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“Moira, Siobhan, you are welcome in my realm,” the Queen says.
“Of course I am,” Siobhan says haughtily. “Looks a bit run-down since last I visited. Have you considered redecorating?”
The Queen ignores Siobhan’s comments, her gaze returning to me. My throat is dry and I’m not sure what to say or do. Growing up in Missouri, royalty is absolutely foreign to me, and I have no idea how to act or what to say. She says formality doesn’t matter, but the import of this moment isn’t lost on me. But, being a Missourian born and bred, one thing I know is true. They don’t call it the show-me state for nothing.
“Queen,” I say, swallowing hard to force moisture back into my mouth. “Dugald says you have a plan. I’m here to find out what it is. There must be a way to stop the darkness.”
“That you unleashed,” Siobhan mutters.
I resist the urge to elbow the vampire for her unnecessary commentary. The Queen smiles and her eyes flash.
“Straight to the point,” she says. “You never change, do you?”
“Time is a bit pressing, Queen,” Moira says.
“Aye,” the Queen says, leaning back into the throne. “For the first time in our long history, it truly is.”
She gestures with one arm, a simple gesture, but when she does a table laden with food and drink appears. The scent of the food makes my mouth water. There are succulent looking meats that fill the air with their perfectly cooked smells, bowls of fruits, dishes with candied pieces, and gold trimmed decanters filled with wines and sparkling waters.
“Refresh yourself, Quinn,” the Queen says. “There are things I must tell you before you can understand my plan.”
“No, thank you,” I say, giving a curtsy, tales of eating in the Fae lands not forgotten. The fundamental rule is don’t do it, no matter how hungry or thirsty I am. “As I’m sure you’re aware, time here flows differently than in my realm. I left behind men who are counting on my help. My time here is very limited.”
“You are learning,” the Queen smiles, “but the tales you fear do not apply to you.”
It’s as if she’s reading my mind, which now that I think of it, I’m not sure she can’t do. That puts my hackles on edge. I don’t want anyone in my private thoughts.
“Are you reading my mind?” I ask bluntly.
“Quinn—” Dugald hisses.
“No, Quinn,” she says. “But it takes no reading of your mind to understand your thoughts. You are, after all, you.”
“I don’t know what any of that statement means, but can we get on with this? I need to know your plan so I can get back. So I can—” I stop myself from saying Duncan’s name because it’s too raw and hurts too much.
“Save your love,” the Queen finishes the thought for me.
Knowing he is being tortured and God only knows what else makes my breath seize in my chest and my throat clench so I nod agreement because I can’t speak. Moira places a hand on the small of my back, making small comforting circles, and I’m more grateful than I could ever express for her support.
The Queen moves over to the table so smoothly I’d swear she was gliding, and what do I know, maybe she is. She takes up one of the decanters and pours it into an ivory cup that is decorated with gold filigree and gems. She raises it to her lips and sips. Rising anger burns away the lump in my throat and I clench my fists.
“We don’t have time for this,” I say forcefully. “What is your plan?”
“You are right,” the Queen says, pursing her lips. “Time is short. What do you know of how magic works and your mother?”
“I don’t have time for lessons,” I snap. The Queen’s mouth turns down in a frown and her eyes narrow. I know I shouldn’t antagonize her. She is powerful in ways I don’t understand, but then so am I and I’m done with the Fae games. “No more. No more coy dodges, no more mysteries. What is your plan? How do I save him? How do I fix this?”
The air is laden with anticipation. No one speaks; I don’t think anyone breathes. Even the soft breeze that rustles the leaves of the Tree of Life seems to stop, all waiting for the Queen’s response. She frowns, then closes her eyes, inhales deeply and lets it out in a soft rush.
“You are right. Though directness is not our nature, the time for that has passed.” I unclench my fists and the tension in my shoulders eases. “But that does not mean there are not things you must learn. If you do not learn of the past, you will never understand the future.”
“Sounds pithy, but sure,” I say. “Can we hurry up though?”
Duncan is screaming in my thoughts, but not only him. There are also the men I left behind at Loch Ness, building useless defenses against forces they stand no chance against without help. My help.
I know the entire world is in danger, everyone, everywhere, but that is too much to wrap my head around. The men and people I know, those are the ones I can focus on. Those are the ones I must save, and above all of them, Duncan. The man who holds my heart.
If it wasn’t so completely unrealistic, I’d swear the Queen rolls her eyes, but it happens so fast that I couldn’t swear to it. Dugald inhales sharply and Siobhan chuckles.
