Enchanted Addictions: A Reverse Harem Fairy Romance (The Twilight Court Book 11)

by Amy Sumida

  “Drostan?” Latharna's eyes lit up. “He's back?”

  I chuckled. “So, you do like men.”

  “What's not to like?” Latharna grinned at me. “I've had a bit of a crush on Drostan since I was little. But after Tiernan left, so did Drostan.”

  “Yes... I heard.” I frowned and blinked at my husband.

  Tiernan had never given me any hint of liking men. Quite the contrary. But the Fey lived forever and a man's sexuality could change over centuries. I suddenly remembered the way Tiernan had smiled at Drostan and how he frowned when he thought I found him attractive. Now, his sister had reminded me of how Drostan left the Seelie Court right after my husband. Could Tiernan and Drostan have been lovers?

  Tiernan caught my pensive gaze and frowned. I shook my head and smiled at him. I'd ask him later. We were honest with each other and I knew he'd tell me the truth. Not that it mattered. I didn't care if Tiernan had been with a man before. I only cared that he was with me now. I wouldn't share him with Drostan, but I wouldn't fault him for finding pleasure with him in the past either.

  “No,” Latharna whispered.

  “What?” I jerked a little guiltily.

  She giggled. “I could practically see your thoughts churning, Seren. You were adding up Tiernan and Drostan leaving and coming up with my brother in his bed.”

  “Maybe,” I admitted.

  “Tiernan has never been a lover of men,” Latharna said. “Would it make a difference to you?”

  “Of course not,” I huffed. “It would be in his past.”

  “Good.” She nodded in approval. “Now, where is that baron?”

  I glanced around the room and instantly spotted a shining white head. Baron Drostan stood a few tables down on the right side of the room, speaking with some men. He wore black, which made his hair, now hanging in loose waves, seem paler and his eyes brighter. I could see their color even from several feet away. And I could see them fasten on me.

  I went still. Earlier, Drostan had stared at me with warmth and respect but now he was looking at me as if I were dessert and he was contemplating giving up dinner so he could have several helpings. My heartbeat thudded in my throat and I couldn't look away. It had been awhile since a man other than one of my husbands had looked at me like that and I was both flattered and a bit embarrassed. Most courtiers knew better than to flirt with me—I've scathingly shot down enough of them to make my disinterest in taking a consort common knowledge—but Drostan had been away too long to know that. I cleared my throat and looked away, hoping that I could avoid him until he left in the morning.

  “Oh,” Latharna drawled. “It looks as if I'm out of luck on that front.”

  “Don't tell Tiernan about that,” I leaned closer to her to whisper. “He's already gotten jealous because I admitted that I find Drostan attractive.”

  “You find him attractive?” Latharna grinned.

  “I do not want a consort,” I hissed. “I have enough men to satisfy as it is.”

  Latharna burst out laughing and made us the center of attention. I smiled brightly at the Seelie and waved off their curiosity. The courtiers returned to their conversations with polite nods. All but one man, who continued to stare at me with a pair of electric blue eyes and a considering expression.

  Chapter Seven

  My husband foiled my plans.

  Dinner was over and many people had moved next door to the ballroom for dancing. I loved the fact that Castle Seelie had a separate ballroom. It meant that I could mingle with people and not have to fend off dancing requests or try to speak over the music. Or have to see the spot where I'd killed Moire Thorn.

  As King and Queen, Tiernan and I were required to do some mingling but I had managed to steer us away from Mr. Lightning all night. There was just one problem: Tiernan had sort of requested that Drostan attend the meal and that meant Tiernan was required to speak to Drostan. Plus, he liked the man. I did too, despite his obvious interest. So, when Tiernan finally dragged me over to talk to Drostan, I couldn't refuse. I did, however, shamelessly pick up Falcas and set him on my hip to use him as a buffer.

  “Drostan,” Tiernan said as we approached Drostan's group, “I'm so glad you were able to attend.”

  “I as well, Your Majesty.” Drostan inclined his head to Tiernan and then me. “I've forgotten about the grandeur of dining in Castle Seelie.”

  “Yes, it has its allure.” Tiernan stroked Falcas' dark hair back fondly. “This is our son, Falcas.”

  “Hello,” Falcas said.

  “Your Highness.” Drostan bowed. “It's a great pleasure to meet you.”

  “Thank you very much. It's nice to meet you as well.” Falcas looked up at me to supply the name.

  “Baron Drostan,” I whispered to my son.

  “Baron Drostan,” Falcas repeated.

  Drostan lifted his brows. “You are very well-spoken for such a young man.”

  “He's Goddess-touched,” Tiernan said proudly.

  “All of my children are gifts from Danu,” I added.

  “Yes, I've heard of your fertility.” Drostan gave me a covetous look that made me pause. He transferred that look to Tiernan to add, “You are a very lucky man, Your Majesty.”

  “Indeed, I am,” Tiernan agreed with a brilliant smile as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders to pull Falcas and me closer. “And Falcas has just inherited my mór.”

  “Ah, the Shadowcall line continues,” Drostan said with approval. “Good news indeed. I hear that your sister is seeking a consort as well. May she be blessed with fertility and give your line the security it deserves.” Drostan lifted his glass to Tiernan.

  “Thank you.” Tiernan glanced around the room and found his sister. His eyes warmed when he noted that Latharna and Gabrielle were speaking with several men. “I hope Danu sees fit to give her a child. Latharna would make a wonderful mother.”

  I cleared my throat. “Do you have any children, Baron Drostan?” I asked.

  “No, I'm not so fortunate,” Drostan said softly. “I've considered taking a human lover since they are more fertile, but previous to your reign, halflings weren't treated very well and I didn't want that for my child.”

  “Well, maybe you could reconsider now,” I suggested. “Or you could always look for a Sidhe woman in your local underground.”

  “Ah...” Drostan made an uncomfortable face. “I don't go into the Underground.”

  “Oh, they've been cleaned up,” I assured him. “There's no crime there anymore.”

  “That's not why I stay away.” Drostan glanced at the men he'd been speaking with who were gathered around us. “I'm thrilled that Your Majesties now rule Seelie but my history with fey monarchs has left me... skittish, shall we say. I went to Earth to escape the rule of a queen. I'm not about to go underground, where another type of monarch now rules.”

  The men around us went tense, their gazes shifting between Drostan, Tiernan, and me.

  “I completely understand,” I said—shocking everyone but my husband and son. “I was born American and I will always believe in democracy. Unfortunately, Fairy isn't ready for that but my husbands, my father, and I try to rule as wisely and justly as possible. I hope that someday you might feel secure enough to come home but I support and applaud your decision.”

  “You do?” Drostan asked in shock.

  “As you mentioned, I'm half human.” I grinned at him. “My views are a bit different than my grandmother's were.” I looked proudly at Tiernan. “And so are my husband's.”

  “That they are,” Tiernan agreed. “I support your decision as well, Baron Drostan, and I wish you all the best in America.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesties.” Drostan bowed deeply.

  “But give the Underground a try,” I urged. “You might find it worth your while. And if it's not, please, tell me, and I'll have King Daxon look into it.”

  “It's all true, isn't it?” Drostan asked in wonder.

  “What's that?” Tiernan asked.

&nbs
p; “What they say about Queen Seren,” Drostan answered Tiernan while keeping his gaze on me. “How she honestly cares about people.”

  “It's all true,” Falcas said with a lifted chin. “My mother is the best queen in Fairy.”

  “I'm the only queen in Fairy, Fal,” I whispered.

  The men chuckled, but Falcas only gave me a serene smile and amended, “The best queen in all the realms.”

  I kissed his little cheek. “Thank you, baby. I'll take that.”

  “From what I've seen so far, I have to agree with you, Prince Falcas,” Drostan declared, his stare warming again.

  Chapter Eight

  My worries ended up being unfounded. Drostan never approached me nor made any kind of improper advance toward me. I felt a bit like a fool, to tell the truth. He could very well have found me attractive but in the same way that I'd admired him—without any intention of acting on that attraction. Drostan had proved himself to be a good man who shared at least some of Tiernan's and my views. Anu might not approve but in my book, coveting your king's wife was fine as long as you didn't try to pull a Lancelot and take her from him.

  The next morning, Drostan returned to Earth while Tiernan, Falcas, and I rode off to the Imp village of Sprocket. Yes, Sprocket. Imps, also called Gremlins, are some of the most human-thinking fairies there are. They have brilliant minds attuned to both science and magic and often constructed magnificent things that melded the two. My father employed many Imps at Gentry Technologies, his company in San Francisco.

  The village of Sprocket exemplified the Imp ideals and also served as a testing ground for their creations. We had to leave the carriage just outside the town with our driver because all of the movement and noise of Sprocket made our horses skittish. Tiernan, Falcas, and I walked the rest of the way into the bustling, vibrant village, craning our necks and whipping our heads around at every new movement, trying to take it all in.

  Homes were built of stone, wood, and metal but not in the manner of most fey structures. Most of the foundations looked stationary but the homes atop those stone bases fluctuated at the whims of their owners. Parts of buildings extended outward, over our heads, or shot up toward the sky as we passed. The whir of engines and clank of cranks accompanied these structural dances. Bridges that weren't there when we walked up, unfolded in seconds to connect rooftops, revealing gears in their underbellies that glowed with magic. One house on our right, shrank into itself as we approached. Like a startled turtle, it pulled in various extensions, walls collapsing inward like the rings of a telescope.

  We were spotted and a cheer rose above the cacophony of industrial endeavors. The streets became flooded with little fairies about the height of my son. Imps are similar to Goblins but with better hygiene and nicer manners. They're trim and fit, for the most part, with large features and a tendency toward hook noses. They're also very inquisitive and aggressively friendly. We were greeted enthusiastically and ushered along on a happy tide—their smiling faces smudged with grease and large eyes shining behind thick goggles.

  It was like being in a steampunk Oz except that there was magic instead of steam—magicpunk. Yes, that's what it was—a magicpunk village. I was grinning ear-to-ear by the time we made it to the center of town.

  A grand rotunda stood in the middle of Sprocket. It, unlike the buildings around it, wasn't adjustable. It served more as a giant umbrella—protection from rain and sun for all of the things on display beneath it. And there were many things. It appeared that this was where the Imps brought their experiments to be critiqued by their friends and neighbors. Groups of Gremlins congregated around beeping, whirring, clacking, and whizzing machinery. Gears spun, metal arms moved, and accordion pumps billowed dramatically. In the center of the enormous space, a sleek, silver vehicle waited. It and the Imps standing before it were the only things at rest in the entire place.

  “Your Majesties!” One of the male Imps standing before the vehicle stepped forward and bowed. “Welcome to Sprocket.”

  “Thank you, Max,” Tiernan said as we joined him.

  The other Imps drew back to give us room. Their skin tones varied from pale to dark, and Max was on the darker end of the spectrum, which made his light green eyes seem to glow. His broad smile helped with that radiance.

  “You've met Falcas,” Tiernan went on, “but this is my wife, Queen Seren.”

  “Your Majesty.” Max and all of the Imps around him bowed to me. “It is a great honor to meet you.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “I'm eager to see what you've been working on.”

  “You've come at the perfect time!” Max declared gleefully. “Oh, this is my team.” He waved a hand at the group of Imps with him. “Jack, Fred, Lou, Ida, Greg, and Jennifer.” He leaned toward us to whisper, “Jennifer's parents are notorious rebels.”

  “Ah, I see.” I looked over at Tiernan in confusion.

  “Imps like to keep their names human and short,” Tiernan explained.

  “We don't like wasting time on names, you know,” Max said. “Anyhow, I have great news. We've finished the prototype!”

  The entire village cheered and even my son clapped enthusiastically.

  “Wonderful,” Tiernan exclaimed when the hubbub died down. “I'm very excited to see it.”

  “Right this way, Your Majesties and Your Highness.” Max waved us toward the silver vehicle.

  It closely resembled a car except that its hood curved down to a point that ended just above the ground and its wheels were hidden by metal panels. Max opened the door and revealed two rows of bench seats, upholstered in purple velvet.

  “The fabric choice is in your honor, Queen Seren,” Max said. “It was His Majesty's request.”

  I smiled at Tiernan and he winked at me before going forward to inspect the car. It was large enough for four people with room to spare and even had a short trunk in the back. Tiernan slid into the driver's seat and looked down at the pedals—there were two. The console had no speedometer or gas gauge or anything like that, only a single button and a glove compartment.

  “We attempted to make it as similar to human cars as we could,” Max said nervously. “The engine runs on air beag and one charge will fuel it for a few days. Then, you simply open that compartment there, Your Majesty”—Max pointed at the glove box—“and you will have access to the refueling point.”

  Tiernan flipped open the door and revealed an empty silver box with a funnel at the back end.

  “Direct some air beag into the fuel line there”—Max pointed at the funnel—“and it will be recharged in seconds.”

  “Ingenious,” Tiernan declared.

  The Imps cheered.

  “But how will I know when it's running out of power?” Tiernan asked. “Coming to a sudden stop could be startling.”

  Max considered this and nodded. “Yes, I see. We will come up with an air gauge, Your Majesty.”

  “Good.”

  “We call it a cair,” Max said. “Since it's a car that runs on air. But, of course, Your Majesties may rename it if it pleases you.”

  “The inventors have the honor of naming their inventions,” Tiernan said magnanimously. “Cair it is.”

  The Imps cheered again.

  “What are the wheels made of?” I asked.

  “Ah! What a wonderful question, Your Majesty!” Max declared as he hurried to a panel that hid one of the front wheels. He pulled it open to reveal a metal ring—thick and sturdy but without any kind of material to serve as a buffer. “They are metal but when you turn on the cair, a layer of air is pumped over the wheels to lift the vehicle, provide cushion, and aid in movement. The metal only touches the ground when the cair is at rest.”

  “Well done.” I nodded in approval. “You've managed to create a car that won't poison our air or damage our land.”

  The Imps cheered again. They were a jolly group.

  “Would you care to take a ride in the cair?” Max offered.

  “I would,” Tiernan said as he looked over at
Falcas and me. “Would my family care to join me?”

  Falcas ran for his father.

  I laughed. “I think that's a yes.”

  “I shall attend you to help if necessary,” Max offered and climbed into the back.

  Falcas and I slid into the front beside Tiernan, and the rest of the Imps stepped back to clear a path out of the rotunda.

  “Just press that button to turn the cair on, Sire,” Max pointed at the only button on the console. “Pressing it a second time will turn the cair off, but please don't do so until we've come to a full stop.”

  “What about putting it into park?” I asked.