by Tiya Rayne
I raise an eyebrow. “Really?” I simple say. “Do tell me of this plan?”
If I thought Phillisius could not get any more confident, he nearly preens in front of me.
“I have watched your bride closely for a few days and I’ve noticed that the assassin and the boy prince are both vying for her attention.”
Unbridled anger seems to consume me like a blaze of fire.
“Has either…….touched her?” I ask calmly, though it came out much less calm than I had plan. My sudden anger seems to have caught Phillisius by surprise. The over-confident look has been completely wiped from his face.
“There was an incident with the assassin near the falls, but with the help of the shifters I made sure that she remained untouched.” He says, and I relax only a little.
“Continue.” I encourage, waving my hand for him tell me the rest of his plan.
“Both men seek her…….attention.” he seems to choose that last word wisely. “They are both willing to stoop very low to get it. This works favorably on your behalf.”
“How so?”
He starts to pace. “I’ve noticed that your only true contender is the assassin. For some reason the girl seems to trust him. She leans on him. I believe she is more drawn to him than the young prince, probably because the young fool is engaged.”
I nod my head at this. Even though the prince isn’t a true contender he will still die—horribly.
“And how does this benefit me?” I pretend to be less interested, but on the inside I am highly intrigued and damn near sitting on the edge of my seat.
Phillisius stops his pacing, turns to me and smiles. “All we need to do is start eliminating some of the competition. Once they are both out of the picture it will leave the girl with only one person for her to turn to.”
“Her dream guy.” I state, as I finally understood his plan in its fullest.
The only way Lilly can break my father’s curse is if she gives herself to me willingly. If she has no one else around her to trust, she will trust the only person that is left. By me appearing in her dreams as some poor farmer, she trust me, she relates to me, even considers me a friend. With just the right approach she will learn to see me as something more. “I think we should start with Assassin. If he indeed is my biggest contender.”
Again, Phillisius appears prideful. “I may have an idea for that. You see, I am very good at reading people, My King. For instance, young Lilly, just wants to feel loved. I am to believe that maybe she has lacked that in her life. She also values trust, like most virtuous people. All we need to do is show her that the Assassin lacks all of those things she finds value in. Once I break that trust and show her that Assassin is incapable of love, she will no longer desire him.”
“You make it sound easy.”
Phillisius’ devilish smile lights up his face. “Oh, but it is. It seems the assassin has many scorned lovers in his past that would love to seek revenge. All it takes is to point the young prince in the right direction. Rykan will eliminate Assassin, then all we have to do is find a way to eliminate the prince.”
Phillisius’s idea was brilliant. Use the knowledge we knew about Lilly to turn her against her suitors. I try to think about all things I know about Lilly. She’s mentioned her plight growing up in the human world numerous times in our dreams. Especially her hardships of being loved and finding men to cherish her. That is when the inspiration hit. She has inadvertently mentioned one very big fear during our talks. My plan forms quickly.
“I have a way to eliminate the Prince.”
“Do tell.” Phillisius says quirking an eyebrow.
“There is only one thing the Southern King’s cherish more than anything.”
“Their Throne.” Phillisius answers and I can see my plan taking form in his head.
Rykan will never choose Lilly over the throne and Bartus, being the coward he is, will never allow a human to rule his kingdom. This plan is easier than I thought.
“Go to the prince’s future bride, persuade her to move up the ceremony. Everything else will fall in line.”
“Brilliant, my king. I will do as you request.”Phillisius nods obediently.
“You have done well, Phillisius. Soon you will be rewarded with your revenge on Assassin.”
“Actually, I have a better idea.” Now this I had to hear. I loved a good plot of revenge. Phillisius sees he has my attention and continues to speak. “Do you remember the warning you gave me if I were to harm your human?”
Indeed I did. I would lock him in a memory where he relives his worst nightmare over and over.
“Yes.” I reply simple.
His smile broadens. “Might I borrow that ability? There are things I don’t want the assassin to miss after you take the girl for yourself.”
I crack a smile at this. “Phillisius, I like the way you think.”
Chapter Nine
My body is still tingling from my orgasm earlier. I can’t get the image of Assassin hovering above me out of my mind. Those scintillating gray eyes filled with lust as he stared down at me. In his arms, with his lips pressed to mine and his body covering me, I have never felt more beautiful. For the first time in my life I felt like a desired woman, and not just for my body. He made me feel like a goddess, and not like someone’s dirty secret to be hidden and ashamed of.
The worried look on his face as he called out Avalia’s name flashes through my mind. The euphoric feeling I just had gets washed away like a sandcastle along with a wave. He called to Avalia, right after he had his tongue buried in very erotic places on my body. I wish I knew what to make of that. I also wish my mind would not go back and forth from heated thoughts of Assassin on top of me, kissing me, his head between my legs bringing me to the best orgasm I have ever had, to him stopping and leaving me for Avalia. My thoughts have been ping ponging back and forth so much that I’m starting to get a migraine.
It does not help that now what Rykan said about Assassin and Avalia seems to make sense. I want to believe that Assassin is not the type of man to use me while he is actively seeing Avalia. I haven’t known him long, but there is this part of me that feels like I know the answer to that. It tells me that Assassin would never treat me so callously. It is the same connection that told me he wasn’t dead and also lead me to trust him so easily. But, do I really know him? It is clear he did not act as if he and Avalia were a couple when he had his tongue buried inside me, but his actions after were hard to dismiss. It’s as if he thought about her before he did something he couldn’t return from. I know I never again want to be anyone’s other woman. And I definitely didn’t want to betray Avalia. For once in my life I just want to be someone’s only woman. I guess before I continue to have any type of relationship with Assassin—and how I wish I could—I needed to get to the bottom of the whole Assassin and Avalia thing. Maybe I already had my answer, I mean why else would he shout her name then move away from me like a fire was lit under him. “Now don’t go assuming things, Lilly Ann.” I could almost hear my mama’s voice warning me. “You know what they say about assumptions?” my internal mother’s voice is right. I need to get facts.
“They need a strong name.” I hear one of the women around me say.
The pale pink room comes back into view. After Augustus brought me back to the southern Kingdom, Miriam informed me that the queen had invited me to a tea party luncheon in her suite. She also let Miriam know that I was welcome to invite whomever I wanted. So here I sit, with the queen of the southern kingdom—Miriam, Lydell, Cleo, Kema and even Mogo has a spot on the floor near the door. Also in the small pink room was Hadna—a friend of the queen and her two daughters Ariadna and Loridna. Sarafine, her mother and two friends that did not introduce themselves to me. The other two females in the room was a very demur woman who reminds me of those prissy women you see on TV. She is sitting even straighter than the queen. Her hair is pulled back in a severe bun and her shoulders are so stiff and tight I wonder if she has a rod implanted there
to keep her that way. I notice her the most, not because she keeps scowling at me like I smell like Uncle Buddy’s old trash truck, but because she keeps correcting her daughter. Her daughter, Millie, is what some people may call plus size. Not because she is overweight, but because she didn’t fit that average size four. She has long brown hair that she keeps pulled back off her shoulders. Her cheeks are rounded and it makes her look younger than she is. She has soft blue eyes that look as if someone has placed a cloudless sky in her irises. She is a very pretty girl, but from the way she sits apart from the other girls and the way she has barely lifted her head tells me she doesn’t get told that often. It also doesn’t help that her mother keeps picking with her.
“What about Ergert? It means strength of iron.” Loridna says proudly.
For the first half of this dreadful luncheon, the women’s talk was mostly politics and gossip and since me and my companions knew of neither, we stayed quiet. Then the talk turned into Rykan’s and Sarafine’s approaching wedding that is going to be “The Wedding of a lifetime”—their words, not mine. It is to be filled with 20 bridesmaids and matching groomsmen, large flower arrangements with only the most exotic and expensive flowers, lace will drape over pillars and silks will hang from the ceiling like ribbons. Gold accents and crystal chandeliers will sit atop every table, only the most influential and prestige’s guest from every Kingdom will be able to attend, and giant birds will fly over their heads and poop colorful glitter. Ok, so that last part isn’t true, but it is close enough. This was set up to be the tackiest and gaudiest wedding ever seen. I am not against large weddings. I have just always wanted something simple. Even if I had the money and the means to have a huge wedding I didn’t want one. I want something intimate. Just me and the man that I love surrounded by family and friends. It would definitely be outside, preferably in the fall. I love the idea of standing underneath the trees where the leaves are turning bright green to dark reds and browns. I doubt I will ever get my dream wedding, at this point I will do good to get a courthouse wedding like mama and Billy Ray.
I thought that it couldn’t possibly get any worse than the wedding topic, well I was wrong. Now they have gone on to discuss the names for my sons. And guess who has yet to be invited to partake in this conversation?
I place another cracker into my mouth as I listen to the twins, Ariadna and Loridna, discuss baby names.
“No, it should be something that means handsome, Like Petiferd.” Ariadna says in a dreamy voice. I cringe at the name that sounds too similar to petrified.
“You don’t know if they will be handsome?” Loridna says.
“Don’t be silly, Ridna. They are the sons of prince Rykan. Of course they will be dashing.” Both girls giggle.
“They should have a name that represents their status.” Mrs. Prissy says, her nose up in the air. I swear if it starts to rain in this room she would drown as far up in the air as her nose is.
“Like Whoreson.” One of Sarafine’s friends says with a cunning smile.
“What does that represent?” Loridna asks, oblivious to the meaning behind the cruel name.
“It means son of a whore.” Sarafine’s other friend replies, then they both begin to snicker while Sarafine and her mother smile smugly.
I wish those words did not cut as harshly as they did. I did not mind being called awful names I’m use to them, but the thought of my sons being teased for my reckless actions hurts. Miriam must have noticed my tension because she places a hand on top of mine in my lap.
“If a character trait of Lilly is what you choose to name them after,” Miriam’s sparkling brown eyes stare back at me with so much admiration that my cheeks warm. She then turns back to Sarafine’s friends and the contempt is back in her eyes. “Then you should name them after her strength or her bravery.”
Her passionate words bring an immediate smile to my face.
“Her kindness or her gracefulness.” Kema says, as she flutters around my head in a circle.
“Maybe you should name them after her Loyalty and honor.” Lydell adds with a flick of her shimmering blue hair over her shoulder.
In under a minute I went from feeling as low as the underside of a snake’s belly to as high as Mrs. Prissy’s nose. I felt honored to have people in my life that thought so highly of me. Looking at the faces of my companions, I knew they believed every word they spoke. Even Augustus, Bilal, and Hyland—who stood on watch silently in the corners of the room—looked at me as if they truly believed I was all those things.
“Let us not forget her most important character trait,” Cleo says.
“What might that be, Cleo?” Kema asks in her lyrical voice.
With a sip from her teacup, Cleo adds, “Beauty that causes a young prince to stray.”
Snickering can be heard all around the room. Not even the Queen tries to hide her slight smile. Augustus, who is usually quiet, does not attempt to hide his grin. By far the best reaction comes from Sarafine herself, she looks as if someone just placed a sour lemon into her mouth.
Mrs. Prissy clears her throat before saying, “I think the most proper thing to do is to let our great king Bartus name the bastards. Don’t you think, My Queen?”
I can tell by the tight smile The Southern Queen gives Mrs. Prissy, she didn’t like her putting her on the spot that way. I didn’t blame her. I didn’t care what she thought, King Bartus was not naming my sons
“I think, that would be delightful and an honor.”
Mrs. Prissy’s arrogant demeanor seems to have taken on a new level. Getting that type of recognition from the queen has her nose even higher in the air, if that is possible.
“Maybe Rykan will name them?” Loridna suggest.
Again, the room begins to fill with ideas for the names for my boys. I tune out to the chatter. My mind starts to take me back to what I did in those woods and what his abrupt stop means, when a new low voice speaks. The voice is so low that I barely heard it. I look up to find Millen’s wide blue eyes staring patiently at me.
“I’m sorry, Millie, what did you say?”
Millie swallows nervously and looks down at her hands. “I asked, what would you name your sons?”
“Don’t be daft, Millisen.” Mrs. Prissy scolds, flashing cold eyes at her daughter. “No one will allow the human whore to name our kings.”
I’m usually very peaceful, but I was so very close to showing that pompous, haughty, and supercilious woman just what a trailer park girl could do. I take a deep breath to calm my nerves.
“Actually, Millie, I’m glad you asked. Because, despite what some people may think of me, these are still my children. I will name them. Not King Bartus or anyone else.” The room is tensely quiet. I didn’t care what anyone thought about my outburst or what proper protocol was. I am not going to be anyone’s doormat.
“I haven’t picked out a second name yet,” I go on to say. “But my eldest will be named William.” I hear the snickers and see the disgusted looks at the name I’ve chosen.
“William?” Loridna asks. “What kind of name is William?”
“It is a human name.”
Mrs. Prissy gasps and clutches a hand to her chest. “Our great kings with a human name? Blasphemous!”
“It sounds very peasant-y” One of Sarafine’s friends remarks.
“What does the name mean?” The southern Queen asks with a mix of curiosity and disgust written on her face.
I fold my hands in my lap and try to think of the best answer to that question. “Well, I don’t know,”
This brings a few new rounds of laughs and the huffs of disgust, but I didn’t let it deter me.
“And honestly,” I continue. “I don’t care. You see, it isn’t what the name means, it’s what it means to me. To me, the name means brave, strong, loving, good, hard-worker, honest, kindness. To me the name represents courage. The courage to stand up against prejudice and racism towards a little girl whose only sin was being born the wrong complexion. It means patience. T
he kind you need to deal with a child that isn’t yours, but you love them with all your heart. A child that didn’t let a day go by without finding some trouble to get into, yet you never became frustrated with her. It represents a type of gentleness that knew how to handle every situation from tears, to laughter, to embarrassment. Lastly, it represents wisdom. The kind you get, not from studying or going to some Ivy League college, it is the type of wisdom that life teaches you.”
“A name means all of this to you?” Millie ask softly.
I crack a small weak smile at Millen. “It isn’t the name that I admire so much, it is the man that owns the name.”
“What man?” Ariadna and Loridna asks at the same time.
“My Uncle. William ‘Buddy’ Peters. The greatest man I know.” I say proudly. “He isn’t a king, but to me he is far greater than a simple title.”
I never got a chance to know my real father, but I can honestly say my uncle has never allowed me to feel as if I have missed out on a father figure. He has been more than an uncle to me, he has gone above and beyond his role in my life. Although he and Aunt Millie only had one son, they both treated me like a daughter. If I were hungry it was because they were hungry too. They made sure that whatever they had, I had as well. Rather food, clothes, or just time, they shared it with me. Naming one of my sons after Uncle Buddy will never express just how much he means to me, but it is one way that I can show him how much I love and appreciate him.
“A noble name for our noble king.” Lydell says.
“To Lilly’s Uncle, and our future king, William.” Miriam says, holding up her tea cup. The other ladies in the room join in her toast. Even Mrs. Prissy raises a cup in my Uncle’s honor.
“To the Williams” Everyone repeats.
***************
The rest of the luncheon was pleasant. I won’t say Sarafine and I will be hanging out any time soon, but at least she kept all further rude comments to herself. When the Queen finally dismissed us, I was ready to go back to my room to think further about Assassin. Since I’ve been in the Locke I have never needed Alice as much as I do now. She would know what to make of this situation. Maybe I can ask Miriam. She might be able to shed some light on Assassin and Avalia.
