Ballad of Blood

by Amy Sumida

  “The celebration feast starts promptly at seven,” the steward informed us. “I shall provide your names to the herald. Queen Elaria, may I have the title of your consort?”

  Torin and Declan chuckled. The steward frowned in confusion.

  “It's Gage of Torr-Chathair,” I said.

  “Thank you, Your Majesty,” the steward bowed and left.

  “Yes, thank you, Your Majesty,” Gage said with relief. “Shut up, assholes,” he growled at the still-chuckling pair of fairy kings.

  “You need to grow some thicker skin, griffin,” Torin said. “I've been called far worse things than my given name, and I never threw a tantrum over any of them.”

  “No; you threw your fists,” Declan noted.

  “Who the hell would call you names?” Gage asked in surprise. “Did they have a death wish?”

  “Torin is not fully sidhe,” I said as if that explained it.

  “Yeah; I know,” Gage huffed. “So, what?”

  “So, most Shining Ones look down on mixed-blood fairies,” Torin said.

  “Even when they're kings?” Gage asked.

  “No one knew that I was a king until I came of age,” Torin said. “Until then, I was just this massive freak.”

  “Torin,” I chided, “that's their words, not yours. Don't claim those lies.”

  “I know, little bird,” Torin said as he pulled me into an embrace. “I simply heard them often enough that they stuck in my subconscious. Sometimes they come out unbidden.”

  “Who the fuck called you a freak?” Gage had been stewing through my comforting Torin. “Just point me in their direction, Tor.”

  “Thank you, Brother,” Torin said sincerely. “But those fairies were children then, and they've since made their apologies.”

  “I'll bet.” Gage laughed. “They probably kissed your royal ass once they found out what you are.”

  Torin smiled tightly, and Gage's face fell.

  “Didn't they?” Gage asked.

  “They said what they had to say,” Torin said stiffly.

  “Just drop it, Gage,” I whispered. “We fight the battles that present themselves. There's no sense in going after hidden racism.”

  “The fuck there isn't,” Gage snarled. “If they say that about him, what do they think about you?”

  “It doesn't matter.” I shrugged. “They can think what they like; it hurts them, not me.”

  “I have been waging war on Shining One racism for centuries,” Declan said with a sympathetic hand on Gage's shoulder. “It takes a lot to change such deep-seeded beliefs, and violence only makes things worse.”

  “We'll get there,” I added. “Just not today.”

  “I don't understand Shining Ones,” Gage grumbled. “What does it matter if you have some witch blood? It doesn't change your fairy genes. It seems as if it helped Torin's.”

  “It was the war with the witches that started that particular bias,” Declan explained. “It took us a long time to get over the fact that we lost. Shining Ones don't experience defeat often; at least not at the hands of another race.”

  “So, it's not just racism; it's resentment.” Gage nodded. “I understand that better.”

  “You do?” I asked in surprise.

  “I didn't say that I approved of it,” Gage amended. “Only that I could understand it. As a warrior, I know the weight of defeat; it can be crippling if you're unprepared for it.”

  “And Griffins are nearly as arrogant in their physical prowess as Shining Ones are with their magical abilities,” Declan pointed out. “I can see how your first few failures would be upsetting.”

  “Few?” Gage scowled. “After I was trained, I was only defeated once.”

  “Once?” We all asked in surprise.

  “By who?” I added.

  Gage grimaced and looked away.

  “Gage?” I asked with a teasing note. “You know I can find out.”

  “Trathon,” he admitted.

  “The Elder?” I asked with wide eyes.

  “He's one of our fiercest warriors,” Gage said defensively. “And I was sixteen.”

  “Your only defeat was at the age of sixteen?” Torin rolled his sapphire eyes. “You have no idea what I went through, kid. Fuck off.”

  I burst out laughing as Gage grimaced deeper.

  “Oh, the heartbreak of defeat at the hands of an old man,” Declan declared dramatically. “Wah-wah.”

  “You're both dicks,” Gage huffed and went to throw his bag in the wardrobe.

  “I went through a trauma that you can never understand,” Torin said. “I have been hardened into the Onyx King.”

  “Into an onyx dick,” Gage muttered.

  Chapter Five

  We were announced with great fanfare and without Gage's full name, which made everyone happy. By “everyone” I mean Gage. The rest of us just grinned at Gage's relief.

  I'd been to Copper before, but never into the formal dining hall, and I took a moment to appreciate it before we headed down the central aisle. The metal (it was hard to call Copper a jewel) was featured extensively in the room; from chandeliers to chairs. And it wasn't left to dull with patina either. All of the copper was polished to a rosy gleam. The fading light from the sunset came in through long, picture windows set down the sides of the room; casting the copper into an even greater shine. The floor was creamy marble, and the furniture that wasn't metal was gilded to look so. Massive floral arrangements of cacti and their blossoms (Copper was a desert kingdom) were set down the lengths of the linen-draped tables, and servants scurried about; refilling wine from copper pitchers.

  I was relieved that the sun was setting; the gleam of the place in full daylight was probably blinding.

  We were directed to a table set before the high table. Due to the number of royals in attendance, there wasn't enough room for all of us at the high table on the dais. So, several tables had been placed horizontally before the highest high table, and the poor Copper King had to eat alone. He didn't appear to be married.

  “Congratulations, Your Majesty,” Torin said to the new king as we found our seats.

  “Thank you...” the Copper King floundered.

  “King Torin,” Torin offered his name with a sincere smile. When you were scorned as Torin had been, being unrecognized was a good thing.

  “Thank you, King Torin,” King Cyrus said with relief.

  “How are you holding up?” I whispered up to him.

  King Cyrus glanced about before leaning down to whisper back, “I'm a little overwhelmed.”

  “Yeah; I get it,” I commiserated.

  “A couple of weeks ago, I was a farmer,” the Copper King said as he shook his head. “I can't seem to get my bearings.”

  “Well, first off, don't say any of that to the other royals.” I leaned in so that we were only a few inches apart. “For the most part, they're good people, but they're also sharks; they can smell blood in the water. You know what I mean?”

  Cyrus' soft, green eyes went round, and he nodded vigorously. His copper crown shifted a little as he moved, and he straightened it on his wavy, oak-brown hair with an endearingly absentminded gesture. He was attractive—as most fairies are—but also had a simple elegance about him. His expression was open and honest, his hair left in loose waves down his back, and his rough hands were set out on the table for all the world to see. He wasn't corrupted by the cynicism of court yet. It was refreshing and made me feel instantly protective.

  “What should I say to them?” He asked me.

  “As little as possible for now,” I advised. “Say things like; 'That's very interesting,' and 'I'll look into that.' If you can't remember a royal's name, just say 'Your Majesty,' don't make any promises, and put some gloves on.”

  “Gloves?” He looked down at his hands in surprise. “Oh. You know; I've never liked nobles.”

  “Hey,” I said, and he looked up at me. “That's the easy way, but if you want to let your colors fly and not give a damn what anyone t
hinks of you, I'm here for it. My name is Elaria, by the way.” I held out my hand to him.

  “Cyrus.” He smiled brightly as he shook my hand. “I've never been prone to artifice, Queen Elaria. I think I'll take the honest approach.”

  “Good for you,” I said approvingly. “If they don't like you, fuck 'em.”

  Cyrus blinked in shock as Declan sighed deeply.

  “Yes; fuck them,” Cyrus affirmed. “I am what I am.”

  “Aren't we all?” Declan said smoothly. “It's a pleasure to meet you, King Cyrus. I am King—”

  “Declan of Alexandrite,” Cyrus finished. “Yes, Your Majesty. I've heard of you.”

  Declan preened, and I rolled my eyes.

  “He probably means your debauchery,” I said.

  “Debauchery?” Cyrus asked. “We're Shining Ones, Queen Elaria; we appreciate pleasure in all things. Debauchery is for humans.”

  There goes the innocent farm boy.

  “Oh, I like this guy,” Declan declared.

  “You would,” Gage huffed and held his hand out to Cyrus. “Hey, I'm Gage.”

  “This is my consort, Gage of Torr-Chathair,” I added.

  “The Griffin?” Cyrus asked as he shook Gage's hand excitedly. “It's an honor to meet you.”

  “Thanks.” Gage grinned and shot a smirk at Declan. “Nice to meet you too.”

  “I've obviously heard about the monsters released from Torr-Chathair,” Cyrus went on. “So, it was all of you who returned them?”

  “Indeed,” Declan confirmed.

  “The monsters escaped because of your old queen,” a snide, female voice pointed out.

  We all turned to see Queen Oonagh of Snowflake Obsidian standing on our left. Torin tensed beside me; there was some history between the three of us. But the most notable response was from Cyrus; who blanched.

  “That's hardly fair to put on him,” I said to her. “And it wasn't entirely Eileen's doing. Copper paid the price, and now it has a chance to start over.”

  “So?” Eileen huffed and flipped a blonde curl off her shoulder.

  “So, go fuck yourself with a snowflake obsidian phallus, Eileen,” Declan said sweetly. “It's likely the only jewel that could handle your poisonous pussy.”

  “That was very unbecoming, Declan.” Eileen sniffed and pushed past us to take a seat further down the table.

  “So, yeah; there are a few bad eggs in the Jewel Courts,” I said dryly to Cyrus.

  Cyrus surprised me by chuckling, and then said, “Let them rot; them and their poisonous pussies.”

  “Indeed,” Torin sent an approving glance Declan's way.

  “I don't know what you two yahoos are grinning about,” Gage said. “You're the morons who slept with that bitch.”

  Cyrus' eyes went wide.

  “We need to work on your courtly manners,” Declan declared.

  “Says the man who just called a queen's pussy poisonous,” Gage huffed.

  “He was just fine until Cerberus got his doggy claws into him,” Torin noted to Declan.

  “Don't dis my bud!” Gage pointed a finger at Torin. “Cerberus is not just a dog; he's a god.”

  “What's it called when a word means the same thing both forward and backward?” Declan asked Torin.

  “I think it has to be spelled the same both ways,” Torin said conversationally.

  “Keep it up, and I'll turn the two of you forward and backward,” Gage growled.

  “They're right, sweetheart,” I said gently to Gage. “Tone down the hellhound, please. And that last threat was just plain weird.”

  Gage sighed dramatically. “For you, my love; anything.”

  Gage took my hand and kissed it gallantly, and then held my chair out for me.

  “Much better,” Declan said approvingly.”

  “Watch it.” I pointed a finger at Declan. “Gage was also right about you talking about Oonagh's privates. That was gross.”

  Declan rolled his eyes but nodded.

  “Queen Elaria!” Queen Teagan of Jet walked up with her husband; her indigo hair piled up into a mass of curls, and her ice-blue eyes sparkling. “It's lovely to see you.”

  “You as well,” I said with matching enthusiasm.

  “Do you like my gown?” She twirled to show me how her skirt was layered. “The top is separate, so that I may wear it with jeans later.”

  “Sara?” I asked.

  “Yes; she's lovely,” Teagan said. “She contacted me; saying something about being a lady now and not knowing what to do with her time. Is that true? Did you elevate her to nobility?”

  “You're damn straight I did,” I confirmed. “She deserved it.”

  “That's very generous of you, Your Majesty,” King Edmond of Jet said. “But, my queen and I haven't introduced ourselves to our host yet.”

  “Oh, blast it!” Teagan huffed as she turned toward Cyrus. “My apologies, Your Majesty. I was excited to see my friend.”

  “Not at all,” Cyrus said generously. “I was enjoying being a voyeur.”

  “He gets better and better,” Declan murmured.

  “King Cyrus of Copper, this is Queen Teagan and King Edmond of Jet,” I said.

  “It's a pleasure to meet both of you,” Cyrus said.

  “And you as well.” Teagan smiled brightly.

  “Congratulations on your birth,” Edmond said as he reached over to shake Cyrus' hand.

  “That's just weird,” Gage whispered to me.

  “The birth thing?” I asked. “Yeah; totally. Although it brings a song to mind.”

  “A song?” Teagan exclaimed. “You're singing tonight?”

  “Um... I hadn't planned on it.” My eyes went wide. “I don't have my grounding bracelets with me.”

  “Oh, but can't you sing something that will just make us happy?” Teagan asked. “Or maybe inspire us? Something positive.”

  “I...”

  “I would be so honored to have you sing at my celebration feast,” Cyrus added hopefully.

  “Oh, all right,” I huffed.

  “Excellent!” Teagan said before she took the seat held out for her by her husband; just to Gage's right.

  “Do you need musicians?” Cyrus asked.

  “Her jewel makes the music for her,” King Parthenon of Jade said as he strode up with his wife; Duchess Branna. “It's quite extraordinary.” He bowed to us.

  “King Parthalon. Duchess Branna,” Declan greeted them for us. “Well met.”

  “It is a good meeting,” Parthalon declared. “A fresh start for the Kingdom of Copper. I hope we can become allies, King Cyrus.”

  “I as well, Your Majesty,” Cyrus said enthusiastically. “My kingdom has just come through a difficult time. I wish to take us into a more secure age.”

  “Well said.” Parthalon nodded. “A good king always wants such for his people, but getting there is easier said than done. If you need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me.”

  “That's very generous,” Cyrus said. “Thank you; I will.”

  Cyrus lifted a brow at me in question, and I nodded. Parthalon was one of the few royals I trusted. Cyrus smiled and relaxed back into his throne. I had hope for him; his instincts seemed to be good. Once he grew more confident, he could become a great king for Copper.

  Chapter Six

  “You ready?” I asked Kyanite.

  Always. This is an odd song, though.

  “Perfect for the moment,” I argued.

  We'll see if they can follow it. The words are strange; perhaps too human for the Shining Ones.

  “My magic will make sure they understand the gist.” I smirked.

  “Queen Elaria of Kyanite has agreed to honor us with a song,” the herald intoned as he stood before the high tables, facing the Court. “Please show her your greatest consideration.”

  “Not the type of intro I'm used to, but that'll do,” I said to my consorts as I stood.

  “Break a leg, babe,” Gage said.

  “What are you singing?
” Declan asked.

  “Lady Gaga,” I said gleefully.

  “No,” Declan whispered. “Elaria, do not; I implore you.”

  “Hell, yes!” Gage stood to kiss my cheek. “Lay some Gaga on them.”

  “I look forward to anything you wish to sing, little bird,” Torin said serenely.

  “Because you've never heard Gaga,” Declan huffed.

  “What is a 'gaga?'” Torin asked Declan.

  “Beyond it being female, I don't think anyone knows,” Declan said cryptically.

  I just smirked as I walked over to where the herald stood. He bowed to me and left me to it.

  “This song will sound strange to most of you,” I said as I eased more into the center of the room and turned to face the high tables. “But I think it's appropriate for the birth of a king. It's about accepting people for who they are; just as they were born to be. I hope you enjoy it.”

  The Shining Ones applauded, and then the techno bursts of Lady Gaga's “Born This Way” silenced them. Fairy eyes went round as the strange sounds elevated into a strong drumbeat that vibrated through the hall. Those who had never heard me sing were stunned by the music my jewel created; our union being more symbiotic than most. And what music it was; it filled the hall to bursting. The almost marching quality of the beat swept over the Shining Ones and turned their surprise into pleasure; heads started to nod, and feet tap.