Fairy, Neat (Fairy Files Book 6)

by Katharine Sadler

  “Okay, okay,” I said, but I couldn’t stop smiling. He was alive and whole. Joy flooded me to see him, to touch him. “I’m resting.” I was too happy to be alive and next to Frost to argue with them. Well, almost. “While I’m laying down, why don’t you tell me how everyone is? Did you find Vervain?”

  Frost slid an arm under my head and pulled me against his chest as he laid down next to me. “We found Vervain. She’s fine.”

  “How did you survive?” I asked. “There were so many nightmares.”

  “She should rest,” Senora said. “She is getting too excited.”

  “I will care for her,” Frost said. “You may leave.”

  Senora huffed, but I heard her footsteps as she crossed the room and the door as it shut behind her.

  “I will tell you everything,” he said, “As long as you are still and calm.”

  “Okay.” I settled down, breathing in the scent of Frost, reveling in the feel of his body next to mine.

  “There were about fifty nightmares in the group that attacked us,” he said. “We later learned that Ludwiggia had sent groups of nightmares all over Rubalia to track down anyone who might mean her harm. The ambush of the other queens terrified her. So, the nightmares weren’t looking for us in particular and they weren’t prepared for us to fight back as fiercely as we did.”

  “The amulets helped.” I said. “But still, there were only ten of you to fight fifty nightmares.”

  I felt his nod and snuggled in more deeply against his chest, his natural hot-bloodedness warming me. He sighed. “As much as I’d like to take credit for winning the fight on our own, we had some help.”

  “Pippi’s trolls? The other dragons?”

  “Lualla and Morra somehow alerted other harpies in the area. I suspect they have some telepathic ability. We probably would have all been killed if it weren’t for their help.”

  “But you all survived?” I asked.

  “Yes. We all survived, though Vin and Clove might not have if you hadn’t defeated Ludwiggia. They were badly injured, but the palace healer was able to save them, once she was free of Ludwiggia’s mind control.”

  “So much has happened,” I said. “How long was I out?”

  “Just a few days. Now, rest. There’s a lot to do and you’ll need a clear head for it.”

  I closed my eyes and was just starting to drift off when something Senora had said replayed itself in my mind. “Why did Senora call me queen?”

  Frost’s sigh was more of a growl. “Most everyone here expects you to take over as queen as soon as you are fully healed, but—”

  “No.” I tried to sit up, but Frost held me still in his arms. “I don’t want to be the queen. I want to go back to the Non.”

  “Of course not, Chloe,” he said, his tone a bit patronizing for my liking. “We’ll discuss it when you’re well.”

  Was I being brushed off by my own husband? Me? The queen? I didn’t think I was going to let that happen. “I’m all done resting,” I said, trying not to shake as I spoke, because my body was screaming in pain. “I want to get this figured out before they coronate me in my absence or put some mystical voodoo on me that forces me to be queen against my will.”

  Frost’s chuckle vibrated against my head and I really wished I had the strength to smack him. “No one is going to do that, Chloe.”

  “Senora spoke like it was a done deal, like I was already the queen. You don’t have any better idea of how all this works than I do and I don’t want to take any chances.”

  Frost sighed. “Fine. You see that cord to the right of the bed? Pull it and someone will come here to answer your questions.”

  I squinted at the cord, my vision blurry with exhaustion. “It’s so far away.”

  He chuckled and rubbed my arm. It felt so good and I was so comfortable…I’d just close my eyes…Just for a moment.

  ***

  I was alone in the room when I woke. I felt much better, much more like myself. I sat up, without pain, and pushed the covers aside.

  My torso was still bruised, but it didn’t ache anywhere near as badly as it had. I put my feet on the floor, ignoring how they shook and wobbled, and forced myself to stand.

  Someone had left clothes on the end of my bed, so I changed out of the lewd bodysuit and into a back-less t-shirt and a skirt I must have left at the palace on one of my visits. Maybe I could finally get my favorite boots back.

  The door to my room swung open and a fairy, tall and lithe and with enormous wings, stormed in. He caught me so much by surprise that I fell back to a sitting position on the bed. “Oh, good,” he said. “You’re up. I thought you would never wake up and I can’t begin planning your coronation until I know you’re healthy enough to participate. I don’t want to rush you, but Rubalia is in absolute chaos with all its rulers dead or missing.”

  He was one of the less attractive fairies I’d ever seen, with a rather bloated face and thin, wispy blond hair that appeared to have a mind of its own and stuck out in all directions. He was dressed like a wealthy fairy, in indigo pants that appeared to be made of silk, and a puffy, yellow blouse that rivaled his wings for brightness. “Who are you?”

  “Me?” he asked. “I’m no one, which is why I’m planning your coronation and not the other way around.”

  He smiled as he spoke and there was no venom in his tone. He was merely stating fact. “I mean, what’s your name?”

  “Rhondorian,” he said. “Though you can call me Rhon. I’m your fifth cousin thrice removed on your great uncle Periwinkle’s mother’s side. I would be the next in line, except that my father was a rock troll.”

  “But there were others,” I said. “There were others in line for the throne.”

  His expression darkened, his eyes glassy. “Ludwiggia didn’t want anyone to question her claim. She had them killed.”

  My hand flew to my mouth as I gasped in horror. I’d never known them, but they’d been my family. They probably hadn’t deserved to die— it was hard to be sure with fairies, especially royal fairies— and they certainly didn’t deserve to be killed solely on the basis of their lineage. “So there’s just us?” Even as I spoke, I remembered Bluebell, who held the next closest claim to the throne. “What about the other kingdoms?”

  His expression lightened. “They fared better. Unless one of them did something directly to anger Ludwiggia, she left them alone.”

  “Are they planning to come here? For my coronation?”

  “I don’t know,” he said. “Word has been sent, but much of our realm is still in chaos and they may feel they are needed in their own kingdoms.”

  I considered my options. “Listen, Rhon. I don’t want to be queen, I don’t even want to stay in Rubalia, and I think there’s an opportunity to improve life here for everyone. I’d like to discuss it with all the different leaders. Do you think you could get them here?”

  He frowned, his hands going to his hips. “We need a queen. Our world needs something to celebrate.”

  “They can celebrate the nightmares leaving Rubalia,” I said. “If the other leaders can’t come here, I’ll go to them, but I want to meet with them all together, not one on one.”

  “I’ll see what I can do, but I think it’s a terrible idea.”

  “Noted. Can you take me to my friends?”

  He led me through the castle and into a large dining hall, where it appeared the vast majority of my friends were busy eating. I saw Pippi and Vin seated together at the far end of the room, and I joined them.

  “Well, well,” Pippi said. “Look who finally dragged her sorry ass out of bed.”

  “I did almost die,” I said, but I was happy to see them both looking healed and well. “What did I miss?”

  “Jerome was killed, Chloe,” Vin said. “He, Chelsea, and Vervain were attacked by nightmares on their way back to camp. Jerome died protecting Vervain.”

  My heart ached for the loss of Jerome. I was sure if I’d been able to heal him he’d have had a better c
hance of survival. His loss weighed heavy on me, one more death that was my fault. “I’m sorry. What about the trolls and redcaps and the other dragons we left with the rebels? Has anyone heard from them?”

  Vin nodded, her expression sad and weary. Even Pippi looked exhausted and morose. “We lost six redcaps, Huntley, Bitters, Scotch, Worther, Ramp, and Vortex; two field dwarves, Griselda and Neria, and one troll, Lankton. We’ve buried them, but we’ll have memorials for them all once things settle down here. They fought well and protected the people of Rubalia.”

  I nodded and took a moment to be sad for Hieronymus and Jerome and the others who I hadn’t known very well at all. “How is Vervain?”

  “She hasn’t come out of her room for three days, but Lensy’s making sure she’s eating,” Pippi said.

  As she spoke, Lensy walked into the dining room. My stomach was growling at the sight and smell of food, but I had more important things to do than eat. I stood and Frost materialized behind me, like he knew I needed him, or maybe he needed me. “I should speak to Lensy. Will you two be staying in Rubalia?”

  Pippi shook her head. “I’m needed at home.”

  Vin frowned. “I need to get back to Mercury.” There was a gravity to her words that made me suspect there was more to what she was saying than just a typical match missing her man.

  “If I don’t see you before you leave,” I said. “I’ll see you in the Non.”

  I found Lensy at a large buffet table filling a plate. I needed to talk to her, but it couldn’t hurt to eat while we talked. I grabbed a plate and followed her down the line, filling it with everything that looked good. Everything looked good.

  We followed Lensy to a table and sat next to her. “Hello, Frost, Chloe,” she said. “It’s good to see you up.”

  “How is Vervain?”

  Lensy frowned. “She is very sad. I think losing Jerome is like losing her parents all over again. I’m spending every spare moment with her, and I have hope she will rebound.”

  “Do you think you’ll stay here?” I asked. “Or go to the Non?”

  She shrugged. “I am a rebel, Chloe, without a rebellion. Vervain is my main concern for the present and she wishes to stay here for now. I think she will want to remain in familiar surroundings until she feels safe again. And I’ll do nothing to risk that safety for her.”

  “I don’t guess you’d be interested in joining a committee that rules over Rubalia?”

  She smiled. “No, Chloe. I find I’m quite tired of fighting. But I wish you all the luck in the world to make it a reality.”

  “A committee?” Frost said, approval in his tone. “You think the people will accept it?”

  “I have no idea,” I said. “I was hoping Lensy might have some insight.”

  I dug into my lunch and Lensy told us what she understood of politics in Rubalia, what she thought it might take to convince the disparate groups to work together, and what might keep each group from taking more than their share of power. I tried to follow along, but she was talking about more than twenty different races of fae, and she seemed to be extremely knowledgeable about all of them.

  I looked to Frost, to see if maybe he had a better grasp on all of it than I did, but he shook his head and frowned.

  “Please, please, please,” I said to Lensy. “Come with me to speak to them. Help me. I think they’ll respond better to someone who they know and who knows them.”

  She frowned, considering. “Vervain really needs me now, Chloe. I don’t want to leave her.”

  I couldn’t blame her for that. “Do you know of anyone as knowledgeable about the different races as you?”

  She didn’t even take a moment to consider. “You should talk to Bluebell and Clove.”

  I scanned the cafeteria for the two women, but didn’t see them. “Do you know where their rooms are?”

  She told me where to go, but must have noticed my confused expression, because she took pity on me and led me to them herself. Frost started to follow us, but was called away by Chervil who needed help finding rooms for some friends of his. I had no idea what that was about, but I’d speak to Frost later and find out.

  A gentle voice called for me to come in when I knocked on the door Lensy led me to. I went in, unprepared for what I would find. Bluebell and Clove had a room that was about a quarter of the size of mine and held two twin beds. It looked like a low-quality motel room rather than a room in a palace. The women had been sitting on their beds, but they both dropped to the floor and bowed, foreheads to tile, as soon as they saw me.

  I had never been bowed to before and it made me supremely uncomfortable. I may have been so uncomfortable that I giggled. I can’t be sure, but I think I might have. “Please,” I said. “Get up. I’m not the queen, yet, and if I have my way, I’ll never be the queen.”

  The two women stood, Clove more slowly than Bluebell, and looked at me with cheeks flame red. Well, Bluebell’s cheeks were red with embarrassment, but Clove looked angry.

  “We’d offer you a seat,” Clove said, her tone biting. “But, as you can see, we have no chairs or sofas in our modest room.”

  “Okay,” I said. “That’s a major problem, because I need to talk to you both and it’s going to take a while. How would I go about finding someone to upgrade your room?”

  “Upgrade our room?” Clove asked, her anger fading only to be replaced by confusion.

  “Get you in a larger room, with couches and chairs, and whatnot.” I said. “How can I do that? Who do I talk to?”

  Clove pointed to a cord that hung between the two beds. “You pull that,” she said. “But they don’t hurry to answer our call.”

  “Great,” I said, a wicked smile creasing my features. I was in no mood to be patient or polite. I felt drained and a bit like I was walking around in a haze. I should have probably talked to a healer about that, but…Later. I strode over to the cord and I pulled it. I pulled it and I pulled it over and over until two servants came running into the room a full fifteen minutes later.

  They looked annoyed until they saw me, and then they started to shake, giving me a very good idea of what my mother would have done in this situation. “Queen,” they said. “We’re sorry. We didn’t know…”

  I threw my shoulders back and glared at them with every bit of haughty disdain I could muster. “Bluebell is my cousin. My very dear and beloved cousin. Can you tell me why she is staying in such an inferior room?”

  Behind me, Bluebell gasped.

  “I don’t know…” said the bravest maid. “This is where she always stays.”

  I sniffed. “It is unacceptable. I want Bluebell and Clove moved into the nicest rooms you have available, suites with large seating areas.”

  The servants’ eyes widened. “But…Clove is a servant, your highness. She would stay in a servant’s closet.”

  A servant’s what? Seriously, this place needed to be brought into the twenty-first century. “Clove is not a servant, she is my most trusted adviser and she will be given a room as opulent as mine. Immediately.”

  The servants opened and closed their mouths a few times, their eyes perfect circles of shock and confusion, before they murmured their agreement and hurried off. I wasn’t surprised when Rhon stormed into the room less than five minutes later.

  “What is going on here?” he asked. “You’ve got the servants all in a frenzy, your highness. They said you want Bluebell and Clove in better rooms.”

  I strode over until I was nose-to-nose with him. “Listen, Rhon. Things are going to change around here and you can either be with me or against me.” Yeah, I know I was a walking cliché, but since Rhon wasn’t from the Non, I figured I could get away with it.

  He didn’t look intimidated. “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on and I’ll decide which side I’m on?”

  “Fine. You can join our meeting. Are there any other hoity-toity royal-blood types in the palace who might get miffed at me for changing things up?”

  His expression drooped
from smug to sad in a moment. “No. Ludwiggia made sure of that.”

  “Great!” The expression on Rhon’s face made me feel immediately guilty. “Not great that anyone is dead, but great that we shouldn’t have too many obstacles in front of us.”

  Rhon’s expression didn’t change, but I didn’t have time to be all nicey-nice and worry about his feelings. “The servants will have a difficult time finding rooms for Bluebell and Clove,” he said. “The castle is nearly full already with your friends and all of their friends and family.”

  I was curious why so many people were coming to the castle, but I’d ask about that later. I didn’t want to give Rhon the upper hand by seeming curious about stuff I should probably already know about “Have you heard back from any of the other kingdoms, yet?”

  His smug look returned. “This isn’t the Non. I sent out messengers a day ago. It will take a week to hear back from them, I expect.”

  I was floored. “A week? What can possibly take so long?”

  “We’ll hear back from the closer kingdoms in a day or two, but the more remote ones will take longer to reach and the land is in chaos. It’s only because we’ve been free of the nightmares here for ten days that I was able to find enough messengers to carry your request to the kingdoms.

  I sighed. It looked like I was going to be stuck in Rubalia longer than I’d anticipated.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Life would be so much easier if people would just do what I say.—Chloe Frangipani

  It is good to be king.—Benedict Dragonati

  “No,” Bluebell said. “I’m not meant to rule. I’m not even fit for polite society.”

  I stared at her, waiting for her to smile or admit she was joking, but she looked entirely serious.

  “I’m not asking you to be queen in the way my mother was queen,” I said. “I’m asking you and Rhon to work together to rule this kingdom and to work with other kingdoms to make the best decisions for Rubalia.”