by ERIN BEDFORD
“It’s time for me to go home.”
Chapter 20
Queen Of The Underground
THIS TIME, WHEN I entered the cave at the pond behind the house and saw the glowing swirling glyphs, I didn’t stop to ooh and ahh at them. Instead, I marched to the back of the cave where the opening was. When I stood in front of the hole, I didn’t think about the bugs that could be living in there, or the time in that movie someone’s arm got bit off. I simply shoved my hand in the hole and prepared myself for the straw slurping feeling.
Too soon, I was thrown out of the portal, through the open door, and straight on the floor. I held my hands out to brace for the impact. It didn’t hurt as much this time around since I knew what was coming, but it still smarted like no other. I pulled myself up and was stunned by the sight before me.
The reception desk was in shambles. The monitor where Type, one of the two heads of the bird sisters, liked to watch Game of Thrones was smashed to pieces. The glass still littered the pure white floor. The wood of the desk was splintered, and pieces of it were scattered all around the white void. The desk was nothing compared to the doors.
The doors that led to the Seelie and UnSeelie Realms had been blown off their hinges. Even the door I had come through was no longer in its place. It too lay shattered on the ground. In place of the doors, to my relief, were guards of the Seelie Court. Each door had their own set of guards except the one I had come through, and the only door that was still intact: the door to the Shadow Realm.
I could only think that the door was the hole my mother had talked about opening. Why would she put it here? Where anyone could get to it? Maybe she was just lazy and made it easier on herself to find. Like before, there was no handle to the worn and burn marked door, and if anything, it looked even more beat up. It was as if someone from the inside was trying to get out.
There were two guards covered in gold plated armor in front of the two doors to the Fae courts. As if two apiece would stop any intruders that were determined to leave. Or enter, in my case.
The guards watched me with cautious eyes, not moving from their posts. Last time I had gone through the UnSeelie door, since that was where Trip and Mop were from, but this time, I headed for the door to the Seelie Court. I could only hope it would be faster than finding my way to Chess’ house again.
Stopping in front of the guards, I took them in. They were both equally attractive, as most of the Seelie Court Fae were. Knowing my mother though, they were guards because they weren’t beautiful by Fae standards, but in the human realm, they would have still gotten hit on by any woman in their right mind. One had dark hair that hung to his shoulders and bronze colored skin, while the other had almost pitch-black skin and in a striking contrast, white hair.
“Let me pass,” I addressed them both, digging down to bring out my inner princess to push a commanding tone out that they would obey.
The guards looked between themselves, their faces equally conflicted. One of them even leaned out from his post to glance at the two guards in front of the other door. Those two shook their head at them in response.
“You shouldn’t be here right now, your highness. It isn’t safe.” The guard with bronze coloring tried to appease me with reason.
“I wish to see my mother, the queen, and I demand you move aside.” I kept my voice even but firm, allowing it alone to pave my way.
The two looked at each other again, a hint of fear in their eyes. Were they afraid of me? Or my mother?
“But we have strict orders that none may pass through these doors, or it’s our heads. Not after the faeries and that half-breed got through,” the guard with the hair that almost blended into the room around us bit out a gruff reply.
“Don’t forget the troll,” One of the guards from the other door finally spoke up. Apparently, my mother was the scarier of the two. I would have to fix that and soon.
My guard nodded. “Right, and the troll.”
“Don’t worry, I will take full responsibility, but it is urgent I see my mother.” Since diplomacy wasn’t working, I tried for being their friend.
“I’m sorry, really I am, but I have kids. I can’t get stuck in a mirror cell.” The bronze god shook his head in apology and turned his eyes away as if to dismiss me.
I crossed my arms over my chest, irritation flittering through me. How was I going to get in to see her if they wouldn’t let me in? I could go back and just use the mirror in my room, but then I’d have to deal with explaining what I was doing to Chess, and I wasn’t ready to see him again yet. I could try to rush them, but they were at least 200 pounds each, and I was pushing 140, barely. Or I could use my new powers to throw them out of the way.
I was getting ready to do just that when a voice called out, “Let her pass.”
The guards parted to reveal Seer as she stepped into the doorway of the Seelie Court in all her blue glory. Her pixie cut, periwinkle blue hair was swept up into a fauxhawk, giving her more of a ‘don’t fuck with me’ attitude that was only insinuated more by her floor length electric blue body suit. I bet it was a bitch to get that skintight suit on over her wings, but with six arms, she had the advantage. Those said arms were crossed over her chest as her obsidian eyes narrowed in on the guards, daring them to challenge her.
“Seer.” The guards bowed their heads as they moved out of her way.
Seer ignored them and came over to me, her arms, all six of them, stretched out to envelop me in a warm, yet awkward, hug. I stood as stiff as a board and let her get her greeting out before gently untangling myself from her arms. Like Chess, she could get a little out of hand if I didn’t put down boundaries. Not like that had ever stopped the cat.
“While I’m happy to see you, what are you doing in the Seelie Court?” In the past, it hadn’t been an everyday occurrence where a Fae left their respective court. From what Mop had told me, it was even more unlikely now.
“You are not the only one worried in this troubled time.” Giving me a small smile, she wrapped a couple of arms around me and pulled me to her side. She turned to the guards who resumed their posts in front of the door. “The human is not only your princess, but our savior. Would you dare deny her passage?” She eyed the two guards, who stood speechless. Seer turned to all of the guards. “Remember, she will be the one who destroys the Shadows and save us. She’ll save us all.”
Her words were too close to those of the mysterious tree. I shot her a curious look, and she smiled that knowing smile I was beginning to hate. As much as I wanted to question her, it wasn’t the time. Questions later. I had more pressing matters to attend to.
Seer escorted me through the doorway and past the unhappy guards. Unlike when I had entered the Underground the first time, I stepped out onto a marble floor, instead of face down on the ground.
Walking down the gold-colored hallways, arm and arm with Seer, I bit my lip and asked, “Did you know about Chess?”
“I don’t have to have the sight to know the cat’s plight. Everyone knew.” Seer frowned.
“How could you know what he was going through and do nothing?” I stopped in my tracks, pulling her around to look at me.
Seer turned to me with a weary smile. “It is not like we didn’t try. Unlike those Seelie snots and, with the exception of your betrothed, we UnSeelie do not turn our backs on our kind, half-blood or not.”
I opened my mouth to ask about my mother’s intentions for me, but she beat me to it.
“Do not worry. Everything will come to pass the way it should, and something’s are better to be forgiven and forgotten, rather than dwelling on them. Your mother did what she thought was best at the time, even if it meant losing you.”
I frowned at her words. If she knew what I was there for, what I needed confirmation of, then I had no doubt in my mind that my mother had done exactly what I thought she had. I had always believed she had my happiness in mind, even when she was taking heads left and right in the name of j
ustice. I thought one of those moments was when she introduced me to my betrothed, but even that act was tainted.
The anger I had felt when Chess told me about his childhood mixed with the confirmation from Seer made my magic whip around inside me like a hurricane. It forced me to storm past Seer and on to where I knew the throne room lie. Large double doors covered in intricate vines of gold and bronze lie between my mother and me. Without giving myself time to chicken out, I wrenched the doors open, the sound of them slamming against the wall echoed through the room.
Inside the throne room, which hadn’t changed from its golden and white decoration, sat my mother and her court. The white columns of the room held up the golden ceiling and the nobles, while more clothed than last time, still matched the décor.
My father, to my unfortunate luck, was present. I didn’t want his presence to lessen my anger. It was the only thing keeping me from shrinking back from the curious and somewhat contrite glances I was getting from the court.
“Daughter, what an unexpected surprise.” My mother, ever the politician, sat on her throne. “What are you doing here?”
Not caring about the nobles lining the room, I marched up to stand before the throne. My eyes met my father’s, who gave me a small smile in welcome. Though his face was young, his eyes showed his age and weariness of it all. By this time, he should have retired, and I should have ruled with my husband, but since I was the only heir and I had died, there was no one to take their place. It wasn’t like my mother wanted to give up her power, anyway.
“I’m sure you know exactly what I’m here about.” My rage crackled in my voice.
“The half-breed,” my mother responded without hesitation, a small smirk spreading across her face.
“How could you do that to him? To any of them?” I chanced a glance at my father, and I could see the shame and regret cover his face. At least one of them showed remorse.
“I am doing what I think is best for our kingdom. If a few half-breeds get hurt along the way, who is going to care?”
The crowd of nobles chuckled, and she smiled at them.
“I do.” My voice was clear as I laid down the line of where I stood in this fight.
“One among thousands.” She giggled, the sound of it like nails on a chalkboard. She stood from her throne, her golden gown melting around her as she moved. “You would be their champion? You cannot belong to both worlds. Either you are part of ours, or theirs.”
I held my ground as she moved to me. When I was Fae, I would have been able to meet her eyes with no problem, but in my human form I barely came up to her breasts. Which was probably why she was trying to use her height to intimidate me into submitting. My mother always was one to use what weapons were at hand.
“Then I would choose theirs every time.” I stared straight up into her eyes, never flinching.
She watched my face as if she hadn’t heard me correctly. Searching for something that I had been telling everyone wasn’t there anymore. I wasn’t the little princess who did what mommy told her. For once in my hundred and fifty years, I was standing on my own two feet, and no one was going to make me back down.
“What happened to you, Daughter? Does your human blood addle your mind?”
The nobles gave a nervous chuckle.
“Our world is about power, and when you ascend to the throne, you will be a great and mighty queen. Then, if you want to save all the half-breeds, you are free to do so, but until then, you will follow my rules and do as I say, or you might find yourself one or two kittens short of a litter.”
“Answer me this one question, Mother,” I implored, ignoring the fact that she had basically threatened Chess’ life.
“Ask your question,” she snapped, moving back toward her throne.
“Did you arrange my marriage so I would produce a half-breed heir for the sole purpose to use against the Shadows?” I let the question hang in the air as the room quieted. Every eye was on the Seelie Queen.
My mother gave an elegant shrug. “Of course I did. What do you think all these mutts are running around for?”
“Then yes, I have chosen a side.”
“Good.” My mother moved to sit back down on her throne, seemingly done with our conversation. “Then we will prepare for your move back to the palace.”
She motioned to a servant that sped away to do just that.
“I meant, yes, I choose them. The half-breeds.” I let it set in for a moment, before continuing, “I don’t know what happened to you, Mother. When did you become so heartless? Or maybe you have always been that way and I have just now realized it. You say that we cannot afford to lose any more of our kind, and yet, you damn us with the choices you’ve made. And then here you are saying that those who are not pure are not worthy to be saved? You are no worse than the Fae you condemned to darkness,” I snarled at her, my magic buzzing along my skin in agreement.
“How dare you speak to me that way! I am your queen.” She stomped her foot like a child and snapped her fingers. “Guards! Seize her. Daughter or not, you will do as you are told.”
At her words, my senses became alert to the guards in the room. There was perhaps a half dozen. Not as many as there normally would have been, but I assumed most of them were off chasing the escaped Fae.
I waited to see what they would do, if they would really follow the orders of a mad queen. When they were close enough to surround me, I could see the uncertainty and unwillingness on their faces. They didn’t agree with what their queen was doing. Whether it was putting me in a cell, or what was happening with the half-breeds, or a mixture of everything, my mother was losing her people, and now it was up to me.
“What are you waiting for?” My mother’s voice called out sharp as ice along my skin, and the guards descended onto me like a stack of cards.
My magic was ready for them. It had been waiting for this very moment and was tired of being in control. It wanted to play. I released the built up energy. Just like cards, the guards blew away.
Unlike when I had fought the faeries, these guards didn’t go down so easily. The moment they fell to the ground, they were back on their feet and coming for me.
I was not a fighter. I didn’t know martial arts. I knew basic self-defense, enough to get away from one single attacker, but more than that? I was screwed.
My eyes darted around the room, trying to think of something to disable them. My eyes landed on a small tree near the double doors, and I remembered what happened at my mom’s house. I made the plants grow from just my magic. It had been incredible. I had felt powerful and invincible, and while the thought of a power drain was not anything I wanted to happen again, I didn’t have any other choice.
Not close enough to the plant to push my magic into it directly, I bent down on the marble floor and pressed my hands to the surface. My actions caused the guards to pause. Looking down at my hands, I could see why they would hesitate.
Green swirling energy spilled from my hands and made its way across the floor, searching and poking, looking for some kind of opening to pour themselves into.
“What are you fools doing?” My mother screamed from her throne. “Stop her!”
Shaking their heads, they drew their swords.
They inched toward me, their steps unsure and wary of the magic at their feet. Ignoring them, I pushed my magic to go to the planter, feeding into it, making it mine.
It didn’t take long for the plant to respond. The small tree like foliage broke the glass around it, its roots spreading out across the floor. The green leaves grew to the size of footballs, and its limbs filled out swinging around it, trying to hit anyone who came near.
The nobles cried out and scattered. The guards turned their backs on me, their focus now on the growing monstrosity I had created.
Blood pumping in my ears, I forced more magic into it. My adrenaline spiked and an overwhelming need clouded my mind. It wasn’t big enough, powerful enough. I needed more.
The small tree turned ginormous, sprouting vines that whipped out at the guards. They swung their swords trying to hack at it, but it was too strong. I was too strong.
As the vines wrapped around the guards, immobilizing them a feeling of triumph filled me. I didn’t have long to celebrate before my head was yanked back, breaking my connection with my creation. My eyes searched out my mother’s face and winced at the bite of her nails in my hair.
“Enough.” She snarled in my ear, pulling on my hair.
“It will never be enough.” I twisted in her grasp until I was facing her, my head at an odd angle. Smirking at the shock on her face, I placed my hands on her and forced my magic into her. I expected her to let go right away, but her magic fought against mine.
Like a razor, it sliced at my magic, but for each hole she made, more filled its place. Still, she held onto my hair like a lifeline.
Growling my impatience, I jerked my head in her hand before slamming my forehead into her nose. The brunt force sent a ringing in my ears that was overpowered by the relief of her hand dropping from my hair.
She clutched her face as blood dripped from her nose, staring at me. The fearless queen was no longer in control and she knew it.
I held my hand up and pushed my energy at her, shoving her back until she fell to the steps of her dais. Turning away from her sprawled form, I took in the surrounding room. The nobles inched back when my gaze landed on them and the guards lay unconscious on the ground leaving a path out of the throne room in their wake.
My eyes landed on the creature I had created. It sat there, still large but not attacking. Waiting.
Part of me celebrated in what I had created, while the other part was horrified. Did I keep it or put it back the way it was? I looked over the creature and saw the veins of my magic coming from it and had an idea.
Calling to the magic, I watched in awe as it slid out of the monster and slowly crept back under my skin. With each sliver of magic, I felt more powerful and more alive than before. The drain I had felt the first time I had used so much magic was nonexistent.
