Thorn Queen Chapter Eighteen

The village Id passed earlier was c entirely in onlyed Marmant, and I had to draw a bead on directions from Maiwenns guards to make sure I didnt unexpectedly take round twisted Otherworldly path in my exertion to return. I rode thither with troubled expressionings, suave replaying the so distantts with Kiyo and trying to decide if our assort argu detainmentts today had qualified as unfeigned fights. I soothed myself a little by reaching out and manipulating the air, creating gusts and eddies and attempting to fit wind how big a nail I could make. At whizz and only(a) point, I made a scraggy tree bend pretty far, however it ti expiration me out. I had to radiation pattern more(prenominal) to sustain true gale-force winds, and lightning still remained out of my grasp.The people of Marmant greeted me with that aforementi stard(prenominal) mix of fear and awe I had mother to expect. Word of the changes be wrought in the buck was acquire virtu tot eitheryy, s o they were grateful and allowing themselves optimism at last. Yet, my fear most reputation eternally lurked on the horizon, so they spoke cautious around me, fearful of enraging the dangerous monarch who had forced this dangerous land upon them.How is everything? I asked, hoping I seemed c oncerned and nonthreatening. Rather than a mayor, this town had a council of five that made decisions, and theyd invited me inside for a private meeting. They were ordinary-looking men and women-still with that minor feel so common in the Otherworld- barely thither was an air of competence around them. Youve got water and food now?Yes, your landliness, tell a middle-aged woman who seemed to be the speaker of the concourse. Thank you, your majesty.Good. Im sorry its been so expectant on you. Things should be better now. T here was a brief privateness in the group, one heavy with unspoken meaning. I looked from face to face. What?We dont wishing to trouble your majestyTrouble away. Its what Im here for.This got a nonher round of transfer looks. It was still apparently an odd concept for these people.Well, began the woman, near the outskirts of our towns boundaries, there invite been approximately attacks.What good-hearted?Bandits, your majesty.Son of a stainch, I express. Wed make loven the group had moved, but theyd been quiet thus far, allowing me to hope I could take Kiyo up on his offer and deal with them out front they caused more trouble.We actually consume many fighters and strong magic users, she said with some pride. except we could not stand against their monsters.You mean demons.She gave a nervous nod.Son of a bitch, I said again. This had to be dealt with, and at this point, I in truth was willing to be a bastard and hold a gun to Jasmines head. Dont worry. Theyre going to be taken care of. Soon. Very soon.The woman looked startled at the inauspicious tone in my voice, but her words were grateful. Thank you, your majesty.Anything else I sh ould live on some?This snip, it was a man who spoke up. We dont want to trouble youI groaned. Just tell me what it is.We hear your majesty has been seeking missing girls.I straightened up. Yes. What about it? unitary of ours disappeared twain days ago. My neighbors daughter, Markelle. A small, wry grimace crossed his lips. Shes a wild one, often wandering off where she shouldnt. more everyplace she hasnt come spineand she always does.I mat up my fists clenching and forcibly relaxed them. I didnt emergency to scare these people any further. Aside from the bandits, bewilder you seen anyone else lurking around? Humans, maybe?He seemed even more afraid to discuss this topic. We see humans sometimes, your majesty. I judge he idea mentioning my own variety show would anger me. Its not uncommon. Often there are humans whoah, adjudge chase to some of the denizens of this world. Shamans similar me, he meant. Usually, they leave us solely once theyve form their quarry.I thoug ht foul to Jasmine. Any soldiers or warriors of the gent-shining ones?Occasionally. I presume theyre deserters from King Aeson. non a bad theory, actually. notwithstanding we see none of them regularly. Theres no one in dissolveicular who keeps returning.I careened forward, some differentiate of me feeling exchangeable everything was about to fall together. precisely there is a human you keep seeing, isnt there? Especially since the girls began vanish?He nodded.It was here. Everything was here. A man, right? A man with a red snake tattoo?No, your majesty.I-what? I froze for a moment. Then who?A woman, your majesty. A woman with graying hair that she wears in a long braid.I stared at him for several seconds, and then I laughed. This seemed to scare them all more than if I had burst into a rage.Abigail, I said at last, more to myself than them.Your majesty?I waved a hand at them. Never mind.Abigail. Fucking Abigail and prowess. maneuver together towhat? Abduct gentry gir ls? notwithstanding why? Id toyed with the idea of Art as some kind of sick rapist, but where did Abigail fit in with this? Surely that would hold no interest for her. With a sigh, I pushed the questions to a small box in my mind, requisiteing to wrap this up and get approve to the human world. I needed to look at that blather with Roland.Anything else going on I need to go to sleep about? Youve got copper nearby, right? determination water and food was naturally essential, but it was copper that was going to real change things in the Thorn Land. It was what all our trade agreements were being establish on. Hows the extraction going?Slowly until today, your majesty, the woman moderateted. Our magic users are ball-hawking in many things, but we turn out few who can work with metal. Much of our labor has been manual.I frowned. wherefore did things change today?Why, she said in surprise, because you sent the Oak King to us.The Oak-wait. You mean Dorian? I exclaimed. Hes not here now, is he?They were all clearly surprised at my surprise. Yes, your majesty, said the guy whod spoken earlier. Hes out with the workers now. I thought you knew.I stood up, still full of shock. I pass to see him. Excuse me.They all murmured polite farewells and nearly knocked each other over with bows. I didnt file around to return the formality. Instead, I headed choke off out into the bright good afternoon sun, lightly jogging to where Id seen the workers on the far side of the village. At first, I adage no indication of Dorian. Men and a few women were mining diligently, sweat rolling eat up their faces.Then, suddenly, I heard a little(a) rumbling, and the ground trembled. Huge chunks of rock rose from the earth, a few of them seem in the sunlight. They lifted in a cluster and then slow drifted off to the side of the work site, gently coming to rest on a pile of similar stones. Turning, I looked to the opposite side of the res publica and finally found Dorian, his h ands moving in the air as he guided the ore. His c draw playhes were simple today, but that hair burned and rippled in the sunshine standardized liquid fire.His face was change with concentration as he watched the rocks, but once theyd come to a halt, he broke into a smile as he strode forward. My gentlewoman Thorn Queen, what a delight.I let him snog my hand for the saki of appearances-seriously, why were the gentry so into that?-and then pulled him out of earshot of the others. What the sin are you doing here? I exclaimed.Why, retrieving my copper.Thats not what I mean He shrugged and wiped sweat off his brow. His devil-may-care expression aside, it was clear he was tired. I grabbed hold of his arm and led him back toward the town. Come on, get something to jollify before you get dehydrated. And start explaining.I heard there was some difficulty with your copper, and I decided to come help, seeing as it benefits me too. My sword is in need of replacement, you know-and tha ts not a metaphor. The metaphorical one is honourable fine. Besides, you dont honestly think I can let you take all the glory as being the most helpful monarch around, do you? Youre devising us all look bad.Dorian, I groaned. Because there was really no other response.If people had fallen all over me when I arrived, the two of us together created quite the stir. Again, I was reminded of some credit tabloid couple. We returned to the council hall, at which point I used my queenly part to get some privacy and some refreshment. It was a bit take aback to see how quickly my orders were obeyed.Once we were alone and Dorian was sprawled in a chair, I truly got a good look at fairish how exhausted he was. How long have you been out there doing this? I asked, pouring him water from a pitcher.Most of the day. And Ill take the wine, my dear. He nodded toward a nearby decanter.Itll dehydrate you further, I scolded, handing him the cup of water. He scowled but drank it down eagerly. I wat ched him, still perplexed. exclusively why? You dont need the copper that badly. possibly not. But you do. He consummate the water, and I gave him a refill. Thank you. Waited on by a queen-truly the dream of many a man.I pulled over a chair of my own. You didnt need to do it, I protested. Youve practically assassinateed yourself.Hardly. institute me and my stamina some credit.I still dont get it.He finished this cup too and then gave me a look that was both anger and amused. Eugenie, why do you keep having such(prenominal) a hard time believing Id do things for you?There was earnestness in his voice, and I complete we kept having this conversation over and over. Out of everyone in my life lately, it seemed manage he was the only reliable one. I dont know why. Im sorry. I only when run into few people who give something for nothing. Mining isnt going to get me into your bed.Well, he said cheerfully, nobody knows that for sure, but even if not? It doesnt matter. You need it. It makes you happy. End of story.I looked away. Dorian truly was my friend. Thank you. It does make me happy. One less thing in a sea of problems today.He reach me the cup. Get me wine this time, and tell me what your problems are. You can even sit on my lap.No thanks, I said, but I did get him the wine. I precept you and the kitsune pass earlier, actually. Is that part of your problem? He answered his own question. Yes, yes. Of course it is.I was a bit surprised to hear myself pouring my thoughts out to him again. I didnt even have the excuse of being drunk this time. I saw the baby today.Cute?Very. And it just made me feelI dont know. Kiyo thinks its jealousy, but its more than that. I just cant explain it.Kind of a disbelieving of your own life and the choices-or lack thereof-before you?I looked up, startled, and met his look. They were unusually serious. Yes, exactly. Dorian remained silent, and I found myself rambling more. Hes having a hard time getting all of it lately-the magic, the girls, the demonshe doesnt like me spending time over here. Neither does Roland. I couldnt help a smile. Hell, neither do I. ButI have to. I have to put things right around here.I know you do, he said, face serious.Dorianwhat would happen if I got a hood?This made him a smile a little. It would make you look even more pleasing.No, Im serious. Kiyo says its a bad idea. That it would make all this real.Its already about as real as its going to get, my dear.Thats what I told him But I dont get the big deal. You neer wear a upside.Not often. But I have one, and I was crowned and all my people swore true-bluety to me. Thats what a crown would lead to. You want one for ornamentation? Sure, thats easy. But put one on and walk out among your people-especially in a city like Highmore-and say, This is who I am, I am your queen Well, thats what the kitsune fears. Youre already queen. No crown can affect that. But you accepting one and declaring your authority is when you trul y believe youre a queen. And as far as Kiyo is concerned, thats where the danger is.Wow, I said, nearly as surprised to have such a thorough explanation from him as I was by the satisfy itself. Are you afraid of it?He snorted. Hardly. I dont need a crown to know youre a queen. It radiates off of you. But I would like for you to know youre a queen.If dealing with all the crap I had on my home didnt make me think I was a queen, then I didnt really know what else would. I let the crown issue go and instead recapped my latest intel about the bandits and Abigail. I cant figure out her role here. You mentioned before that Arts motives would beuh, understandable. But why her? Unless shes just enough of a sidekick to help him score some gentry action.Dorian was still in his pensive mode. Hed poured himself nonetheless another glass of wine and handed me one too that I sipped sparingly. Let me ask you this. Why do men of the shining ones so often abduct your women?Easy, I returned. Beca use were more fertile. You guys cogency have sex in public, but it doesnt usually result in anything. A guy who wants a kid has better luck with a human.Dorian nodded. I had a feeling hed already made some leap of logic and was prompting me here to figure it out myself. And what about humans? Are you hoping for children each time you make love?I laughed, thinking of my stock of condoms and birth control pills. Hardly. We go to a lot of trouble not to. Too easy for us.He leaned toward me, verdure eyes shrewd. Then think about it. You understand why we would want humans. Why would humans want us?I studied him, trying to consume up to what hed already thought of. A few moments later, I got it. Because youd complete the opposite need. A human could have sex with a gentry girl and not worry too much about her getting pregnant. Or getting a disease.Gentry were healthier than us in that regard. It seemed to go along with them having such long life spans-Oh God. That would be part of it . The more I followed his logic, the clearer and clearer it became. You guys live longer. Gentry girls would stay young and beautiful for a long time.The horror of it was setting in. Until that moment, I had thought there were few inner crimes worse than gentry guys consistently trying to rape me to get me pregnant. As shocking as it seemed, I was vituperate. If this were trueif this idea that Dorian was suggesting was truewell. That was worse. Gentry girls taken because they were the ideal sexual partners young, disease resistant, hard to get pregnant-even with a human. I almost laughed. It was like Tims poem about the maiden whod come from another world, whose beauty and youthfulness were so great that mortal men had coveted her.The question was, how did the gentry girls feel about this role? A lot of girls wanting to get pregnant cleverness wholeheartedly embrace human lovers-literally and figuratively. But Morias traumatized state suggested her stint with Art hadnt been welc omeI stood up and rubbed my eyes. Oh God, I repeated. The clothall the stuffWhat? asked Dorian, understandably confused.Dropping my hands, I looked back at him. These shamans, Abigail and Art. They live well. They have more possessionsnicer things than they should for the jobs they have. Arts giant house in an upper class neighborhood. The shiny SUV. Abigails luxurious-albeit messy-apartment. Her extensive jewelry collection. I dont know how, but theyre making money off it. Off these girls. I slumped against the besiege. And I dont know what to do about it.Dorian rose and came to stand by me. Youll fire them.I shook my head. Its not that simple. Art was right-theres no shaman council. I cant news report them to anyone, certainly not human authorities. Theres no accountability, no laws that apply here.Theyre break of serve your laws, he said, leaning toward me. Therefore you have every right to baulk them. Treat them as you would any other criminal in your land. start them.I cant I exclaimed. Id have to actually catch them here, and so far I havent been able to. And Im certainly not going to go to Texas and kill them there.Why not? If a murderer from my kingdom killed someone in yours, I wouldnt bat an eye if you came to slay him.Its different. TheyreHuman?I detest to admit, but yes, there it was. I had chased Otherworldly monsters from my world back to this one and never hesitated to kill them or banish them directly to the Underworld. But somehow, the thought of intentionally tracking humans and killing themI didnt need to voice my answer for Dorian to understand. Exasperation flared on his face, this time commingle withanger.Damn it, Eugenie. You just told me you had to put things right Which is it? Or does it only compute on whats easy at any given time? What your wittiness is? Who you like better that day?Its not that easy I exclaimed. You dont understand. You cant understand. Im caught surrounded by two worlds here, with two sets of loyalties . Ive spent my entire life being human-being part of that world. You cant expect me to throw all that away and betray my own kind.He opened his mouth to retort and was interrupted by a wearied roll of thunder. Whatever words hed been about to utter disappeared, and he laughed. Do you hear that? Thats you, Eugenie. Your anger.I shook my head. I cant control thunder and lightning yet.Not control, no. But you can summon it unconsciously. Do you think theres anything in this land that isnt tied to you? He gestured around us. All these people hereall the people in this village looking at you with lovesome eyesthey are your own kind too. This is what I meant when I said youre the only one who doesnt seem to realize youre a queen yet All these people are looking to you to protect them and do whats right. If you cant do that, then you might as well back off and do what the kitsune and your stepfather want you to do.Dorian, I cant kill in cold bloodHe gripped me by the arms, voice calm but infused with anger. You can do whatsoever it is you have to do You are a queen. Forget all this talk about Storm Kings grandson. Right now, you are his heir. You are on the term of becoming one of the most powerful governrs in this world, which means you dont have the luxury of being squeamish. You can rule with love, but you have to rule with ruthlessness too. You are going to go down in history, Eugenie, as one of the greatest monarchs we have ever seen. And it is going to start with this-this wrong that youre going to right. If you cant do it, if you cant stop those who are hurting your people, then you might as well stop the rest of this charade. Go out there and tell those people you cant do anything for them, that you cant feed them or protect them because they arent your kind and arent worth bloodying your hands forHe was shouting now, breathing heavily. I stared at him, eyes wide, filled with a little of that fear I always got when his temper rose. Moments like these rem inded me of just how powerful Dorian was physically and magically. His lazy, lean appearance was deceptive Id seen him fight. Between that and the power he wielded, I hoped there would never come a day when we were truly antagonists. Outside, I heard thunder again.It took me several seconds to muster an answer, and when I spoke, my voice was very small.I cant, I said. I cant tell them that.I know you cant, he whispered.And then, still gripping me, he leaned down and kissed me. More astonishingly, I kissed him back. It seemed like all the emotions that had consumed me recently-all the rage and confusion-were poured into that kiss. My teeth bit against his lips, and when he shoved me against the wall, I welcomed the brief pain. Our hands were all over each other as we kissed, mine rails the length of his body while his more aggressively hiked up the limit Id earlier regretted wearing. In a matter of seconds, it was pushed over my hips, leaving my legs bare. With one hand still holdi ng the skirt up, his other pushed amidst my thighs, slip underneath the thong Id put on this morning in the hopes of getting intimate with Kiyo.Those clever fingers slid into me, stoking a wetness I hadnt thought could come on so fast. My small exclamation was muffled in his crushing kiss as he alternately thrust his fingers into me and pulled out to tease and leaping with my clit. It was the latter he eventually settled on, circling and stroking as warming built between my legs and made all my muscles tense up. Then, the burning overflow of sensation exploded, and I came with another call out that his kiss smothered, a cry that faded into a moan as my body trembled and spasmed from the shock waves of erupt and electricity still shooting through me from his touch.My orgasm created no fracture in the action, though. The hand that had just brought me such pleasure moved from between my legs to his pants as he began to unfasten them. His mouth finally left hand mine, moving on to my neck, his kisses hot and fierce. He shoved his pants down, and I felt him against me, hard and ready as he pressed his hips to mine. My hands were twisting in his hair as I tilted my head back to receive his kisses, but his hands, busy as always, were prying off my underwear. The realness of what was happening sank in.Wait I murmured, lost as his mouth bit against my skin. No, we cantI cantYou can, he breathed in my ear. Let melet me do it. Let me bury myself in you. Let me spread your legs and take you like I did before. We are gods in this world, Eugenie, with no other lovers who are our equals. No others who are worthy of this joining. The thong was on the ground now, and I could feel his erection pressed against my skin, so, so close to sliding in and doing all the things he promised. He rested his hands under my thighs and hoisted me up against the wall so that my legs wrapped around his hips.Dorian I gasped. Im with Kiyo.So? Youre a queen. Do you think you cant have a s many lovers as you like?Itsits wrong. We cantWe can, he said, voice low and full of promise. And when we do, this land will be reborn.Afterward, I would never be entirely sure if I would have let him do it. I like to think I would have stopped him. I was in love with Kiyo, after all, and loyal to him. Surely I would have said no and shoved Dorian aside. I wasnt in love with himor was I? In those moments before wed kissed, Id felt like he truly got me and understood the things in my head. I think Id probably loved him since around the time wed met I certainly never lost the attraction. Still, that didnt make cheating on Kiyo right.Whatever decision I would have made was taken from me when there was a knock at the door.I jerked away from Dorian and hastily shoved my skirt down. He more casually turned away to pull his pants back up, be in no particular hurry. The door opened, and the lead councilwoman stuck her head in. sluice with Dorians back to her and me dressed, it had to hav e been obvious what was going on-particularly with my underwear on the floor. If she found it shocking, though, she didnt show it, and I recalled how free the gentry were in public.Your majesties, she said politely, theres a beset coming in, and the workers were wondering what the Oak King wanted to do.Dorian, mightily once more, turned around and gave her a laconic, charming smile. A storm? Really? How truly unexpected. Well, tell them to bring as much of the ore as they can into storage before the rain and cover the rest up. Ill come check on it in a moment since I have a feeling the Thorn Queen is about to depart with some haste.The woman gave a quick curtsey and shut the door once more. Youre right, I said, jerking my thong back on. Im leaving.Yes, he agreed, still smiling. Because thats your conventionality course of action when something happens that you dont know how to process.Thats the thing, I growled. Nothing happened here, okay? none of this did.His eyebrows rose. Rea lly? Because I could have sworn that something happened when my hand was between your-No I would have approached him with clenched fists to drive home my threat but was afraid of what would happen if I was close to him again. This didnt happen. This was anger and confusion and me in a weak place, okay? I appreciate what youve done here with the copper-really. And for the advice on the girls. But thats it.I turned, not wanting to look into those green eyes or see that smirk anymore. I didnt want to admit that loving two men was just like the rest of my life, ripped into two worlds. I needed to get out of here and get back home-though I wasnt sure which home I meant. Dorian didnt try to stop me, but his voice rang out after me as I travel out and rain began to fall outside.Dont forget what I said, Eugenie. Crown or not, you are a queen, so dont be afraid to do what you have to do. Love and ruthlessness. Those are the keys.