The Queen's Flight (Emerging Queens)

by Jamie K. Schmidt

  After about an hour, people for the most part lost interest, especially since Sergei and Viola reverted into their human forms when the tourists went back to their vacations. Sergei was on the phone with Reed, filling him in on the details, so Viola decided to test the weave again to see if there were any other Queens in the area.

  All was quiet. From the pulses in the weave, she couldn’t detect any disturbances. Viola left the weave, not wanting to probe any further. Kira and she could do some more investigative work tomorrow. They were going to save more Queens.

  “Yes.” Viola pumped her fist.

  The harbor patrol had picked up the slavers from the water and was questioning them. What she wouldn’t have given to be in on that conversation. As she stared out on the lake, she noticed bobbing stuffed animals around the breached barge. Squinting, Viola saw they were more Smooshies. Why would the ship be carrying Smooshies? It’s like the damned things were haunting her.

  It took forever for Sergei to get free of all the bureaucrats and paperwork. Viola plunked herself down and pulled out her knitting from her jacket pocket. She was getting wise to the dragon shifting and made sure she always had a project on her. Because they were in such a rush to save Margery, Viola had only the time to grab a dishcloth she was working on. By the time Sergei got through squaring everything with everybody, she’d finished it.

  “Want to go for a ride?” Sergei said, pulling her to her feet.

  “Depends. Where are we going? To check on Champ and Margery?” Viola swung their hands and could have skipped with happiness as they made their way to the parking lot.

  “Reed’s on his way. I told him we have bigger issues of our own.”

  “I hope that’s a euphemism for you claiming the world-class hummer I promised,” she teased.

  He blew out a big sigh. “If only.” Sergei reached into his pocket and took out a set of keys. He pressed the button, and Viola saw headlights flash on a Fat Boy Harley.

  “Sweet,” she said. “How did that get here?”

  “I keep a few bikes scattered around places. You never know when you’re going to need one.” Sergei threw his leg over and started the motorcycle up.

  “Why aren’t we flying?”

  “I don’t want to share you with Kira and that other psychotic nightmare just yet.”

  His phone buzzed as an incoming text popped up.

  “Shit.” Sergei drew out the word so it was five syllables.

  Viola climbed onto the bike behind him. “I’m assuming that isn’t your reaction to taking me back to our farm and having your wild way with me.” She held on, copping a quick feel.

  “No, I’m rather all for that idea. Reed wants us to stay here for a few days.” Sergei slipped the phone into his pocket and put her hand back on his dick.

  “Why? Do you think Margery will need us?” Viola focused as she sought out the newly rescued Queen in the weave. She was unconscious. “I think she needs a doctor more than she needs us. At least Champ knew enough to put her out in the sun.”

  “Do you sense any other Queens in danger?”

  “Not at the moment,” she admitted. “But that could change any minute. Now that Kira can amplify my detection, we’re going to kick some ass.”

  “Are you sure?” Sergei wheedled.

  Viola nodded and leaned her cheek on his shoulder blades. “Why? So eager to get back into battle. That’s a switch.”

  “Reed said your mother is at the Hartford embassy raising hell.”

  “Why? I’m dead to her,” Viola snorted.

  “Apparently, your father came home after twenty-three years of exile. They want to meet with you and talk about repairing your parent-child bond. Reed’s words, not mine.”

  Viola gripped him hard around his chest. “That’s not going to be a fun time. Can we stall?”

  “I told Reed that we were going to wind things up here with Champ and Margery. He’s interested in the drug angle that Margery was talking about. So far the only thing on board the boat was a shipment of those dumb dragon dolls.”

  Holy Shit.

  Viola hopped off the bike.

  “Where the hell are you going?” Sergei called. “I can get us out of here with the bike faster than you can run. Besides, you’re going the wrong way.”

  Viola tore off toward the edge of the water, searching for one of the Smooshies. She rubbed her side where a sharp pain sprung up in her mad sprint. She needed to get in more exercise if that quick burst of speed winded her.

  “What?” Sergei said, coming up behind her. Jerk wasn’t even out of breath.

  “I need one of those dolls. Smythe Industries make them.”

  “Why? They’re not made out of yarn.”

  Viola elbowed him. “No. If Margery was taken because these guys were smuggling drugs, they could have hidden them in the Smooshies.”

  Sergei helped her search, but in the end whatever the police or Reed’s men missed, the bystanders must have scooped up.

  “I can’t see Smythe as a drug smuggler,” Sergei said, as they made their way back to the

  bike.

  “I wouldn’t put anything past him.” Viola trudged back up the hill.

  “If he is, Reed will handle it.”

  “Why does he get to have all the fun?”

  Sergei’s phone buzzed again.

  “So your parents are headed up here to meet us for dinner tomorrow,” Sergei told her in a voice that was usually reserved for informing someone that their dear Aunt Agatha had passed away. On Christmas. In bed with the butler. And a midget. And twenty pounds of uncut cocaine.

  “Oh Sergei. It’s terrible,” Viola said, mock horror in her voice.

  “I’m not all that eager to go either.”

  “No, there’s a Queen in trouble.”

  Sergei looked up from his phone. “What’s her name?”

  “Viola. She’s in dire need of piña coladas.”

  “No drinking, Mamacita.”

  “Oh, right.” Viola grinned and hugged him hard. “I guess I’ll just have to settle for some Malabringo. A lot of it.”

  “Is Malabringo a Spanish appetizer?”

  “Not exactly. Anyway, we have to rescue this poor Queen. I’m thinking Miami Beach.”

  “It sounds like an emergency.” Sergei caressed her arms. “Or is it a Babymoon?”

  “It is. It’s a vacation until we need to gear up and find more Queens. Right, partner?”

  “As my Queen and my love commands,” he said, revving the engine on the Harley.

  “We can take the bike until it runs out of gas or our asses hurt too much and then fly the rest of the way,” she shouted over the pipes.

  “Hang on.”

  The Harley full out didn’t come close to the feeling of flying. But it was a lot more relaxing. Viola held on to her mate and let him take them to safety—and a lot of virgin cocktails and, of course, yarn.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “Oh no,” Viola said.

  “What?” Sergei answered over the roar of the bike.

  But then the sun was blocked by two large dragons. Cassandra and Justice. Sergei flew off the bike and into the air. Viola shot forward to grab the handlebars of the Harley and pulled it over.

  “No fighting,” she shouted, but she didn’t think they could hear her.

  Shifting, Viola launched herself where the three dragons were circling each other. Her heads filled with the otherworldly presence of Kira and Amaranthe.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Viola allowed Kira’s voice to thunder through. “You are violating treaty by attacking us in our region.”

  “You have no region, sub-Queen,” Justice snarled, ducking Sergei’s tail.

  Cassandra lunged for Sergei while he was distracted, but he punched her in the teeth.

  “You’ll die for that,” Cassandra vowed.

  “Halt.” It was Amaranthe’s turn and the sheer brutality of her magic sheered through the three dragons.

  Justice rec
overed first. “How did you do that?” He shook his head to rid the aftereffects.

  “Mate,” Amaranthe grunted.

  “Oh, hell no,” Viola told her white horse head. “He’s an asshole.”

  “Mine,” Amaranthe said, her voice brooking no argument.

  “I have not felt such power in millennia. When I was young there was a Queen…”

  “Niiti,” Amaranthe intoned.

  “How do you know that name?” Justice choked out.

  “Um,” Viola said. “Justice, this is Amaranthe.” She gestured to her head. “Insanely powerful and old Queen.”

  “It can’t be.” Justice flew in and instinctively flinched back from Sergei’s tail. Amaranthe snapped her goat’s teeth at Sergei. “My love.”

  “Kill the abomination,” Cassandra snarled. The wind whipped through her long whiskers and flailed around her head like a mad Medusa.

  “You die first,” Kira said, speaking from the horse’s head.

  “And you all know Kira,” Viola said.

  Cassandra and Justice hung in the air as shock hit them harder than Amaranthe’s power blast had.

  “She’s ba-ack,” Viola sing-songed. “And pretty pissed.”

  “How can you house two long-dead Queens?” Justice tilted his head. “You must come to the elders’ council.”

  “No, she is carrying my eggs. Let the council come to her,” Sergei commanded.

  “My Queen, this changes things,” Justice said.

  “This changes nothing.” Cassandra wheeled on Viola. “You destroyed my life.”

  Viola blinked. “Which one of us? Kira—whom you ordered Sergei to kill?”

  “You killed Kira?” Justice drew in a deep breath.

  “Thanks,” Sergei said. “Not making the situation better,” he told her.

  “I thought he was in on it.”

  Sergei shook his head. “Just the other five Queens.”

  “Blasphemy!” Cassandra said. “Justice, execute him.”

  “No,” Amaranthe rolled out.

  Justice nodded. “As my Queen commands.”

  Viola tensed, but instead of attacking Sergei, Justice flew to Viola, closer to Amaranthe’s head. “Or did Amaranthe ruin your life, Cassandra, by breaking free in your keep after you allowed another Queen to die.”

  “My keep,” Amaranthe said, nuzzling Justice’s cheek. “Not hers.”

  “Yuck. Stop that. That’s still my head. And I don’t like Justice,” Viola said to her.

  Anger pooled and the skies shuddered.

  “Maybe you should reconsider,” Sergei said, glancing up at the black storm clouds.

  “All right. All right. No tongue kissing.”

  “Ours is beyond a physical relationship,” Justice said.

  “Well, thank Nidhogg for small favors,” Sergei muttered.

  Cassandra’s flanks heaved as she seethed.

  “Three dragons against one. Five if you count Kira and Amaranthe,” Viola said. Seven if you count the babies. Viola hovered far above the ground and faced off against the evil bitch that tortured Sergei. And she was winning. Cassandra was going down.

  “Hatchlings,” Amaranthe grunted.

  “Quiet,” Sergei hissed.

  But Cassandra took no notice. “My chemist, your wretched father, has disappeared. He is mine to command.” Cassandra zoomed around. “When I find him, I will rip his limbs off.”

  “Actually, he’s with the Order of Dragon Slayers. I’m pretty sure they’ll have something to say if you mess with him.” Viola didn’t even turn her head.

  “You have an answer for everything, don’t you?” Cassandra screeched.

  “I’m getting there.” Viola reached out to hold Sergei’s hand. “Begone witch, you have no power here. Take your flying monkey over here and fuck off.”

  “Stays,” Amaranthe said.

  “Seriously?” Viola looked over in disgust.

  “You’d be untouchable with him as a Protector,” Sergei said.

  “Until he decides to chop our heads off.”

  “I would not risk my Queen,” Justice said.

  But Cassandra wasn’t done ranting. “You turned the Queens against me. They think I’m a monster.”

  Viola sighed. “You are a monster. The young Queens aren’t dumb.”

  “I demand retribution.”

  “What do you want from me? I have an alpaca farm and some sheep.” That and Sergei were all she wanted.

  As if Cassandra could read her mind she said, “I want Sergei dead.”

  “Get in line,” he said.

  Kira nodded the white horse head.

  “He killed a Queen. It is our law. He dies.” Cassandra smirked.

  “You ordered him to do it. You die,” Viola shouted.

  Kira nodded again. “Either would be acceptable.”

  “Prove it. Who’s going to take his word over four Queens?” Cassandra snarled triumphantly.

  “That’s for the Conclave to decide,” Viola said. “You can have your say next year when we all meet. And I bet the two hundred other Queens will outvote you four crones.”

  “Hmmm,” Cassandra said, and the reasonable sound chilled Viola more that her ranting. “Justice, you will come with me now.”

  Amaranthe growled and the sky crackled with lightning. “Stays.”

  “I cannot leave unattended. If you keep Justice, I keep Sergei.”

  “Like that’s going to happen. You can fly with us to the farm and call some studs to pick you up,” Viola said.

  “It doesn’t quite work that way. Justice is a very valuable resource. I’ll allow you to keep him.”

  Amaranth snorted.

  “But I request an equal trade.”

  “You can’t have Sergei,” Viola said.

  “All right,” Cassandra said, again in that reasonable tone. “Then I will claim one of his eggs.”

  Sergei held Viola back from lunging at her.

  “It is in her right. You owe her a stud. If you don’t have one, she is in her right to request an egg,” Justice said.

  Amaranthe and Kira were in agreement.

  “No.” Viola shook her head.

  “I’ll go,” Sergei said.

  “No. I’ll fight you. I’ll get studs. By the time they’re born, I’ll have a bunch of studs.”

  “Then Justice comes with me now,” Cassandra said.

  “No,” Amaranthe said.

  Viola knew she couldn’t force Amaranthe. “I’ll call the embassy. Reed will back me.”

  Cassandra shook her head.

  “Justice?” Viola glanced over at him for confirmation.

  “Reed would side with Cassandra. Give her an egg. You’ll have more.”

  She would have gone for Justice then, but Amaranthe held her immobile.

  “Look at me,” Sergei said.

  Viola could barely see through the sheen of tears, but Amaranthe let her move.

  “I love you.” He nuzzled her center head. The goat and the horse heads moved as far away as possible.

  “Who cares?” Cassandra laughed.

  “She hasn’t won,” he told her.

  “Don’t go, please,” Viola cried. “We’ll figure something out.”

  “I won’t risk my children. Not in her keep. I won’t put you through that. I love you too damn much.”

  “Release him, Viola,” Cassandra said. “He cannot disobey you.”

  “Can a Queen kill another Queen?” Viola glared at Cassandra over Sergei’s shoulder.

  “It is death to kill a Queen,” Justice said.

  “Only if you’re caught,” Viola said. “I can’t choose between you and my son. Sergei, do as you will.”

  Sergei nodded but when he went to fly off, Viola clutched his arm. “Do. As. You. Will.”

  Justice inhaled sharply.

  “As my Queen commands,” Sergei responded.

  Justice opened his mouth to say something, but Amaranthe blasted him senseless and his head cracked back.

&
nbsp; Sergei kissed Viola one last time. She felt the desperation and the slight bit of hope. He had to understand what she wanted him to do. She ached when he pulled back and left her. Would she ever see him again?

  Viola watched them fly off until they were dots in the sky.

  “She’ll kill him,” Justice said. “She won’t risk having him put on trial at the Conclave. These new Queens could topple the old.”

  Viola didn’t say anything, just flew home to the farm.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Viola shifted immediately and got on the phone to the embassy. But Reed confirmed everything Justice had said. Justice, who had scared her alpacas into a frenzy, was making calls of his own. Pretty soon the entire elder council was circling the farm.

  “You’re terrifying them,” she told the tremendous beings that shook the earth when they landed. Niall was the only familiar face. The five other members were ugly, scarred Celtics. They stared at her like she was a sideshow freak, until she went back into dragon form. Then they bowed to her.

  “You.” Viola pointed to a blue dragon with enormous horns.

  “Yes, my Queen.”

  “Fly to Cassandra and offer to serve her in exchange for Sergei.”

  The blue looked around. “She doesn’t have to accept my service, but I will do as the Queens command.”

  Less than an hour later, she felt a tear in the weave. Viola steeled herself against the power vacuum that hammered into her. She refused to look. She knew what she would see staring back at her. It took another day before the blue dragon came back, unable to find Cassandra.

  “Keep looking,” Viola said, and picked up her knitting.

  The next day the blue returned and Sergei was with him.

  “Sergei,” she breathed and launched into the air.

  He hugged her and they tumbled around the sky kissing each other.

  “Are you all right?” she asked, refusing to let him go.

  “I am, but I’m afraid Cassandra is dead.”

  Viola went to say something, but he crushed his mouth on hers until they landed. She needed him more than air, more than the need to know what happened. Her mate was back and nothing would separate them again.

  “I will accept that,” Kira whispered in their ears.

  “My keep is mine again,” Amaranthe said.