A rush of confidence filled her, pushing away the fear and the panic. Suddenly, she knew exactly what she needed to do.
“If I did this, it would kill the love I have for you.” She squeezed Ardan’s hand, hanging on to it tightly. “And nothing is worth that.”
She bent down and kissed the Crone’s cheek. “Thank you, for taking care of me when I couldn’t. But I can take care of myself now.”
The deep black had drained from the old woman’s crystalline eyes, leaving them stained a faint dark purple and the thin trail of blood leaking from the corner of her mouth slowed. “Take the power,” she rasped. “And be strong.”
“No. I’m stronger without it.” As she said it, the last of the light drained away as her other self died. Something snapped inside her and a well of grief for the loss of everything she’d forgotten she knew rose up, making it hard to breathe.
It was all gone—the memories, the power, the pain. She took a finger and gently closed the old woman’s eyes, tears she hadn’t even realized she was crying falling on the weathered old face.
She looked up at Ardan. There’s no one left but me now. I’m the Black Queen.”
“I know.” He offered her his hand and helped her to her feet. He’d been her anchor throughout this whole ordeal, the one who believed in her, even now, even enough to let her choose the power. He loved her in a way that no one else could. And she loved him.
It rose up in her pushing at the grief, nestling next to it. The love would help her with the loss of her other self, a loss she wasn’t even sure she understood.
She looked at the patch of ground where Aoife had stood and now was only a burnt patch of grass. “Does anyone else besides us know the truth?”
“I never heard anyone say that there was more than one physical queen. The Black Queen had always been one body—one person. And when Prince Kian killed her, they buried her. When I went on this quest I got the feeling they didn’t think I’d succeed, because the queen was dead. Only Aoife pushed for her to be alive.”
“In other words, in the eyes of everyone in the court except for Aoife, you were set up to fail.” She saw the bitter truth in his eyes.
She looked at her other self lying on the ground. In death, the Crone seemed much smaller than she had in life. All her power was gone. And with it had gone all the misery too. She’d never be that person. She didn’t want to be.
“I want you to take her head to the prince.”
“I can’t do that to you.” He shook his head.
“She’s not me, she never really was, and now she can no longer hurt me or help me. But she can save you.” She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a hug, pouring all her love for him into this gift that only she could give. “He hugged her back and she stood there, letting the warmth of his love soothe all the pain.
Chapter Thirty-three
Ardan shifted his weight from foot to foot, and hoped nobody in the court noticed his nerves. He’d been living so long in his chain mail with Gleam at his side that walking to the front of the ballroom turned courtroom without either of them felt as if he were walking up the aisle stark naked and defenseless.
It didn’t help that everything was a virtual repeat of last year. Prince Kian, and his human bride, Bryanna, sat on matching thrones on a raised platform. On the platform behind the prince the Dark Huntsman, Logan Ni Brennan, stood with his own magical sword, ready to strike down any who threatened his liege. A bastard, a rebel, and half Fir Bolg, Logan had fought for Kian against the Black Queen and had been rewarded with a place just to the right of the throne.
Ardan’s nemesis, Bosco, glared from his place below the dais, a group of guards by his side. And everyone, from the smallest page to the queen’s old uncle, stared. The only difference, and it was a major one to Ardan, was that this time, as he walked to face the prince’s justice, he had Thorn by his side and now, instead of staring at the man who might be tossed into the dungeon at any movement, they stared at the woman who was the spitting image of the Black Queen.
He’d wanted to leave her back at his cave in the north, but she’d insisted—where he went, she went. And so, they faced the man who was her son, together.
Shock and confusion rippled through the court at their passage. He thought he’d be anxious for himself in this moment, but every bit of his concern was focused on Thorn. How could he protect her when he didn’t have his sword. What if they turned on her like he’d seen crowds do before? She wasn’t safe here, and it had him twitching at every movement in the crowd.
This was it. The moment he’d been waiting for since last year. He’d spent months dreaming of it, how he’d come in here and be the hero of the moment. Now, he wished he’d never come back to Kian’s court.
He took his eyes off of the men of the prince’s guard and glanced at Thorn. “Are you alright?”
“Perfect.” The Crone had had a fortune of gold coins stashed on her person, so they’d been able to purchase new finery for both of them and Thorn looked every bit the queen she was dressed in a high-necked amethyst gown, split at the front in the current fashion, to show off slender legs in four-inch heels.
He’d splurged on brand-new boots, pants, shirt and even a brand new fashion in the court—a stock tie that choked him with its tightness and had him wondering which torturer had brought it back from Earth. His long leather coat was embroidered on the back with a shield with a thorned purple rose, and he wore the new emblem of his lady with pride.
The closer they got to the dais the more he felt Thorn trembling beside him. He shifted the bag holding the Crone’s head to his right hand and reached for hers with his left. She gave him a surprised look and squeezed back, but her fleeting smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
The seneschal cleared his throat. “Your Highness, may I present Ardan of the North and Lady Thorn.”
Kian leaned forward on his throne and his human bride, Bryanna, did the same. Despite the fact that the prince was supposed to be dealing with Ardan he didn’t seem to be able to rip his gaze from Thorn’s face. Ardan hadn’t noticed before but the prince’s eyes were the same shade of purple as Thorn’s. A deep ripple of unease went through Ardan and he gripped her hand tighter.
Kian spoke, “Ardan of the North, we sent you on a quest at the behest of the Lady Aoife to find the Black Queen and bring us her head. Have you done so?”
Ardan tipped the bag. The head of the Crone spilled out, rolling until her open eyes stared at Kian. Thorn’s hand tightened on his, but other than that, she didn’t move, just stared straight forward at the prince.
Kian flinched. “Gods, he really did it.”
The court went wild, screaming and shouting and rushing towards the front of the room. Ardan pushed Thorn behind his back and towards the throne, away from the frenzied crowd. He cursed the man who’d forced him to give up his sword at the door.
Kian stood up. “Silence!”
The prince’s soldiers turned their pikestaffs sideways and using them as a barrier they pushed the crowd back and slowly, the court settled down.
“Logan.” Kian gestured towards the head. The huntsman came down from the dais and carefully examined the head. Ardan could feel the entire court holding its breath as he sent a questing thread of magic at it.
“It’s definitely the Crone, your Highness.” He gave Ardan a nod and stepped back. “I can feel the last traces of her Gift.”
“Damn her.” Kian stared at the head, his hands digging into the curved arms of the throne. “Will we have to go after her again and again? How many times do we have to kill that woman?”
Bryanna touched his arm and whispered something to him and he nodded, refocusing on Ardan. “Ardan, it seems you’ve completed your quest.” He glanced around the courtroom. “I had hoped that the Lady Aoife would be here to give you your reward.”
Thorn stiffened and Ardan gave her hand a warning squeeze.
“I regret to inform, Your Highness, that although the Lady Aoife was instrumental in helping m
e during the last battle with the Black Queen, she did not survive.”
The court gasped.
Bosco moved forward, his eyes never leaving Ardan’s. “I say he’s failed.”
“I have brought you the queen’s head. That was what was required.”
“But you didn’t do it.” Bosco stared him down. “Did you? Aoife did it and died trying. You just swept in at the end and are stealing the credit.”
Ardan bristled with rage. “She’s dead by my hand. I dealt the killing blow.” He moved to challenge Bosco, his hand going to his side and his empty sheath, but Thorn’s hand laced in his, pulled him back.
“Enough!” Kian jerked his chin at Bosco, and he went back to his group of muttering soldiers. “Ardan, I am pleased with your fulfillment of the quest. You are freed from your blood-debt. And, as a reward, I would like to offer you a place in my army.” Kian smiled down at him and for the first time Ardan could see the charm that had inspired the rebellion. “We have yet to defeat Haddon, my mother’s former chief counselor, who has declared himself the King of the Black Court. I could use a man like you.”
“Thank you, your highness. I accept.”
He should be thrilled. This was what he’d worked for all year, to have a place. To be a soldier. But now that it was happening he wasn’t sure. The only thing he was sure of was that he wanted Thorn by his side. Anywhere he went with her was home.
“Now, I’ve waited long enough.” Kian gave Thorn a hard look. “Tell me, who is this lovely young woman who looks so much like my dear, departed mother?”
The buzz of the crowd grew and Ardan worked to calm his tension.
“I am called the Lady Thorn.” Thorn inclined her head and Kian did the same. “Ardan set me free from an enchantment the queen had placed me under.” She squeezed Ardan’s hand and smiled at him. “I am indebted to him for his rescue.”
“I have never heard of you, but you could be my mother as a girl. Tell me, are we related?”
This was the dangerous part. They’d worked hard to concoct a story that would satisfy not just Kian, but anyone at court.
“You won’t remember me. I was at court in the time of your grandfather, the Black King. And I—” She managed a small blush. Ardan was impressed by the subtly of her magic that she could call upon the small glamour at will. “I believe you’ll find I’m not exactly a typical relative.” Her blush deepened. “I can go over the details with you, in private, if you wish.”
Kian’s eyebrows raised. “I see. My grandfather wasn’t known for his faithfulness.” A murmur ran around the court. Kian raised a hand and it hushed. “But that was hundreds of years ago. You’re far too young to be from that time.”
“The queen put me under a sleeping spell. I do not know for how long. My last memories are of dancing at a ball where the Black King presided and the princess, your mother, was a young girl. I’ve lost everything else.” While elvatians couldn’t lie, they were masters at hedging.
“You didn’t know my mother as the queen, but this is exactly the kind of trick she would have loved to play. Forgive me, but we need to know.” He waved his hand and the huntsman approached. “Please step forward and let Logan see into your Gift.”
Ardan pushed her back behind him, this time toward the crowd and away from the truly powerful person in the room, the prince on the throne. “I object. She’s been through enough, she doesn’t need to undergo anything like this. You can see the queen’s head and he verified it was her.”
But Thorn stepped around him. “Don’t worry,” she whispered to Ardan. “It’s fine,” she said in a louder tone. “I have nothing to fear.
They’d tested her before coming here, but he still didn’t like it.
Logan stepped forward, his bright blue eyes hard. Ardan felt his power reaching for Thorn and his whole body stiffened with the urge to hit the huntsman right in the face. But he waited, watching the magic poke and prod at Thorn for far longer than he thought necessary.
Logan moved away, giving Thorn a short bow. “My lady.” She inclined her head back and he turned to the prince. “She’s definitely related, but her power is clean of the taint of black.”
“Your Majesty,” Ardan reached for Thorn’s hand, relief pouring through him. “I would like to request that the Lady Thorn be allowed to stay at court.”
“Oh?” Kian’s eyebrows raised.
Thorn’s blush this time took over her entire face and Ardan grinned at her true embarrassment.
“I see.” The prince leaned back, pursing his lips. “Well, since she is sort of a relative, I give you both my blessing. But I will be calling both of you to my chambers. I want all the details of how this came to be.” He gestured at his mother’s head lying on the ground.
His seneschal coughed and Kian nodded. “We have many other petitioners today. Logan—” He gestured at the huntsman. “I want you to personally see that they’re settled in. And take care of that.” He pointed at the head, still staring through sightless eyes.
Logan nodded and scooped the head back into the bag, taking it behind the dais and handing it to another guard before coming forward and nodding to them. “Let’s go.”
Ardan bowed and Thorn curtsied. They turned and left the court, Ardan following the Huntsman on shaky legs that he wasn’t sure would even hold him up.
Outside in the wide room that acted as a hallway, Logan turned to Thorn, his face hard. “I’ve been at court my entire life and never heard a rumor of the king having a bastard. Nor have I ever heard of one disappearing. There are people who still remember those days.” The look he gave her was far from friendly. “Whatever the truth is, be sure, it will come out.”
Thorn’s face paled. Ardan stepped in front of her. “Are you threatening us, huntsman?”
The next set of petitioners moved past and into the courtroom, but Ardan didn’t pay any attention to the heavy-set dwarf or his taller more slender elvatian companion. Everything he had was focused on the challenge in Logan’s eyes and the fact that Gleam was only a few feet away.
THORN HELD HER BREATH. They’d come so far. Kian had forgiven Ardan for working with the White Queen. He finally had the place he’d always wanted at court, but all of a sudden she realized that now, they faced an even greater challenge.
Logan was a little shorter than Ardan, but he stood firm and solid, with the bulky muscle of his half Fir Bolg ancestry. He stared Ardan directly in the eye. “I don’t threaten.”
“And I don’t respond to threats.”
They took each other’s measure, neither one giving an inch until she couldn’t stand it any longer.
She stepped in between them. “Perhaps, kind sir, you could show us to our rooms? It’s been a long day for me and I’m still not used to all the changes that have happened in the world.” She smiled at Logan and gestured to the wide hall with its marble pillars and gracious windows. “There was no Summer Palace when I was last at court. This has all been built since I was asleep.”
Logan gave her a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Of course, my lady. Right this way.” He led them through the palace and outside to a brand-new annex Kian had added during the year. “You may not remember, my lady, but the Summer Palace was built by the queen as a place to while away the days. It’s designed for balls and parties, but not war. We’ve had to change a few things to make it work for the army.”
“And we can both stay here?” Ardan gave him a hard look as they entered the bare bones room with two cots, a dresser, and a wash basin. He turned back, fury all over his face. “This is totally unacceptable. The Lady Thorn is not a soldier.”
“You may have earned a position with the prince, but you have yet to earn anything else. Letting her stay with you is a boon the prince has given you. I’m not sure I would have done the same. You should take what you’re offered and be grateful you still have your head.”
Thorn touched Ardan’s arm and smiled. “It’s a bed and off the ground. It will feel like heaven.” She did
n’t care where they slept, with the gold they had they could make this room a palace. What really mattered was that they were together and about to start a new life.
A twinge of dread went through her. She wanted to be with Ardan, but this whole court thing was overwhelming. Too many people stuffed in too small a castle and all of them staring at her in hate. She’d wanted this to work, she really had, but she could see that there was no way it was going to be feasible. Not here, not with everyone thinking she was the queen. And she could see by the look on the huntsman’s face that even after the examination he’d given her, he still was suspicious.
Logan left them with a last long glare and Ardan closed the door after him. “We did it!” He picked up Thorn and swung her around, his silly grin an expression she didn’t think she’d ever seen before. “We have a place with Kian.” He sobered at the look on her face. “What is it? Why don’t you look happy?” He let her down to the ground.
“Logan’s not going to let this go. He did today, but he’ll follow up.” Her lips pressed together. “I can’t stay here, Ardan. I have to leave.”
“Then I’ll go with you.”
“Your place is here. You’ve worked so hard for it.”
“I only wanted this because I had no one and nothing, but now I have you.” He stroked an errant curl from her forehead. “My place is with you.”
“I’m a liability. Anyone at any time could figure out the truth.”
“What’s the truth? You’re Thorn now. You can be anyone you choose to be. And so can I.” He pulled her in close. She burrowed her face into his chest as he continued to reassure her. “We’ll find somewhere safe, somewhere they’ve never heard of the Black Queen. We’ll start fresh.”
A fierce rush of love for him filled her. “You would give up everything you’ve worked so hard for? Give up Underhill? Give up our world?”
“I would give up anything for you.” He squeezed her tight. “What about you? Can you live with me? We may not live in a place as grand as this.” He swept out a hand and indicated the room. “It might be sleeping bags, tents, and caves from now on.”
Bespelled: A Fae Fantasy Romance (Fae Magic Book 5) Page 21