[2018] Reign of Queens

by Melissa Wright

  He stood, whirling to face me, bloody blade held out. I had to stifle another laugh. I managed to keep my reaction calm, only a smile.

  He seemed disoriented for a moment and then his breathing slowed and his arms relaxed. He stared at me as if I were a delusion, a dream looking back at him. He was speechless and it occurred to me that perhaps elves were not a part of this human’s knowledge. I wondered if he would recover soon. I considered abandoning him and returning to watch the others, but his face was so interesting, the emotions so plain and readable there. But he wasn’t afraid. It was awe.

  I decided to have a little fun with him. They couldn’t possibly be dangerous. “Hello.” I spoke to him slowly, but it appeared he didn’t comprehend. He merely stood gawking at me. I tried again. “Do you wish to speak with me?”

  “Yes,” he finally stuttered. “Uh… hello.”

  “I am…” I hesitated, unsure if I should tell him my name; I was on the run, after all. I decided on a replacement. “Lizzy.”

  He seemed to like that. “I’m Noble.”

  Now I was confused. “You are noble?”

  He shook his head. “Noble is my name. Noble Grand.”

  “That is a large name. You are a ruler among your people?”

  He laughed. “No, no. Noble is my given name, passed down for generations. Grand is the family name.”

  Generations? I was surprised again. I stepped closer, enthralled. “What are you doing here?”

  “We are searching for a good place to start over,” he explained. I was scrutinizing his blade. “Oh, well, I’m hunting.”

  He wasn’t as slow as I had thought, quite capable of conversation. I couldn’t help but wonder, “You were a bit… stunned before?”

  He flushed a pleasing shade of red. “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, it’s just that you are quite beautiful. Surely the loveliest thing I have ever seen.” I smiled in spite of myself and he continued the flattery. “And then when you spoke, your voice… it’s like a melody.”

  “And you are seeking a new camp?”

  “A more permanent settlement, actually.”

  “You have found it here?”

  “We are undecided. Days ago we were attacked.” Pain washed his features. “A horrid creature took several of our men.”

  I nodded. “An imp.”

  “I’d never believed it to be true if I hadn’t seen it myself.” He was lost in thought as he continued, “We may move again. The risk seems too great.”

  Suddenly, I didn’t want them to relocate. I wanted them to stay right there, where I could watch them. I tried to make him feel safe. “You know, I could protect you.”

  He was incredulous. I decided to show him.

  I stepped forward, noting his unease at my movement, and faced the boar that lay on the ground behind him. He turned to see what I was focusing on. I was afraid to scare him too much, so I decided on a small gesture. I held my hand out in front of me, emphasizing the action as I twisted my wrist in the air, the boar’s head spinning, the sound of its neck cracking in tandem with my movement.

  He gasped and stepped back from me. I was afraid for a moment I’d shown him too much. He looked at my face, searching, and finally let out a breathless, “Magic.”

  His face was filled with wonder. I had seen many impressed with my talents, but never with such an effortless show. I laughed to myself. It was refreshing to have someone so genuinely awed. He didn’t ask to see what else I could do; he wasn’t sizing me up for battle. I smiled at him and he seemed to think that alone a reward.

  He was still speechless.

  “Well, shall you stay, then?”

  “Forever,” he gushed. It was a curious response but I had begun to think he wasn’t that different, aside from the obvious lack of magic, skill, and grace. Moreover, where many of the others lacked beauty, he did not. Unconventional, yes, but nonetheless… interesting.

  I led him to a set of stones to sit, wanting to get answers to all the questions that had been burning in my mind since I had spotted them. He had forgotten his prey, so I offered to help him with it. This befuddled him, so I simply skinned and spitted the animal while he sat, staring in amazement. It was like he’d never seen fire before. It made the magic fun again. Like when we were kids, before Father’s ridiculous schedule. I shook off the memory of practice and focused on the human.

  “So, how old are you?”

  “Twenty-two,” he said, almost shamefacedly.

  At first, I was shocked at the number; I thought maybe I’d misunderstood. But I remembered reading the human lifespan was very brief. I’d have guessed ten times that number if he were an elf.

  “Why the hint of embarrassment?”

  “They tell me I should have a family by now.”

  “You have none?”

  “A mother and father but none of my own. No wife, no children.”

  “You are expected to have a wife and child after just two decades of life?”

  He laughed for some reason I could not see. “Then you have no family of your own?”

  “I am not expected to pair for quite some time, if ever. And children? Ha!” He was visibly perplexed so I kept talking. “I have a family as well, though my mother died recently.”

  Sadness washed his features. “I’m sorry. Was it an imp?”

  “No.” I laughed at the strange idea. And for no apparent reason, I told him the truth. “She died of sorrow.”

  His brow furrowed.

  We shared the boar and talked further, casually, as if we were old friends. He resituated himself on the rock, coming closer to me, and his shirt moved to expose a different color skin where it opened at the chest. I reached out to pull it aside and his eyes grew wild at the touch.

  “Your flesh is a different tone here.”

  He smiled, as if I were being coy. “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “Sometimes I work with my shirt on, to avoid the burn of the sun.”

  “The sun?”

  He laughed, but then realized I wasn’t joking. “It is a tan… from the sun.” He pulled the laces and lifted his shirt over his head, throwing it aside to show me his bare chest. The bronzed color of his face extended there, but was a lighter shade. I examined him closer, taking his hand and turning his arm. The inside of his wrist was lighter still, close to the shade of my own skin.

  I was still studying him when he spoke softly. “May I kiss you?”

  His breath hit my face; I hadn’t realized how close I had gotten. It surprised me, as did his request. I had a perverted desire to let him. I smiled thinking of it. He took that as an invitation, leaning closer, his hand raised to touch my face. His thumb caressed the line of my jaw as he reached around, fingers tangling in my braids as he drew me to him. He started gently, teasing, and then crushed our lips together, his strong hand holding me there, his breathing ragged.

  At some point, I became aware of what I was doing. I drew back. “I have to go now.” He looked devastated. “Goodbye, young Noble.”

  “Can I see you again?”

  I smiled. “I will return.”

  He took a deep breath, satisfied. “I’ll be waiting.”

  As I turned to go, I realized I hadn’t asked any of the important questions that had been nagging me. I’d have to try harder tomorrow, stay on task. I ran back to the castle at full speed.

  Ruby cleared her throat and I shoved the book into my pack. I glanced over at her but she was still facing out the window. A moment later Chevelle walked in and she threw him a wicked grin, leaving us alone. I brushed the length of my hair forward, hoping to cover the heat that had risen to burn my neck and ears.

  “Ready to resume training?” he asked.

  That cooled the flush and I grimaced, moving to stand. I hadn’t done so since the incident and my head spun. I wobbled, and Chevelle was suddenly there, steadying me. I shook off his look of concern. “I’m fine. Really.”

  He shifted closer an
d I became wholly aware of his hands at my waist. The grip he’d used to steady me became softer and yet, at the same time, his fingers tightened around me. My breath hitched as he pulled me against him, the length of our bodies touching.

  My throat went dry, black spots swirling in my vision. I fought to stay focused on his face, so close. His eyes grew troubled and then he blurred out of vision as I went limp in his arms.

  “Frey…”

  I opened my eyes to the darkening sky. “What happened?”

  “You seem to have blacked out,” Chevelle said, a hint of some emotion under his reassurance.

  I blushed. He must have seen that coming, held me because of it, simply to prevent me from falling on my face. I was a fool.

  He helped me up, this time holding me only by one arm. I took a deep breath. “I’m okay now, I think.”

  His lips twisted again, but I couldn’t make out the expression. I could barely look him in the eyes.

  I attempted every type of magic he could come up with, to no avail. I was beyond frustrated. Worse, I could tell he was being gentle on purpose, afraid I would break. I thought of what he’d said before, the dangers of messing with the bindings.

  He must have read it on my face. “That’s enough for now. Rest, Freya.”

  I didn’t argue.

  Ruby came in, as if on cue, and Chevelle excused himself. I laid down, but irritation kept me from sleep. I returned to the book.

  I spent the next several weeks visiting him. I had forgotten about the rest of the camp. He had become infatuated with me and I couldn’t keep myself from indulging him. I was thoroughly enjoying it—reveling in it, if I was honest with myself.

  He persisted in trying to touch and kiss me anytime I was close enough to allow, and I let him sometimes.

  He surprised me one evening, when he knew it was time for me to leave, grabbing my wrist and holding me there. I was stronger than him, but I didn’t resist his pull as he spoke. “Don’t go.”

  I smiled. “I will return tomorrow. Early.”

  “No,” he said, flush with emotion. “I don’t ever want you to go.” I laughed and he drew me closer. “Stay with me.”

  I started to pull away and he reached up, placing his hands on either side of my face, feverish now. “Marry me, Lizzy.” I had long since gotten used to the name, but I wasn’t sure he was talking to me at first. It seemed ridiculous.

  I stopped myself from laughing, knowing from previous experience this would hurt him. I had come to realize he didn’t know what I was. He knew I was different, of course, knew of the magic, though I’d shown him nothing of my real power. But he didn’t understand I was an elf. I hadn’t explained, knowing it would do nothing but perplex his simple mind. He merely thought I was something special, extraordinary. But did he actually think I was human, marrigeable? I was incredulous.

  But he was obsessed. The moment it slipped from his lips, he became more focused on that than anything else. Making me his bride. I couldn’t understand.

  He tried to explain. “I want you forever. I need you, Lizzy.” The yearning in his voice was clear on the last part and I was surprised that I ached for him a little, felt for his pain and need. He touched me then and I thought I understood when he continued, “We could be together…”

  Marriage. Yes, he wanted to join us. I bit my lip, undecided. Curiosity was there, too. And I couldn’t help but imagine. He was unmagical. He had no idea what I could do to him, for him, in such an intimate setting. What could it hurt, really? Sure, I could marry him, but it wouldn’t be real, I knew that. But the other part, well, I could do that without the marriage, couldn’t I? Harmless fun…

  I smiled as I leaned closer to him. This was the first time I had initiated a kiss and he was grateful—more than grateful… overwhelmed with pleasure. I laughed to myself at what was to come, if this small, insignificant gesture brought him so much happiness. Our lips touched and he gasped, and then the breath turned to a low moan.

  I rubbed the back of my hand over a cheek, trying to clear away the blush of color. The encounter was very… descriptive. I threw a wary glance over my shoulder, making sure Ruby was still at the window as I continued.

  The days we had spent coupling had done nothing to diminish his desire. If anything, they had enflamed it. And his obsession with marriage increased tenfold.

  I had not met his family, but one morning when I arrived at the patch of forest where we met, he proudly presented his mother’s wedding gown, a gift for me. He wanted me to wear it in our ceremony. I had never agreed to the union, but I avoided telling him it was not possible. It would be only valid in his mind. But then again, what would that hurt?

  I accepted the dress from him, looking it over. It was poorly made and ill-fitting, but had potential as a design. I sat, using magic to work on the seaming and arrange the pearl strands and beading in a more pleasant pattern while deciding how best to deal with him.

  He was watching me intently. “We will have such prosperity. Think of it, with your magic, we will be able to conquer anything. Whatever we need, whatever we want, it will be nothing but a flick of your wrist.”

  I froze. It was irrational, I knew, but anger seethed. I couldn’t stop myself from thinking he was just like everyone else, interested only in my powers. My magic. And how it would benefit him. I turned to him, glaring, and he drew back, startled. “Is that what you want, why you are so intent on marrying me? For my power?”

  He shook his head, mystified. The rage had overtaken me, though. The weeks of drugging Rune, sneaking out, my missing father—searching for a new wife, I was sure—all of it too much. I slipped. A small crack in my stability let out enough magic to hurt him. I didn’t hit him, but the surrounding trees and rocks were pulverized and I knew I had done too much. He stared back at me… afraid.

  I turned and ran without another word. Straight back to the castle. In these few short weeks I had started to think of it less as a home and more as a prison. My limited freedom made me ache for more. My time with this human had felt like living.

  This was wrong. I would return to him tomorrow, set things right. As I ran, I realized I was still carrying the dress with me. I couldn’t understand why I had bothered dragging it along, but my grip on it was tight. I rolled it up, tucking it under my arm as I approached the castle. My prison.

  Prison. I pushed the book into my pack and finally slept.

  When I woke, I felt better. Stronger. I was hopeful this applied to my magic as well. Chevelle sat against the dark stone wall, watching me. He seemed to recognize the change in my mood.

  “Feeling well?”

  I nodded. “I think I’d like to train again.”

  “That is probably a good idea. We’ll be leaving soon.”

  I didn’t know if I was that much better.

  “Don’t worry. It is safe. They will not attack again so soon.”

  “When?” I could hear the worry in my tone, despite his assurance.

  “We will protect you, Frey.”

  Sure. I might have rolled my eyes.

  “We knew they were following before. Our mistake was in assuming they meant a physical attack. We will not allow them so close again.”

  “So they’re still following?” Panic.

  “No. Not now.” He paused. “They have accomplished what they came for. Now they will regroup and return. Which is why we need to move.”

  “Why would we leave a fort?”

  He laughed. “Trust me, Frey. We have a more secure location.” I must not have appeared convinced. “Please,” he added.

  I sighed. What choice did I have? And then I laughed, because I couldn’t even trust myself.

  I expected him to look at me like I was mad. Instead, he looked like it was… endearing. He stood and walked over to me, taking my hand to help me up. When he touched me, I tried to fight the heat that ran up my neck. I couldn’t and embarrassment caused my cheeks to color as well. I peered up at him through my now-dark bangs and could have
sworn it amused him. I laughed at myself. The silly romance I’d been reading in the diary must have been affecting me.

  I tried to stop my thoughts from returning there as we practiced, but it was near impossible. He kept working close with me, touching me. I knew I should have been focusing on the magic, but it was useless. Each day ended with nothing but frustration and exhaustion, naught to look forward to but leaving the safety of the fort. Only the book provided escape.

  The moment I entered the castle, I knew something was wrong. I had gone in through the servants’ quarters, desiring to keep a low profile. When they saw me, fear crossed their faces and they disappeared from sight. My heart sped. I wondered if something had gone wrong with Rune’s spell this time. I decided to go check on him. I realized I was running.

  As I rounded a corner heading to the practice rooms, I ran into something hard. The impact didn’t knock me down, but the shock almost did. It was one of Father’s guards… one of the guards he’d taken with him.

  He had me by the arm, dragging me along before I could think. I couldn’t decide whether to run, whether to fight. And then we were in the throne room. My father’s face was indescribable, his fury almost tangible. I couldn’t bring myself to look away from him, but I saw Rune standing in my peripheral vision. I was caught. I frantically searched for some explanation. But he didn’t speak. He flipped his arm, dismissing me.

  The tension showed in that small movement and I blanched. I started to pull away from the guard but he didn’t release me. I realized then I hadn’t been dismissed. It had been a direction for the guard. He wrenched me beside him, jerking unnecessarily, and then shoved me through the door to my room. I listened, but his steps did not recede. I tried the door; it was already bound.