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Just the thought of lowering myself to my cousins yet again sickened me—but I had a plan. And if Asfaloth would not release Liath to me, well—I only needed a few moments alone with my husband to carry it out.
Stableforth still looked doubtful but I was ready to go into action.
“Get me Shellya, the Royal Seamstress,” I told him. “I must be dressed for Court for this to work.”
“Well…as your Majesty says,” he murmured and went to call the spider woman seamstress for me. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Princess,” he added, as he headed for the door.
“I do,” I said, hoping it was true. “Don’t worry, Stableforth—I have everything in hand.”
Which was a complete lie but what else could I do? I would risk anything to get back the male I loved—anything at all.
28
“You look lovely, Your Majesssty,” Shellya hissed, her eight legs skittering to move her bulbous body backwards so that she could see me in her latest creation. “Ressssplendant.”
“Thank you, Shellya—truly you have outdone yourself.” I swished the thin panels of blood red silk back and forth—the color complimented my midnight blue hair and made my gray eyes shine like stars. It was cut quite low in the front, showing the full swells of my breasts, though I had always tried to hide them before, when I lived in the Summer Court.
Likewise, it had a high slit right up the center with only a thin panel of white lace to cover my pussy. The panel could easily be pushed aside, and I wasn’t wearing any panties beneath.
Why, you may ask, was I dressing in this provocative way in order to go beg at the Summer Court? It had to do with my plan. I had the tiny moonstone dagger Liath had given me hidden in a pocket in the folds of my dress, and though my magic might not be as strong as Asfaloth’s—since he had the power of the Shining Throne behind him—I could still make a portal between the Realms. All I needed was a moment alone with Liath—a moment to cut a portal in the Great Divide—and then I could take him home.
But I had to see him first, and that would require some serious groveling. I hated the very thought of it, but it wasn’t like I was unused to it. I had spent my childhood begging my cousins to reverse their cruel spells—I could lower myself once more if it meant I could save the male I loved.
“Lovely,” Shellya said again, smiling with all her eyes.
“Thank you.” I nodded my head.
We were standing out in the courtyard—the one which corresponded exactly to the courtyard in the Summer Court where Liath and I had been Joined. The sky overhead was overcast and gray and the chilly wind would have made me shiver if I wasn’t too nervous to be cold.
“Truly, you are beautiful, Your Majesty,” Stableforth said, stamping a hoof. “But are you certain it’s safe for you to go to the Summer Court?”
“No,” I said. “But I’m going anyway. I’m not sitting around here one more minute while Liath is stuck over there. I’m going to get him!”
“Well, you have courage—no one can doubt that,” he murmured. “In that case, I wish you good luck in bringing the Prince home.”
“You will be in charge while I am gone,” I told him. “Since there are no other Unseelie Royals left and I trust your judgment.”
Stableforth made a low bow with his human half.
“Truly, you honor me, my Princess.”
“Don’t get too excited,” I told him. “I won’t be gone long.”
I hoped.
Then I drew the tiny moonstone dagger which Liath had gifted me from my hidden pocket, took a deep breath, and gathered the sparks flying around the air with my mind. They were mostly my sparks—motes made of my desperation and my determination to get my husband back. But I made them work as I stabbed a hole in the Great Divide and pulled the knife down, cutting a rift between the Realms.
I was going to get Liath back or die trying.
29
“You there! Who are you and how dare you enter the Summer Court without permission?” a deep voice barked at me.
I blinked and blinked again, trying to see who it was. One of the Palace guards, I thought. I simply wasn’t used to the bright sunshine anymore—it made my eyes run with tears which I swiped away hastily as the guard finally reached me.
“Do you not know me?” I demanded, trying to sound imperious.
“Princess Alira?” The guard looked surprised. “But…what are you doing here?”
“I have come to see my Royal Cousin, Asfaloth,” I told him briskly. “Kindly bring me to him at once.”
“Oh, er…” To my surprise, the guard’s cheeks and the tips of his pointed ears went rather red. “King Asfaloth and Queen Calista are, er, having a private consultation at the moment. I’m afraid the Throne Room is closed to visitors.”
