Martha’s ears perked up at what I’d said and she looked at me, skin paling suddenly. Worry struck my heart and I rushed to her and grabbed her arms, “Are you all right?”
“Demon…” she whispered, “The…the demon King Polius had a contract with. Oh, it was horrendous.”
I heard a few cups and platters drop from behind me, and I knew they were all as shocked as I was.
“You…you’ve seen it?” I whispered.
“Was I not supposed to?” Martha looked very confused, “Didn’t you or Gabriella see its face and belly when we were coming through the portal.”
“No, I only saw it’s back!” Gabriella cried out.
“As did I,” I grunted, “and it was horrifying enough to be in its presence even through a memory.”
“Darragh…” Queen Lynn called out to me in suspicion, “Is she…not aware? Do you not know that this means the prophecy has begun?”
“What’s going on?” Martha was understandably shaken, “Darragh, what is she talking about?”
I looked her in the eyes, seeing her resolve waver. I knew her trust was going to be even more damaged as I tell her the truth of our discovery.
“Good grief,” I shook my head, “our situation only keeps getting worse.”
Chapter Fourteen
The end
Martha
* * *
I stood at the edge of the mountain top, arms crossed as I took in the sea breeze and watched the hills in the distance. The afternoon sun was blazing, but there was a strange, transparent like plasma bubble encasing the whole area, dimming the light to a comfortable degree and keeping the heat bearable.
“It’s difficult to maintain an aquatic Queendom on land,” Queen Lynn spoke beside me, “A lot of our ecosystem and homeostasis is defined by what happens on the surface.”
“I can’t imagine having to endure your position,” I said softly, “It certainly looks like a lot of work to manage your people in both worlds.”
“It helps to have followers who are kind and look out for each other,” she smiled, “Makes my work easier. Of course, it came from a lot of initial struggle against tyranny. The last ruler of this Court was quite similar to Sylius.”
I looked at her, surprised. How could they have worked past that into the community they are now?
“It was difficult to rebuild society anew,” she said, eyes still trained on the horizon, “He’d sunken it into the depths of the ocean and we’d gone almost extinct. We lost many souls to the underworld’s enslavement.”
“Did he make a pact with the same demon I saw?”
“Could you describe it?”
And I did, watching her eyes go from shock to recognition. She nodded.
“I was given the vision of the demon’s form when Sakatoke chose me as a vessel. It was a tough journey to travel through the seas and find her, release her, and ring her back through myself to challenge the throne.”
She looked at me and my heart grew uneasy, like I knew she was trying to tell me something. And I had a feeling I knew what it was but…I was not sure if I was ready to accept it. It was too much responsibility.
“Am I Princess Selene?” I gasped softly, clutching at my chest hoping it would somehow ease my heart.
“Very few have seen the form of the underworld’s ruler,” she said, “and that vision is presented to them for a reason. We’ve met before, Martha. At a ball a long time ago. I still remember your energy from then, and comparing it to now, I know something has drastically changed for you. Like a light that has finally evolved.”
“Queen Lynn…” I breathed and shook my head, “I-I don’t know anything about being a ruler! I don’t know anything at all now!”
“Trust in your power, Martha,” she placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, “Darragh didn’t know about this until a few days ago himself, and even he believes that you have it in you to take the throne.”
“But how am I supposed to fight Sylius?” I begged, “How did you do it?”
“It was quite simple,” she smiled, “True love.”
“What?” I scoffed.
“For oneself,” she explained gently with her hand on my cheek, “I was bound to the tyrant by marriage guised as love. I allowed him to use my heart as he wished, and so did his people. They feared him more than they loved themselves. It was the fear that maintained the connection between him and his direct disciples that worked for him. Once them and I realised that our individuality is above default servitude…”
I stood with my mouth agape.
“Is that not what you did when you chose to leave his court?” she stroked my cheek and walked away.
I could not hate Darragh for not telling me sooner. Of course, I would have reacted harshly if I’d been told sooner. He knew that. He knew me more than myself and was acting accordingly. Even if I did not trust him, I could not be outright upset with him all the time. He did have answers, after all.
At least he wanted my memories to come back. There must be something in it for him, and I was not willing to accept he was helping me without an ulterior motive.
We were back inside an Oran had gathered enough strength for a portal back to the Seelie Court.
“My women will take care of Ulrich,” Queen Lynn said, “You take care of the rest.”
Once we were through the portal and in the Seelie Court, I knew my life was going to change once more. There was never a moment I could really sit still.
* * *
Six months later
I had been training hard with Oran, uninterrupted and encouraged generously by Gabriella and Marianne. Darragh and I were civil, but…there were moments where I did miss him, a lot. I guess it made sense. He had a decent sense of humor, and somehow he knew what track my mind was on even if I had difficulty wording it. He would let me into his battle meetings and take my input on strategy. I was not sure how I was good at reading people and picking up patterns in behaviour, but it helped in creating personalised contracts with each Court we approached.
It was a tough climate, seeing as how everyone was wary of the war between Seelie and the Unseelie court. To protect my identity, Darragh had appointed me as an advisor. It allowed me to be in on all the possible news about the Unseelie Court that I could use to my advantage.
“The prophecy foretold has stressed on Princess Selene’s power, King Darragh,” huffed advisor Hunt of Lindsor, “Allying with you could create the wrong impression on her when she returns. I don’t want to face her wrath.”
“I promise you, she would not want this war to continue anymore,” I reasoned, “Why else do you think the witches tried so hard to hide her?”
“They would certainly hate the lack of Fae blood being to collect from the battle field,” advisor Rivina said pointedly, “It makes sense, Hunt. King Lindsor, this coalition is in our benefit.”
King Lindsor, rubbed his bloodshot eyes, and although his skin was darker than most, it still looked pale and grey. The man was certainly tired.
“I do not question the women of Seelie much on matters of internal functions within the realms,” he said, “They make great spies.”
“I’m sensing you have other demands,” Darragh said curiously.
“Yes,” sighed King Lindsor and he gave his advisors dismissive looks. They bowed to him lightly and promptly left the room. King Lindsor leaned forward, and spoke in a hush.
“I’m lacking efficient spies for intel. You’re aware of how large my kingdom is. Having split it into four provinces with hand-picked governors to delegate my duties too for the specific region. Sadly, I’ve realised there aren’t many I can trust to this task. I’ve had my suspicions about treason amongst some people of the court.”
“My women have yet to fail in this matter,” Darragh nodded, “Shall I send you my most experienced one by tomorrow?”
“I’d perhaps need more in the future, and they will all be paid handsomely,” he promised, “In return, you have my men in the battlefield.”
“It’s settled,” Darragh nodded, “Martha, we need a contract with this specific part in secrecy.”
I pulled out a scroll and chanted as I wrote it down. I handed Darragh the quill to sign, and Lindsor complied.
“We three are the only ones who can read the terms of this contract,” I explained, “but you must keep it hidden, regardless.”
King Lindsor stood and shook hands with us, and we were on our way back to the Seelie Court.
It was not long before we found ourselves back in his palace on the balcony. Oran left quickly to tend to his matters. I waved him off and took to the stone railing, looking at the view and deeply breathing in the fresh air.
“The sunset’s beautiful today,” he noted next to me.
“It is,” I agreed and looked into the purple and pink sky, mesmerised. I tried my best to ignore the way my energies stirred around him. I had grown to trust Darragh over the months, and we had a good time when he was around to talk with. But there was something else about him that I just could not put my finger on. Of course, the unreachable familiarity of him remained, and it was the same towards all the others in the Seelie Court as well. But I couldn’t shake of the feeling that it was more intimate with him and…that I was curious.
“You would make a great advisor,” he chuckled, “I bet you won’t even need one when you take over the Unseelie Court.”
I laughed softly and shook my head, “I don’t mean to alarm you but…hypothetically, what if…I don’t want to rule?”
I could feel his eyes on me, “It doesn’t have to be the way we do it.” He turned to face me, “I know you’ve seen a lot in the Unseelie Court. But you saw how it was in Lynn’s Court as well. You could do it differently.”
“Well, I’d just open the palace to the poor and probably give up my room to the orphans,” I sighed.
“So be it, Martha,” he placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. My skin buzzed under his touch and there was no denying it. My body was curious about him, wanting to gravitate towards his against my will.
“What if I make a mistake?”
“It’s why we live so long, don’t we?” there was a sad smile in his voice. I turned to him, daring myself to look into his eyes.
“You really have that much faith in me?” I whispered, “Or is it for the Martha you once knew? What about who I am now?”
“You were always in the old Martha,” he breathed, his hand nearing my face carefully. I felt the back of his finger brush against my cheek and was taken back to the dance at the Unseelie Court. I unknowingly leaned into his touch, and his hand turned to cup my cheek. It was big and warm, his thumb stroking over my cheekbone and I closed my eyes as a long-awaited peace washed over me.
He sighed, “I wish I’d seen it in you sooner. I was blind, Martha…I’m so sorry.”
“Would she forgive you?” I asked softly, eyes trained on his chest too scared to confront the intensity of his gaze that was burning into my face. I wanted him to take me into his arms and devour me. It could not be helped.
“You’re her, and she’s you,” he reminded, “All that matters is the now and after.”
“How do you see now, then?”
“You’re stronger and smarter than I gave you credit for,” his other hand came to brush the hair from my face, “and just as kind. I wouldn’t know who else could be better than to be Queen of any land.”
I finally got myself to look at him. The longing in his eyes almost melted me into a puddle and I could not torture myself any longer by trying to keep a distance that could not obviously kept.
I realised how much I trusted him as I slowly reached out for his face. He had come to mean so much to me. I felt valued, respected, and adored. And I wanted more of it.
He leaned into my touch, relief and pain washing over him, and I wondered how much he’d been waiting to simply be touched by me again. It was a disservice to myself to keep away from him and…
I deserved to be loved.
“ARGH!”
I crumpled to the ground and gasped for air, my skull feeling like it had caved in. My ears were ringing so hard that I could not hear Darragh’s panicked yelling as his trembling hands grabbed my arms.
Flashes. Bright and horrible flashes of light that popped out one memory after the other all at once. There was so much going on in my head, and the ache turned into hard throbs that felt like my brain could explode any minute. But as painful and scary as it was, I could feel the missing pieces of my life finally fall into place and–
“FUCK!” I cried out loud and threw up my breakfast on the side.
I blacked out.
I woke up to whispers from all around me, and I opened my eyes slowly to a dimly lit room. It felt like I’d woken up from such a long dream.
“Marianne?” I gasped and clutched at her arm, “Marianna! Did Sylius capture you, too?”
“What are you talking about?” she held my face in worry and checked my eyes, “Are you all right?”
“What do you mean?” I demanded, “Am I…am I not in the Unseelie Court? Did Sylius let me go?”
I looked at Oran standing with their mouths agape. My eyes landed on Darragh and I smiled at him.
“Hello, Handsome,” I smirked, “Thought you would get rid of me that easily? Although…” I looked at Marianne, “did he fall for the amule–WAIT!”
The three stumbled backwards from the shock of my scream as it all came back to me. And I looked at Darragh in horror.
“Darragh, oh good lord, I did not mean to be so cheeky with you back in Lynn’s forest!” I wailed.
Darragh only rushed towards me with teary eyes and gathered me in his arm, sobbing into my shoulder. I was surprised. Darragh…he was crying.
I’d never seen Darragh cry.
“My Queen,” he sniffled and ran his hand over my head and pulled my into his embrace, “My dear, sweet Martha. I thought you’d remember again!”
“I didn’t either, to be honest,” I chuckled nervously, “Six months and I really expected I would at least start to take a turn for the better earlier on.”
“You really are back!” Marianne cheered and grabbed my hand, “Oh, Martha, I’m so happy!”
“I’ll go say a prayer to the old souls in thanks,” Oran sighed and took his leave. He gently led Marianne away who promised to talk over dinner. They shut the door behind them.
I rubbed the nape of Darragh’s neck as I held him. His body shook in my arms, and I felt horrible for him having to pull through those months with someone who had forgotten him. Despite me remembering the past six months, I still realised I’ve yet to receive closure for our abrupt parting back in Farrington.
“Do you…” I coughed softly, “still think I stole–oomph!”
I found myself sprawled back on the bed with Darragh’s mouth on mine, desperate and…apologetic.
“I should have never doubted you,” he heaved after pulling away, forehead pressed to mine and his voice quivered, “Martha, my love, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“Darragh…” I wiped his tears off and kissed his cheek, “I’m here now.”
“I’m so ashamed,” he sobbed through endless tears, “How could I have let you walk into danger like that just so–”
“Shh,” I cradled his head into my shoulder, “All that matters is the now and after.”
“I love you, Martha,” he professed as he bore his eyes into mine, and my heart burst in my chest like a million fireworks, “I knew I loved you ten years ago and I was a fool to never have said it sooner. You’re the most wonderful being in all the realms and there is no one I could love more than you.”
Tears sprung to my eyes at his words. I thought I had truly lost him forever after our fight in Farrington, like the day when he disappeared in war. The very day that I knew I should have told him that I loved him, but did not.
“I love you, too, Darragh,” I whispered against his cheek, “I knew it the day you left for the battle ten years ago. I regretted
not telling you for ten years since you were gone. I love you.”
He turned my face to his and kissed me deeply, our tongues mingling with the tears that had rolled past our cheeks. I tangled my hands into his hair as heat erupted under my skin, a desperation clawing at my core as the ages of missing him took over. I wanted him on every inch of me with no skin spared the softness of his mouth. I loved him so much, but I wanted him to show me that he really loved me back. Words could only do so much.
His hands travelled down my sides as he pressed me into the bed. I felt his knee push between my legs and right into my thighs. I groaned as it met my vulva and moved against it. The walls of my sex throbbed with need and I knew I could not hold back from Darragh any longer.
Swift fingers found the hem of my dress, lifting if up to touch my calves. His hands were as calloused as ever, but gentle and sweet, dragging goose bumps up my skin and sending a spark of energy straight to my core. I moaned lightly into his mouth. His lips travelled down my jaw and to my neck, sucking lightly and making me sigh in pleasure. He bit down gently and soothed it over with his tongue, and I let my head fall back to give him more access.
I gasped against the kiss as his other hand traced the swell of my breast peeking over the neckline of my dress, fingers tracing to the lace that led my bodice together. It was a small tug at the bow and the silk lace fell loose. He pulled down the top of my bodice and found my breast with his large hand. I groaned as he licked his thumb and gently swiped my nipple, burying his face in my tits.
“I missed this so much, my Queen,” he breathed against my chest, and I felt his teeth mark me with purple flowers, “You’re absolutely breath taking. Let me have my way and please you.”
“I’ve been wanting this for so lo–ah!” I yelped in surprise as his mouth enclosed around my nipple and sucked lovingly. I could feel his tongue swirl around my peak, and it made me so wet down there. His hand was stroking my inner thigh and I could feel my breath labour. All thoughts of wanting to dominate him completely flew out the window.
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