AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, I’m sorry to tell you this, but…I think Titania took her.”
“Titania? As in a real person, or are you saying something like ‘she returned to the arms of the Lord’?”
Starling cocked her head at me. I could almost see her thoughts swirling around her head. “Dragonfly agreed to serve you. You must have said it was okay for her to make that offer to Rogue?”
Yeah, I guess I had. Starling read it in my face.
“But you didn’t really mean it—and it’s not your fault, really, because how could you? You were feeling all hurt and stuff…”
“I wasn’t…”
“But that’s what happens with true love. There are misunderstandings, and lovers fight. So you were feeling all hurt and you said it was okay, but it wasn’t, so Dragonfly—who was stupid, by the way, she should have known better—broke her agreement to you and now, well, Titania’s got her.”
I stared at Starling, flabbergasted. It took me a moment to get my breath back. “Okay. One, I am not in love with Rogue. You have no idea the kinds of things he’s done—and tried to do—to me. Two, he certainly does not love me, and I’d be a fool to set myself up for that. And three, what the hell does that mean, ‘Titania’s got her’? The image I’m getting in my head is like some kind of…what my people think of as damnation.”
Starling fiddled with the folds of her dress. “The consequences for oath-breaking can be dire.”
I dropped my face into my hands, digging my fingers across my scalp. “Fabulous.”
“Good morning, beautiful damsels!” Puck popped his tousled strawberry head through the tent flaps. “Anyone not decent—I hope?”
“You might have checkedbeforeyou looked,” I answered drily.
“No fun in that, is there!”
Starling had already slipped off the table, and Puck gallantly bowed over her hand, kissing it with an elaborate flourish.
“Lady Starling of Castle Brightness, you grow more ravishing with every sunrise, surpassing even the glow of your ancestral home.”
I managed not to roll my eyes as Starling giggled at him.
“And Most Powerful Lady Sorceress!” Puck left Starling to sweep me a bow. “You grow more…absolutely terrifying. What have you done to your hair, dear lady?”
“Puck—do you have a reason to be here, besides being the fashion police?”
“Indeed. I am here to inform the Mighty Sorceress Gwynn, and her lovely attendant—” he winked at Starling, “—of impending battle tomorrow. There will be cavalry! Gore! Glory for all!” Puck performed an intricate box step, ending with a flourish. “Be ready at first light.”
He popped out again, as quickly as he’d appeared, leaving Starling and I staring at each other in bemusement.
Starling opened her mouth and I stepped in before she could say anything.
“No, let’s not discuss this any more right now. Just get it out of your head that this is some kind of love story here.” I found my voice unaccountably choked up.
Starling took a step toward me, her brow furrowed. “But I know Lord Rogue saved you after the Battle of the Birds. He performed great magics to save your life and, in return, you pledged him your eternal love. Everyone knows the story.”
I threw my hands up in the air. “Incredible how you people believe your own press! You need to grow up, Starling. There is no such thing as true love. It’s a fantasy. And what is going on between Rogue and me is all about power.”
“Well, I’m sure he’s not easy to love, but…”
“I. Do. Not. Love. Rogue.” I said it slowly and with as much intent as I could muster behind it so she could understand.
Starling blinked at me, worry clouding her eyes. “But you’re here for him. That’s why you brought yourself over from your world. You dreamed of him, loved him even then, and sacrificed everything to come here and be with him. To answer him in his time of need.”
“What need? His need to impregnate a human woman and make the baby into some kind of changeling? Starling, that is just not something a person signs up for.”
“But your magic! That’s why you’re so powerful, because of the intimate connection with him!”
I sighed. “Look around you, Starling. Do you see him? No, you don’t. Because I refused him and ran him off. I won. Do you see? It doesn’t matter what stories everyone is telling.Thisis the reality. My being here is an accident and I’m going back home. I didn’t come here to save anybody, least of all Rogue. It was just stupid happenstance. There are people I left behind who love me and need me.”
