long sigh. “Killing your mate is how you break your curse. A powerful sacrifice. You know better than anyone that gods demand sacrifice, don’t you? And it’s no good if it’s not something you care about. You’re not a god anymore. So, you follow their rules like everyone else.”

  Silence filled the room, and I felt like I was drowning.

  “Pity I don’t have a mate, then.” His voice was ice. “But it’s no concern of mine, I suppose. I can make my fun elsewhere, if I must.” He gestured at the court with his wineglass, and a little of it spilled over the rim. “And you can return to this joyous court. How happy everyone looks.” He flashed a wicked smile, dark amusement dancing in his eyes.

  This was a bluff. He was testing her.

  Richelle adjusted her stark crown, then smoothed out her hair. “I will do what I need to do in order to protect my kingdom. It’s what a true ruler does. And if we must live without pleasure, so be it. At least we are living.”

  Salem’s smile grew sinister. “Ah, look at their beautiful, dour faces. Perhaps it’s time to change the name, though. The Court of Silks doesn’t fit anymore, does it? I’ll let the world know it should be called the Court of Tedium, ruled by the Lady of Drudgery.”

  Tension thickened the air.

  Richelle stared at him, disappointment twisting her features. She’d wanted him so badly that it was palpable.

  She turned, looking at her court, her shoulders slumping. “Yes, it is a pity. If you broke your curse, you could create a heaven on earth with me. You could rule as king and teach me the ways of pleasure. Like Mag Mell in the old days. With me as your queen, we would be unstoppable. But not without your penance.” Her voice tightened. “You must do your penance.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you, Lady Richelle. And here I was hoping we’d be getting to know each other much better.” His voice dripped with a seductive promise. “Well, I’ve had enough of the Court of Banality.”

  He lifted me and started to rise. A sense of frustration and tension rippled through the room.

  I stood, half hoping the subjects would rise up and force Richelle’s hand. I’d once done a walking tour of London, where they had explained why the Puritan rule hadn’t lasted for long. The tour guide had showed us where the maypole once stood—but the Puritans had taken it down. No theater, no gambling, no dancing, no fun… And that was how the monarchy was restored, because everyone agreed paying taxes to a king was better than sitting at home reading psalms.

  Richelle might have some superstition about refraining from sex and fun, but she was a crappy ruler.

  I took a few steps down the dais, wondering if we were still bluffing or actually giving up.

  I didn’t have to wonder long.

  Richelle stopped us, lifting her hands before me. “Wait!” she barked. “Give me another minute.” She looked agitated, pacing in front of the pool. She chewed her thumbnail, muttering under her breath.

  “Do you have something more to add?” Salem asked lazily.

  She pivoted, pacing the other way. “I’ll ask the higher powers once more. I’ll ask them if there’s another way.” Sweat shone on her forehead, and she turned back to the pool of water. “Just give me a minute.”

  As she raised her hands above her head, her magic slid over my skin, cold enough to make my teeth chatter.

  One by one, droplets of water lifted into the air from the pool. Then a small vortex spun from the pool, sparkling with gold in the torchlight. As it whirled higher, the droplets crystallized in the air. A vortex of glittering ice flecks rose above her.

  Richelle’s back arched, and the moans she started emitting sounded positively ecstatic.

  At last, she dropped her hands, and the frozen vortex fell back into the pool of water with an enormous splash that wet her clothes.

  She whirled to look at Salem, her cheeks pink, chest heaving. A grin spread over her face. “I have good news.”

  He lifted his wineglass, smirking. “I knew you’d find a way.”

  A lock of her hair stuck to her cheek, and she brushed it away. “Once you complete this task, I will lift your curse. And then we can talk about your swan, and our marriage vows.”

  Salem had slouched back into the dark throne like he owned the place. “Well? What is it?”

  She stepped forward. “While you’ve been away, the Court of Silks has been plagued for centuries by a monster known as the glashtin—the water bull. It’s not a natural animal, but rather one formed entirely of dark magic. Every year, we must sacrifice to this monster. We spill fae blood to appease it, and it grows stronger.” She stepped closer, heels clacking. “Every year, the thing demands more fae lives. If this is to be your kingdom, you must protect us, just like you seek to protect your whore.”

  He took a deep breath. “I need specifics, Lady Richelle. What do you want me to do? Kill it?”

  “Yes. The powers that be have decreed that you must kill the monster that plagues us, this revolting creature that stands in our way. Then you will be free from your curse.”

  A murmur went through the crowd, and I could see eyes shining again. They wanted rid of this monster, and then they wanted rid of their restrictive clothes.

  Salem was slumped in the throne, arms over the rests. Legs crossed, he stared at Richelle. One of his feet bounced languidly up and down. “You want me to kill a monster.”

  “Precisely.”

  “And where do I find the water bull?”

  “The glashtin lives in our ancient amphitheater. As long as we feed her sacrifices, she stays there. But if we fail, she breaks through the stone walls and starts devouring the good people of our court. You can free us from this menace.”

  She turned back to the hall, opening her arms wide.

  “We would be so grateful. We’ve already had to contend with failing crops, dwindling supplies of food. And you, Salem, our king—how grateful everyone would be if you would slay the monster who torments us. When you become king, when you kill our monster, you could make the land thrive again with your power. And once you are free to be king, I
will heal the whore.” She turned to smile at me. “The fates have decreed she can help you kill the monster.”

  Salem slouched in the throne. “Her? What can she do?”

  “I gave her some of her magic back,” said Richelle. “It is quite powerful, even though I haven’t yet fully restored it. She is resourceful, I think. She will find a way to help you.”

  “But what exactly do you want her to do against a monster?” asked Salem again.

  Richelle shrugged. “It seems fate has declared that she is involved in the removal of your curse. She must be there, and you must complete your penance by killing our monster.”

  The hair rose on the back of my neck. Richelle knew more than she was letting on.

  “I suppose I should take you at your word.” Salem flashed an indulgent smile.

  Richelle’s eyebrows shot up. “You know I cannot lie, Salem. I speak the truth.”

  “Tell me, out of curiosity,” said Salem, “who are these higher forces you consult with?”

  Richelle’s eyes gleamed. “I will tell you everything on our wedding night.”

  “I can think of better things for us to do on our wedding night,” said Salem.

  Gods, with the love potion wearing off, it was hard not to visibly gag. Please tell me all this nauseating faux flirting would actually get us the cure we needed.

  Richelle shrugged. “I’ve told you your penance, and now it’s up to you if you want to accept.” Her expression grew fierce. “Kill the monster, Salem. That is your penance. It’s only fair. You must pay the price for what you did to your one true love. She is the one who cursed you. Therefore, she is the only one who can release you from your curse. She must also release you from your marriage vows, so you can be mine. Your one true love, your wife, is the higher power. She set the condition for the release from the curse.”

  And at those words, I felt as if the solid world had collapsed beneath my feet. His wife? Not just a true love, but a wife. The woman who’d cursed him. I was reeling from this news, waiting for him to speak to me, but to my shock, Salem simply rose from the throne.