Six Times a Charm

by Deanna Chase

  The first knock sounded at the door. Our conversation had no choice but to be paused. Cheney stood, offering me his hand with a meaningful look. I took it, but this was by no means over. Cheney had apparently only been telling me the pieces of our pasts he wanted to tell me. How much else had he left out? I turned to see whom Sebastian was ushering into the room.

  Chapter 29

  A short, stout man with a wide face and thick neck followed Sebastian into the room. He wore his long hair in a neat ponytail, and his dark beard was cropped close to his face. His clothes were custom made, and he held himself in a manner that demanded respect. Cheney walked over to shake his hand. The comparison between the two of them was absurd. One was a tall, lean hunter and the other a tree stump. It was the cheetah and a rock.

  “It is good to see you again, Beleg. You remember Selene,” Cheney said, looking back to me.

  I walked up to the dwarf regent with as much grace and dignity as I could muster. Beleg took my hand in his rough, thick one, giving it a firm, no nonsense shake. “It has been a long time, Selene. You look no worse for wear.”

  “Thank you.” I took it that was meant to be a compliment. “And you look well. Have you lost weight?” I made a stab in the dark, wanting to return the compliment—and who didn’t like to be told they looked thinner?

  “Well—I, uh…” He cleared his throat, his cheeks reddened a little, and a smile tilted his mouth for a moment before he nodded and looked back at the flabbergasted Sebastian and Cheney. “When’s this meeting supposed to start?” he asked them gruffly.

  “Once everyone is here. Please have a seat.” Cheney motioned to the living room.

  I walked with Beleg. “Can I get you a drink?” I asked.

  “A whiskey,” he said roughly. “Please,” he added in a softer voice when I smiled at him.

  “You want ice with that?” He shook his head and I walked over to the bar. Cheney met me there with a look of amazement.

  “You remember him of all people?”

  “No,” I said, pouring a healthy glass. Beleg seemed like a man who could hold his liquor.

  “How did you know he lost weight?”

  “I didn’t, but that hardly seems to matter. Everyone likes to think they look like they have.”

  “I can’t believe it. He even said please. A bloody dwarf said please to you.” Cheney kissed my forehead. “You’re amazing.”

  Another knock came at the door. I took Beleg his drink and joined Cheney in greeting his guests. This time a tall, rail thin elf walked in. His snowy hair was like long silk thread that parted around his ears. He wore heavy blue robes and had piercing, glacier eyes. Cheney and Sebastian bowed stiffly.

  “Cheney, it is a pleasure seeing you again,” the man said in a lyrical, resonating voice.

  “And you, Adan. It is an honor to have you here.” I noticed Cheney held himself a bit straighter and the normal ease in his stance had evaporated. Adan made Cheney nervous—an emotion that looked foreign on him. “May I introduce Selene?”

  Adan’s eyes met mine directly. I didn’t avert my gaze or bow to him. I understood he was a high elf, and if that meant anything at all to me, perhaps I would’ve been nervous, too, but it didn’t. “It’s a pleasure meeting you,” I said, offering him my hand.

  Cheney’s eyes widened. Crap, was this some sort of faux pas? They really needed to tell me this stuff. I began to withdraw my hand when Adan took it in his long, cool fingers and kissed it, his eyes never wavering from mine.

  “Yes, now I can see what has finally pushed Cheney to take this necessary step. You are lovely.”

  “It isn’t very fair to Cheney to think he would do this for merely a pretty face.” I raised a gentle but challenging eyebrow.

  Adan smiled and nodded. “Your loveliness isn’t just on the outside. You will challenge him and he will challenge you. The two of you are an excellent match.”

  “Thank you. May I offer you a drink?”

  “No, thank you, but if you would walk me to the seating area, I would like very much to see my old friend Beleg.”

  “Absolutely.”

  Sebastian and Cheney stared at me as I came back like I was wearing a monkey suit.

  “What?” I mouthed to them, but just then there was another knock. Ugh, when it rains it pours.

  This time two people walked inside. One was a small, emaciated creature with leathery skin and no hair whatsoever. The other was a curvy goddess with long, flowing red hair that fell past her butt and the face of an angel. You can guess which one was Alanna.

  “Turin, we are honored to have you here. Do you remember Selene?”

  Turin gave me a once-over and said in a jovial voice, “Nice to make your acquaintance, missus. I have heard much of you. We met once long ago. I doubt you remember.”

  “Of course I remember. How could I forget you?” I said, hoping I wasn’t backing myself into a corner. I felt Alanna’s sharp eyes on me, peeling my skin back layer by layer.

  “And where was it the two of you met?” Her clear, pretty voice drifted into our conversation.

  “The market in Mizzendrel,” I answered automatically, not allowing myself to think about it. Turin smiled widely.

  “If it doesn’t work out with the elf, a little goblin goes a long way,” he said with an exaggerated wink and a bow.

  My laughter came so fast I couldn’t stop it. I felt at ease even though Alanna’s eyes were on me. Turin was a cheeky little fellow. “I knew I liked you,” I told him with my own wink. “May I get you a drink?”

  “Whatever everyone else is having.”

  “Whiskey?”

  “Don’t mind it I do.”

  I poured his glass of whiskey and walked him into the living room to join Beleg and Adan. Taking a deep breath, I went back to meet Alanna. I could already see we were not going to be best of friends. I didn’t want to scratch her eyes out—I had way more decorum than that. I’d just rip out her hair and bloody that pretty face a little. I shook the weirdly possessive thoughts from my mind and forced a smile, sticking out my hand. “I’m Selene. I’ve heard much of you.”

  “And I you, changeling,” she said, taking my hand in her firm grip. Her skin vibrated with energy, setting my teeth on edge.

  “You’re very beautiful,” I told her because it was true. My promise to not offend her held my tongue from making any snarky comments or threatening remarks. I had already won this game. Cheney was mine. I didn’t need to mark my territory.

  “Thank you,” she said sweetly while her eyes gave me a slow once-over. “And you look very human.”

  I smiled brightly, lifting my chin slightly. I knew perfectly well that was meant to be an insult, but I liked being human. “I know. I’m pretty, aren’t I?” I’d dealt with people like this my whole life. One girl after another, throwing underhanded insults in my direction because a guy they liked showed interest in me. I winked at Cheney, who smiled back, wisely not saying a word. “Can I get you something to drink?”

  “No, human food never had any appeal to me.”

  “Cheney? Sebastian?”

  “Whiskey,” they said at the same time.

  I made them both a drink and fetched myself a giant vodka tonic, which was either a very good or very bad decision—only time would tell. The four of us headed into the living room, Alanna annoyingly close to Cheney, but I didn’t give her a second glance. I took the middle seat on the couch between Beleg and Turin, letting Alanna have the armchair closest to Cheney.

  “Thank you all for meeting tonight. Everyone in this room knows one another and why we are here. I want to start by saying this is in no way a slight against my father. I love and respect him, but some of his policies are bad policies. The refusal to amend his antiquated laws has put all the fae in grave peril, and I am left with little choice but to step in. I do not long for the crown, but I desire peace.”

  “How does this change anything for the dwarves? One elf is no different than another elf.” Beleg waved
his meaty hand in the air.

  “I intend to give all the say they deserve. Each race will have a seat in the House of Nobles. The concerns of all will be considered in the laws and judgments.”

  “And what of those forced into servitude?” Turin inquired.

  “No one will be forced into servitude. Everyone will be equal under law and treated accordingly.”

  “I think some of us are concerned about your resolve, Cheney. What happens when you lose interest in your little changeling? Will you still be a champion for non-elves?” Alanna asked with no softness in her voice.

  Beleg gave a grumbling protest, Turin looked away, and Adan drummed his fingers together, but Sebastian stepped forward. “How dare you question prince Cheney’s devotion to his people?” Sebastian spat at her, his eyes flashing like silver daggers.

  Cheney held up his hand and stepped in front of Sebastian. “I don’t mind her questioning my devotion, Sebastian. I’ve been ignoring the problem for a great number of years. It is no secret what has pushed me across the line.” Cheney’s posture was smooth and easy, his face relaxed, but his eyes were bright and wild. “You do have one thing wrong, Alanna.” He walked toward her, braced his hands on either side of her chair, and leaned in. “I will never lose interest in Selene, and no one will ever come between us. I will kill anyone who tries. If you have a problem with that, leave.”

  Alanna glared back at him, unflinching, but said nothing.

  “I take your silence to mean you’re staying,” Cheney said, standing upright. “That is your choice, but in the future if you must address my wife, make sure it is by her name or I will lose patience with you.”

  Cheney turned back to me with a smile. Alanna jerked like she’d been slapped. The other three looked equally shocked. Sebastian just shook his head.

  “That was a quick engagement,” Alanna said, recovering.

  Cheney raised an eyebrow at me.

  “Actually, I think our next anniversary is sculpture. Isn’t that right, Cheney? It’s been what—twenty seven years?” I said, my own smile tugging at my lips. Cheney enjoyed this entirely too much. It almost made me forget I was still mad at him—almost.

  Alanna sputtered a few choice words and none of them were pretty. The men offered their sincere belated congratulations.

  “Now if your doubts are soothed, Alanna, may we continue?” Cheney asked. “Adan, do you have any concerns you wish me to address?”

  “No. You are your mother’s son, and she was a fine woman. You also have a fine wife with a kind heart by your side. You will do well for your people,” Adan said.

  “Thank you, Adan. Your support is greatly appreciated. This will not be an easy task. In all likelihood my father will not back down, but even once he is removed, we will have a larger foe to deal with—and the task of mending relationships with all of those who do not want this change. The rebels cannot be ignored any longer. If you decide to join me in this, it will be a long and trying journey in which victory is not certain. The choice is yours.”

  I stood up and walked to Cheney’s side, taking his hand. “You really sold that,” I whispered. Sebastian stood on his other side solemnly.

  Adan strode over and kissed both of our hands. “My allegiance,” he said with a bow. Beleg and Turin quickly followed suit. Only Alanna held back, watching us.

  “Alanna?” Cheney asked.

  Her expression was unreadable. She inspected us for an uncomfortable length of time. “I would like to speak with the change—Selene. Alone.”

  “No,” Cheney said. “If you have something to say to her, you can say it to me as well.”

  Alanna’s jaw set at a stubborn angle.

  I touched his forearm. “It’s all right. I’ll speak with her. Shall we go to the balcony?”

  Alanna nodded and followed me out the door. I walked to the wall that surrounded the patio and leaned against it, taking in the lights twinkling through the city. Cities at night were at their most peaceful, especially from high up. Each light represented a separate life that had its own love, problems, and story. It made me feel the world was much smaller than it seemed most of the time. We were all essentially in the same boat. The moon looked down upon me, almost like it was smiling. I was doing something right.

  “I know you had an affair with Cheney,” I told her, keeping my back to her.

  Alanna sighed. “I was not aware the two of you were married.”

  “Would it have made a difference?” I turned because I wanted to see her face when she responded.

  Her pretty lips pursed. “Perhaps not?”

  “I was gone for a long time. It was not definite that I was returning. I don’t hold the affair against you,” I said, willing myself to be fair when all I really wanted to do was throw her over the edge.

  She stared at me, then shook her head. “I don’t trust you. I didn’t know you before you left, and while you seem nice enough now, I saw what you did to him. Now, knowing that you were married and still chose to leave the man you supposedly loved, I trust you even less. What could have been so important for you to leave? Better yet, why are you back?”

  I didn’t rush to answer. I let my thoughts form before I started. “I left to pay for my mistakes. The anger I felt toward the king bled into my relationship with Cheney. I left him a year before I became a changeling.”

  I held her eyes, making sure she was hearing what I was saying. “When I realized my mistake, it was too late. The rebels had a plan and it was a good one—one in which I was an integral piece of the puzzle. Had I left at that point, they would’ve replaced me. So I went to Cheney. I told him what I knew and became a changeling to buy the elves the time they needed to defeat the rebels. We sacrificed being together for our people.” I was surprised to find myself pacing. I told Alanna what I had learned from Cheney and Sebastian.

  “I honestly don’t care if you trust me or not. I don’t owe you an explanation. I don’t know why I’m back, but I’m glad to be—and I’m not leaving Cheney again.”

  Alanna sighed. “I still don’t trust you, but I have made my decision.”

  We went back inside. I had failed. Cheney told me we needed her, and I’d ruined everything. Cheney’s eyes met mine, and I shook my head slightly. His jaw clenched and his shoulders rolled back. Alanna followed me to him.

  “I have reservations about this, but you have my allegiance as well,” she said, bowing. I looked at Cheney, who looked every bit as stunned as I was, but he regrouped faster.

  “Then we have our first order of business,” he said. “Sebastian has learned that rebels have been trying to form an allegiance with the vampires. So far they haven’t offered anything tempting enough to involve them, but the threat is there. We can ignore their attempts and hope the vampires do not become involved. Or we can recruit them to our side.”

  “But those filthy abominations are not even fae,” Beleg grumbled.

  “And they still wouldn’t be. Sebastian believes what they really want is to be invited to the wild hunt. Vampires have never cared about being a part of a society other than their own. And they certainly do not need our protection. This, however, is not a bargain I would make lightly. I want everyone’s consensus before I speak with them.”

  “What happens if they want to be part of the fae? Would you take them?” Adan asked.

  “If that was the only way we could secure their help, I would take them—with rules and stipulations. I can’t imagine they would want that though.”

  “They would be a powerful yet untrustworthy ally. However, it would be devastating to our cause if the rebels secured them. I feel you must,” Adan said gravely.

  “I’ve never even met a vampire,” Turin squeaked. “But if we must, then we must.”

  “Filthy abominations,” Beleg muttered again, then frowned. “So be it.”

  “My people have no conflict with the vampires. It would not affect our resolve one way or another,” Alanna said.

  “Then it is settled,�
�� Cheney said with a nod. “Selene and I have also spoken with the guardian Olivia and the jinni Holden. They cannot join our cause, but they have offered to give us information. We have other prospects but haven’t spoken with them yet. I will keep you informed of our progress.”

  Everyone nodded except for Alanna, who turned curtly and headed for the front door. I tossed Cheney a glance, then chased after her.

  “Alanna, wait,” I called out. She paused, her hand on the door knob. “Why?”

  “I may not trust you, but you love him. It’s written all over your face. I have to believe that still counts for something.”

  I went back to the living room where our other guests were getting ready to leave. I hugged each of them, making Beleg blush again, Adan smile, and Turin—well, Turin pinched my butt much to Cheney’s chagrin. Sebastian and Cheney walked them to the door, and I went back out on the patio. I felt Cheney in the air before I heard him behind me, but I didn’t turn around.

  “Is Sebastian gone?”

  “Yes.” He slipped his arms around my waist, his breath soft against my neck. “Are you ready to go back?”

  “Mmmhmmm.”

  He squeezed me a little closer, and I braced for the disorientation of travel, but he hesitated. “How did you know where you met Turin?”

  “I didn’t. I answered without allowing myself to think about it. Obviously something inside of me remembers, just like with the sword. If I don’t fight it, the answers come out.” I leaned back against Cheney, his body feeling familiar and right.

  “I’m sorry about Alanna. Had I known you would come back, I never would have—”

  “We aren’t going to talk about any of that. You’re right that I had my own boyfriends. We’ll leave the past in the past. We are starting fresh.”

  “Do I still have to buy you a sculpture?”

  “Absolutely.” I laughed, kissing him.

  Chapter 30

  I stood in the cottage with its low ceiling and tiny walls pressing in on me. The little stone escape never felt more like a jail than when Cheney and I were fighting.