Queen

by Claire Farrell

  When the sun began to rise, I stood at the window and watched, breathless with awe. The lilac moon slowly disappeared, melding into a red-gold sun that stretched its beams far and wide, touching every surface with light. The Darkside could actually be beautiful sometimes.

  My stomach grumbled. I wondered if anyone would remember to feed me. I leaned out the window in an attempt to see more of the grounds. The stone wall was crumbling in places. A mass of tents stretched out of my line of sight, and I wondered why faeries were camping outside their castle.

  Shouts from below caught my attention. Soldiers rode toward the gates, kicking up clouds of dust. They were chased by some servants wearing billowing black dresses, their hair hidden in black caps. The women called out obscenities to the soldiers, holding up their skirts as they ran through the dirt courtyard. The soldiers laughed as they galloped off.

  One of the servants lost her cap in a gust of wind. Her hair was a brassy blond, but two inches of her roots were coal black. She hurriedly grabbed her head covering and slapped it back over her hair. The rest of the servants giggled and whispered together.

  Then, one of them spotted me. She pointed, and the others lowered their heads and rushed inside. Maybe if I stood there every morning, someone would remember me.

  Feeling defeated, I sat on my bed and twisted the green and silver bracelet around my wrist. A little while later, I heard noises in the hall.

  Two females and one male servant, all dressed in black, opened the door and peered in, suspicion and fear in their eyes. Maybe they had heard the pooka rumour, too. I glared at them. One of the women squealed and stepped back, stamping on the male’s foot. He lost his balance and grabbed both women to steady himself. I did my best to hold in a giggle as all three of them fell back against the doorway.

  “It’s… we’re to bring you to get ready,” the male said, panic in his eyes.

  I channelled Sorcha in hopes of making them too afraid to hurt me. “Ready for what?” I demanded as haughtily as possible.

  “I… we…”

  I thought he might wee himself on the spot, so I shrugged. “Fine. Let’s go.”

  The three of them flinched. What did they think I was going to do?

  They led me into the hallway and down the stairs. Four black-armoured soldiers joined us at the next landing. Their faces were hidden, but I made sure I caught each of their gazes. I did the infamous Cara Kelly stare, but I supposed it didn’t have as much of an effect in the faery realm. I was taken to a small bathing room, nothing extravagant, just one claw-toed bath in the centre of a small room. The soldiers waited outside.

  The male bowed. “This is where you’ll dress.”

  I folded my arms. “In front of you?”

  “No, no, of course. I mean, I…” He fled the room.

  The two women giggled then stopped abruptly when I looked at them.

  “I can bath myself. I can wash my own hair. How about you two get me whatever stupid-looking dress that idiot king wants me to wear, and we’ll push on with our day, all right?”

  They exchanged a terrified glance before leaving me alone.

  One of the soldiers stepped in as I was about to get undressed.

  “Do you mind?” I snapped. “Get out.”

  He hesitated. “You’re not to commit suicide.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I’ll try not to. Oh, just get out and let me have a bath already!”

  When he left, I froze for a moment as his words sank in. They thought I might hurt myself. Drake had warned me that would be preferable to being a captive in the Darkside. Did my friends assume I was already dead? I shivered at the thought. No, Grim and Realtín would never give up on me.

  I bathed as quickly as possible, but the water was soothing. My hips hurt after the journey and the crappy night I’d had.

  The women returned as I stepped out of the bath. One of them left at the sound of my belly rumbling then returned with some fruit.

  “Is this safe?” I asked.

  She hesitated before taking a bite of a grape. When she didn’t go into convulsions, I decided to eat before I starved to death. They dried and dressed my hair while I munched.

  “What’s the dress like?” I asked. I wasn’t sure what was going on yet, but maybe the dress would hold a clue.

  One of the women held up a white dress that looked like gossamer.

  “Am I being sacrificed?” I stood abruptly. “Is that what this is?”

  “No, no.” The woman held the dress behind her back. “It’s the slip. That’s all. The baby. The baby. We wouldn’t hurt the baby. We can’t.”

  Well, that was one clue. Sadler wanted to hold my baby hostage, maybe to force Drake into a war or to make Brendan to bend to his will. I couldn’t imagine that going down well at all. In fact, if anyone was ever going to rescue me, they were running a little late.

  A woman burst through the door. “Hurry! Time is running out.”

  The two servants freaked out and started running around like headless chickens. I never thought I would miss the pixies. I picked up the slip and tried it on. It fit perfectly.

  One of the women grabbed my hand, her purple eyes widening with fear. She stared at my bracelet as if it were made of poison. “No! You can’t wear this.”

  I pulled my hand out of her grasp. “Hell, yes, I can wear this.”

  The two women exchanged a worried glance, which made me nervous, but I was going to take Vix’s advice and hold my head high.

  “Someone’s coming,” I said. “That’s why we have to hurry. But what are we hurrying for? What’s going on?”

  They ignored me and draped a long black overlay on top of the slip, fidgeting with the fabric to ensure my wrists were covered. They piled my hair so high and tight on my head that my neck hurt. They left my feet and face bare, for which I was grateful. No matter how many questions I asked them, they refused to speak to me.

  One of them brought in a mirror. I looked pale and insignificant in the dark material, stark and human with my hair scraped back so tight.

  “It’s time,” one of the women whispered. “We have to get you to the main hall. It’ll be quick, then you can rest.”

  We stepped into the hallway then walked down and stood outside a huge doorway.

  “They’re not ready,” a soldier murmured.

  “Ready for what?” I asked.

  Nobody answered. My panic grew.

  A minute later, the door opened, and we stepped into a great hall. It was completely empty.

  “Stand her by the steps,” one of the soldiers said. “He’ll be here soon.”

  “Who will?” I demanded. “What the hell is going on here?”

  Someone stepped into my line of sight and cleared his throat. He had coal-black skin, a hunched back, and white-rimmed pupils that managed to look both demonic and kind all at once. “You’re to wait here for your husband,” he said. “This is your wedding dress for your wedding day.”

  And then the world toppled.

  A soldier caught me and steadied me on my feet. “No need for the theatrics,” he said gruffly. “It’s better than death.”

  Drake’s advice came to mind: It was better to kill myself than be caught by Sadler’s men. I snatched the soldier’s dagger from where it hung at his waist. Before I could even figure out if I wanted to use it on me or him, a pale hand gripped my wrist.

  “No!” Vix said. “No. This isn’t how it’s played.” She squeezed and twisted until I dropped the knife.

  I refused to wince, though my heart raced. I needed to choke down on my emotions, save them up, and unleash them like a weapon.

  Vix let go of my arm, and I ran. I didn’t get far. I screamed, fought, and struggled, but I was alone against many.

  “Think of the child,” someone whispered. “Do whatever he requests.”

  “I can’t.” I was forced to walk by a soldier. “I can’t do this.”

  “See she gets a little help,” someone called out from behind us.
/>   I looked around and gasped. Sadler walked toward me like a young man, as if he hadn’t been an old man nearing death the last time I saw him. Everything about him was different, impossibly so. Even his white hair had darkened.

  “How?” I whispered. “How did you do that?”

  “Darling,” he said mockingly, “it’s our wedding day. No need for questions.”

  The darkness and misery of the Darkside filled me up, but still I struggled. He was going to force the mother of his great-grandchild to marry him. I almost got sick in my mouth. And with a pang, I remembered what had happened to his first wife, what Brendan had done. I decided then and there that I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of my tears.

  I held up my head and looked him in the eye. “You won’t get what you want. I promise you that much.”

  He laughed. “Isn’t she a delight? Don’t worry, girl. I don’t want you. I want the baby in your womb. Child of one king, heir to another, and soon to be mine. You can die peacefully after you give birth and not a moment before.”

  I tried to strike out, but Vix gripped my arm and twisted it behind my back.

  “Step back,” he said. “My doctor will fix her.”

  A couple of the fae shivered. Somebody went running, but heavy footsteps were already sounding in the hallway. I watched the door, wondering why everyone seemed fearful. Vix’s grip tightened even as she stepped away from me.

  I stared with apprehension as a man strode into the room. He wasn’t tall, but there was something intimidating about his posture. He wore a hooded robe, only a tiny gap in the fabric over his face allowing him to breathe. He pounded a staff on the floor as he walked. The top of the red stick reached his shoulder. The tip was shaped like a snake’s head, with some kind of glass was embedded in the snake’s mouth. The length was decorated with bones and cloth, and it rattled when he moved. As he got closer, I thought he smelled like death.

  “Doctor,” Sadler said, “make her see she really wants this.”

  The doctor moved behind me. Vix shimmied out of his way and averted her eyes. Then, something ice-cold touched the back of my neck. Waves of power ran through me. My body buckled with the shock. I wanted to scream, but my throat had constricted. I clutched at my neck, struggling to breathe. Most of the fae refused to look at me, but Sadler watched me with a sadistic smile.

  A tall soldier caught me and held me up when I would have collapsed to the floor. The pain soared through my veins, an indescribable agony. My vision grew red and blurry, and my body jerked wildly. The baby kicked frantically.

  “Stop,” I whimpered, holding my stomach.

  “Enough,” Sadler said.

  The doctor stepped away. The pain took a few more moments to ease.

  “That’s your first lesson.” Sadler patted my cheek. “If you obey, I won’t give you pain, unless I’m bored. If you irritate me, I’ll make sure your child is half dead when it crawls out of your womb. You have the choice to die here or do what we say and save your half-breed babe. Do you understand me?”

  I nodded dumbly, my eyes glistening with tears I refused to allow fall.

  “Hurry,” someone called from the door. “It’s time.”

  “Let’s get this over and done with,” Sadler said. “Nobody can say I don’t sacrifice for the realm.” He looked at me with disgust then took my hand in a tight grip.

  An elderly fae approached. I closed myself off as he began the marriage ceremony. I barely heard the words that tied me to a madman. I whimpered when our wrists were tied together, almost exactly the same way as Brendan had been tied to me but with black rope. I wanted to die.

  When the rope burned, it left a black mark on my wrist. I stared at it as the officiator continued, wondering if my so-called wedding would earn me a permanent scar.

  “Speak,” Sadler growled in my ear.

  I blinked a couple of times. The doctor pounded his staff on the floor.

  “Are you willing?” the elder fae asked, looking uncomfortable.

  I stared back, unable to say the words. A soldier pulled out a sword and aimed it at my stomach. I looked down and made my choice.

  “I’m willing,” I whispered and knew I was lost.

  And then it was over. Someone began to clap politely but was abruptly silenced.

  Sadler blew out a sigh of relief. “And now we wait.”

  ***

  I sat in a high-backed throne made of stone, afraid to move because of the dagger at my throat. Noises surged outside the castle, and I heard shouting.

  “Do not move,” Sadler said under his breath. “If you shame me, I’ll cut you open right now and take my chances. I’m happy for war, my dear. Happy enough if you are the cause of it. Do you understand me? For the next few months, you will be my queen. If you please me, your death will be swift.”

  I didn’t look at him or respond. I was waiting for someone to come, to do something, to help me. I couldn’t bear the thought of living in that castle—queen of the Dark Court in name only. They would hardly treat me well.

  The doors burst open. A crowd filled the great hall. A dozen soldiers stepped in front of the thrones and took up a protective stance before Sadler.

  “Ah,” Sadler rose, stretching out his arms. “Have you come to congratulate me already? The feast isn’t until—”

  “You stole from me,” Brendan bellowed, making everyone fall silent.

  Drake and Sorcha stood next to him, arm in arm. I saw Arlen and recognised some others, but I couldn’t look at them for too long. I had been forbidden to do so, and I felt the cool steel against my skin.

  “Stole?” Sadler asked as if astonished. “My court, my people, have I stolen something?”

  Murmurs spread throughout the room. Sadler was smiling, obviously enjoying himself. He was psychotic. A whimper slipped through my lips. His jaw clenched, but he didn’t look at me.

  “You’ve taken my heir,” Brendan said. “I announced that I would—”

  “An heir?” Sadler frowned. “I don’t recall attending such a ceremony.”

  Brendan’s hands fisted. “You knew about it.”

  “I think there’s been a misunderstanding,” Sadler said brightly. “Today is my wedding day. Are you here to congratulate my bride?” He hauled me to my feet and pressed his lips against mine.

  I fought him off, but someone yanked my hair and shoved me back into my seat.

  “These shy brides.” Sadler chuckled. “As they say, a lady in the ballroom, but once they hit the bedroom…”

  “Do I understand you correctly?” Brendan asked. “You stole her… and married her? You forced her into marriage, Sadler? What kind of—”

  “Be very careful,” Sadler said. “This is my home. My day of celebration. And we all heard her say she was willing.”

  “At what cost?” Brendan asked. “How did you threaten her?” He sneered at the Darksiders. “And you all stood and watched, did you? A court to be proud of, I see.”

  “Are you even aware of your hypocrisy? You began this chain of events a long time ago. I only follow your lead.” Sadler smiled. “And I thank you for it because, at last, the Dark Court will have a new heir, and apparently an heir with claims to all three thrones. Isn’t that astonishing? It’s funny how life works out.”

  Drake took a step forward. “There’s no claim to my throne.”

  My cheeks burned at his words.

  He inclined his head. “But we congratulate you on your wedding day, and we look forward to our invitation to your wedding feast. We will bring a gift.”

  Sadler looked taken aback. “Of course. You are all welcome to join us. It won’t be a large affair. Will it, my dear?”

  I was too busy staring at Drake in horror to reply.

  Sadler slapped my face. I was too surprised to make a sound.

  “Look at him only,” Vix murmured from behind my chair.

  My chest heaved with panic. Drake had decided to leave me stranded with Sadler. I wouldn’t last. I wouldn’t survive. O
ut of the corner of my eyes, I saw Brendan step forward.

  “Cara…”

  Drake pulled him back. They had a whispered exchange. Arlen joined them for a moment then stormed out of the room.

  “Is there a problem?” Sadler asked. “You didn’t crave her for yourself, did you?”

  I swallowed hard, unable to see even Sadler anymore through my tears.

  “No,” Brendan said. “There is nothing wrong. We should leave. May I have a private moment to congratulate your bride?”

  “Of course.” Sadler sounded delighted. “Go to him, girl. Let him say goodbye. I look on with fondness.”

  Vix took my arm. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

  As we walked over to Brendan, Drake refused to look at me, though even Sorcha had the heart to give me a pitying look. I wanted to throw up, pass out, wake up from the nightmare I was stuck in.

  Brendan stared at me, his expression conflicted. “There’s nothing I can do right now. If I find a way, if I can figure out how to—”

  I stared at him, unable to hide my disappointment or hurt. His eyes held shame. He had promised me safety, and I had ended up wed to Sadler because of what Brendan had done to Sadler’s wife all those years ago. It couldn’t be real. It just could not be real.

  “He won’t harm you,” he said. “You just need to last until the baby is born, and then he might give you back. We’ll offer him something in return for you, and you can—”

  “And leave my baby behind?” I whispered in horror. I took a few steps back. “You people… you people are nothing to me. You’re just going to leave me here with him. After everything you both said. After everything I’ve been through. This isn’t my fight. None of this is about me, so why am I the only one being punished?”

  I didn’t wait to hear his response. I turned blindly, shrugging off Vix’s grasp, and made my way back to my seat.

  Sadler sneered. “I’m glad to see you’re so fond of my bride. We’re all connected now. One big happy family. I look forward to seeing you at the wedding feast. I’m sorry you must leave so soon, but I need to take her to the marital bed and consummate this wonderful union.”