Thorn Queen Chapter Eighteen

The village Id passed earlier was c either(a)ight-emitting diode Mar troopst, and I had to permit directions from Maiwenns guards to make sure I didnt accident every(prenominal)y take more or less misshapen Otherworldly path in my attempt to return. I rode there with dissipated imprints, still replaying the dismantlets with Kiyo and trying to decide if our assorted argu workforcets to twenty-four hours had qualified as straightforward fights. I soothed myself a little by r severallying aside and manipulating the air, creating gusts and eddies and attempting to trip up how big a blast I could make. At integrity argue, I do a scrubby tree bend beautiful far, provided it tired me unwrap. I had to practice more(prenominal) to sustain original gale-force winds, and lightning still remained out of my grasp.The pot of Marmant greeted me with that same mix of fear and cultism I had come to expect. Word of the changes macrocosm wrought in the enter was jerk offting clos e to, so they were grateful and al humbleding themselves optimism at last. Yet, my fearsome re enthroneation eer lurked on the horizon, so they spoke gingerly about me, fearful of enraging the knockout monarch who had forced this dangerous land upon them.How is everything? I asked, hoping I come alonged come to and nonthreatening. Rather than a mayor, this t make had a council of five that made decisions, and theyd invited me deep tidy sum for a private meeting. They were ordinary-looking men and women-still with that peasant feel so vernacular in the Otherworld- scarcely there was an air of competence around them. Youve got water and pabulum now?Yes, your majesty, said a middle-aged woman who seemed to be the speaker system of the group. Thank you, your majesty.Good. Im sorry its been so hard on you. Things should be wear out now. on that point was a brief silence in the group, one levelheaded with un verbalize meaning. I looked from face to face. What?We dont want to trouble your majesty hassle aside. Its what Im here for.This got some other round of exchanged looks. It was still appargonntly an comical concept for these citizenry.Well, began the woman, near the outskirts of our towns boundaries, there stimulate been some attacks.What mixture?Bandits, your majesty. give-and-take of a turn of eventsch, I said. Wed gon the group had moved, merely theyd been quiet therefrom far, allowing me to hope I could take Kiyo up on his strikeer and catch up with across with them earlier they caused more trouble.We actually shake up m whatever fighters and strong semblance users, she said with some pride. scarcely we could not stand against their monsters.You mean demons.She gave a nervous nod.Son of a bitch, I said again. This had to be dealt with, and at this point, I really was willing to be a bastard and top a gun to Jasmines head. Dont annoying. Theyre pass to be interpreted c atomic number 18 of. Soon. very(prenominal) soon.The w oman looked give wayled at the menacing tone in my voice, but her words were grateful. Thank you, your majesty.Anything else I should populate besides about?This age, it was a man who spoke up. We dont want to trouble youI groaned. Just discover me what it is.We perceive your majesty has been seeking missing girls.I straightened up. Yes. What about it?One of ours disappeared cardinal days ago. My neighbors daughter, Markelle. A small, wry grinning crossed his lips. Shes a round the bend one, a good deal wandering off where she shouldnt. But she hasnt come backand she incessantly does.I felt my fists clenching and forcibly relaxed them. I didnt sine qua non to scare these batch any further. Aside from the bandits, consume you seen anyone else lurking around? Humans, maybe?He seemed even more afraid to discuss this topic. We see servicemans sometimes, your majesty. I hark back he judgement mentioning my own kind would anger me. Its not uncommon. lots there are val et de chambres whoah, give chase to some of the denizens of this world. Shamans worry me, he meant. Usually, they leave us alone once theyve found their quarry.I thought back to Jasmine. Any soldiers or warriors of the gent-shining ones?Occasionally. I presume theyre deserters from power Aeson. Not a crappy theory, actually. But we see none of them regularly. Theres no one in particular(prenominal) who economises returning.I leaned forward, some part of me feeling like everything was about to fall unneurotic. But there is a mankind you keep seeing, isnt there? Especially since the girls began disappearing?He nodded.It was here. Everything was here. A man, s belt drink downful? A man with a red snake tattoo?No, your majesty.I-what? I froze for a moment. Then who?A woman, your majesty. A woman with graying hair that she wears in a retentive braid.I stared at him for several seconds, and wherefore I laughed. This seemed to scare them all more than if I had burst into a rage. Abigail, I said at last, more to myself than them.Your majesty?I waved a hand at them. Never mind.Abigail. Fucking Abigail and guile. Working together towhat? Abduct nobility girls? But why? Id toyed with the idea of Art as some kind of sick rapist, but where did Abigail fit in with this? Surely that would hold no interest for her. With a sigh, I pushed the questions to a small box in my mind, needing to wrap this up and get back to the human world. I compulsory to eat that talk with Roland.Anything else going on I need to know about? Youve got copper nearby, right? Finding water and food was naturally essential, but it was copper that was going to authentically change things in the irritant Land. It was what all our trade agreements were being based on. Hows the extraction going? belatedly until today, your majesty, the woman admitted. Our magic users are s bulge outed in many things, but we digest few who fucking choke with metal. Much of our labor has been manual.I frown ed. Why did things change today?Why, she said in surprise, because you sent the oak King to us.The Oak-wait. You mean Dorian? I exclaimed. Hes not here now, is he?They were all clearly impress at my surprise. Yes, your majesty, said the guy whod spoken earlier. Hes out with the workers now. I thought you knew.I stood up, still full of shock. I have to see him. Excuse me.They all murmured polite farewells and close knocked individually other everyplace with bows. I didnt stick around to return the formality. Instead, I headed back out into the bright afternoon sun, lightly jogging to where Id seen the workers on the far side of the village. At first, I saw no mark of Dorian. Men and a few women were digging diligently, sweat rolling down their faces.Then, suddenly, I heard a slight rumbling, and the ground trembled. Huge chunks of joust flush from the earth, a few of them glinting in the sunlight. They lifted in a cluster and then slowly drifted off to the side of the work si te, gently coming to rest on a pile of like stones. Turning, I looked to the opposite side of the area and finally found Dorian, his workforce moving in the air as he guided the ore. His enclothe were simple today, but that hair burned and rippled in the sunniness like liquid fire.His face was filled with concentration as he watched the rocks, but once theyd come to a halt, he broke into a smile as he strode forward. My lady back Queen, what a delight.I let him kiss my hand for the sake of appearances-seriously, why were the gentry so into that?-and then pulled him out of ears naughty of the others. What the hell are you doing here? I exclaimed.Why, retrieving my copper.Thats not what I mean He shrugged and wiped sweat off his brow. His silly expression aside, it was clear he was tired. I grabbed hold of his arm and led him back toward the town. Come on, get something to drink before you get dehydrated. And start explaining.I heard there was some difficulty with your copper, a nd I distinct to come help, seeing as it benefits me too. My sword is in need of replacement, you know-and thats not a metaphor. The metaphorical one is only when fine. Besides, you dont honestly think I stinkerful let you take all the glory as being the or so helpful monarch around, do you? Youre making us all look bad.Dorian, I groaned. Because there was really no other response.If people had fallen all over me when I arrived, the two of us together created quite the stir. Again, I was reminded of some celebrity tabloid couple. We returned to the council hall, at which point I used my queenly authority to get some solitude and some refreshment. It was a bit startling to see how industriously my orders were ob centred. formerly we were alone and Dorian was sprawled in a chair, I truly got a good look at further how exhausted he was. How long have you been out there doing this? I asked, pouring him water from a pitcher.Most of the day. And Ill take the wine, my dear. He nodd ed toward a nearby decanter.Itll dehydrate you further, I scolded, handing him the cup of water. He scowled but drank it down eagerly. I watched him, still perplexed. But why? You dont need the copper that badly.Perhaps not. But you do. He finish the water, and I gave him a refill. Thank you. Waited on by a queen-truly the romance of many a man.I pulled over a chair of my own. You didnt need to do it, I protested. Youve practically killed yourself.Hardly. Give me and my stamina some credit.I still dont get it.He finished this cup too and then gave me a look that was both exasperated and amused. Eugenie, why do you keep having such a hard time believing Id do things for you?There was earnestness in his voice, and I realized we kept having this conversation over and over. Out of everyone in my life lately, it seemed like he was the only received one. I dont know why. Im sorry. I just run into few people who give something for nothing. Mining isnt going to get me into your bed.Well , he said cheerfully, nobody knows that for sure, but even if not? It doesnt matter. You need it. It makes you happy. End of story.I looked away. Dorian truly was my friend. Thank you. It does make me happy. One less thing in a sea of tasks today.He handed me the cup. Get me wine this time, and mark me what your problems are. You can even sit on my lap.No thanks, I said, but I did get him the wine. I saw you and the kitsune pass earlier, actually. Is that part of your problem? He answered his own question. Yes, yes. Of course it is.I was a bit surprised to hear myself pouring my thoughts out to him again. I didnt even have the prune of being drunk this time. I saw the baby today.Cute?Very. And it just made me feelI dont know. Kiyo thinks its jealousy, but its more than that. I just cant explain it.Kind of a questioning of your own life and the choices-or wish thereof-before you?I looked up, startled, and met his eyes. They were unusually serious. Yes, exactly. Dorian remained s ilent, and I found myself rambling more. Hes having a hard time getting all of it lately-the magic, the girls, the demonshe doesnt like me outgo time over here. Neither does Roland. I couldnt help a smile. Hell, neither do I. ButI have to. I have to typeset things right around here.I know you do, he said, face serious.Dorianwhat would happen if I got a crown?This made him a smile a little. It would make you look even more beautiful.No, Im serious. Kiyo says its a bad idea. That it would make all this real.Its already about as real as its going to get, my dear.Thats what I told him But I dont get the big deal. You never wear a crown.Not often. But I have one, and I was crowned and all my people swore fealty to me. Thats what a crown would drag to. You want one for ornamentation? Sure, thats easy. But trust one on and walk out among your people-especially in a city like Highmore-and say, This is who I am, I am your queen Well, thats what the kitsune fears. Youre already queen. No crown can affect that. But you accepting one and declaring your authority is when you truly retrieve youre a queen. And as far as Kiyo is concerned, thats where the danger is.Wow, I said, nearly as surprised to have such a thorough translation from him as I was by the content itself. Are you afraid of it?He snorted. Hardly. I dont need a crown to know youre a queen. It radiates off of you. But I would like for you to know youre a queen.If dealing with all the crap I had on my plate didnt make me think I was a queen, then I didnt really know what else would. I let the crown issue go and instead recapped my latest intel about the bandits and Abigail. I cant figure out her usance here. You mentioned before that Arts motives would beuh, understandable. But why her? Unless shes just enough of a pal to help him score some gentry action.Dorian was still in his pensive mode. Hed poured himself yet another(prenominal) glass of wine and handed me one too that I sipped sparingly. permit me ask you this. Why do men of the shining ones so often abduct your women?Easy, I returned. Because were more fertile. You guys might have sex in public, but it doesnt usually result in anything. A guy who wants a kid has better luck with a human.Dorian nodded. I had a feeling hed already made some leap of logic and was suggestion me here to figure it out myself. And what about humans? Are you hoping for children each time you make love?I laughed, thinking of my stock of condoms and consume control pills. Hardly. We go to a lot of trouble not to. in any case easy for us.He leaned toward me, green eyes shrewd. Then think about it. You understand why we would want humans. Why would humans want us?I studied him, trying to catch up to what hed already thought of. A few moments later, I got it. Because youd fulfill the opposite need. A human could have sex with a gentry girl and not worry too much about her getting pregnant. Or getting a disease.Gentry were healthier than us in that re gard. It seemed to go along with them having such long life spans-Oh God. That would be part of it. The more I followed his logic, the clearer and clearer it became. You guys anticipate longer. Gentry girls would stay young and beautiful for a long time.The horror of it was setting in. Until that moment, I had thought there were few familiar crimes worse than gentry guys consistently trying to rape me to get me pregnant. As shocking as it seemed, I was wrong. If this were trueif this idea that Dorian was suggesting was truewell. That was worse. Gentry girls taken because they were the ideal sexual partners young, disease resistant, hard to get pregnant-even with a human. I almost laughed. It was like Tims poem about the maiden whod come from another world, whose beauty and youth were so great that lethal men had coveted her.The question was, how did the gentry girls feel about this role? A lot of girls wanting to get pregnant might wholeheartedly embrace human lovers-literally an d figuratively. But Morias traumatized state suggested her stint with Art hadnt been satisfyingI stood up and rubbed my eyes. Oh God, I repeated. The stuffall the stuffWhat? asked Dorian, clear confused.Dropping my hands, I looked back at him. These shamans, Abigail and Art. They live well. They have more possessionsnicer things than they should for the jobs they have. Arts giant house in an upper-class neighborhood. The shiny SUV. Abigails luxurious-albeit messy-apartment. Her extensive jewellery collection. I dont know how, but theyre making money off it. slay these girls. I slumped against the wall. And I dont know what to do about it.Dorian rose and came to stand by me. Youll detail them.I agitate my head. Its not that simple. Art was right-theres no shaman council. I cant report them to anyone, sure as guess not human authorities. Theres no accountability, no laws that apply here.Theyre breaking your laws, he said, leaning toward me. thereof you have every right to tar ry them. Treat them as you would any other criminal in your land. Kill them.I cant I exclaimed. Id have to actually catch them here, and so far I havent been able to. And Im certainly not going to go to Texas and kill them there.Why not? If a murderer from my kingdom killed someone in yours, I wouldnt bat an eye if you came to slay him.Its different. TheyreHuman?I hated to admit, but yes, there it was. I had chased Otherworldly monsters from my world back to this one and never hesitated to kill them or banish them directly to the Underworld. But somehow, the thought of intentionally trailing humans and killing themI didnt need to voice my answer for Dorian to understand. Exasperation flared on his face, this time mixed withanger.Damn it, Eugenie. You just told me you had to put things right Which is it? Or does it only depend on whats easy at any given time? What your mood is? Who you like better that day?Its not that easy I exclaimed. You dont understand. You cant understand. Im ca ught between two worlds here, with two sets of loyalties. Ive spent my entire life being human-being part of that world. You cant expect me to throw all that away and betray my own kind.He opened his mouth to hearthstonecoming and was interrupted by a faint roll of thunder. Whatever words hed been about to utter disappeared, and he laughed. Do you hear that? Thats you, Eugenie. Your anger.I shook my head. I cant control thunder and lightning yet.Not control, no. But you can summon it unconsciously. Do you think theres anything in this land that isnt tied to you? He gestured around us. All these people hereall the people in this village looking at you with adoring eyesthey are your own kind too. This is what I meant when I said youre the only one who doesnt seem to realize youre a queen yet All these people are looking to you to protect them and do whats right. If you cant do that, then you might as well back off and do what the kitsune and your stepfather want you to do.Dorian, I cant kill in cold bloodHe gripped me by the arms, voice pipe down but infused with anger. You can do whatever it is you have to do You are a queen. Forget all this talk about Storm Kings grandson. right field now, you are his heir. You are on the verge of becoming one of the most powerful rulers in this world, which means you dont have the luxury of being squeamish. You can rule with love, but you have to rule with ruthlessness too. You are going to go down in history, Eugenie, as one of the greatest monarchs we have ever seen. And it is going to start with this-this wrong that youre going to right. If you cant do it, if you cant stop those who are hurting your people, then you might as well stop the rest of this charade. Go out there and discern those people you cant do anything for them, that you cant feed them or protect them because they arent your kind and arent worth bloodying your hands forHe was shouting now, breathing heavily. I stared at him, eyes wide, filled with a l ittle of that fear I always got when his temper rose. Moments like these reminded me of just how powerful Dorian was physically and magically. His lazy, lean appearance was deceptive Id seen him fight. amid that and the power he wielded, I hoped there would never come a day when we were truly antagonists. Outside, I heard thunder again.It took me several seconds to scratch an answer, and when I spoke, my voice was very small.I cant, I said. I cant tell them that.I know you cant, he whispered.And then, still gripping me, he leaned down and kissed me. More astonishingly, I kissed him back. It seemed like all the emotions that had consumed me recently-all the rage and confusion-were poured into that kiss. My teeth bit against his lips, and when he shoved me against the wall, I welcomed the brief pain. Our hands were all over each other as we kissed, mine running the length of his body patch his more aggressively hiked up the dress Id earlier regretted wearing. In a matter of seconds , it was pushed over my hips, leaving my legs bare. With one hand still guardianship the skirt up, his other pushed between my thighs, slipping underneath the change of mind Id put on this morning in the hopes of getting intimate with Kiyo.Those clever fingers slid into me, stoking a wetness I hadnt thought could come on so fast. My small exclamation was muffled in his crushing kiss as he alternately thrust his fingers into me and pulled out to tease and dance with my clit. It was the latter he in the end settled on, circling and stroking as heat built between my legs and made all my muscles tense up. Then, the burning flood of sensation exploded, and I came with another cry that his kiss smothered, a cry that faded into a utter as my body trembled and spasmed from the shock waves of heat and electricity still shooting through me from his touch.My orgasm created no pause in the action, though. The hand that had just brought me such pleasure moved from between my legs to his pa nts as he began to unfasten them. His mouth finally left mine, moving on to my neck, his kisses hot and fierce. He shoved his pants down, and I felt him against me, hard and ready as he pressed his hips to mine. My hands were tangled in his hair as I tilted my head back to receive his kisses, but his hands, crabbed as always, were prying off my underwear. The reality of what was happening sank in.Wait I murmured, lost as his mouth bit against my skin. No, we cantI cantYou can, he disenfranchised in my ear. Let melet me do it. Let me bury myself in you. Let me spread your legs and take you like I did before. We are gods in this world, Eugenie, with no other lovers who are our equals. No others who are worthy of this joining. The thong was on the ground now, and I could feel his erection pressed against my skin, so, so close to sliding in and doing all the things he promised. He be his hands under my thighs and hoisted me up against the wall so that my legs wrapped around his hips. Dorian I gasped. Im with Kiyo.So? Youre a queen. Do you think you cant have as many lovers as you like?Itsits wrong. We cantWe can, he said, voice low and full of promise. And when we do, this land will be reborn.Afterward, I would never be entirely sure if I would have let him do it. I like to think I would have stopped him. I was in love with Kiyo, after all, and loyal to him. Surely I would have said no and shoved Dorian aside. I wasnt in love with himor was I? In those moments before wed kissed, Id felt like he truly got me and understood the things in my head. I think Id probably loved him since around the time wed met I certainly never lost the attraction. Still, that didnt make artifice on Kiyo right.Whatever decision I would have made was taken from me when there was a knock at the door.I jerked away from Dorian and hastily shoved my skirt down. He more casually turned away to pull his pants back up, seeming in no particular hurry. The door opened, and the lead councilwoman stuck her head in. Even with Dorians back to her and me dressed, it had to have been explicit what was going on-particularly with my underwear on the floor. If she found it shocking, though, she didnt show it, and I recalled how relinquish the gentry were in public.Your majesties, she said politely, theres a storm coming in, and the workers were query what the Oak King wanted to do.Dorian, decent once more, turned around and gave her a laconic, charming smile. A storm? Really? How truly unexpected. Well, tell them to bring as much of the ore as they can into storage before the rain and cover the rest up. Ill come check on it in a moment since I have a feeling the Thorn Queen is about to depart with some haste.The woman gave a quick curtsey and shut the door once more. Youre right, I said, jerking my thong back on. Im leaving.Yes, he agreed, still smiling. Because thats your normal course of action when something happens that you dont know how to process.Thats the thing, I growle d. Nothing happened here, o.k.? None of this did.His eyebrows rose. Really? Because I could have sworn that something happened when my hand was between your-No I would have approached him with clutch fists to drive home my threat but was afraid of what would happen if I was close to him again. This didnt happen. This was anger and confusion and me in a weak place, okay? I appreciate what youve done here with the copper-really. And for the advice on the girls. But thats it.I turned, not wanting to look into those green eyes or see that smirk anymore. I didnt want to admit that loving two men was just like the rest of my life, ripped into two worlds. I needed to get out of here and get back home-though I wasnt sure which home I meant. Dorian didnt try to stop me, but his voice rang out after me as I hurried out and rain began to fall outside.Dont forget what I said, Eugenie. Crown or not, you are a queen, so dont be afraid to do what you have to do. Love and ruthlessness. Those are the keys.