Thorn Queen Chapter Fifteen

I s tood at that place for several desire seconds, staring at Shaya just non really proveing her.Thank you, I said at last, my voice unnaturally flat as yet to me.She hesitated, eyes worried. Is thereis there any matter I shadower direct for you?More wine, I thought. But I shook my head. Wine suddenly didnt come a bulky weapons-grade abundant. I precious to go home just then and raid my liquor cabinet, pursuance solace in my own home and its bed, not this godforsaken Dark Ages fortress. The wine was going to advert transitioning between the worlds harder, though. It wasnt impossible except would hardly be as smooth as usual. No, it bring inmed I strength be stuck here for a while.I destiny to see Volusian, I said.She blackguardped aside for me, and though I didnt ask for it, she followed me solicitously as I headed spatestairs, down to the keeps dungeon. It seemed darker and drearier than it had last time, but maybe that was the wine. Jas exploits cell was hands -down to spot because four guards stood in the hall outside it. I reached it, and through the veto, I saw Volusian rest in one corner, perfectly unflustered, with his arms crossed everywhere his chest. Jasmine sit as absolutely furthermost from him as she could, her face equal parts fear and sullenness.What do you want now? she snapped. I didnt stock-still look at her.Volusian, I said. I acquit an errand for you. Ill watch Jasmine while youre gone.Volusian walked forward, passing through the bars and coming to stand in front of me. No un plasteredty my mistress has a more than imperative task.Moderately. I want you to go jeopardize to Tucson and bring me the bottle of tequila I keep in my liquor cabinet. And dont scare Tim.Volusian remained motionless in that way of his. My mistress grows increasingly original in her ways to curse word me.I thought youd appreciate it.Only in so oft as it inspires me to equally creative means to rip you apart when I am able to break fre e of these bond papers and finally land you.You see? Theres a silver lining to everything. Now hurry up.Volusian vanished. With him gone, Jasmine grew bolder. She hurried to the front of the cell, place the bronze bars as best she could with her bound(p) hands. When are you going to let me go?I sat down against the halls wall, opposite her. I wondered if shed try any of her stunted magic with me around. When are you going to lay off asking?Youre a real bitch, you know that?Look, pocket-sized girl, I growled. You do not want to ruffle up with me tonight. Im not in a devout mood.Jasmine was undeterred. I cant believe youre keeping me in here with thatthat thing Thats just cruel and sadistic.Wow, sadistics kind of a big word. I didnt reckon youd stupefyed in school hanker enough to learn that kind of vocabulary.Her glower darkened. When I get out, Im going to kill you.Then you and that thing should get along beautifully, seeing as he spends all his time plotting my grisly e xpiration too.She nodded down to her bound hands. I can bare(a)ly feed myself, you know.Barely isnt the same as cant. But I did notice a little bad about that. Was I really going to keep her in cuffs eer? Yet, how could I not? maybe I should investigate that potion Rurik had told me about. Nothat wasnt right either. I sighed, and spent the adjacent half-hour listening to her alternate between insults and whining. It was better than thinking about Kiyo, though. All the while, I was change up, so when Volusian finally appeared and handed me over a full bottle of Jose Cuervo, I gave silent convey that Id purchased an extra-large bottle.Thanks, I said, rising to my feet. I pointed to Jasmines cell. Now- impale to guard duty.I move around without a second glance, Jasmines cries of dirt echoing behind me. Shaya, who had waited silently the whole time, fell in step with me as I walked back upstairs.Are you sure there isnt anything I can do for you?I eyed the bottle. See if you can gamble nearly little glasses about this big. I held my fingers out to the size of a chatoyant glass. And bring enough forI dont know. You, Rurikhell, anyone who wants to get wino with me. hitherto Ysabel. I was feeling magnanimous tonight. Or, well, at least in a misery-loves-company mood.Shayas face looked more troubled than ever, but I paid it little c oncern as I walked outside to a small circular tribunal in the castles center. This seemed to be a fixture in most gentry holdings. Dorian had a couple. Id been told that this one had been green in Aesons time, alter with lilies and lilacs. Now, it was sandy and gravelly, lined with cacti, mes quite, and even some of the thorn trees that had given the land its name. At least the mesquite scented the air, and I decided one perk of the Otherworld was that those trees always seemed to be in bloom.I sat down cross-legged in the middle of the courtyard, noticing that someone had started to set stone tiles into it to create a kind of patio area. It hadnt been there last time, and I wondered if it was Shayas doing, just like the patches of grass she kept nerve-racking to grow around here. non waiting for gun glasses, I uncapped the tequila and took a long swig, the strong liquor burning my throat.Shaya returned shortly, Rurik following. His face was uncharacteristi visity serious. After a brief moment of exchanged looks, they coupled me on the tiled ground. Shaya set down some tiny cups made of engraved silver. Not quite picture glasses, but they would do. I took the bottle and filled three of them up.To the volitionow Queen and her child, I said, holding my cup in the air. I downed it one gulp. Damn. Wish I had some salt and lime.Shaya and Rurik exchanged glances once more-did they honestly think I didnt notice each time?-and then followed my lead with the tequila. Rurik took his down stoically, but Shaya choked on hers.Whatwhat is this? she asked, once she was able to tattle.Gods favorite liquor. I sh ould have had Volusian run to the grocery memory and get some margarita mix while he was out. I paused, laughing at the thought. I poured some other shot. Its made from a kind of cactus, you know.Shaya eyed the bottle askance. Truly?Yup. Huh. I wonder if we could manufacture this stuff. Ive seen agave around. I bet we could set up some serious trade with it.Im not so certain, she said.Rurik was burbling other(prenominal) glass. I dont know. It might appeal to some.Ah, Rurik. I knew we were kindred spirits. I held up my empty shot glass, studying the way the half-moons light shone on it. My head was regaining its pleasant buzz again. Do you think Maiwenns going to have a boy or a girl?I dont know, said Shaya later several moments of silence. There are those who can magically determine such things. But I havent perceive of the Willow Queen doing that.Probably not. Kiyo would have told me. Or would he have? Maybe he would have held on to that news, keeping it as a special secret b etween him and Maiwenn. I poured another shot but didnt drink it yet. Shitfaced was one thing sick was another. Back in my world, they would have known its sexual activity a long time ago. They also would have been able to tell all sorts of things-its size, if it had any diseases, even if it was twins or triplets. Theres this machine weve got. You run a paddle over the mothers stomach, and then you can see the baby up on this screen. Or, sometimes, even earlier, they can bear a needle and suck up amniotic fluid to find out the same things.Rurik and Shaya were staring at me wide-eyed. It was a common grammatical construction amongst nonnatural denizens whenever I began talking about human technology.I wonder sometimes if theres any closed book or wonder left in your world at all.I glanced over and saw Ysabels change silhouetted in the doorway to the castle.Oh, sure. Plenty of it. I gestured her over. Come have a drink. Im pretty sure Im too drunk to kill anyone tonight.Ysabel h esitated a fewer seconds and then slowly walked over, sitting near Rurik and Shaya, as out-of-the-way(prenominal) from me as she could respectfully go. She grimaced slightly at the tiles as she tucked her flowing silk skirts underneath her. No doubt being on the ground went against her fastidious nature. Rurik cheerfully handed her a tequila shot. She sniffed it, and her scowl returned.My mind was still on babies. Seems like ultrasounds would be reclaimable to you guys. I mean, what with the trouble you have having kids.There was a good chance, I knew, that Maiwenn might not even survive the delivery. Or that her child wouldnt. It was common among the gentry, sort of the apostrophize for their long and healthy lives. I didnt know how I felt about that. I didnt wish death on either of themand yet, how much simpler would things be if there was no Maiwenn and no baby? Even now, I could picture Kiyo by her side, holding her hand. His handsome face would be lined with worry as he spo ke words of encouragement. Surely, with his human blood, their baby would be healthy and strong. And Maiwenn was a healer. would that be useful to herself? Maybe. Everything would go well, I was certain, and theyd undoubtedly have a beautiful baby, one that would create a bond between them forever, a bond I could never be a part of.I drank my succeeding(prenominal) shot and noticed that Ysabel had manfully downed hers. Nice work, I said. You want another?She shook her head. I dont assume it ladylike to drown oneself in excess, losing hold of inhibitions and all sense of decorum.Of course you dont, I said.I believe, she added primly, that the Willow Queen shares my views.I smiled, spinning my cup on the ground, watching in fascination as it turned in smaller and smaller circles before coming to a stop. With Maiwenns baby consuming my thoughts, Ysabels baiting seemed insignificant tonight.We continued on for a while, Rurik keeping up with me in shots, with Shaya only occasionally i ndulging. Ysabel seemed to have broken her fear of me and continued her running commentary of barbed remarks. I think knowing I was in a fragile state over Maiwenns labor had emboldened her. In fact, she was in the middle of some anecdote about how Kiyo and Maiwenn had first gotten involved when her words came to a halt, and her features lit up with surprise.My lord she cried, springing up just as one of my servants began announcing, His royal majesty, King Dorian, of the House of Arkady, caller of earth-Dorian strode forward into the courtyard without waiting for his titles to finish. Ysabel fell to her knees before him, face radiant. My lordHe gave her a brief nod of book of facts and then swept on past her toward me. I dont think anyone except me saw the devastation that filled her face over the slight. Shaya and Rurik began to rise out of courtesy, but Dorian quickly motioned them down. Unfastening his cloak-it appeared to be navy in the moonlight-he spread it on the ground an d sat beside me.Well, well, a party, and no one invited me.It was kind of impromptu, I said, grasp over to pour him a shot. My hand trembled as I held the bottle.Dorian took it from me and finished pouring. He eyed me carefully. And yet, it appears to have been going on for some time.Yes. Were toasting the rescue of the next king or queen of the Willow vote out.So Ive heard, which is why I came to see how the news was received here. Dorian tossed back the tequila. His eyebrows rose in surprise at the taste, but it didnt stop him from pouring another. And dont presume her child will inherit. It all depends on strength and power.His words reminded me distantly of Leiths own inheritance problems, which then reminded me of Leiths declaration of love. Ugh. Id belike killed our one chance at engineering help. Well, that was a concern for another day. Howd you get here so fast? I asked Dorian.Not that fast. I heard hours ago.Hours ago. Dorian had found out before I had. Probably everyo ne had. Who was I, later all? Certainly no one who was connected to this birth. I was just another monarch whod be expected to send jewels or tapestries when the baby was born. I poured another shot, but Shaya reached for it.May I have another? She wasnt a fan of this stuff, but I had a feeling she wanted to stop me from drinking any more. Oh, well. There appeared to be about one more shot in the bottle-though Dorian beat me to that one too.Youll oblige yourself sick, I warned, reaching for the bottle. Only a few drops poured into my cup.Ill take my chances. This is a fascinating substance.It comes from cacti, I said helpfully, hoping it might deter him from that last shot. It didnt.Intriguing, he said after downing it. You should try producing it here. Im certain a number of people would trade for it.I couldnt be certain in the near-darkness, but it looked like Shaya rolled her eyes.Part of me resented Dorians presence, though I had to admit that he did a good job in keeping the subject away from Maiwenn and Kiyo. That didnt stop me from thinking about them, of course, but I couldnt help but smile as he entertained the others. Whether it was part of being a king or just something inherently Dorian, he had a powerful charisma about him that could make everyone laugh and stay captivated. With my social reticence, his were skills I admired-and occasionally envied.As the night wore on, though, I could feel the tequilas effectuate lessening a little. That wasnt to say I still wasnt drunk as hell Id taken down half that bottle myself. But, I wanted to go to bed while I was still in that delirious haze. It didnt stop me from feeling down over Kiyo, but I had to imagine being blue would be worse.Everyone stood up when I did, and I felt my legs struggle for balance. Let me assist you, said Shaya, reaching toward me. Dorian intervened before she could help.No, no. Allow me to guide the Thorn Queen to her direction. Id like a few words. Ysabels face darkened at thi s, and he gave her a chastising look. Oh, stop it. Ill come to you shortly-provided Eugenie will allow me to stay overnight in her castle.Sure, sure, I said. Come on over. Make yourself at home. Pick out curtains.He extended his arm to me, and I decided the indignity of letting Dorian guide me was less than that of me falling over in front of my servants. Ysabels eyes followed us furiously, and I couldnt blame her. If my boyfriend were winning a drunk woman to her bedroom, Id be pissed too.It was very high-handed of you to think I needed your moral support, I told him once we were out of earshot of the others.Right. You only need the moral support of a bottle, he teased. Be honest, Eugenie. Your lovers at the side of a former lover, eagerly awaiting the birth of their child. Id be distressed as well. zipper distresses you, I grumbled. We reached my room, and he followed me in without invitation.Plenty of things do, he said. He frowned, ever so slightly, and it occurred to me he was no(prenominal) too sober himself.I let go of his arm and walked over to the full-length mirror that stood on one side of the room, edged in gold. Id pinned up my hair earlier and let it down now, enquire if I wanted to bother with sending Nia for a nightgown or if Id just sleep in my clothes. Standing there, I stared at my body, thinking again of my mothers claims that I was too tight-fitting. I always argued it was an acrobatic build. Running my hands over the sides of my stomach and down to my hips, I studied my figure. Whatever you wanted to call it, it was slim.I can never do that for him, I said in a small voice. I can never give him a baby like she can.Dorian strolled over and stood behind me, see my eyes in the mirror. Do you want to?I dont know. Kids were never on my radarit was always a maybe someday kind of thing. But nowknowing I cant My hips and stomach suddenly seemed as unhealthily skinny as my mother had always said. They would remain untouched and infertile, nev er filling out with the kind of livelihood Maiwenns had. I would never share that with Kiyo.I flinched as Dorian reached from behind and placed his hands on the narrowest part of my waist. He rested his head on my shoulder, and I was too weary to shoo him away.You speak like someone whos been condemned with infertility or like youve passed your prime.I might as well be.Thats not true. Youre young. You radiate health and fertility. You could have a dozen children.I shook my head slowly. I cant, I said sadly. I wont. You know I wont, no outlet how much you and every other Otherworldly creature want me to.Maybe youd have a daughter.I cant take the risk. I knew Id never be confiding in him sober. And what if Kiyo decides he doesnt want that-to be with someone whos always going to be unfruitful? What if he wants more kids? Maybe this babyMaybe hell go back to Maiwenn. Maybemaybe hell discontinue me. I could feel tears forming in my eyes and hated myself for the weakness.Dorian tighte ned his grip on my waist. Hed be a fool. And youd be a fool to mourn him if he did. Youre more than a childbearing vessel.Not the way everyone talks. Not the way you talk.To my shock, Dorian spun me around. Still gripping me, he pressed his forehead to mine so that only an inch was between us. I could smell the tequila on his breath, no doubt mirroring my own.Eugenie, youre a woman without equal, and no matter how much you annoy the hell out of me and no matter how much I try to get you out of my head-and believe me, both occur regularly-I cant stay away from you. Even if you were barren, Id take you as my consort in an instant and spend the rest of my life with you-childless, so long as it meant youd be by my side. I would gladly bring you to my bed with no other thoughts than taking joy from your body. It would be enough.I swallowed. But youre withI mean, what aboutwhat about Ysabel? She can have kids.Ysabel, he said dismissively, is zip fastener. A pale imitation of you-and not even a good one at that.That was acidulous of him, but it filled me with something warm and loved and special. I realized then that no matter the bantering, sexual tension, and many schemes, Dorian really was my friend. I also realized that I wanted so badly then for him to kiss me, to crush his body against mine and run his hands along my bare skin. I wanted to have sex with him against the wall, on the bed, on the floorit honestly didnt matter, so long as our bodies were joined, and I could feel him in me.Whoa. I jerked away, my heart racing, barely stopping myself from doing something Id regret. Deciding he was my friend was one thing jumping into bed was another. I knew it was the tequila and my worry over Kiyo causing this. I didnt want to be with Dorian again I couldnt be. Even if he claimed it would be for love and pleasure, I knew it could never be that simple. There would always be politics and schemes.And so, I did the most unsexy thing I could. I summoned Volusian.The ic y, dark presence of my minion caught even Dorian by surprise, and he took a step back. It was the Otherworldly equivalent of a cold shower. Volusians eyes flicked to him and then turned back to me.My mistress solicits more intoxication, he said.No. My magical hold on him trembled ever so slightly. It was nowhere near enough for me to lose control, but the alcohol messed with my power a bit. I wanted you to go to the Willow Land and see if theres any news.More romantic errands.Just go, I snapped, trying to sound as harsh and commanding as I could.As soon as Volusian was gone, Dorian strode angrily to me, all traces of sensuality gone. That was stupid, Eugenie. You shouldnt have summoned him after drinking so much.I turned away from him. I need to find out whats going on.You need to banish him. Youre going to regret keeping him someday.Hes useful, I protested. I dont need any lectures. You should go to Ysabel now. I dont need any more declarations of love today.Oh? His light tone re turned. Had a few of those today?Leith, I admitted. He came by tonight to profess his undying devotion and see if he had a chance with me.Dorians green eyes watched me carefully. And?And, of course not. I had to tell him no a few times before he finally got it.Dorian didnt bother hiding his satisfaction. Youve broken the suffering boys heart. And his mothers, no doubt. Therell be no ball now. Would you like me to throw one instead?No. My rue was turning into irritability. I want you to leave. Go to Ysabel and paint her or tie her up or whatsoever it is you do together. Im tired and want to go to bed. Alone.To my surprise, Dorian didnt protest. Much. As you wish. If you need me, you know where Ill be.It would take a lot for me to interrupt you, I said dryly.Dorian gave me one of his knowing, sly smiles and then left without another word. The thought of him going to Ysabels bed troubled me more than I would have liked. Hed barely been gone a few minutes when Volusian returned.Well? I asked. My stomach was queasy. I didnt know what I wanted to hear.If it was in Volusians nature to smile, I swear, he would have. The servants of the Willow Land report joyfully that their queen has given birth to a daughter. All are healthy and well.My body went perfect still, and for a moment, I saw nothing in the room except those glowing red eyes. Finally, I snapped back to myself. Thank you, Volusian.Does my mistress require me to learn anything else about this joyous occasion? There was a sneer in his voice.No. Go back to Jasmine. Now.He obeyed, leaving me alone. I sat on the bed for several minutes, thinking of everything and nothing. I felt numb. I felt every emotion in the world. And when I suddenly ripped the air from the room and used it to smash a vase against the wall, I couldnt say if it was because of Dorian or Kiyo.