by Bonnie Lamer
There is a really long silence following my words. Every Dragon head is turned toward the King as he weighs my words and makes a decision. Not one of them has moved toward us or breathed flame upon us. Even Ryu has returned to his place behind the table of the High Court.
Smoke accompanies the King’s words when he speaks. I’m pretty sure this means he’s really pissed. “You speak threats and then expect cooperation. I knew your King to be prideful, but you have surpassed him by a hundred fold,” King Myles says to me. Dagda stiffens by my side at the slight, but he doesn’t say anything. Probably because he knows the Dragon King is about to agree to hear us out. Which he does.
Between Kallen, Dagda, Raziel and me, we tell the story. Dagda stresses we already have an agreement with the Merpeople and Kallen shares his findings in their realm as an example of how my doppelgänger, it’s just easier to use this word instead of saying ‘the other me’ all the time, is executing leaders of realms in the same style and leaving behind magical residue similar to mine. He says similar, not exactly like mine. When the Dragons demand to know how this happened, Raziel reluctantly explains the Seraphim role in dispensing Divine Grace. Should we really be sharing this information? As he speaks, it’s obvious Raziel is embarrassed such a high ranking Angel would do something so awful.
When we are finished, I get the feeling the clan of Dragons is torn down the middle on whether they believe us or not. That’s okay, the only opinion which really matters is that of the King. He may be old now and physically weaker than the rest, but he’s still the only one who gets a vote.
King Myles beckons his High Court members closer and in harsh, raspy whispers they discuss the matter. It doesn’t take long for them to break apart and resume their previous positions. With more smoke bellowing from his mouth and nose, the Dragon King says, “What assistance do you require from us?”
I try not to grin with glee. We did it. We convinced them not to try to kill me. There was a time when I’d be horrified that they wanted to do so in the first place, but I’m getting used it. Amazing what we can acclimate ourselves to over the course of our lives.
“Warning the other realms is the first action we must take,” Dagda says. Tana has come to stand by him now that the danger seems to be over. She looks every bit the regal Queen in her dark blue, flowing gown that whispers against the floor when she walks. “Once we have done so, we need to convene to discuss strategy and actions to be taken.”
“Where do you expect this convening to take place?” the Dragon King asks already knowing the answer and already hating it.
“As the Fae have more knowledge than any other of the strengths and weaknesses of a Witch Fairy, it is only reasonable it should take place on our soil,” Dagda replies. Weaknesses? What weaknesses do I have that he plans to share with the universe?
“You truly expect delegates from every realm to respond to your demands?” King Myles asks dryly.
“Only the intelligent ones,” Dagda says with a smile that could easily be described as both malicious and mocking.
“Be gone from this realm. When it is time, I shall send my delegate.” Kicked out of a realm again. Something else I’m getting used to. Haniel was so wrong about me having charisma.
“A Goblin delegate will be chosen as well,” Tabitha says, surprising us and infuriating the Dragon King even more.
King Myles really wants to tell her to go to hell, but with a flick of his eyes in my direction, he growls, “Yes.”
Okay, time to leave before anyone else says something to push the Dragons over the edge of reason. But, there is one more thing that should be said. “Thank you,” I say to the irate King. “We will prove to you what we are saying is true.” The only response I get is a flash of fire. Yup, time to go.
Chapter 9
To be on the safe side, I put up a wall of magic while I make a passageway. Not that I don’t trust the Dragons, but…okay, I don’t trust the Dragons. I don’t want them to char any of us before we have time to make our departure. Kallen, Dagda and I are the last to leave the Dragon realm, making sure everyone else is safely through before going through ourselves.
“Well, that was fun,” Kegan says. He’s a little green around the edges and I remember Kallen saying he’s afraid of Dragons. Then again, who wouldn’t be? I have enough magic to fight them and I’m still afraid when I’m in their presence. “And you,” he says, pulling Alita into his arms, “were fantastic.” Alita blushes prettily as he kisses her.
Taz groans. “It’s not bad enough I have to see you and that wanker do this, now I have to watch them, too? I’m going to take a nap.”
“Yes, because you’ve worked so hard,” I snipe.
“Let us not rejoice quite yet,” Dagda drawls as we walk into the house. “We may have avoided war with the Dragons, but we have not accomplished anything toward our final goal.” Which is killing the other me. A sharp chill travels down my spine and even in my mind I need to amend my words to keep my horrification and nausea at bay. We will be killing my doppelgänger.
Reaching the kitchen, I slump onto a stool and ask, “What do we do next?” I’m already exhausted and we haven’t really done anything. Well, Kallen and I have helped prevent war with two different realms today, so I guess we’ve accomplished something. But Dagda’s right. There’s a lot that still needs to be done.
Dagda is all business now. “I need to fill Luden in on what has occurred and we will meet in half an hour in the war room at the Palace.”
“You have a war room?” I ask. I thought those only existed in the movies.
“Do you believe this is the first time the Fae realm has faced the threat of war?” Tana asks. Is she making fun of me?
“It is simply a room with a large table and plenty of wall space to sketch out ideas,” Dagda says, trying not to scowl at Tana.
Guess she was mocking me. If she keeps it up, Dagda may stop handling her so delicately even if he is terrified she will leave him again at the slightest provocation. Following her eyes, it finally occurs to me why she is acting this way. If she could make my mother wither away with just a stare, she’d be doing it about now. She’s acting like this because she’s jealous and angry about having to spend time in the presence of the woman her husband cheated on her with. It makes sense, but then again, she didn’t have to come with us. Also, if she knew how much my mother truly despises the Fairy who seduced her, Tana would know she has absolutely nothing to worry about. Besides, my Mom is a ghost, what could Dagda do with her? And if my Dad was corporeal, Dagda would probably be dead by now.
Trying to be more patient with Tana now that I’ve figured out the problem, I say with a smile which is hopefully pleasant, “I’ve never sat on a war council before so I really don’t know much about it. I guess today’s the day I learn, though.” My presentation must not have been pleasant because I get another sharp pinch in my side. Hissing at Adriel, I say, “Will you please stop that.”
With raised eyebrows, she retorts, “When you stop antagonizing people, yes.”
I notice several Fairies around the room trying hard not to laugh. Glaring at them individually, I say, “I’m going for a walk. I’ll see you guys in half an hour.” Acting as petulant as I feel, I stomp out of the kitchen and head toward the beach. Maybe a quick swim will settle my nerves.
I am stripping down to my bra and panties when Kallen says behind me, “It is not safe to swim alone. Nor is it safe to strip in my presence.”
My anger quickly dissipating, I say, “I’m willing to risk it.”
“Are you?” my gorgeous husband stalks toward me, shedding his own clothes until he is wearing nothing but bathing trunks. The smooth tautness of his chest and the six pack abs he has toned to perfection render me momentarily speechless. How did I ever get so lucky? He is the one thing in my life that makes everything else worth it. I don’t care if I have to take on this universe and all the others as long as at the end of the day, his strong arms are wrapped around me, holding me
tight like he is right now.
“I love you,” he murmurs into my hair as I snuggle closer to him.
“I love y…” I begin, but am unable to finish my statement before Kallen and I are both tumbling underwater. Coming up sputtering, I splash water at him while he laughs. This leads to more antics on his part which all seem to involve me being dragged underwater. But at least he changes my bra and panties to a bikini.
We are soon joined by Kegan and Alita and Raziel and Adriel. A war of much smaller proportions than what threatens the universe breaks out amongst us. Alita, Adriel and I unite against our guys and prove we can give as much as we get in regards to being dunked underwater. It is all too soon when Tabitha calls to us from the shore. Our half an hour reprieve is over.
Walking reluctantly from the dazzling blue ocean, we trudge through the sand and into the house. Kallen dries both him and me and dresses us appropriately for a trip to the palace. I am in dark jeans and a lilac, light-weight sweater and he is in his usual jeans and black t-shirt. We stopped dressing up to go to the Palace a while ago, much to Dagda’s displeasure.
We briefly debate how we are going to travel. Do we take the carriage or do I teleport everyone? I’d need to make several trips back and forth to accommodate everyone, so we decide on the carriage. I need to save my energy for whatever comes next.
When we enter the Palace, Kallen leads us through the great hall with the river flowing through it. We pass the door to the throne room where Dagda generally holds court and hears complaints and requests from his subjects. We walk over a narrow bridge spanning the water and down a short hallway. At the end are double doors and Kallen pulls one open. When we enter, Dagda, Isla, Luden and another Fairy are waiting for us. Sindri is sitting next to the King ready to take notes. We’re a few minutes late, so a couple of eyes are glowering at us. We ignore them and take seats around the large, round table. The whole room kind of has a King Arthur motif going on with ancient weapons on the walls and the round table made of stone. I half expect to find Excalibur stuck in a rock in the corner of the room.
“Where are the snacks?” Taz asks from near my ankles. “You can’t plan a war without snacks.” As usual, I ignore him. Though, I wouldn’t turn down a sandwich. On cue, my stomach rumbles proving it’s been a while since I ate anything. Ignoring the demands of my stomach, I take a seat between Kallen and Kegan.
“Now that we are all here,” Dagda looks pointedly at me as if I made us late, “We can begin.”
“I would like to go on record and point out we are once again attempting to clean up a mess your daughter has created,” a Fairy who doesn’t look much older than Kallen says. His black hair is close cropped and he has an odd scar down the middle of his chin that’s hard not to stare at. “How many times must we do this before something is done to leash her?”
Leash me? “I’m not a dog,” I growl, kind of sounding like a snarling dog.
“You are treading dangerous ground, Jacon,” Kallen says, doing his own growling.
It is Dagda’s voice, though, which makes the Fairy stiffen in what just may be fear. “What do you suggest?” The King’s voice is deceptively soft, kind of like a wicked Witch trying to lure an unsuspecting human into a trap.
Jacon’s face is blotched with red spots now. “Why does she not live in the Palace where you can monitor her actions and keep these disasters from affecting every Fairy under your reign?”
Luden places a hand on Jacon’s shoulder and from the pinched expression on the latter’s face, he’s squeezing pretty hard. “Sire, please forgive the exuberance of youth. My young undersecretary is still learning when it is prudent to share his opinion and when it is not.” His undersecretary? From the strong resemblance between the two, I am guessing Jacon is Luden’s son, proving nepotism isn’t always the best way to go when handing out jobs.
Ignoring Luden’s words, Isla’s voice is less like velvet and more like molten lava when she speaks. “Are you suggesting I am an unfit host for my grandson’s wife, Jacon?”
“No, he meant no such thing,” Luden rushes to say, cutting off whatever words were about to come out of his son’s mouth.
“Perhaps you should let your son speak for himself. He seems to have no problem expressing his opinions.” Dagda has swiveled his chair so he can stare directly at Jacon who is trying hard not to squirm in his seat. He knows he made a huge mistake in his zest to be an important part of this meeting.
Instead of doing the smart thing and either apologizing or keeping his mouth permanently closed, Jacon squares his shoulders and says, “I am merely speaking the opinion of the masses. Your entire realm is losing faith in your judgment, Sire, when it comes to the girl.”
The girl? I am about to tell him what he can do with his opinions when Kallen says, “Please, Jacon, tell me how it was Xandra’s fault that Xenia’s parents attempted to snare me with a black spell and then declared war on the King. Or how it is her fault a Giant housekeeper called upon the Apsaras to cause a war between tribes because she was scorned. Or how my aunt acting out her grief by becoming a practitioner of black magic was caused by Xandra? Regardless of these things not being her fault, she still cleaned up the messes. It seems to me, the realm would have been much worse off if my wife was not here to save it.”
The red blotches on Jacon’s face are starting to turn purple. His words are less cocky and more defensive now. “It was her birth which put those things in motion.” What did my birth have to do with the Giants or Xenia?
Dagda’s face is turning its own shade of purple now he is so angry. I look at Kallen with a ‘please can I throw him through a wall’ face. He shakes his head slightly. Taz, on the other hand, is all for taking action. He uncurls himself from around my ankle and stretches before padding over to Jacon and putting a clear row of teeth marks on his ankle. I’ll have to thank him later for that. Right now I’m trying not to laugh.
Of course Jacon begins to howl and pushes back in his chair so hard it tumbles over. “I am cursed!” he shouts. “I have been cursed with black magic.”
“If the whacka can’t take it, he shouldn’t dish it out,” Taz says, making himself comfortable at the foot of my chair again.
“Luden, help your son back to the table,” Dagda says calmly. The Fairy scrambles to do as he’s told, obviously embarrassed by his son’s actions. When Jacon is back at the table and howling quieter while holding his bleeding ankle, Dagda says, “If one more word leaves your mouth regarding the Princess of this realm or a disparaging comment against the High Chancellor escapes your lips again, you will be tried for treason, stripped of your magic and sentenced to a life of misery in a dark cell. It is only for your father’s sake I am not already carrying out this sentence.” This shuts Jacon up. Turning to Luden, Dagda continues. “Remove your son from my sight and his position in the Palace. You will have a new undersecretary chosen for you. Someone a bit wiser than your choice.”
I’m starting to feel sorry for Jacon now. He has lost his career in just a matter of minutes because he dared speak the words a bunch of other Fairies are thinking. Reading my mind, Kallen takes my hand in his and says quietly in my ear, “This is not the first time Jacon’s mouth has gotten him into trouble.” This makes me feel a little better. It still stings that a good portion of the realm thinks everything bad that happens is my fault, though.
Luden grabs his son by the sleeve of his suit coat and yanks him from his chair. Jacon is in a state of shock and puts up no resistance. Opening the war room door, Luden shoves his son into the hallway and slams the door in his face. Returning to his seat, he mumbles, “I apologize for my son.”
“I wonder why such notions have been allowed to fester within the boy. Is there something you care to share, Luden?” Isla drawls.
Eyes flashing with ire, he says, “No, of course not.”
Dagda is watching him closely, weighing him in his mind. I can’t tell where he’s going to come down in regards to Luden’s career. Finally, he says, �
��I will not tolerate another treasonous word from your family. If you feel as your son does, I expect your immediate resignation.” Well, aren’t I the harbinger of doom to Luden’s family. Guilt is starting to creep back into my mind again.
With a glance toward me, Luden says, “I have no issue with anyone in this room. My only priority is saving this realm.” Maybe someday his son will be as wise as he is. He’s not off to a good start, but maybe.
Swiveling his chair so he can speak to us all, Dagda says, “I am assuming we can proceed with the meeting without any more needless interruptions.” Not a question, a command. When no one says anything, he continues. “It will be impossible to send out word to every single realm so I recommend we concentrate on the organized ones with beings of strong voice. It is most likely the leaders from these realms who spoke out against the doppelgänger.” He looks to me for confirmation. The only thing I can give him is a little shrug. I still know very little about other realms.
“I agree,” Isla says. “Delegates should be sent out as soon as possible to the Giants, Elves, Merpeople, Witches, Sasquatch, Centaurs and Fauns.” She is still riled up from Jacon’s comments. I can tell from her stiff posture and clipped words.
“We need to invite the Skin Walkers, too,” I add.
“The Skin Walkers,” Luden scoffs. “It is more than likely they sided with the doppelgänger.”
In defense of the ones I know, I say, “The ones in the Cowan realm aren’t like that.” Not all of them, anyway.
“We will include the Skin Walkers,” Dagda says firmly in Luden’s direction. Even if he was originally against the idea, his anger with Luden makes him contrary to the Fairy’s opinions.
“Maybe somebody with more of an open mind should have Luden’s job,” I grumble under my breath to Kallen. Out loud, I say, “I should probably let my friend Eliana know, as well. That way she can be on the lookout for the doppelgänger in that Realm. I would invite her to come here, but I would feel so much better having someone looking out for the humans.” With the essences of two Egyptian deities within her, she should be able to hold her own against the other me.