Twig sighed in my head. Not a positive sign.
“Then change it. Nothing says you can’t.” Divinas rolled her eyes back.
Dust and ashes, not another prophesy! For the love of dragons and demons, I didn’t need another prophesy. I hadn’t even sorted out this one.
Then her eyes returned to normal, and she grinned. “Gotcha.”
I groaned. Surrounded by jokers.
“I would follow you, Quinn Broomsparkle.” Beckett stepped forward, having turned over Lore to a furball. She placed her palms together in a sign of respect. Lore echoed her gesture even as he cursed the release of pressure on his wound. A furball sat in his lap and sang a soft healing melody.
“Aye, count me in.” Two-Toes called, and several townsfolk echoed his assertion, including Charity and Jester.
“And the witches of the Lower Isle, too. And Henry.” Maggie Thornwhistle stepped forward, dragging a tired-looking man in leg irons behind her. “You gave us the courage to act. Without you, I wouldn’t have my Henry back.”
“And I.” Commander Graves repeated Beckett and Lore’s motion with her hands. “We need someone to rebuild, bring back faith in our leadership.”
“And you all think that’s me?” I looked to Twig, sure he’d object.
“Sometimes we do what’s right, not as we wish, wizard.” Twig clasped my hand, squeezed. “You taught me that.”
“Except if you didn’t break the Cairnsdaught Accord, we can go home. You’re a CCM. You can’t just give it up.”
“I don’t intend to. No one said this had to be permanent. Look around you, Quinn. The Isle’s in shambles.” He pointed toward a small cluster of four reis cautiously approaching, their hands raised in surrender. “That’s all that’s left of the Council of Divine Magic.”
They flinched when Twig drew my attention to them but kept shuffling forward. One who’d attended Hallewell’s breakfast meeting said, “We throw ourselves on your mercy. We didn’t know . . . I swear, we didn’t know.”
“Eat them,” advised Twig’s mom.
Twig snickered, while the reis blanched.
“I don’t think they’d taste good,” I said, hoping to get the dragons off the ‘let’s eat the humans’ track.
“I dunno, wizard, I bet they’d be good on a spit.”
“Not helping, Twig.” I faced the witches head on. “I don’t know what role you’ve played in this fiasco. The torture and harassment of innocent—” I side-eyed the pirates, “—and not-so-innocent citizens lies solely in the Council of Divine Magic’s lap. So, if I’m to lead, my first act is to abolish the Council and all the powers of those offices. I will examine the weight of your individual crimes, and if I find you were simply pawns, you’ll be spared.”
The four reis didn’t exactly look relieved, though one by one they placed their palms together. “We accept your terms, High Rei.”
Not like they had any choice.
“There will be a new Council. A much larger one. It’ll represent the interests of all, not only the old witch families.” I’d attended enough Elder City Council and High Council meetings to have distinct ideas on how to do that. I just wish Cora were alive to see it. I squashed that thought. I’d have time to mourn her later. For now . . .
“Twig, I’d like you to be the official representative from the Elder Realm. I know your dad will have something to say about that, but I need you by my side. You’ve had plenty of experience negotiating contracts and other issues for the City Council. You can use those skills to help reinstate the accord.”
“Of course, wiz . . . High Rei.” His eyes glowed a fiery blue as lust shot through our link. I tamped it down. Now was so not the time.
“Bill, you can act as my personal security. Commander Graves, I ask you to come on as captain of the citadel . . . no, make that captain of the Assembly guards. The citadel is no more. You will choose the next City Patrol commander. Captain Yardley, Captain Lore, and Pirate McPiratestein, I expect you to head the High Rei’s armada. You will help the pirates transition into either part of our naval forces or into honest merchants.”
Several pirates groaned, including Pie.
“There’s little need for piracy if all citizens have an equal say.”
“Divinas Fortuna, I hope you’ll agree to be one of my advisors. Two-Toes, you’ll be my liaison with the townsfolk. I’ll add Maggie and eventually others to your team. We’re not distinguishing between magicals and nonmagicals in holding office, nor between men and women. Also, now that we’ve defeated the haatwurm, I suspect we’ll soon see a resurgence of men’s magic.”
Lots of gasps and muted whispers carried across the courtyard.
“Are you sure, wizard?” Twig clasped my hand tighter.
“Over time the haatwurm either absorbed or fed from men’s magic. I’m not entirely certain which. From what I gathered, it originally resembled a wriggling mass of magic-eating worms. The magic’s released now. I don’t know if it’s as much as previously or whether it’s greatly diminished, though I suspect over time and through several generations, we’ll see wizards in the Hominus again.”
More excited whispers. Some fearful ones, too.
I held up my fist and the war hammer appeared. “I said I’d burn this realm to the ground. It looks like I’ll also help build it back up.”
47
“Hellafuck me with a harpy’s hind tail feather.” Zak practically yanked my arm out of its socket an hour later. “Who is that?”
“Oww.” I tore my arm from his grasp, rubbed at it. “Do you have to be so crass?”
Zak and a handful of townsfolk who Cookie had already treated had come to join the battle, only to discover they’d arrived too late. I’d hauled Zak away to chastise him for once again not following orders. Aggravating that virtual strangers wanted me to rule the Hominus, yet, I couldn’t get my own brother to listen to me.
“Quinn! Who. Is. That. Gorgeous. Creature?” Zak kept peering over my shoulder at someone.
I looked around. Lots of creatures milling around the courtyard, dragon and human alike, though Zak seemed oblivious, his gaze focused on . . . “Bill? Are you asking about the red fury?”
Zak’s head whipped toward me. “He’s the red fury. Does this mean I get to live with him? Can we share a room? Pretty please!”
“Whoa there, raging hormone. He’s off limits—”
“He doesn’t like humans?” Zak’s lower lip jutted out. He sounded so crestfallen, I had to stifle a laugh.
“Not underage ones related to me, no.” I crossed my arms, trying my best to look stern. Bill? Really? I sighed internally. Zak would be a handful.
“I’ll be legal in a few months.”
“You’re still my little brother.”
“Seems there’d be room for negotiation—”
“No.”
“Quinn!”
“Bill’s not the right guy for you. He’s going through things. A broken heart for one.”
“I find having a warm body, open legs, and a listening ear can cure all ills. I’m willing to offer myself as tribute.”
“No. No. No. Get that out of your head and stop putting that image into mine. I’ve seen enough awful things today.” I shuddered.
“Oh, ha ha.” Zak grabbed my arm again. “Come on, introduce me to my new roommate.”
I groaned, then let him haul me over to Bill.
Bill sighed upon seeing me. “Ah, Quinn, I’m afraid that creature absolutely ruined this vest.” He poked at several large holes down one side. “I favored this one, too.”
That reminded me. I felt around in my pouch and removed his bowtie. A bit wrinkled, though still intact. He snatched it and tied it in mere seconds, the knot perfect. I handed over his glasses next. He perched them carefully on his face, adjusting them until they sat straight. Instead of turning Zak off, my brother let out a low whimper.
“Very dapper,” I said, ignoring my all-but-panting little brother.
“Yes, much better.
” Bill preened. “Civilized once more.”
“Thanks again for jumping in. Literally.” Twig had already thanked him, but I wanted him to hear it from me, too. I yelped when he yanked me into a tight hug, my face mashed against his huge chest.
“It’s what clan does. I worried about you. And the boss, too. Don’t tell him I said so. Dragons are testy about such things. And when Twig told me about your magic, well, I—”
“Mmph mmph mmm.”
“Oh, I do apologize. Forget my own strength sometimes. Anyway, thrilled it worked out.” He let me go and eyed Zak. “And what’s your name, little Broomsparkle? Icicle doesn’t fall too far from the glacier fir, I see.”
“Bill, this is Zak. My very underage little brother. And Zak, this is Bill, who doesn’t like guys related to me. Well, now we’ve introductions out of the way. . .”
If Zak’s gaze could scorch, I’d be a pile of ashes. Bill, on the other hand, wrinkled his brow in confusion. “I’m . . . You don’t think I’d . . .with your . . . ”
“No, Bill, I’m not worried about your behavior.”
“Goddess, I bet you give amazing magical peen.” Zak batted his eyelashes and stepped into Bill’s space.
“Pardon?” Bill squinted at him.
“Nah, don’t need one. You can’t prove I did anything wrong. Yet.” Zak winked.
Bill leaned into me. “I think your rotherbemon was ithemon in the eadhemon.”
“What?”
“He’s speaking Demon Latin. Geez, Quinn.” Zak scoffed.
“That’s not a thing.”
“Of course it’s a thing,” Bill groused. “You take the first letter of a word and move it to the end and then—”
“Add -emon on it,” Zak added. “Simple. Oh, and no, I didn’t get hit in the head. I just referenced Tuuk Chingle—”
“Oh, I do adore their work! So masterful with metaphor. And no one knows whether they’re an elf, a goblin, or even an orc. They could be anyone.” Bill beamed.
“I’m thinking human.” Zak grinned back.
“I daresay not! How would a human know so much about pegasi prostates? Not bloody likely.”
Pegasi prostates? Really?
“Bill, I don’t think . . .”
“Speaking of prostates—” Zak said, before I clapped a hand over his mouth.
“You’re not sexually propositioning my clanmate. Nope-ing out, right now.”
“Mmph!”
“Propositioning your clanmate?” Bill’s jaw dropped, showing his three rows of impressive teeth. For all that, if he wore pearls, he’d be clutching them. Hard.
“We’re going to take care of some other things. Catch you later, big guy, ’kay?”
I dragged Zak off, my hand still covering his mouth. When we were far out of earshot, I released him. “Zak, I’m not kidding. No fooling around with Bill. You have no idea who you’re messing with.”
Zak’s face drew together in the perfect study of teen stubbornness. “You can try to keep us apart, but someday that glorious creature will be mine.”
And then he flounced off, shaking his ass as he went and drawing several appreciative stares among the milling crowd.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. A real handful.
48
I woke up refreshed after sleeping in my own bed, under our familiar pelts, after more than two months away. I’d thrown on a well-worn, butter-soft pair of trousers, leaving my feet and chest bare. It would take time before Zak adjusted to the cooler temperatures of an Elder winter, so we’d kept the fireplace stoked and heat lamps running until the rest of us could barely stand it.
Fortunately, spring loomed just around the corner. I flipped another fluffy pancake onto a platter, humming a favorite tune as I prepared breakfast for everyone.
I’d have to go back and forth between realms over the next few months, but a temporary Hominus Island Assembly—I was so tired of councils—was up and running with formal elections happening in six months’ time. Our first session had gone surprisingly well. Having a red fury and a dragon present might have put everyone on their best behavior. But I’d been determined not to be High Rei, and we’d officially abolished the position at the first session. I did stay a voting member of the Assembly, but only until the elections. I didn’t plan to run for a seat.
As I cooked, I heard Twig, then Bill, and finally Zak begin to move around. I’d already put a large pot of lava java—a gift from Cora’s family—on the dining room table with three oversized mugs. Thinking of Cora still brought so much sadness, though every time I drank a cup of her family’s java, I remembered her. Each day grew easier, with happier memories coming to the fore. She’d loved me and thought she was doing the right thing. She’d saved Zak at the expense of her own life. I wish we could have talked just once more after things went so terribly wrong. Instead, I had to be content with her sacrifice.
Before becoming too maudlin, I added the final spoon of fluffy batter to the sizzling griddle and listened to the noise in the other room. I couldn’t hear distinct words, but Zak’s disgruntled tone was unmistakable. Twig and Bill must have woken him when they’d got up.
We’d have to think about expanding our place, now that we had Zak and only a pile of pillows in the living room for him to sleep on. Our adjoining neighbors had been making noises about possibly moving to a quieter area of town. They’d probably grown sick of the racket on our side of the wall. Honestly, I wouldn’t choose to live next door to us, either.
Strong arms came around my waist as Twig pressed a gentle kiss to my shoulder. “Good morning, wizard. How’s my mate this lovely day?” His arms tightened for a second before going lax.
I leaned back into him, enjoying this rare moment of quiet between us. The Hominus had been all about obligations, noise, and rebuilding. Rebuilding my relationship with Zak, rebuilding the structure of government, rebuilding my faith in myself. Still so much work to do on all fronts, yet in each case, I’d made huge strides in the last months.
Peace at last.
“Good morning, dragon,” I practically purred. “Why don’t you grab the sabertooth syrup, and we can sit down to breakfast?”
“Mmm, I’d rather eat you up.” Twig placed tiny kisses down my neck, stopping to run his tongue over my mating bite.
I squirmed. “Unfair, Twig. You know what that does to me.”
“Maybe you should remind me.” I could feel his lips quirk into a smile against my skin.
I elbowed him gently. “Zak and Bill are waiting for breakfast.”
Twig sighed. “You’ve become so . . . responsible.” He sounded so disgruntled, I had to laugh.
“I could say the same about you. Besides, don’t you have a string of City Council meetings today?”
He groaned. “Don’t remind me. I have to spend most of the day with Petalflash. I hate that pompous, ass-kissing prick. If he asks after my father one more time . . .”
“You can always gloat now that you’ve outlawed indentured servitude in the city. He’ll hate that.”
“Yes, yes, he will.” Twig’s tone brightened significantly. My dragon was so predictable. I wouldn’t have him any other way.
“Here, help me with the plates.” I handed off the pancake stack and the sabertooth syrup and I gathered up plates and cutlery.
“Ooh, I thought I smelled something divine.” Bill said as we crossed into the dining room. He set down his latest Tuuk Chingle romance, already sinking into the pillows that served as our chairs. “It’s been an age since you’ve made us breakfast.”
“I can cook, too,” Zak added, batting his eyelashes, and reaching for Bill’s novel.
I snatched the book and stuffed it under a pillow, earning a frown from both Bill and Zak. Chingle had spawned a new sub-genre—Reigency Romance. Each story about a wizard who becomes High Rei and then has sex with pretty much everyone and everything. Twig was not amused, which was the only thing that made it bearable. And a little funny. Not that I’d say that around Twig.
“Zak,” I said, warningly as he continued to flirt. My brother was driving us crazy, Bill most especially.
Zak rolled his eyes at me, fed a piece of pancake to Mink as she poked her head out from his sleeve. “I’m simply pointing out that I have many mad skills.”
I blanched, and Bill cleared his throat loudly, his cheeks changing from red to pink in an instant, looking anywhere except at my precocious little brother.
“Enough, kid. Let’s get through a single meal without you trying to seduce the big, bad red fury.” Twig’s tone brooked no argument, and Zak glared at him, not saying anything more. Looks like we’d have to have another long talk about appropriate clan behavior.
I’d sunk down onto the pillows and just put the first sweet cakey bite in my mouth when the telltale pop resounded throughout the room. Zak startled and let out a yelp, Bill sighed, his silverware clattering to his plate, and Twig groaned.
I stuffed more pancake in my mouth, ignoring the arrival of Twig’s dad and his two gargoyle bodyguards. Honestly, I’d expected him to appear when Twig and I snuggled in the kitchen. The guy loved nothing more than ruining a moment.
“It’s about time you returned home,” Auric huffed, standing in the middle of our low table. A couple inches to the left and he would have popped right on top of our pancake stack. He shook his finger at Twig. “There’s politics to discuss, and an item I wish you to bring before the City Council as soon as possible. No time like the present.”
“Nice to see you, too,” Twig grumbled around a bite of pancake. “Why yes, it feels great to be back. Thanks for asking.”
Auric waved dismissively. “Yes, yes. Whatever. We’ve important things to discuss. You running off to the Hominus Realm for the last two months, eleven days, and seven hours set back my agenda. We need to—”
“How is he your father?” Zak’s head swiveled between Auric and Twig.
“Do you really want the specifics, kid?” Twig raised an eyebrow, and both Bill and I almost choked.
Zak’s cheeks flamed bright red.
His Fairy Share Page 35
