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Suddenly aware that I'd been screaming in the face of a thousands-year-old Elfin Queen, and an equally ancient Fae Queen, I took a little step back. From behind me, I heard Smoky snort, and then he broke out in laughter.
"That's my Witchling," he said. "You tell them, girl."
I whirled. "And you, quit stirring the pot, you overgrown lizard. No matter how good you are in bed, or how good… you smell… or… oh, just shut up!" Everybody was gaping at me. I cleared my throat and sat down on his lap again. "I've been under a lot of stress lately," I said weakly.
"So it seems," Titania said, but she was smiling. "To make a long and complex negotiation short, the Courts of Fae have risen again, thanks to your help. Only there are three Courts now, rather than two."
"Three?" I blinked. Delilah and Iris looked equally confused.
"Three," Morgaine said. "Things can never be as they were, that we know and accept. So from now on, rather than a morning and evening court, rather than a summer and winter court, we have established the Court of the Three Queens. Titania will rule over the Court of the Mother—the Seelie Court of the Day, with all it's brilliance."
"Aeval will resume her throne as Unseelie Queen, the Court of the Crone, the Crown of Night," Titania said. "And Morgaine, though not our equal, will rule over the Court of Twilight, the bridge between the Seelie and Unseelie realms, as the Maiden of Dusk. She will be the emissary between the mortal world and the world of Fae."
"There is another matter," Queen Asteria said. "This Benjamin—I am taking him with me. I've set my scholars to researching the ancient texts. Benjamin, as well as your Tom Lane, both have parts to play in the future battles against the demons. If you find other humans bearing the spirit seals, or who've been affected by them—humans who are not Supernaturals of any sort—then bring them to me. More, I cannot tell you at this time."
"My Tom… my sweet Tarn Lin," Titania sighed, looking sad and nostalgic. "But better he's gone from me now. I have too much to think about, with the reemergence of my Court."
Queen Asteria sighed. "And so, yes, there are three Earthside Courts of Fae. And whether it be for good or ill, we'll have to see. But if Grandmother Coyote wills it, there's not much we can do."
She stood, and for the first time since we'd known her, she looked old. "Since I am responsible for Trillian's disappearance, I leave Rozurial in your service, to aid you as much as he can." She headed for the door, Titania and Morgaine in her wake.
At the door, she turned back to look at me. "Feddrah-Dahns will be returning with me. He was hurt sorely, but he will live. He asked me to give you this for your friend. The one looking to have a child." She handed me a small pouch in which rested assorted herbs and stones.
"What's this? For Lindsey?" I took it and tucked it away in my purse.
"A charm to help her. He said it should work within three months' time."
I choked up then. The unicorn had gotten under my skin, and I fretted that we'd lose touch. He'd been a gentle reminder of the grace and beauty of my home world. As if she could sense my sorrow, Queen Asteria patted my hand.
"Feddrah-Dahns sends you his love and bids to meet you again. He places his trust in you that you will use his gift wisely. As do we all."
I looked into her ancient eyes. They were filled with love and compassion. "I'll do my best to be worthy of his gift… and his friendship," I whispered, tearing up.
"He knows how hard you're trying here. As do we all." And with that, she swept out the door, the two Fae Queens behind her.
Chapter Twenty-nine
Two nights later, when Chase could make it and when we'd recovered from the worst of the beatings we'd received, we gathered at Birchwater Pond. The moon was nearing a crescent, and she sang to me through my veins, promising me that I was making the right choice.
Morio was there, in his full kimono, dressed in red and gold, sword displayed at his side. Smoky wore his long white trench over a gold and blue vest, a pale blue button shirt, and a pair of white, tight jeans. Both had their hair unbound, and the pale sliver of the Moon Mother embraced them in her silvery light. She was not yet at waxing, but close.
Delilah and Menolly stood beside me. Delilah was wearing her golden gown she'd worn at Solstice, and Menolly, her black. I was dressed in silver. The silver of the Moon Mother, the silver of Smoky's dragon heritage, the silver of Morio's sword, the silver of Trillian's hair.
Delilah and Menolly had wanted me to wear Mother's wedding dress, but it didn't feel right, even if it had fit me. Mother bound herself to one man. I could never follow her path in love. It just wasn't my way.
Chase and Zachary stood to one side, Rozurial, to the other. Chase held Maggie. Iris was standing on a dais near the pond, and she held a chain forged of silver and a crystal wand that I'd never seen before.
"Are you sure about this? This is a bond deeper than marriage, you know," Delilah said. "You go through with this ritual, and you belong to those two forever—bound through all of time with their souls."
I gazed at the two men who were waiting for me. Two men who loved me. Smoky wanted me all to himself, but he was willing to give up that dream, to bind himself to me and one of my lovers, so that we could search out a man to whom I'd long ago pledged my heart. Morio was offering to bind himself to me out of love and loyalty. And he, too, cared about Trillian. I could sense the concern emanating from him.
And I… I loved both of them so much that I couldn't even explain it. For me, love had swelled to include three men, all different and yet, I was meant to be with all of them. Each provided a part of the whole that I needed.
Forever? I whispered. So it would seem, came the answer.
"I already belong to you. You're my sisters. My family. And that family expanded to include Iris, and Maggie, too. And now, my family grows again. And who better to choose for my husbands than a fox demon and a dragon? Can't ask for much more protection than that."
"But forever? To be bound forever?" Delilah seemed torn.
