by E. A. Copen
“Before I turn into a flesh-eating monster you mean.” I sighed. Morningstar might’ve said he was working on a cure, but I trusted him about as much as a mouse trusts a cat. He’d already told me once before death wouldn’t excuse me from serving the three days I owed him, and I imagined being a ghoul wouldn’t exclude me from making good on the arrangement either. He had no real reason to hustle on the cure. I was going to have to take matters into my own hands.
The breeze picked up, moving the curtains on the bed and carrying the scent of something savory on it that smelled an awful lot like meat. My mouth watered, and my stomach concurred. Time to eat.
“About that soup…” I nodded to the tray on the table.
“Oh, sorry.” Declan turned and gathered up the tray. “I’ll get you something better.”
I held out a hand. “Gimme.”
He paused halfway to taking the tray away. “It’s just broth, sir.”
I gestured for the bowl anyway. I’d stuff my face with something more substantial later. For now, I had a beast in my belly demanding to be sated. If he carried that soup away, I was worried I might chew off my own arm with the way my stomach was carrying on.
Declan brought the tray to my bedside and the smell got stronger. An uncontrollable urge came over me and I snatched the bowl off the tray, tipping it against my lips. It was still hot enough to steam, but even the burning heat on my throat didn’t shut off whatever impulse made me grab the soup and gulp it down. Soup streamed down my chin and splashed all over the front of me.
True to his word, Declan had brought me warm, salty broth that tasted life beef, only more gamey. Didn’t matter to me. I wasn’t interested in the flavor. All I wanted was to take care of the hunger that had suddenly gripped me. Yet the broth did nothing to quell the hunger. I still felt like I was starving to death.
When the bowl was empty, I held it out to him and started mopping up the mess I’d made, sucking residual bits of broth from my fingers. It was about then I realized Declan had stepped back, eyes wide with shock and horror at my actions. I pulled my fingers out of my mouth and drew an arm across my face. “Sorry. I promise I wasn’t raised in a barn.”
My stomach whined.
“I can get you more. Or whatever you like,” he offered.
I eyed the empty bowl. The primal part of my brain screamed for meat. Not just any meat, either. It was picturing a nice, marbled slab of red meat. I beat it down with a stick. The meaty scent of the soup broth had triggered some part of me that was lying in wait. With the way my arm suddenly ached, I couldn’t help but wonder if the ghoul virus wasn’t already affecting me. I don’t normally have cravings for raw meat.
“I’m good,” I lied and then looked down at the messy blankets, suddenly aware of how gross I was. It wasn’t just the broth either. I was coated in sweat.
“I’ll draw you up a bath,” Declan offered and made for the door.
I stopped him, calling his name. It’d suddenly occurred to me that he wasn’t behaving like the romance hero of his namesake. Despite the nice clothes and good looks, he behaved like a servant who’d been mistreated one to many times.
He paused with one hand on the door. “Sir?”
“You took care of me while I was out?”
He shrugged. “I had help from the healer, sir, but the queen herself assigned me to you.”
I worked through it in my head. This healer of theirs had used magic to keep me alive and get me through the worst of the fever, but Declan would have been given the more menial, day to day tasks.
As if he could read my mind, he confirmed it. “I fed you, turned you so you wouldn’t get sores, kept you clean, changed your linens. Not much, I’m afraid. As I said, the healer did most of the work. I merely saw to maintaining your body when she wasn’t here.”
I cringed. The poor guy had literally wiped my ass while I was unconscious and now he was afraid I was going to yell at him, or worse. “I can run my own bath,” I said, throwing the blankets aside. “Just point me to the bathroom.” I fought to swing my legs over the side of the bed.
“You mustn’t—”
I tried to stand and quickly found out what I mustn’t do. Apparently, it was stand. I had my legs under me for a fraction of a second before they folded, the world spun, and I suddenly had a prime view of the stone floor. Declan was suddenly beside me, helping me up, asking me if I was hurt.
“Just my pride,” I grumbled. “What’s wrong with me?”
“You’ve been in bed for days. I don’t think your body’s caught up with your mind, sir. It’ll take time for you to get your strength back.”
Just as Declan was helping me back to sit on the bed, the door opened a second time and I looked up at the clink of armor. Six very tall guys in lots of shining plate armor marched into the room, forming a line of three men on either side of the door. They carried both swords and spears and had shining helmets with a nose piece that covered the entirety of their noses. The sides of the helmets swept in and around their cheeks but was open in front of the mouth, effectively hiding everything but their eyes and lips.
A seventh soldier marched in, this one without a helm. He was the spitting image of Declan except he had much longer hair and slightly softer features. Stopping at the end of the bed with a hand on his sword, he announced, “Here comes Her Royal Majesty, the Matron of Flowers, Lady of Passion and Warmth, Conqueror of the Summer Sea and Queen of Life. Bow before Queen Titania of the Summer Court.”
He stepped aside and the two lines of guards made a show of tapping the butts of their spears against the stone floor. At the same time, Declan dropped to one knee, placed his palms on the floor, and lowered his head. Even if I’d wanted to bow, I couldn’t get up.
With titles such as Matron of Flowers and Queen of Life, I expected a soft and beautiful woman. Apparently, I was meeting with the Conqueror of the Summer Sea. She came into the room in a brilliant, viridian dress, the bodice covered in etched metal plates of the same color. A cloak the color of fire streamed off her shoulders. Dark, curly hair piled atop her head under a crown of roses with razor sharp thorns that somehow hadn’t cut into her. She moved with all the grace of a predatory cat and had the confidence to match. Every step seemed planned to emphasize both her desirability and power.
With her presence, I found myself forgetting about the angry hunger gnawing at my belly. I wanted her, but not in a way that was purely sexual. Yes, that component was there—they don’t call her the Lady of Passion for nothing—but it was more like meeting an A-list actress. The feeling of knowing she’s so far out of your league that simply by acknowledging your existence she’s done you a favor you can never repay. It was true power, raw, sensual, and commanding. A force of nature.
Titania strode past her line of guards without noticing them and stopped in front of Declan without looking at him, that predatory gaze fixed on me. “So, you’re the Pale Horseman.” Jade eyes appraised me head to foot and back again, hands on her hips. “You killed a goddess, three gods, and murdered a Faerie Queen. You’ve allied yourself with the likes of filth like Lucifer Morningstar and managed to get bitten by a ghoul. You, Mr. Kerrigan, may be the worst Pale Horseman I’ve ever heard of.”
I found I had to wet my lips to get them to move. “Yes, but you have heard of me.”
She narrowed her eyes. Apparently, they don’t get to the movies often in Faerie. “Declan?”
“Yes, My Queen?”
“Why wasn’t I informed he was awake?”
I expected him to tell her he’d only just found out himself, which was the truth. I hadn’t exactly screamed from the palace windows I was up and aware. He’d been surprised to find me awake and tried to find an excuse to leave several times over to go and get food. A good lad like Declan would’ve taken that opportunity to send word. I’d stopped him.
Instead, Declan lowered his head further. “I’m sorry, my Queen. I’ve failed you.”
“Ten lashes should remind you.” The queen g
estured vaguely to her guards. The one who’d announced her entry stepped out of line toward Declan.
“Now wait a minute.” I grabbed one of the bed posts and pulled myself to my feet with a grunt, leaning heavily on it for support. The move put me directly between her head guard and Declan. “He barely knew himself. You can’t punish a man for not reporting what he didn’t know. He only found out a few minutes ago, and I made him stay.” I squared my jaw and raised my head. “You want to hit someone? Hit me, big guy. Come on and give it your best shot.”
“You don’t command me, human.” The guard put his hand on his sword and looked to his queen. The question was clear. He was looking for permission to cut me down to carry out his order.
I should’ve been more worried than I was, but the way I looked at it dying at the hands of some pompous fae jerk would be better than completing my transformation into a ghoul. Besides, if I died in Faerie, Morningstar would have a hell of a time collecting my soul to make me work off my debt. It was a win-win for me, so why not stand up for the little guy who’d done nothing wrong?
But the queen waved him back. “Perhaps there’s more to this Horseman of Death than meets the eye.”
“Maybe I just don’t like to see an abuse of power.”
She folded her hands in front of her, her face made of alabaster stone. “All power comes at a cost, Horseman. I have been the Summer Queen since your ancestors first looked out over the Atlantic and dreamed of crossing it. As queen, I demand absolute obedience. I cannot afford disobedience. Even the slightest deviation and I could lose more than my crown, as your interactions with the Shadow Queen have proved.”
“Nyx deserved what she got. She—”
“She sought to expand beyond her station,” Titania finished. “To influence the mortal world by controlling you. She underestimated you, Lazarus. I will not make that same mistake.”
Our gazes met and held, challenging. I watched fire flicker in her eyes as she considered killing me, despite her promise of safe passage. It would be easier for her. Kill me and somehow convince The Baron to name someone else to the job, someone she might manipulate easier. I saw her consider it as Nyx had, and learn from Nyx’s mistake.
Then she said something completely out of left field. “What are your intentions with my daughter?”
“Odette?” My eyes went to Declan as if he could offer some assistance. He kept his gaze fixed on the floor so I turned back to Titania and offered my best innocent smile. “Uh…”
“Don’t play with me, necromancer. Answer me truthfully. Are you still interested in bedding or wedding my daughter?”
My throat was suddenly tight and full of sandpaper. I had a feeling I was in one of those situations where no matter what I said, she was going to hold it against me. “I’m kind of trying not to turn into a ghoul,” I said carefully watching her reaction for any signs I should shut the hell up. Her face remained blank, so I continued. “Odette and I are over.”
“And the child, do you intend to claim it?” She raised an eyebrow in weight.
I bit my tongue to keep from saying, “yes”. I wanted to be involved. My own father had been a deadbeat drunk who beat his wife and kids. Pony Dee tried, but he wasn’t really father material. I didn’t want that for any child that was my own blood. It was as important to me as breathing. But if I was involved, it could get the kid killed. An Archon had already proven it was too easy to use my loved ones as leverage to get me to do whatever they wanted. Kidnap my son or daughter, hold a knife to their throat, and I’d have to comply or watch my kid die. It was inevitable. As long as I was the Pale Horseman, I couldn’t be a father. It was too dangerous for the child.
“No,” I said turning away. “It’s safer that way.”
Titania’s lovely battle-hardened face lit up with a smile. “Wonderful. Then we can proceed with the wedding as planned. Declan, bathe and dress our guest for the rehearsal. It begins at sundown.” With that, the queen gathered her skirt and swept out of the room, taking her guards with her.
I barely had time to process what she said before she left. “Wedding?” I looked to Declan who rose, dusting off his pants. “What wedding?”
***
Declan brought in a big, wooden tub shortly after and filled it with hot water he brought in bucket by bucket. He also brought a tray of cheese and apples. I made sure he knew not to bring any meat. As much as my body craved it, I didn’t want a repeat of my earlier behavior.
The bath and solid food gave me enough energy to stand on my own. I even put on the green tunic and pants that Declan brought me. Though I wasn’t fond of the floral embroidery, I had to admit the soft silken touch of the fabric felt pretty good. It reminded me of the spider silk suit The Baron had made for me.
The Baron… I hadn’t seen him in a while. I wondered what he would think of everything I’d done. Did he even care that I was missing?
I flexed a hand into a fist while Declan finished affixed a moss green cape to my shoulder. For all my work, I hadn’t been able to verify that the Archon Morningstar killed had been responsible for my sister’s death. It didn’t feel right. The Archon had chosen children with magical talent and Lydia didn’t have any, at least not so far as I was aware. She’d also been killed nearly ten years before, the only victim. The Archon had needed twelve. Still, The Baron had told me an Archon was responsible. It didn’t mean that particular one had been behind it. There were more out there. Once I saw him again, I’d press The Baron for more information. I’d also force him to release Lydia’s soul. He’d held onto it long enough. Too long.
“There.” Declan stepped back. “Now you look presentable.”
I frowned and shrugged, shifting the weight of the cape. “I feel like an idiot. What happened to my other clothes?”
“Covered in blood, sir. The princess ordered them destroyed.”
Good on Odette. I could say that for her. She understood the basics of magic and how it might be used against me. She must’ve also understood I had enemies here who would’ve loved to get their hands on a sample of my blood. With that, it’d be easy to craft any number of nasty curses. Without my magic, I’d be helpless. I hoped word of that hadn’t gotten around.
I did still have my Horseman powers. I’d already tested them on Declan and found he had a soul of the brightest glowing viridian. The power to see and interact with souls was the one advantage I still had since surrendering my other magic to Anubis in exchange for twenty-four hours. I’d used the time to kick the Archon’s ass with help and save a few kids, but I’d also cheated Anubis by going to Faerie to hide out, the one realm he couldn’t enter. He was probably pissed, meaning I’d made yet another enemy. I had a feeling having the Egyptian god of the dead as an enemy was a bad move on my part.
Of course, it wouldn’t matter if I turned into a ghoul anyway.
“What about my staff?” I asked. I’d been using it as a focus for my magic, which meant it was useless now, but Pony had also implied it was a sort of badge of office. I was still the Pale Horseman, and the Pale Horseman needed his staff.
Declan’s head sank further down between his shoulders. “Mr. Morningstar delivered only pieces, sir. It looked like it’d shattered. Her Majesty has the pieces.”
Which meant not only was I stranded behind enemy lines without my most useful arsenal of spells, but the one badge of authority that reminded everyone not to fuck with me was gone.
I sighed. “Well, then let’s get this over with.”
Declan nodded and pulled open the door, holding it for me.
I stepped into a stone walkway. Arches lined either side open to the air. Trees with brilliantly colored leaves of crimson, emerald, and goldenrod lined either side of the walkway, branches swaying in a gentle breeze. The walkway bisected a garden with a gazebo overlooking a pond, compete with lily pads and floating purple flowers. In the distance, rolling green hills rose beyond parapets of mossy stone. Banners flapped lazily, obscuring part of the view.
It was like stepping back in time and walking out of the tower of a medieval castle. The clothes just added to the effect. I half expected a dragon to swoop out of the sky or to pass two hobbits with a magic ring.
The door swung closed loudly behind me and Declan padded out, sliding past me. “This way, sir.” He started down the walkway.
“You don’t have to call me sir. Just Laz works.”
“Very well, Laz.”
We reached the end of the walkway and he opened a set of wooden double doors that led into a small tower with a spiraling stairway. As we descended, I asked, “Does she mistreat all her subjects?”
Declan tilted his head to the side. “I wouldn’t say she mistreats us so much as she’s very strict. There are other queens I’d hate to serve.”
“Like Nyx?”
He stopped at the bottom of the stairs and paused with one hand on the handle to nod. “Queen Titania is kind by comparison. She’s harsh but fair. Honest, but unwavering. She’s also got no tolerance for brazen behavior and disrespectful words.”
“Brazen behavior?” I raised an eyebrow.
“I’m sorry, sir. I don’t know how else to say it without being vulgar. She doesn’t like a smart ass.”
I grinned and patted him on the back. “I think I’m starting to like you, Declan.”
He beamed ear to ear, his face literally glowing with the praise. “Thank you, sir.”
With an extra spring in his step, Declan pulled open the door and led me out into the garden. Several long tables had been laid out and covered with silken table cloths. Declan passed them, turning right and heading for a wooden arch at the other end of the garden that was mostly hidden from view by a hedge.
Intense sun filtered through the flowering trees. Whenever I stepped into it, I could feel it burning into my skin with more ferocity than I normally associated with summer sunshine. Beyond the shade, I had to strain to see as the light stung my eyes.
