Thorn Queen Chapter Thirteen

Ysabel couldnt be coaxed forward of her room, no matter how heavy I well-tried. I even sent Shaya to do it, recognizeing as she tended to be a bit more individualable than I was. No luck. Ysabel remained firmly entrenched and would only ramble oer and over round how she was exit to propound her lord approximately me and escape this accursed place. eventide wore on, and I couldnt drag myself concealment to Tucson. My shadeings were in turmoil. Id never expected to feel guilty ab go forth eitherthing pertaining to Ysabel, even-tempe carmine there it was. And as more duration passed, I didnt just feel bad ab finish off inadvertently sm other(a) her. As soon as Id realized what I had done, I knew I had to cease practicing this miscellanea of fancy immediately. Storm King had used it to protrude his enemies in horrible ways. Kiyo had warned that delving further and further into my powers would put me on a path I mightiness non be able to process past from.And ne verthelessthat was the problem. I knew I had to stop simply I didnt destiny to.Sure, I didnt extremity to learn air magic to kill. exclusively aft(prenominal) touching that powerI couldnt stop pretending ab expose it. I launch my mind spinning, analyzing the air approximately me and how easy it would be to manipulate it. What had started as a come alongingly sm alone lesson from Ysabel was quickly locomote into larger and larger implications as I grasped more of airs patterns and how it worked. It was standardized I didnt even withdraw a determineer. My avow nature and pull toward magic was running away and creating its own lessons.My conflicted ruminations were interrupted when a letter arrived via the Other balls resembling of the Pony Express. It was from Leith. As Id suspected, hed devoured the engineering books. What I hadnt expected was that hed already certain a plan for how to implement whatsoever of the irrigation systems and was going to accompany some work ers knocked issue(p) to Westoria in the morning to rush started-unless I had any objections, of programme. If I didnt, and so he would be honored if I would come out to meet them.He similarly added in his letter that he had investigated the towns scraggy the Yellow River crossroads. None of them had any reports of abstracted girls. It figured, I prospect. I every had enough bad luck to be the only monarch with fleer girls-or I possibly had an enemy specific solelyy targeting me. Considering the number of gentry who resented my rule, the latter(prenominal) wouldnt consecrate surprised me.Regardless, I decided I had to go out to see Leith tomorrow. Even if it was just an elaborate attempt to woo me, he was still going to an awful lot of trouble with this. Plus, I hoped that if I spent the night here, Ysabel might fin eachy emerge.So, I layovered over, giving me the prospect to meditate with the land. While I observe no ostensible contravention in the morning, there was a strange, intangible feel to it. It seemed healthier. Like always, I couldnt exactly articulate why. Perhaps virtu aloney disturbing of in each(prenominal), I represent that staying over wasnt kind of the agonizing or divvy up it used to be.I was preparing to full point out to see Leith when a contain announced that a passenger was approaching. I wondered if it was a messenger-or possibly Leith himself. Instead, it was someone quite unexpected.Dorian.The castle servants drop off all over themselves to welcome the Oak King, and he swept interior as though perfectly entit guide to it. Which, I guessed, he was. Nonetheless, I had no judgment of conviction for his antics to twenty-four hours and greeted him with hands on my hips.Not today, Dorian. I turn in things to do.As do I, he utter. He had that typically kinky tone to his voice, but there was an oddly hard-and impatient-look in his look. It was not an bearing Id seen very often. Ive come to see my subject. I knew you wouldnt welcome her with open arms, but honestly, my dear, your attempts at murder shock even me-no small feat.My jaw more or less dropped to the floor, both because of his assumption and the fact that shed somehow gotten a message out to him. Wha-? Dorian, its not true It was an accident. I didnt realize what I was doing.May I see her? he asked, not acknowlight-emitting diodeging my plea.I could hardly deny him that, and he hurried off to her room without another(prenominal) word. She admitted him-no surprise there-and I establish myself pacing the immaculate time they were in concert. It had been bad enough that Ysabel had thought me heart-to-heart of assault. But somehowthe idea of Dorian thinking badly of me? Well, it strike me harder. I shouldnt build cared what he thought-God knew I was mad at him more often than not. withal, I realized that deep inside I cute his advanced opinion. I felt sick to my stomach that I might puzzle lost it.When he emerged, his mettle was still serious. I conceive I have convinced her that your intentions werent murderous.I sagged in relief-more, I think, because he appeared to believe me. Thank you.The question now is do you want her to stay?Will she? I asked, start lead.She obeys me, he verbalize simply. Shell stay and come on to teach if I tell her to.I dont want anyone here once morest their willIve certain her of her safety. She wont live in-much- disquietude of you. So, thats no longer the issue. The issue instead is if you want to continue with her teachings.I cant-not after I stopped, realizing I was un received of the row going my lips. I didnt want to be like Storm King. I didnt want a natural affinity for learning ways to kill stack. And yetI couldnt stop thinking well-nigh the way Id felt wielding that kind of power. Controlling water had given me a rush air had bivalent it.Dorians gold-green eyeball were watching me very care richly. I see, he said. Then Ill tell her shell be staying a litt le longer.I started to protest but couldnt. He re dark to her, stayed a few more minutes, and then joined me in my parlor where I had resumed pacing.Well, then, he said briskly, that is that. The grim set to his face was gone, and I set in motion myself grateful to see the return of his usual mien. I noticed you were about to leave. Off to free gentlemans from your subjects?Off to free my subjects from me.I condoneed my task, and his features lit up with interest. How convenient that Ill be traveling in the aforementioned(prenominal) direction. Unless youd like me to wait here until you return?No, the conclusion thing I wanted was to encourage Dorian to confine himself at home in my castle. So, I grudgingly conceded that he could go with me, partly because I still felt guilty and grateful over his intervention in the Ysabel incident. integrity bright side to him macrocosm with me was that Rurik decided I didnt need an entire retinue for the moorage. He alone accompanied us , and I wondered idly how Dorian managed to go wherever he wanted without an entourage. I didnt like to think he was a more authoritative ruler than me.Dont give me a hard time about this air thing, I warned. I dont want any spiels about how Im embracing my heritage and approaching my destiny.Dorian smiled, look on the road ahead of us. I dont need to tell you things you already know.Of courseI suppose if I did get a interrupt grip on my magic, I might be able to get rid of those fucking fire demons.You see? I told you I dont need to say anything. Youre finding ways to rationalize your use of magic all on your own.Hey, this is a serious threat. You cant tell me youd be all daily if you had demons running loose in your kingdom. I frowned. Or would you? I got the stamp a lot of rulers dont bother themselves with that kind of thing.Dorians eyes took on that serious glint again, despite the small smile on his face. Aeson didnt bother. Dont generalize to all of us. You know give way. If I had demons in my land, Id lead a group out myself to obliterate them.I wondered if Dorian could. My potential power might be greater than his, but at the moment, his control and skill made him a more dangerous force than me. A ruler in the Other beingness had to be powerful, or else the land wouldnt accept them. It was a wonder Id been found worthy.Do you want me to help you? he asked when I remained silent. Ill go with you the next time you strike.What would that cost me? I asked with an eye roll.Why do you assume everything I do has an ulterior motive? Isnt it enough Id want to help you?I dont know, I said, not liking how his words made me feel bad. Was I attributing more insidious motives to him than he deserved? I dont trust anyone around here. Westoria was looming in the distance. I dont even trust Leiths engineering generosity. Hes not doing this for the pastime of trade.Dorians eyes lifted to the approaching village. That, he said, we can both fit on. No matter how mu ch you beat yourself up over those demons, you have more than enough strength to bind the land to you. I despised his uncanny ability to guess my thoughts. When Katrice dies, the rowan Land will either pass in entirety to someone with the power to control it, or it will divide itself and be subsumed into other kingdoms.Shaya said the equivalent thing-and that Leith thinks being hooked up with me would help keep it in the family. I agitate my head. One lands bad enough. I dont have the power to control two.Youd be surprised, he said ominously.Our arrival was greeted with the like wonder and awe Id had forward the demon incident. Apparently, yesterdays food shipments and Leiths presence today had reestablished my awesome reputation. Dorian seemed to have an effect as well. As we dismounted and walked done the village, the residents eyes followed both of us, alter with admiration and wonder. Glancing at Dorian, I could understand their feelings. He strode through the moth-eate n town just as he had my castle, confident(p) and majestic, even after a hot and wearying ride. He looked like, well, a king, and even I couldnt help but admire his fair looks. Beside him, I felt frumpish and insignificant.Then, I tried to pull back out of my glum thoughts and animadvert what we must look like to these people, both of us tall and red-haired. We looked good together, I knew. I was in jeans, but Id cleaned up this morning, and my hair was subject. let on of the corner of my eye, I could see where the sun lit it up, giving the red a luxurious hue that complemented Dorians truer red. My tank top was blue, a good color for me, and I had on my usual gemstone jewelry. Perhaps most importantly, we carried our titles as king and queen, and to these people, I realized we were probably the equivalent of a Hollywood couple on the red carpet.Your majesty Im so sword lily you could- Leith had come running up to us and came to a total sales booth when he saw Dorian. After a few stunned moments, he made a polite bow to the Oak King. Your majesty. Also a plea surely.I could tell Dorian was delighted to have ruined Leiths plans for a romantic interlude. Well, I abominated to part from Eugenie this morning, so I thought Id come along and see whats new.I had to restrain myself from elbowing him. His word implied that wed woken up together. Our former relationship was no secret, and Dorian had pitched his words loudly, so that some of the gathered villagers would hear. No doubt this would be all over the Otherworld by tonight. Leith looked even more dismayed than to begin with, and I tried to smooth things over.Why dont you show us the project? I asked him. I dont think I can thank you enough for what youve done.Leith brightened and eagerly led us forward. As we walked, Dorian murmured in my ear, Believe me, hes more than sure you could thank him enough.How come you can allegedly do things for me without ulterior motives but no one else can? I hissed b ack.Dorian only grinned as Leith headed toward the villages edge and showed us his handiwork. There was little to see of his irrigation system at this point. Mostly people were digging and laying out the foundation. Leith did his best to explain what it would develop into and even showed us blueprints-quaintly written on parchment. I followed them a little but could tell they were gibberish to Dorian, despite his polite and confident smile.Zealous or not, a prince of the Rowan Land was not about to do manual labor, and once the tour was done, he sat down with Dorian and me at the mayors house. Davros seemed only too happy to keep offer his home as my hangout and eagerly served us wine to begin with leaving his esteemed guests to discuss whatever it was royalty speeched about.This is only the fount of what we can do, Leith said, positioning himself so that Dorian wasnt in his line of sight. Id shaft to come visit and discuss more ways to work through this. Ive got some ideas on how to construct buildings that will reflect light better. hasten up you ever considered redesigning your castle?Yikes, I said. No. Thatd be a bouffant feat.Not as big as you think. Not with the right help.I shook my head with a smile. Lets just focus on the people low.Leith smiled back. Sure. But I will come by some day to show you some palace ideas-just in case you change your mind. Or, better yet, you should come visit us. Mother would love to show you the hospitality of the Rowan Land.Or, better yet, you should throw the Thorn Queen a party, said Dorian, deadpan. Im sure she would love it.This time, I did elbow Dorian. Leith didnt notice. Dorian knew perfectly well I dreaded preternatural social events-particularly when the focus was on me.Really, I began. Thats not-Of course said Leith. We havent had a grand ball in quite a while. We could invite hundreds of people.I decided then that elbowing wasnt puckish enough. It was with great restraint that I didnt actually kick Do rian. He position his own elbow on the table, resting his chin in his hand, appearing quite entertained.Youd have to outdo Maiwenns party, to very show Eugenie honor, said Dorian. Thats going to be hard to do. Of course, Maiwenn has an unfair advantage with her maternal glow, eh? Eugenie was just telling me on the way here how all this baby talk is kindling longings of her own.I choked on my wine.I love children too, Leith told me. I cant wait to have some-once I find the right fair sex.I was spared more of this when one of Leiths workers came in, impetuous over some mishap. Leith looked devastated at the thought of abandoning me-and also embarrassed over me witnessing a flaw in his grand plans. Im miserable, he said. I hate to leave you. Im sure this will only inject a moment.Actually, I said, rising. We should probably get going as well.Must you? he asked, face falling further.Im sure Ill see you soon.Yes, agreed Dorian. You should get moving on that ball. Or mayhap I should just throw one for her.Leith solely fell for the baiting. No, no. I would be more than honored to. He swept me a bow, and I let him kiss my hand. Ill have news for you soon, I promise.I smiled and expressed my thanks and forgeted him to kiss my hand again when he insisted. As soon as he was gone, I glum on Dorian. are you trying to push me into his arms or away?Ironically, doing one causes the other. He stretched and stifled a yawn. Were you telling the truth? Are you ready to leave?Yeah, I think so-Your majesty?Davros stuck his head into the room, have on his usual apologetic look. His eyes flicked nervously from Dorian to me. Im so sorry to bother youI know you must be busy andWhat is it?Shes been found, your majesty. The missing girl? Her parents tracked her down last night but were hangdog to tell youshe seemed so distraught. I only just found out myself. I told them youd want to know-Of course, I do. I was already moving toward the door, Dorian fast on my heels. Where a re they?Still bobbing his head in obeisance, Davros hurriedly led us to a small home on the reversal side from Leiths construction. He beat impatiently on the door. Open up The queen is here.Almost a minute passed before the door opened. The woman who had accosted me on my first visit peered out, eyes wide. Your majesty, she said humbly, inclining her head. She didnt seem to recognize Dorian. We-we didnt know you were here.I want to see her, I said impatiently. Let me talk to her.The woman hesitated, portentous of me but also fearful of something else, apparently. Davros was undeterred. This is the Thorn Queen Let her in.With a gulp, the woman stepped aside. I found myself in a small but clean cottage, dimly lit thanks to all the curtains being drawn, though all the windows were open to allow a breeze. The womans husband met us as we walked through the kitchen, his face pallid and afraid.Your majestyforgive us. We were afraid to tell you. We were afraid shed run away again.Im no t going to injure her. I just want to talk to her. It was a bit depressing, between Ysabel and this family, knowing everyone was terrified of me. Ironically, before Id cognise about my gentry heritage, Id been proud of the fear I inflicted on Otherworldly inhabitants. Please take me to her.I felt Dorians hand on my elevate and his breath warm against my ear as he whispered, You do not need to say please.With a quick exchange of looks, the couple led us to the back of the cottage, into a tiny bedroom. It too was darkened, and I could make out a slim girl lying on a bed. There was a washcloth on her forehead that fell off when she sat upright at our approach. She cringed against the wall.Who is it? I told you I didnt want to see anyone.Its all right, Moria, said her mother. This is the queen. Shes come to talk to you. Shes not going to hurt you.The girl wilted even more, blond hair covering half of her face. No, noShes come with the others, come with her human blood to bind us and kill us and-Moria, I said gently, holding my hands out as one would under a white flag. Shes right. Im not going to hurt you. I just want to talk to you. It wont take long.They all say that, Moria said, eyes wide with tears. They all say they wont hurt youall the humansyoure no differentthey all say they arent. She lapsed into verbalise too low for me to hear, her hands clinging to the covers.I think, Dorian murmured to me, that her experience has left field herah, a little touched. I doubt youll get anything useful from her. Theres a healer at Maiwenns court whos particularly good with sickness of the mind. You should consign for her.I had a feeling he was right but had to make one more attempt. I just want to know where youve been. Who took you. I want to make sure it doesnt happen again. Tell me who it is, and Ill stop them.No, she breathed. Youre the samethe same as himthe florid ophidian Man.Red Snake I still had demons on the wittiness, and an image of their red and blac k mottled splutter came to mind. Were they snake-like? Moria, were you taken by demons? Or some kind of Hell, in the Otherworld, any heavyweight you could imagine pretty much existed, as Smokey had shown us. um, snake monster?She shook her head frantically. Our own kind dont hurt us. Its only yoursyoure all the samethe human bloodall marked the same. Her eyes left my face and lowered. For a disorienting moment, I thought she was look at my chest until I realized her gaze was on my arm. I inattentively touched the spot. It was where my snake tattoo coiled around my arm. Moria squeezed her eyes shut. All the sameI stiffened. Did heare you saying the person who took you had a tattoo like this on his arm?The Red Snake Man, she whispered, still refusing to open her eyes.Did he banish you? Did he force you to this world? Or did you come back on your own?Ironbranding press everywhereI stared off at postal code for several seconds. Im done, I said, twist to her parents. She can rest no w.I left the house as swiftly as Id come in, Dorian matching my pace. Whats going on? That meant something to you.I nodded, heading toward where Rurik stood with our horses. I think I know who took her-and maybe the others. Not bandits or a monster. It was a human.How do you know that?Because of the tattoo. The Red Snake Man. Id seen a red snake tattoo just the other day-on craft. Hed had that on one arm and a raven on the other. Its another shaman, one who lives very close to where the crossroads around here opens up in my world. He was also the shaman who had told me to my face he knew nothing about gentry girls. I came to a halt by the horses and absentmindedly stroked the side of mine. She looked back and sniffed me. But why? Why would he take a gentry girl? Or more than one? His task is to get them out of our world. I could see him banishing them out of the human world.That might traumatize her, but that doesnt become like what happened. She disappeared from this world. She made it sound like she didnt want to be in the human world.Dorian snorted. Eugenie, where in your jaded existence did you pick up this navete? If a human took one of our girls, itd be for the same reason wed take one of theirs. For the same reason any man would abduct a girl.I colour at his implications. But more than one?He wouldnt be the first man to prefer-ah, how shall we say it? Variety.I couldnt see it of Art, not the Art who gayly tended his garden and offered us beer and pop. Hed known Roland for years. Theyd worked together. Was Art truly a snatcher and rapist? Or was the girl just traumatized from being banished? It could be a pretty horrific experience.I grimaced, feeling a sharp kink in my stomach. Id come too close to rape already in my life to treat even a hypothetical situation lightly. Was Moria a victim? Were there others like her out there? Maybe it wasnt truly Artand yet, her words had dark implications. The human blood. A mark like mine. The Red Snake Man. Th e crossroads to Yellow River. He had to be obscure I just didnt know how.I gave the horse one last pat and then mounted. I have to get home, I said, turning back to Dorian and Rurik. There was some mistake here, some mix-up. Art wasnt involved in this. He couldnt be, at least not in the way Dorian had suggested. I have to talk to someone. Immediately.I waited for the mandatory Dorian joke, but none came as he mounted his own horse. Then we go different ways. Be careful, Eugenie. For some reason, frankness and bring up from Dorian was more disconcerting than his usual banter.If Im right about this, then its a human matter. Should be a cakewalk compared to what I deal with around here.Dorian shook his head. Id have to disagree. Give me demons and restless inspirit any day over human deceit. But if you need help, Im here. vertical ask.Again, there should have been a joke here. I glanced away, troubled by the way he looked at me. Thanks. Hopefully itll be a unprejudiced matter. Ho w exactly? That I didnt know. I wasnt sure that roughing Art up would real accomplish anything-if he truly was at fault here. See you later, Dorian.He nodded by way of a farewell. Then And of course, my dear, you may kill as many humans as you like, but please try not to harm any more of my subjects. If you can help it. There it was, at last. The joke.Noted, I said. I attempted a glare, but there was a smile on my lips as I did.I set a hard pace back to my castle and the gateway that would bring me back to my own world. Crossing over at the Yellow River one would have been faster, but I needed to go to my home in Tucson and take a shit myself before facing Art. Rurik matched my pace easily and mercifully stayed silent. Hed watched me and Dorian together the way a child watches his or her divorced parents, in the hopes that mummy and Daddy might make amends someday.My whirling thoughts made the trip go fast-as did the lands quick route today-and we were greeted with a commotion wh en we reached the castles outer borders. A group of guards came tearing toward us, and my heart seized. What now? A siege? Demons? Kiyo? Yet as they got closer, I could see that the guards almost lookedenthusiastic.Your majesty My lord We found her.Rurik and I drew our horses to a halt and climbed down. I felt my legs bitch and knew Id be sore later. I wasnt so practiced a passenger that I could ride like that without consequences. I ignored the pain and turned to the guards.Who? I demanded.We have her. The girl. The runaway girl from Westoria, said the guard, clearly smiling at his success. Rurik and I exchanged puzzled glances.Thats impossible. We already saw her.The guard shrugged. We found her out near the steppes, by the Rowan Land border. She matches the interpretation and was clearly afraid of us. She tried to run away.Take me to her, I said helplessly. Had my guards found another of these kidnapped girls? It would certainly provide more information.He led us inside toward one of the little-used rooms, explaining that they hadnt wanted to put her in the dungeon-although her fear and desire to escape had required a guard. His expression turned uncomfortable.We, um, also had to bind her in iron. She kept attempting magic. Theyre still not able to fully stop her.A guard like this could never handle iron shackles without causing himself intense pain. Sometimes, though, prisoners would be bound in bronze cuffs with a tiny bit of iron affixed to them. It required delicate discourse by the captors but was usually enough to stunt the prisoners magic.We reached the room, and the men on duty stepped aside for us to enter. There, across the room, a slim fresh woman had her back to us. Long blond hair cascaded down her back, and I had a weird, disorienting sense for a moment as my brain grappled with the possibility that Moria had somehow made it here before us. Then, as the girl slowly turned around, the torchlight began bringing out glints of red in the gold en hair that little Moria hadnt had. I realized what was happening even before I fully saw my prisoners face.You have got to be kidding me, I said.It was Jasmine.