Garden of Dreams and Desires

by Kristen Painter

  Fenton came forward, grabbed Loudreux’s bolt stick from his belt and pointed it at him. “You can let go. I’ve got him covered.”

  Harlow released him and slumped onto the bottom step. Her shoulder was killing her. She exhaled with the effort of forcing emotion into Loudreux. Or maybe it was the weight of the Claustrum hanging over her. Either way, she was spent.

  It took Loudreux a moment, but he snapped back to his old self. He climbed to his feet, shaking and growing visibly angrier by the second. He jabbed a finger toward Harlow. “How dare you lay your hands on me? I am the Prime. Do you understand what that means?”

  Fenton raised the bolt stick. “It means nothing if you lose that position.”

  Loudreux’s face blanked. He turned to look at Fenton. “What?”

  “In accordance with the Codex, amendment two, section one, subsection A, any Prime deemed unfit to continue service may be redacted by a quorum of the Elektos or by three or more members having served a greater term than the Prime.”

  Movement caught Harlow’s eye. The other Elektos who’d gathered for the tribunal had begun filtering out into the hall, no doubt drawn by the noise.

  Fenton lifted his head, seemingly unfazed by his new audience. “Yanna Quinn, Salander Meer and I have each been members of the Elektos since before you, making each of our terms greater than yours. Perhaps that has something to do with why you failed to invite us to this tribunal? Regardless, we deem you unfit to continue service and call for a vote to redact you and a special election to replace you.”

  “You fool.” Loudreux’s anger returned. “You’ve wanted this job ever since I’ve known you.”

  “As always, Hugo, you are wrong. I am very happy in my position as liaison to the Guardian.”

  Yanna stepped forward to stand beside Fenton. “I, however, would be happy to take your place. You’re a bully who shows favor only to those who stay firmly in your pocket. We have one of the best Guardians we’ve ever had and yet you’ve done everything in your power to hinder him. You are not the Prime this city deserves.”

  “And you are?” Loudreux spat the words.

  She nodded. “Yes, I believe I am.”

  One of the Elektos in the crowd raised his hand. “I believe she is, too.”

  “That settles it then,” Fenton said. “As we’re all assembled, we can move forward with the recall vote of the Prime and the special election to replace him.” Fenton held out the bolt stick and looked back at Augustine. “If you would keep an eye on Hugo while the Elektos adjourns to the living room to work this out?”

  “Happy to.” Augustine took the bolt stick. “Maybe you could pardon Harlow on special circumstances or whatever while you’re at it, too.”

  Fenton nodded, the first hint of a smile cracking his face. He shot a quick look at Harlow. “There’s a section in the Codex that covers that.” Then he scowled at Loudreux. “Something you’d know if you ever bothered to study the book that has guided us for centuries.”

  Augustine’s expression was priceless. “Is that so? You couldn’t apply that section to me when I was in trouble for the same thing?”

  Fenton shrugged. “Harlow was directly responsible for the Prime’s daughter being rescued. Such an act grants her a onetime boon of leniency. You didn’t have that. Then.”

  Harlow smiled. “Thanks, Fenton. I don’t have any idea what this Codex is, but I’m glad you know it so well.”

  Yanna laughed softly. “Fenton knows more about the Codex than most of us know about being fae.” She clapped him on the back. “We should get this meeting going.”

  “You’re all going to pay for this,” Loudreux muttered.

  Fenton shook his head and walked with Yanna and Salander into the other room.

  Augustine closed the gap between him and Harlow. “You sure you’re okay?”

  “I banged my shoulder up, but it’ll heal.”

  “Yep.” His eyes gleamed with something dark and fierce, his look suddenly more appropriate for the bedroom than hostage holding. “I really want to kiss you right now.”

  Loudreux made a gagging noise. “You two disgust me.”

  Harlow kept her eyes on Augustine, but wiggled her fingers in Loudreux’s direction. “Say the word and I will make him a lovesick teenager.”

  Augustine’s eyes narrowed. “You can do that?”

  “No idea, but I’d be willing to give it a shot.”

  Loudreux snarled. “Touch me again and I’ll—”

  Augustine turned on him. “You’ll do nothing, Loudreux. And speaking of touching, you ever lay a hand on Harlow again, and I will bring the full weight of my wrath against you. Understand?”

  Loudreux nodded.

  Augustine sighed as he looked at her. “I am damn tired of people trying to hurt you.”

  “That makes two of us.” She grabbed one of his horns, pulled him in and kissed him on the mouth.

  Chapter Seventeen

  With the warmth of Harlow’s mouth still lingering on his, Augustine unlocked the shackle from her other hand, then hoisted Loudreux to his feet.

  “What are you doing? Unhand me.”

  “Relax. We’re going into the kitchen. Unless you’d rather sit on the steps?”

  Loudreux frowned. “No.”

  “Great. Lead the way.” Augustine tapped the bolt stick’s trigger, making it buzz. Loudreux jumped.

  Harlow snorted as she walked alongside him. “I really want one of those.”

  Augustine gave her a look. “Judging by what you did to Hugo, I don’t think you need one. You’ve mastered your powers pretty well, huh?”

  “I wouldn’t say mastered, but Ava Mae gave me a crash course.”

  “I feel like I’ve barely seen you since you became you again. How are you doing?”

  “I’m good.” She shrugged and winced. “Okay, my shoulder’s not good.”

  “I’ll get you some ice.” He shoved Loudreux into a kitchen chair, then attached one of his hands to it with the restraints. “You.” He pointed at Loudreux. “Stay there.”

  Loudreux yanked on the restraint. “Like I have a choice.”

  Augustine grabbed a towel, went to the dispenser in the fridge door and started filling the linen with ice. He tied it in a knot, then sat beside her and held the bundle up. “Left shoulder?”

  She nodded, tipping her head to the right to make room for the ice pack.

  He placed the bag against her shoulder, positioning it so it would stay in place. “Let that sit for a few minutes.” Unable to resist the smooth expanse of her neck so exposed to him, he kissed her there, just below her ear.

  She gasped softly, an intimate sound that made him hate Loudreux even more. She followed it with a long sigh. “Thanks. I’m sure it’s just a bruise. Lally will probably have some ancient remedy to—Lally!” Harlow twisted toward him, knocking the ice pack loose. She caught it in her lap. “Lally is stuck on the fae plane. I have to go get her.”

  Augustine pulled his LMD from his coat pocket. “I’ll send Dulcinea to do it.” He sent her a text explaining what was going on, then put the LMD away. “I’m sure Lally will fill her in on what happened.”

  “Won’t Dulcinea end up coming over here then? She’ll think Hugo’s trying to put me away.”

  Loudreux grunted and looked out the window.

  “No,” Augustine answered. “I told her it was handled.”

  “Something the situation with the witches is not. Which reminds me, Olivia says she saw someone in the house, through the mirror. The description fits Giselle.” Harlow put the ice back on her shoulder.

  He ground his teeth together. “So much for Nekai’s ward. I’d love to know how she got around that.” He shot her a look. “We’ll discuss the details of her visit when we’re alone.” Because he certainly wasn’t about to discuss the lightning tree in front of Loudreux.

  “Agreed.” She sighed. “What are we going to do? We’ve got to get Cy out of there.”

  “And Pellimento’s son.�
��

  Loudreux perked up. “Senator Pellimento?”

  Augustine nodded. “Yes.”

  “Where do you have to get him out of?”

  Augustine shifted his gaze to Harlow. They hadn’t talked about how much anyone outside of their immediate circle needed to know. The look she gave him in return said she understood completely.

  Loudreux leaned toward them as if sensing their reluctance to talk. “Senator Pellimento hates the fae. If her son is in trouble, I say let him rot.”

  Augustine turned to look at him. “So she can bring a world of hurt down on us? Yeah, that sounds like something you’d like.” His LMD chimed. “Hang on a sec.” He checked the device. “Dulce says Lally’s home. Do we need her for anything else?”

  “We might,” Harlow said. “Considering what we were just talking about.”

  “I’ll tell her to stick around. Knowing Lally, she’ll enjoy the company.”

  “You mean having someone to feed.”

  Augustine laughed. “That, too.”

  Loudreux tipped his head back and sighed in frustration. “I’m still Prime. I demand to know what’s going on.”

  Augustine snorted. “You might still be Prime, but—”

  Fenton pushed the kitchen door open as Augustine was speaking. “He’s not Prime anymore.” He looked at Loudreux. “You were recalled by a majority vote. And Yanna was elected by the same margin. She’s Prime now.”

  Loudreux’s face drained of all color. “You piece of… sturka. How dare you do this to me? To my family?”

  Fenton shook his head. “You did this to yourself, Hugo.”

  Yanna stepped into the room behind him. “Harlow, your indiscretion has been forgiven.” She smiled. “For my first act as Prime, I’ve granted Lally Hughes honorary fae status with all rights and privileges forthcoming. Obviously, she still won’t be able to travel via mirror solo, but anytime one of you wishes to take her through to see Olivia you may without repercussions.”

  Harlow jumped up and hugged Yanna. “Thank you. That’s amazing.” Harlow released her. “I didn’t even know you could do that.”

  Yanna grinned at Fenton. “Neither did I, but once again, Fenton knew.”

  Augustine nodded. “That’s great, but one question.”

  “Yes?” Fenton’s brows lifted.

  Augustine jerked his thumb toward Loudreux. “What do we do with him?”

  Fenton looked to Yanna. “Madame Prime?”

  She took a breath. “As this was unexpected—although I must say it should have at least been anticipated considering your actions, Hugo—I will grant a grace period of three months for you and your family to find a new place to live.”

  Loudreux sputtered. “B-but—”

  “Hugo,” Yanna interrupted. “This house belongs to the Prime, as do the services of your head of security, Blu. She will be coming to work for me immediately, but as for the house, I’m being considerate giving you three months. Leave with your dignity intact while you still can or we’ll forgo the three months and I’ll have our very capable Guardian escort you out now.”

  Loudreux’s mouth shut in a hard line.

  Augustine nodded in approval. That was the smartest move that man had made in a long time.

  Giselle walked the garden, trailing her fingers through a patch of tall ornamental grass. Everything had changed. The air smelled cleaner, colors were more vibrant, sounds vibrated through her body. The lightning tree had not only filled her with power but connected her to the earth in a way she’d never been before. Was this what it felt like to be a green witch? Was this how Zara experienced life, as part of the world and not just a spectator?

  She stretched her arms out and embraced the sun’s dying rays. It was glorious. Like she’d been reborn. Like she’d been freed from a cage she hadn’t even known existed. And soon she would have an opportunity to put her new power to use as she took over the city. The tree would belong to her. It wanted to belong to her. She heard it in her blood.

  “You look like you’re enjoying yourself.”

  She turned to see Ian had joined her. “It’s beautiful outside, isn’t it?”

  He nodded. “It is.” He swatted at something. “I could do without the bugs.”

  She frowned at him. “The hum of the insects is like music to me.”

  One of his brows quirked up. “Have you been into the wine? I’m not sure that’s a great idea before we attempt this spell.”

  “No.” She inhaled and let his accusation slide over her. “I am completely sober.” She smiled as she realized how she must look. “I might be a little drunk on power. We are about to own this city, after all.”

  He laughed. “That’s true.” He took her hand, pulled her close and began to sway side to side with her in his arms.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Dancing. Can’t you tell?” He kissed her jaw. “You said the insect noise was like music, so…”

  She smiled. “You’re the right man for me.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.” He moved them around the pond in a slow, waltzing circle. “Zara’s awake and taking a ritual cleansing bath. We’re about an hour from showtime.”

  “I’m ready. I couldn’t be more ready.”

  “Good.”

  She canted her head and looked at him. He would do whatever she wanted him to. No matter what that was. The growing sense of power within her blossomed. “Do you love me?”

  “You know I do.” He spun her out and back in again. “Have I given you any reason to think otherwise?”

  “No. I just wanted to hear it.” She stroked her fingers down his cheek. “I could have killed Augustine today.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  She smiled as sweetly as she knew how. “Because after we cast this spell, I want you to do it.” The lightning tree leaves fluttered against her chest. “And I want you to get rid of that busybody housekeeper of his, too.”

  Ian bowed low. “Your wish is my command, my Lady. So mote it be.”

  Augustine shut the Thrun’s engine off, but instead of getting out, he turned toward Harlow. “Dulcinea’s in the house. We can’t discuss Giselle taking a piece of the lightning tree in front of her.”

  Harlow nodded. “I know, but keeping something this big a secret isn’t going to be easy. At what point do we share everything? Giselle having that piece of the lightning tree could be crucial.”

  “Or it could mean nothing. She probably doesn’t even know what she has.”

  Harlow looked out the window. Pink and orange streaked the sky as the sun set. “She’s a witch. How hard could it be to figure out?”

  He sighed. “It’s not my place to tell Dulcinea about the lightning tree.”

  She glanced at him, frowning. “Are you saying it’s mine? Because to me, it feels like Lally’s decision. She’s the most involved.” She shook her head. “I say we talk to her first, see what she wants to do.”

  “Okay, that’s our plan then.” He reached over and rested his hand on her arm, the fabric of her long-sleeve tunic preventing anything other than his warmth from getting through. “I know I’ve already said it but I am so glad you’re you again.”

  “Me, too. More than I can tell you.”

  “Whatever happens with the witches, with Senator Pellimento, with any of this, nothing pulls us apart again. As much as we can help it.”

  “Agreed.” Her heart did a strange, fluttery thing and she knew she was about as deep in as a woman could get. She loved him. Without a shadow of a doubt. “Let’s go figure out how to rescue Cy and the others, huh?”

  “You got it.”

  They walked to the house hand in hand, separating as they entered the kitchen.

  Dulcinea greeted them. “Hey, Lally’s resting, so don’t make too much noise.”

  “Thank you for taking care of her.” Harlow smiled. She was completely over whatever tension remained between her and the changeling. So what if she’d slept with Augustine years ago when they were
kids. So what if she’d flaunted her faeness when Harlow had first arrived. She was a kind, generous, powerful woman who never refused to help, no matter what the situation, and for that, Harlow was grateful. “That was very kind of you. I really appreciate everything you’ve done. Not just for Lally but for me, too.”

  Dulcinea’s bicolored eyes widened a bit. “Um, sure.”

  Augustine stood at Harlow’s side, a curious look on his face.

  Harlow shook her head. She knew her words must seem odd. “I mean it. You’re a valuable member of Augustine’s team and I hope we can be friends. Not the kind that just tolerates each other, like we have been, but real friends.”

  A huge smile lit Dulcinea’s face. She gave Augustine a look before answering. “You get hit on the head or something?”

  “Something like that.” Harlow laughed. “We’re on the same side. We should act like it.”

  “Cool.” Dulcinea nodded, the beads in her dreads rattling against each other.

  Augustine took off his leather coat and draped it over one of the kitchen chairs, then sat. “As much as I hate to break up this rather interesting moment—which has my total approval, by the way—we have the matter of the witches to deal with.”

  Harlow flopped into a chair between him and Dulcinea. “I wish we could just kill them all with fire. My shoulder hurts, I’m still cranky from being arrested and I could eat a horse.”

  “I can’t do anything about your shoulder or your crankiness, but Lally made brownies,” Dulcinea said. “You want some?”

  “How many ways can I say yes? And actually, that might take the cranky down a notch.” Harlow straightened. “I’m surprised you didn’t eat them all.”

  Dulcinea retrieved a pan from the counter. “I did. This is the second batch.” She put the dish in front of Harlow, then took her seat. “Fill me in on the witches? I know Cy’s trapped in their well of souls, but beyond that I’m a little in the dark.”

  Augustine explained what they knew as best he could. “Also, Harlow talked to Queen Jewelia—”

  “Lally mentioned something about that.” Dulcinea lifted one shoulder. “To be honest, that only added to my confusion. Where does she fit into all this?”