A Tale of Two Kingdoms (Knights of Black Swan, Book 6)

by Danann, Victoria

  “He’s alone. Looks like a good time.” The angel looked at Litha with enough affection to imitate a crush. “I’ll take him and then come back for her. Get her ready.”

  Litha nodded. “Thank you.”

  He just smiled and wrapped his huge hand around Elora’s forearm.

  “Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Wait a second. Where are the cuffs?”

  “Cuffs?”

  “You have something to tie us together to make sure I don’t get lost?”

  Kellareal smiled at Elora indulgently and nodded in understanding. “The demon. I’m not Deliverance. But I don’t want you to stress, so…” He swooped her up like she weighed nothing and she clung to his neck reflexively, but before she had a chance to process any of that, they were standing in Duff’s bedroom.

  He was on the bed, lying on his side, looking out the high leaded glass windows.

  They had left him a TV, since it couldn’t be used for communication, and he’d used it to see pictures of Song. Since the story broke, the entertainment news had been full of stories about the two of them. They had even hastily pieced together documentaries about their childhoods. When Duff could find something with pictures of Aelsong, he watched. Otherwise, he wasn’t interested.

  Elora and the angel stood at the foot of the bed.

  “Duff.”

  She said his name quietly, but his body still jerked. He sat up. He recognized Elora instantly, but that alone couldn’t explain away the alarm of having people poof into his father’s version of a gilded cage.

  “Duff, I know this is hard to process, but try to be calm while I explain. You have friends who are trying to help you. This is one of them. His name is Kellareal and he’s an angel.” Duff looked at the angel, but scowled in disbelief. “You know The Order deals with subjects that are too sensitive for general knowledge.” She pointed at the angel. “Well, he comes within the scope of their activities. We’re going to take you to Song.”

  At that Duff stood up. Even in the darkened room, Elora could see that he looked awful. “Song?”

  “Yes. Litha is with her right now getting her ready to meet you. Do you know who Litha is?” He shook his head. “She’s a very close friend of mine and Rammel’s and Song knows her. I came so that you wouldn’t be afraid to go with Kellareal. He can only take one of us. He’s going to leave me here and come back for me after you and Song are situated.”

  Duff started to ask a question, but his voice sounded rough. He cleared his throat. “Situated where?”

  She smiled. “All I know is that it will be safe, you’ll be with your mate, and you’ll have a lot more freedom than you do at this moment.”

  Duff stared at her for a second longer, then looked at the angel. “Let’s go.”

  After a few minutes Kellareal set Duff down in a large empty dome-shaped room with mezzanine galleries encircling the perimeter all the way to the top. The walls were made from something that resembled smooth, seamless, ivory porcelain. Transparencies of live imagery moved over the walls which gave the vast room a feeling of being alive. There were scenes that were familiar as well as some that were exotic and terribly strange.

  “What is this place?” Duff asked.

  “It’s the vestibule of the Council’s chambers. Those are the people I work for. If you will wait here for a few minutes, I will return with your mate.” Duff nodded and looked around, noting that there was no furniture. “Do you need to sit while you wait?”

  “No. No’ at all. Or, if I do, I’m no’ opposed to sittin’ on the floor.” He looked down. “It looks very clean.”

  The angel smiled. “Well, your Highness, I hope she wants you as much as I’m told, because ‘clean’ is more than I can say for you.” And he was gone.

  It was true that Duff had paid no attention to grooming since his return. He ran his hand over his face feeling the scratch of beard and looked down at his rumpled clothing. Taking stock, he didn’t know where he was except that he was alone in a room that could have been the set of a science fiction movie. His feelings bounced back and forth between excitement about the possibility of seeing Aelsong, which he wouldn’t entirely believe until it happened, anxiety over the unknown, and the self-consciousness that the angel had planted just before he left.

  Altogether, the cocktail of emotion made sitting out of the question even though he was definitely weak from not eating.

  There was no sound whatever in the dome vestibule where he paced, but there was an echo with such enormous amplification that each of his breaths sounded like wind rushing. At one point he thought he could hear his own heartbeat. The shush of air and tiny pop that would be inaudible in his normal reality was loud enough to make him turn toward the sound, just in time to open his arms before Aelsong rushed into him.

  He crushed her body to him and felt every tremor she was feeling. She wasn’t crying so that her vocal chords were engaged, but her body was quaking and her breathing was ragged. He closed his eyes and held on for dear life, putting his cheek against her wet hair. Wet hair?

  “Your hair is wet,” he said softly.

  “Yes,” said the angel. “Women think reuniting with the love of their lives justifies taking a minute for a shower. Wait here. I’ll be back in a minute.”

  They heard people talking momentarily, like someone had opened a door and then closed it, but they didn’t let go of each other or look up.

  “Are you well then?” Duff said close to her ear.

  The tremors in her body were beginning to subside, but she was clinging to him like he was the branch that was her lifeline above a thousand foot drop.

  “Maybe now,” she said so quietly it was almost a whisper.

  “Here,” he said, trying to pull back just a little, “let me have a look at you.”

  She angled her head back so that he could look into her face. At the same time, she got a look at him. “Do you think they’ll be havin’ razors where we’re goin’?”

  He smiled. “Judgin’ from our rescuer’s comments, I’d imagine so. You feel so good to me. I guess I’m needin’ somethin’ only you can give.”

  “’Twas horrible, Duffy.”

  The door opened and Kellareal walked toward them accompanied by a little man with a contagious smile. He had a little pot belly which seemed to be accentuated by the fact that he was wearing a white toga, black combat boots, and a laurel wreath on his head. When they came close, they could see that his eyes were an unusual amber color and the irises appeared to have concentric circles that moved in waves. They were compelling in the sense that it was impossible not to lean forward and investigate to confirm whether or not it was a trick of the light.

  “Duff Torquil, Aelsong Hawking, this is Huber Quizno. He’s one of your hosts who has granted you sanctuary until this can be worked out satisfactorily between your families and their respective peoples.”

  “How do you do?” said the prince. “And thank you for your hospitality. My mate and I are grateful.” He glanced at Aelsong. “Very grateful. Might I ask where we are?”

  Hu nodded. “No. Sorry. If it makes you feel any better though, it wouldn’t do a thing for you if I told you. Come with me. I’ll show you to your room.”

  He appeared to be walking into a wall. Duff guided Song forward and continued to follow, but looked back at Kellareal to be sure he was bringing up the rear. The prince had no idea what they were walking into and he didn’t like the virtual blindfold. The only reason he had to trust that any of the strange events were in their best interest was that Elora seemed to have faith in the plan. Not much to go on, but at least he had a firm grip on his mate, more than he could say he had expected an hour before. And he knew she was real. That just couldn’t be faked.

  Whatever it was that was coming next, they would be together.

  When they neared the wall, it opened up into a wide hallway decorated in the same style as the vestibule. They walked past four doors then stopped in front of the fifth door on the right. “Here you are,” said Hu, mo
tioning them to enter.

  They stepped onto a grass path in front of a thatch roof cottage, next to a stream, with blooming flowers that would put most botanical gardens to shame.

  “Duffy.” Song’s voice was full of wonder.

  “Aye, love?”

  “This place… This is the cottage from my favorite story my grandmother used to read to me.”

  Duff looked from her to the little house and cocked his head. “You like it then.”

  She put her arms around his neck. “I more than like it. It’s a dream come true.”

  “Right then,” said Hu. “If you decide to seek out company, just follow that path. It will take you to the village. You’re completely safe. The weather is perfect. Always. There are no political boundaries. It’s true sanctuary to everyone here, including yourselves. When we have word that it’s safe for you to return to your reality, we’ll send the Enforcer.”

  “Enforcer?” Duff balked at the sound of that.

  Hu waved his hand at Kellareal. “Sorry. I mean the angel. Him. Anyhooooo, meanwhile, have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He started away.

  Kellareal leaned over Duff’s shoulder. “Razors are inside.” He handed Duff a cell phone that was super thin and had no brand. “If you need anything, you can send me a text on this.”

  “Hold on. I, sorry, I truly do no’ want to sound ungrateful, but what shall we do about basics such as, em, food?”

  “This place is what you would probably call, um, magical? Consider this a respite from challenge. If you want food, just go to the kitchen and say what you want. Think of this as your honeymoon.” He looked at the cottage recreated from Song’s special memory. “Honeymoon cottage. Enjoy yourselves.”

  Song and Duff stood in front of the picturesque little storybook house. He reached down and opened the waist-high gate and bowed to indicate she should go through first. When they reached the porch, he stopped her.

  “Let me go first.” He opened the door, but saw nothing except a cheerful interior. He poked his head into the kitchen and bedroom. “Come then. Looks to be as they said.”

  They explored the cottage together. Each of them came across multiple objects, scattered around the house, that were exact replicas of sentimental objects, right down to a nick or chip or tear. There were two doors that appeared to be shallow cupboards, but when opened, were large walk-in closets stocked with their favorite mild weather clothes.

  Both wanted to do as their guide recommended and simply enjoy, but each new discovery increased their feelings of uneasiness. The forced separation was as traumatic physically for a mated pair as emotionally. They’d been betrayed by a prominent head of government who had promised them political asylum. They’d been torn from each other by force and then imprisoned by their own families. Neither was feeling particularly trusting at the moment, Duff all the more because he wasn’t privy to the unusual aspects of Aelsong’s personal and professional reality.

  Unfortunately, their rescuers had failed to take that into account.

  Duff sat down on a cheery floral-covered window seat and texted Kellareal.

  Duff: Can I talk to Elora?

  Ten minutes later a chime, that didn’t originate in the phone, sounded to let him know there was a reply. Kellareal: Is there something you need?

  Duff: Yes. We need to know whether or not we can trust this. I want to talk to my sister-in-law.

  When no response was received, Duff sighed and looked at his mate, who was watching him with a worried look, which he hated seeing on her beautiful face. He managed a little smile.

  “Did I mention how much I missed you?” The tension in her brow cleared. She returned his smile and shook her head. He reached up and ran a hand over the scratch of his beard. “Give me ten minutes to clean up a bit?” She nodded.

  While Song waited, she walked around and looked out the windows. They were open. No screens. No need. She could hear both birdsong and the gurgling sound of the little stream where a tiny waterfall broke near the cottage.

  “Are you hungry? You look like you have no’ eaten for a while.”

  “You sayin’ I’m too skinny for ye?” Duff looked blank. “Just kiddin’. Do no’ look so worried. I will no’ bite unless you ask me to.” She let her eyes drift down his frame. He looked good cleaned up, but definitely tired and definitely thinner. “When was the last time you had a repast worth notin’?”

  “Same as you.” He smiled. “But my appetite could be returnin’.”

  He held out his hand indicating that they would go to the kitchen and try out food summoning magic together. They stood in the tiny kitchen for some time. There were no appliances of any kind, just counter, sink, cutting board and cabinets with painted pottery that added to the feeling of warmth.

  He raised her hand that he was holding to his lips and brushed his lips over her knuckles. “How do you think this works?”

  “Great Paddy. ‘Tis a riddle. Should we just decide on a dish and say it aloud? Maybe?”

  He stared into Song’s eyes as he said, “Beef Wellington.” Looking at each other they both saw something in peripheral vision, but they didn’t look away. They just started to laugh. Duff said, “One. Two. Three.”

  On three they both turned toward the counter and indeed, a fine Beef Wellington sizzled on a bronzed platter surrounded by roast potatoes, sautéed asparagus, and steamed carrots. For convenience sake, a knife and meat fork were set next to the dish in invitation. It was an invitation that Duff accepted promptly. He sliced into the middle of the rolled cut, pulled it apart, and looked up at Song. “Just the way I like it.”

  He cut off a one inch sliver and used his fingers to put it in his mouth. “Hmmm,” he said as he followed that with a small roasted new potato, then a spear of asparagus and a carrot. He was making yummy sounds of male satisfaction that only eating good food with fingers while standing in the kitchen can inspire. And it was making Song’s mouth water.

  Duff held up a piece of meat, but Song shook her head as she said, “Lobster Thermidor.”

  Without delay, a mouth-watering version of Lobster Thermidor appeared on a bed of green beans almondine. She shook her head and said, “No. Green peas on the side with…,” she glanced at Duff with mischief in her eye, “macaroni and cheese.” The plate disappeared and reappeared as ordered. “The steam risin’ is an extra nice touch, is it no’?”

  She laughed, but wasted no time tearing a bit of lobster off with her own fingers. Of course they could have seated themselves at the little table with the charming distressed finish, but it had been a while since they’d wanted to eat and the return of appetite was joyful. They were happy to simply stand at the counter, eat with fingers, feed each other and giggle. The nearness of each other and the weight of food in stomachs had given them both such a feeling of well-being, that their apprehensions had begun to recede.

  The phone rang. Or at least there was a ring that came from somewhere.

  Duff looked at the plain black device. He could see Elora on the face. “Hello? Duff?”

  “Elora. Can you see me?”

  “No. Your image is blocked. Can you see me?”

  “Aye. I see you.”

  “Can you put the phone on speaker so both of you can hear me or see me or whatever?”

  “Aye.”

  “Okay. I understand you asked to talk to me?”

  “We do no’ mean to be a bother, but there are many thin’s about this situation that are no’ explicable.”

  “I’ll level with you. I’m not privy to every detail myself, but I will reassure you as much as I can. I wouldn’t put Song in a situation that was questionable. There is nothing that I wouldn’t trust Litha with. There’s nothing I haven’t trusted her with. And, if she trusts Kellareal, then you’re as safe as safe can be.

  “Song, I think, under the circumstances, you should compromise your vow to The Order – to the extent that you are now affected, and tell Duff what you know about Litha and about how our wo
rld is comprised of a lot of different realities, one of which you’re questioning right now.”

  “Oh, aye, I do think that would be helpful,” Song replied. “Will we be talkin’ to you again, do you think?”

  “Probably not until this is over. Ram is on his way to see your family right now. They’ve discovered that you’re not there and they’ve received word that you’ve been granted sanctuary by a benefactor who chooses to remain anonymous so that there is no chance that your location may be leaked. Of course, they wonder about the escape, but that will just have to be an unsolved mystery. Like that train heist.”

  Elora thought she heard a sniffle. “Ram’s goin’ to help us?”

  “Yes, Song. And, you were right about him not staying mad if I told him why I did it.”

  “You sound surprised.”

  “I do not.”

  “Just kiddin’. Thank you. Again. And tell him I love him.”

  The three said goodbye. Duff set the device down on the table. “So what is it she’s thinkin’ you’ll be tellin’ me?”

  The Scotia monarchy were aware of The Order’s activities up to a point. It was necessary partly because of the location of headquarters in Edinburgh and partly because Edinburgh was a city that had been plagued by vampire since before the plagues. The scope of activities reached further than their fae hosts could have guessed and that scope seemed to be growing exponentially.

  Song glanced at Duff then said, “White wine,” to the ceiling.

  Duff’s gaze followed Song as she picked up the gold liquid and drank deep. “Will I be needin’ scotch whiskey?”

  CHAPTER 12

  Tepring Hawking had lingered in her quarters extra long, but she was old enough to know that staying in bed wasn’t going to solve anything. Her face was so swollen from crying that she had cancelled her appointments indefinitely. She sat at her desk in a belted silk dress and stared out the window at the sheep grazing on the terraced meadows just beyond the gardens. There was a quiet knock at the door.