Elf-Shot Book 6 in The Twilight Court Series

by Amy Sumida

  Raza returned to Craos-Teine the same day his army arrived. He needed to release the sea fey from their obligations, and begin seeing to the preparations for our wedding. Kader went with him, and I was glad Raza had him to travel with. Dragon or no, I didn't like the thought of him flying alone.

  The Unseelie Army was given a few hours to refresh themselves, and process what had happened, before they headed home too. Aodh, his family, and the other valiant seelie fey who had come to support us remained in Seelie of course. I was secretly pleased that their honorable actions had resulted in their safety. While they prepared to defend Raza, their brethren had been the ones attacked. I know I've mentioned it already, but fate can be cruel so often, when she is kind, it's cause for a couple of notations. I may have also given them all special commendations for their bravery and tireless efforts towards peace. What was the point of being queen if I couldn't hand out a few knighthoods?

  Oh, did I not mention that the commendations were in the form of knighthoods? Yep, even little Rose was made a knight. Seelie wasn't the first kingdom with non-sidhe knights, I had knighted Conri so he could join my Guard, but it was the first kingdom with a buttery sprite knight. There were several non-sidhe knights in Seelie now, but I think the duergar who had carried Rose, Sir Darby, was the proudest of his knighthood. He strutted around the castle like he'd grown three feet.

  Still, it was Rose's knighting that had touched me the most. I had knighted her with my dagger instead of the traditional sword, and she had knelt on a table set before me instead of on the floor. But despite these exceptions, her face had been proud and somber when she bowed her head, and after I proclaimed her to be Lady-Sir Rose (the proper term for a female knight), she had lifted her liquid eyes to me and cried tears of joy... as the entire court cheered for her.

  The dead seelie soldiers were fewer than we'd initially thought. The seelie had been so unprepared, the only soldiers who were able to put up a fight were those on regular guard duty, and the handful Anson had been able to gather. They were quickly taken down by iron arrows, and the speed of their massacre had caused Isabel to be equally quick about her surrender. It was a vicious lesson to learn, and one that would hopefully be moot now. Still, the seelie would be more vigilant in the future. I knew this for a fact since I would see to it personally. Tiernan and I, that is.

  I knew Tiernan would be a good king. Danu had helped to shape him, putting him through trials which most fey never experienced. His banishment, then his acceptance in Twilight, pushed him to become a better man. He joined the Wild Hunt to prove himself, and then earned his own title, instead of apathetically enjoying the one he was born with. He defended the fey from humans, and then defended the humans from the fey. Tiernan had priceless experience with every sort of fairy and human that existed. Danu had groomed him to be the best king the seelie would ever know. And then she had set him on his path by calling him to me.

  Part of me still rebelled against her manipulations, but it was a much smaller part of me now. I saw the larger picture, the good Danu was trying to do, and I accepted it. I even recognized the necessity of the rift Danu caused between me and Tiernan. I didn't like it, nor the harm it had left upon Tiernan's conscious, but I understood it. I even believed it was worth it, to make Tiernan into the king he was.

  Killian handled taking our reports to the Coven, the Casters, and the Human Council. I admit it was nice having his help. Even this aspect of Danu's plan was perfect. She had thought out every detail. But then, she was a goddess. I'm sure her mental capabilities far surpassed mine. Twilight was already tied firmly to me by blood. So I didn't have to worry about ruling it. Nor would Killian, who would retain the freedom to help me with my Ambassador duties, even after we were married. We would be Prince and Princess of Twilight, royals without the responsibility of ruling. Perfect.

  As far as Raza, he'd been groomed as well. A royal birth, then denied by betrayal. He was spared when most of his family were slaughtered, learning what it was to be humbled and vigilant. Through war and intrigue, Raza had prevailed and plotted, biding his time while learning who his true allies were. It strengthened an already strong man. Even his romantic exploits had improved him. Those women who had hurt Raza unknowingly, who had chosen the illusion he could cast instead of the real Raza, they had given him a perception and understanding that he would never have gained as a pampered prince. Emotional wounds may not leave physical scars, but their resilience can be seen in a person's character. King Raza the First had been a mistake, and Danu made sure she corrected it carefully. King Raza II was everything Unseelie needed him to be. He could rule his kingdom without me, no problem, but our marriage would secure peace.

  Tiernan in Seelie, Raza in Unseelie, and Killian in Twilight. I had become the pirate, but I was surprisingly happy about it. Damn that goddess for being right. And damn me for being too stubborn to realize it sooner.

  Chapter Fifty-One

  My wedding night was spectacular.

  I wasn't sure how it would go. Tiernan and I didn't have the most traditional wedding, and I still felt like I should uphold Raza's condition of being only with him until after we married. But my marriage to Tiernan changed everything. As did my engagement to Killian. Raza gave me his consent to proceed with both men as I saw fit. His words, not mine. It was a little surprising and a little terrifying. Three men. Wow.

  But I spent my first night in Seelie alone with its new King, and there was nothing terrifying about it.

  The royal suites had been cleaned and redone within the hours it took for us to settle matters of court. Alfred led us to our rooms late that night and smiled in supreme satisfaction over our expressions of shock and delight. Lord Marcan had been moved to a comfortable room, and his things had gone with him, including the bed he'd slept in with his wife. I had made sure to ask Alfred to see to that. I had no desire to sleep in my grandmother's bed.

  So Tiernan and I had a brand new bed to break in.

  As soon as Alfred left, Tiernan and I quickly divested each other of our clothing. But when skin pressed to skin, we froze and just stared at each other. It was the first time we'd been this intimate since our break-up, and it also happened to be our wedding night. So strange. So awkward. Then Tiernan stroked the hair back from my face and laid his palm to my cheek.

  “I've lost my father today,” he whispered, “and yet, I've never been happier. These months away from you have been a slow death for me. I thought I would never touch your face again, and that alone was poison for me. Arsenic in my soul. That I stand here with you now, as your husband, is miraculous. I can't even fathom how we got here.”

  “I love you too,” I laid my hand on his heart. “I never stopped, and though there were moments when I wished we had remained together, I'm glad we didn't. Without that fight, we wouldn't be here.”

  “I'm strangely grateful for Danu's manipulations too,” he shook his head, then chuckled.

  “I do have mixed feelings,” I grimaced. “But on the whole, I'm grateful.”

  It's so obvious now,” he shook his head. “I remember thinking after our fight, that I had overreacted, that I couldn't understand what would make me strike you. As loyal as I am to Danu, I'd never allow it to bring me to violence against you. Then this anger would rise, and those thoughts would vanish.”

  “Other wild natures,” I whispered.

  “What?”

  “Danu told me that she would help me with other wild natures which needed taming,” I said. “I'm beginning to wonder if you weren't the only one whose emotions Danu has toyed with. Look at how Raza suddenly became copacetic with you and Killian.”

  “And how my own jealousy has faded,” he frowned. “Funny.”

  “What's funny?”

  “I still don't mind her interference,” Tiernan pulled me closer. “It has brought me back to you, not just as a consort, but as your husband. If Danu hadn't changed Raza's feelings, you wouldn't have pushed him. He needed to be okay with this. So, I'm okay with
a little help from our goddess.”

  “I don't know if Raza would be.”

  “Then maybe we shouldn't tell him,” Tiernan smiled.

  “Tiernan.”

  “It's only a theory anyway,” Tiernan picked me up and carried me to the bed. “No need to rile the dragon without concrete evidence.”

  He spread my legs slowly and lowered himself between them.

  “Now, can we stop talking about Danu and your other men?” Tiernan asked. “I have plans for you that will remove your ability to speak.”

  “Plans?” I shivered as his hot breath hit my intimate flesh. “We've only been married a few hours. When did you have time to make plans?”

  “I've dreamed of being with you again from the moment you ceased being mine,” Tiernan bent his head and started enacting his devious plans.

  He was right. I couldn't speak. All I could do was scream.

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Why was I so nervous? I had already married one man, why would marrying Raza be any different? Maybe because I married Tiernan in like five minutes, barely giving myself time to think about it, while Raza had drawn it out for a week. Long enough for me to start freaking out. But mainly, it was just enough time to invite fairies from all over the realm, human council members, extinguishers, and witches. Everyone had accepted the invitation. They had probably thought it unwise to refuse an invite to a royal wedding, especially when the royals would unite all of Fairy.

  Craos-Teine was once again overflowing with people, and it was a delicate balancing act to house them. Everyone of importance had to be given a room, but we had a whole lot of important people there. My father had a bedroom on Raza's floor, as did Dylan, Killian, Tiernan, Bress, Sorcha, and Latharna. Family always shacked up together in the royal suites if rooms were in shortage. Rayetayah already had a suite of rooms on the royal floor, which he was generously sharing with his Aunt Hana and Uncle Kader. Then came the dragon royals. Daiyu and Yazi had both decided to attend. Yay. Chad lived in Craos-Teine now, so we didn't need to find a place for him.

  The council leaders, both fey and human, required nice digs, and I wanted my friends to have prime rooms as well, especially the human ones who were visiting Fairy for the very first time. Abigail and Karmen. They were beyond excited. Abigail was thrilled not only to come to Fairy but to be able to spend time with Torquil. And Karmen was thrilled to spend time with Raza. Though he did allot some time for gushing over Killian too. Anyway, when we were finally done lodging everyone, we had resorted to putting up tents in the courtyard to house the overflow. At least the sea fey were sleeping in the lake.

  Abigail, Aideen, Latharna, and Gradh were my ladies in waiting. They stood behind me, dressed in shimmering lavender gowns, while I sat at a vanity, looking over my reflection while I picked nervously at my nails. They were also sparkling lavender. I'd had a manicure the night before, at my bachelorette party. That makes it sound tame, but the party was actually pretty wild. We even had a satyr stripper. Karmen had left with him.

  The revelries of the previous night had relaxed me, but now my apprehension was threatening my manicure. I stilled my hands, spreading them out over the heavy silk of my gown. Raza had chosen my wedding gown. Raza had chosen everything. Not because he was a control freak, but because I'd been with Tiernan in Seelie, settling things there, until just two days prior to our wedding. So Raza had made all of the arrangements himself. Yes, even my bachelorette party. Which was probably how we ended up with a gay stripper. But I digress. Raza didn't do everything alone. He, of course, had loads of helpers. And seamstresses evidently. My gown was amazing.

  Raza had it made in white silk because he knew I'd want some human traditions added to the fey. It was a simple design; a long sheath with a flared hem. The top of the bodice curved in with a swath of fabric, making my cleavage look even more impressive, a feature I was sure Raza had considered. The shoulder straps were thick and held draping pieces of silk which hung over my upper arms, mimicking the bodice. Elegant. Beautiful. Classic. But then there was the train.

  Thankfully, the thing attached via a belt and could be put on at the last second... and taken off after the ceremony. It consisted of yards of delicate, but strong, fairy lace. Over this lace were applied millions of little diamonds, in traditional white as well as red and lavender. An odd color choice, except that the red gems were applied in the shape of dragons, the lavender in the shape of stars, and the white were filigree filler. Raza had wanted to represent us both, and by some strange chance, the colors worked together. But damn it, the thing weighed a ton.

  “Are you ready for your veil?” Abby asked.

  I nodded, and she brought forward a lace veil which matched my train. Luckily, there weren't quite as many diamonds on the veil, or I might not have been able to keep my head up. She used the attached combs to fasten the veil to the back of my head, then laid the front piece over my face. Aideen carefully placed my twilight crown over the veil. The crown was diamond encrusted too, with star-topped spikes.

  “I look like I should be in a Russian painting,” I muttered. “Or a Klimt.”

  “You look beautiful,” Latharna sighed. “It's perfect.”

  “Thank you,” I gave her a little smile.

  How strange was it to have my sister-in-law as one of my ladies in waiting at my marriage to a man who wasn't her brother? I started to pick at my nails again and had to clench my hands into fists to stop.

  “Let's get you down there,” Gradh motioned me up from my seat. “They'll be waiting on you.”

  “It's not like they can start without her,” Abby chuckled.

  “Okay,” I stood and took a deep breath. “Let's do this thing.”

  “This isn't a mission, Seren,” Abby said gently.

  “The hell it isn't,” I smirked. “It's one of the most important missions of my life.”

  “So romantic,” Latharna sighed.

  “In a very Seren way,” Aideen added.

  We tromped out of Raza's bedroom, soon to be my bedroom too, and headed for the stairs. It was hilarious. Three warrior women with one courtier. Abigail, Gradh, and I walked like we were missing a sword on our hips, while Latharna glided forward elegantly. I frowned and tried to mimic her. I'd been a princess for awhile now, I knew how to walk properly damn it. There was no excuse for me heading to my wedding like a barbarian.

  Then I nearly tripped over my sparkly shoes. What was it with the fey and sparkly shoes? No one could even see the damn shoes beneath all the layers of fabric they wore... we wore... was wearing. Okay, I needed to calm down, I was regressing into thinking I was only human again. Probably some kind of mental way of not dealing with the fact that I was about to get married. To my second husband. Who happened to be a dragon. Without divorcing my first husband. A seelie sidhe. And everyone was fine with it!

  “Seren?” Abby grabbed my arm as we reached the top of the main stairs. “Are you alright?”

  “Of course I'm alright. Why wouldn't I be alright?” I asked a little too quickly.

  “Because your veil is fluttering with your rapid breaths,” Abby said gently. “And that's a heavy veil. Come on, girl, this is nothing. You love him. He loves you. You're going to unite all of Fairy and have a bunch of babies with wings.”

  “Babies?!” I nearly screeched. “With wings? What the fuck am I going to do with winged offspring? A crawling toddler is bad enough, but a flying one? Oh, sweet Goddess! I'll have to hire some flying nannies to help me catch them.”

  “Not the best strategy,” Gradh shook her head at Abby. Then she gave it a try, “Princess, take a moment to push everything else aside, and just focus on what your heart is saying. Do you want to marry King Raza?”

  I gaped at her. Wasn't that what Danu had said? Something about focusing on what I wanted, instead of what she wanted. If they happened to be the same thing, what was the harm in that? I went instantly calm and smiled at Gradh.

  “I do want to marry him,” I said. “I love him.”
/>
  “Alright then,” Gradh nodded. “Go marry that dragon before some slimy sea bitch tries to steal him from you.”

  “I will, damn it!” I growled, “There ain't no way in hell I'm letting Daiyu near my man.”

  “There's our girl,” Abby nodded.

  “Well done, Lady-Sir Gradh,” Latharna said.

  We headed down the stairs, carefully, though we hadn't attached my train yet. The halls were empty, everyone was in the throne room... hopefully. I wasn't sure they could all fit. But the double doors were shut when we reached them, so there must not have been any overflow. A pair of guards stood at attention there, waiting to open the doors for us. They started to, but I held up a hand to stop them.

  “I have to get my train on, guys. Give me a sec,” I said, and they both nodded, their lips barely twitching.

  The women helped me attach it, then smooth it out behind me. I nodded to the men, and they opened the doors. The murmuring that had filled the packed throne room stopped as soon as I stepped in. My father was waiting beside the door, and he extended his arm to me with a proud grin. I didn't have a bouquet, so I was glad to have him to hold onto. My attendants went first, giving me a few moments to compose myself. Then Keir led me up the long, center aisle, as the music changed to Here Comes the Bride. I glanced up and saw a flock of pixies playing tiny instruments, which nonetheless had impressive volume.

  “You look beautiful,” Keir gave my arm a squeeze.

  “Thanks, Dad,” I whispered back, as I nodded to familiar faces we passed.

  My heart started to race. It lifted into my throat, threatening to choke me. Then I stared down the aisle and saw him. Raza stood at the end of the aisle, on the dais. The thrones were set to the back of the dais, and a little table stood between Raza and Councilman Catan, of the Twilight Council House. On Raza's right stood Rayetayah, Tiernan, Killian, and Kader. I spared a glance for Tiernan and Killian, who both looked amazing in their velvet tunics. Tiernan especially looked wonderful in his seelie crown. But it was Raza's day, and he outshone them all. Maybe that was the wrong word for Raza. The others were so bright, even Councilman Catan had beautiful celadon hair. But against all that vivid color, Raza stood out like a dark god.