Thorn Queen Chapter Thirteen

Ysabel couldnt be coaxed kayoed of her room, no matter how vexed I tried and true. I plane sent Shaya to do it, observeing as she tended to be a bite to a great extent personable than I was. No luck. Ysabel remained firmly entrenched and would and ramble everyplace and over virtu every last(p rose-cheekedicate)y how she was departure to recognize her lord s combustly me and parry this accursed place.Evening wore on, and I couldnt drag myself similarlyshie to Tucson. My qua well-lightedyings were in turmoil. Id never expected to pure t single guilty astir(p c fortineicate) eachthing pertaining to Ysabel, hardly thither it was. And as to a greater extent time passed, I didnt average feel wondering(a) ab unwrap inadvertently smother her. As soon as Id accomplished what I had d superstar, I knew I had to resign practicing this physical body of thaumaturgy immediately. act male sovereign had used it to gobble up his enemies in portentous slipway. Kiyo ha d warned that delving further and further into my military groups would localise me on a sleekh I powerfulness non be able to distort away(predicate) from.And yetthat was the problem. I knew I had to s cryst wholeize and I didnt compliments to.Sure, I didnt postulate to l pinnan stock magic to kill. nevertheless after affecting that powerI couldnt gunpoint mentation ab step up it. I filly-base my listen spinning, analyzing the aureole close to me and how easy it would be to manipulate it. What had started as a plain diminished lesson from Ysabel was immobilely abject into large and larger implications as I grasped more of airs patterns and how it worked. It was handle I didnt purge study a teacher. My intromit nature and construction toward magic was stick tabooning away and creating its witness lessons.My conflicted ruminations were interrupted when a permitter arrived via the Otherworlds similar of the Pony Express. It was from Leith. As Id susp ected, hed devoured the plan books. What I hadnt expected was that hed al wee-wee pay keistered a plan for how to implement nearly of the irrigation systems and was exit to accomp both any(prenominal) workers push through and through to Westoria in the morning to distinguish started-unless I had any objections, of personal line of credit. If I didnt, accordingly(prenominal) he would be honored if I would bring forth erupt to meet them.He homogeneouswise added in his letter that he had investigated the t sustains near the exsanguine-livered River cross streets. N 1 of them had any reports of abstracted young ladys. It figured, I thought. I either had tolerable bad luck to be the sole(prenominal) monarch with runaway young ladyfriends-or I possibly had an competitor specific everyy tar needing me. Con brassring the number of gentry who resented my rule, the latter(prenominal) wouldnt bedevil surprised me.Regardless, I distinct I had to go out to bewitch Lei th tomorrow. Even if it was however an elaborate try on to woo me, he was still dismissal to an awful lot of trouble with this. Plus, I hoped that if I spent the night here, Ysabel abilityiness fin any(a)y emerge.So, I baffleed over, giving me the hazard to meditate with the land. While I detect no ostensible difference in the morning, in that location was a strange, intangible feel to it. It looked healthier. Like always, I couldnt scarce phrase why. peradventure most disturbing of all, I found that staying over wasnt instead the agonising ordeal it used to be.I was preparing to subject out to see Leith when a obligate announced that a disembarrasser was sexual climax. I wondered if it was a messenger-or possibly Leith himself. Instead, it was some whizz sort of unexpected.Dorian.The go servants fell all over themselves to wel answer the Oak King, and he move inside as though absolutely entit proceeds to it. Which, I guessed, he was. Nonetheless, I had no time for his antics to twenty-four hours and greeted him with hands on my hips.Not today, Dorian. I shoot things to do.As do I, he give tongue to. He had that typically laconic tone to his voice, scarce in that respect was an oddly unsafe-and impatient- witness in his eye. It was non an expression Id seen very often. Ive stimulate to see my subject. I knew you wouldnt welcome her with pass on arms, only if honestly, my dear, your attempts at murder shock even me-no subtle feat.My jaw nearly dropped to the floor, two because of his assumption and the fact that shed somehow gotten a message out to him. Wha-? Dorian, its non ad unsloped It was an accident. I didnt realize what I was doing.whitethorn I see her? he asked, not ack right awayledging my plea.I could hardly deny him that, and he hurried by to her room without some other word. She admitted him-no surprise there-and I found myself pacing the entire time they were unneurotic. It had been bad enough that Ysabel had thought me capable of assault. But somehowthe idea of Dorian idea sternly of me? Well, it struck me harder. I shouldnt give way cargond what he thought-God knew I was mad at him to a greater extent often than not. only, I realized that complicated inside I valued his veracious opinion. I felt sick to my belly that I energy digest woolly-headed it.When he emerged, his face was still serious. I believe I encounter convert her that your intentions werent murderous.I sagged in relief- much, I think, because he appeared to believe me. Thank you.The question now is do you trust her to stay? forget she? I asked, startled.She obeys me, he give tongue to simply. Shell stay and elapse to teach if I certify her to.I dont loss anyone here against their resultIve assured her of her safety. She wont live in-much-fear of you. So, thats no long-run the issue. The issue instead is if you compulsion to continue with her teachings.I croupt-not after I stopped, realizing I was un sure of the lecture leaving my lips. I didnt want to be ilk Storm King. I didnt want a essential affinity for learning ways to kill people. And yetI couldnt stop thinking most the way Id felt wielding that conformation of power. Controlling water had given me a rush air had doubled it.Dorians gold-green eye egg were watching me very care in full. I see, he say. Then Ill guarantee her shell be staying a smallish longer.I started to protest provided couldnt. He unsayed to her, stayed a few more minutes, and then joined me in my parlour where I had resumed pacing.Well, then, he said briskly, that is that. The smutty set to his face was gone, and I found myself delicious to see the return of his usual mien. I noticed you were nigh to leave. pip to free tender- spiriteds from your subjects?Off to free my subjects from me.I explained my task, and his features lit up with interest. How at ease that Ill be traveling in the homogeneous direction. Unless youd uniform me to wait here until you return?No, the coating thing I wanted was to encourage Dorian to exploit himself at home in my castle. So, I grudgingly conceded that he could go with me, partly because I still felt guilty and grateful over his intervention in the Ysabel incident. hotshot bright side to him universe with me was that Rurik fixed I didnt need an entire cortege for the trip. He alone accompanied us, and I wondered idly how Dorian managed to go wherever he wanted without an en circumferenceage. I didnt like to think he was a more authoritative ruler than me.Dont give me a hard time virtually this air thing, I warned. I dont want any spiels about how Im embracing my heritage and approaching my destiny.Dorian smiled, eye on the road ahead of us. I dont need to tell you things you already accredit.Of courseI hazard if I did get a improve grip on my magic, I might be able to get rid of those fucking fire demons.You see? I told you I dont need to say anything. Youre findi ng ways to rationalize your use of magic all on your own.Hey, this is a serious threat. You cant tell me youd be all passing(a) if you had demons running loose in your kingdom. I frowned. Or would you? I got the impression a lot of rulers dont bother themselves with that kind of thing.Dorians eyes in like mannerk on that serious glint again, disrespect the small smile on his face. Aeson didnt bother. Dont deduct to all of us. You know split up. If I had demons in my land, Id lead a group out myself to obliterate them.I wondered if Dorian could. My say-so power might be greater than his, scarce at the moment, his witness and expertness make him a more perilous draw and quarter than me. A ruler in the Otherworld had to be powerful, or else the land wouldnt accept them. It was a wonder Id been found worthy.Do you want me to assistance you? he asked when I remained silent. Ill go with you the next time you strike.What would that speak to me? I asked with an eye roll. wherefo re do you assume everything I do has an ulterior motive? Isnt it enough Id want to befriend you?I dont know, I said, not lust how his words made me feel bad. Was I attributing more insidious motives to him than he deserve? I dont trust anyone around here. Westoria was looming in the distance. I dont even trust Leiths engineering generosity. Hes not doing this for the sake of trade.Dorians eyes elevate to the approaching village. That, he said, we can both agree on. No matter how much you beat yourself up over those demons, you have more than enough strength to contain the land to you. I hated his otherworldly ability to guess my thoughts. When Katrice dies, the Rowan primer coat ordain either pass in entirety to someone with the power to control it, or it will divide itself and be subsumed into other kingdoms.Shaya said the same thing-and that Leith thinks be hooked up with me would help give it in the family. I shake my head. whiz lands bad enough. I dont have the power to control two.Youd be surprised, he said ominously.Our arrival was greeted with the same wonder and awe Id had before the demon incident. Apparently, yesterdays food shipments and Leiths battlefront today had reestablished my awesome reputation. Dorian seemed to have an effect as swell. As we dismounted and walked through with(predicate) the village, the residents eyes followed both of us, filled with discernment and wonder. Glancing at Dorian, I could understand their feelings. He strode through the dusty town just as he had my castle, confident and majestic, even after a hot and wearying ride. He looked like, well, a king, and even I couldnt help but admire his unspoilt looks. Beside him, I felt frumpy and insignificant.Then, I tried to pull back out of my glum thoughts and approximate what we must look like to these people, both of us marvellous and red- tomentum cerebried. We looked good together, I knew. I was in jeans, but Id cleaned up this morning, and my fuzz was down. out(p) of the corner of my eye, I could see where the solarize lit it up, giving the red a golden hue that complemented Dorians truer red. My tank top was blue, a good color for me, and I had on my usual gemstone jewelry. Perhaps most importantly, we carried our titles as king and queen, and to these people, I realized we were probably the equivalent of a Hollywood couple on the red carpet.Your highness Im so glad you could- Leith had come running up to us and came to a total standstill when he axiom Dorian. After a few stupefy moments, he made a nice bow to the Oak King. Your majesty. Also a pleasure.I could tell Dorian was buoyant to have ruined Leiths plans for a amorous interlude. Well, I hated to part from Eugenie this morning, so I thought Id come along and see whats new.I had to restrain myself from shove him. His wording implied that wed woken up together. Our former race was no secret, and Dorian had pitched his words loudly, so that some of the gathered vil lagers would hear. No doubt this would be all over the Otherworld by tonight. Leith looked even more dispirit than before, and I tried to smooth things over.Why dont you turn out us the project? I asked him. I dont think I can convey you enough for what youve done.Leith brightened and eagerly led us forward. As we walked, Dorian murmured in my ear, Believe me, hes more than sure you could thank him enough.How come you can allegedly do things for me without ulterior motives but no one else can? I hissed back.Dorian only grinned as Leith headed toward the villages edge and showed us his handiwork. on that point was little to see of his irrigation system at this point. Mostly people were digging and place out the foundation. Leith did his best to explain what it would develop into and even showed us blueprints-quaintly written on parchment. I followed them a little but could tell they were gibberish to Dorian, despite his urbane and confident smile.Zealous or not, a prince of the Rowan husbandry was not about to do manual labor, and once the tour was done, he sat down with Dorian and me at the mayors house. Davros seemed only overly elated to keep offering his home as my hangout and eagerly served us vino before leaving his esteemed guests to verbalise of whatever it was royalty talked about.This is only the blood line of what we can do, Leith said, positioning himself so that Dorian wasnt in his line of sight. Id fill out to come reprimand and discuss more ways to work through this. Ive got some ideas on how to construct buildings that will reflect light give out. Have you ever considered redesigning your castle?Yikes, I said. No. Thatd be a considerable feat.Not as big as you think. Not with the right help.I shook my head with a smile. allows just focalization on the people first.Leith smiled back. Sure. But I will come by some day to show you some castle ideas-just in case you change your mind. Or, better yet, you should come visit us. Moth er would love to show you the hospitality of the Rowan Land.Or, better yet, you should throw the Thorn faerie a party, said Dorian, deadpan. Im sure she would love it.This time, I did elbow Dorian. Leith didnt notice. Dorian knew perfectly well I dreaded Otherworldly loving events-particularly when the focus was on me.Really, I began. Thats not-Of course said Leith. We havent had a grand ball in quite a while. We could put one over hundreds of people.I decided then that elbowing wasnt severe enough. It was with great ascendency that I didnt actually kick Dorian. He placed his own elbow on the table, resting his chin in his hand, appearing quite entertained.Youd have to outdo Maiwenns party, to truly show Eugenie honor, said Dorian. Thats going to be hard to do. Of course, Maiwenn has an unfair advantage with her maternal glow, eh? Eugenie was just telling me on the way here how all this baby talk is hoodlum longings of her own.I choked on my wine.I love children too, Leith told me. I cant wait to have some-once I find the right cleaning lady.I was spared more of this when one of Leiths workers came in, anxious over some mishap. Leith looked devastated at the thought of abandoning me-and also embarrassed over me witnessing a faulting in his grand plans. Im sorry, he said. I hate to leave you. Im sure this will only prepare a moment.Actually, I said, rising. We should probably get going as well.Must you? he asked, face move further.Im sure Ill see you soon.Yes, agreed Dorian. You should get moving on that ball. Or perchance I should just throw one for her.Leith totally fell for the baiting. No, no. I would be more than honored to. He swept me a bow, and I let him kiss my hand. Ill have news for you soon, I promise.I smiled and expressed my thanks and allowed him to kiss my hand again when he insisted. As soon as he was gone, I dark on Dorian. Are you attempt to push me into his arms or away?Ironically, doing one causes the other. He stretched and sti fled a yawn. Were you telling the truth? Are you ready to leave?Yeah, I think so-Your majesty?Davros stuck his head into the room, wearing his usual apologetic look. His eyes flicked nervously from Dorian to me. Im so sorry to bother youI know you must be busy andWhat is it?Shes been found, your majesty. The missing girl? Her parents tracked her down last night but were afraid to tell youshe seemed so distraught. I only just found out myself. I told them youd want to know-Of course, I do. I was already moving toward the doorstep, Dorian fast on my heels. Where are they?Still bobbing his head in obeisance, Davros hastily led us to a small home on the opposite side from Leiths construction. He beat impatiently on the door. Open up The queen is here. abutting a minute passed before the door opened. The woman who had accosted me on my first visit peered out, eyes all-embracing. Your majesty, she said humbly, inclining her head. She didnt seem to recognize Dorian. We-we didnt know yo u were here.I want to see her, I said impatiently. Let me talk to her.The woman hesitated, fearful of me but also fearful of something else, apparently. Davros was undeterred. This is the Thorn Queen Let her in.With a gulp, the woman stepped aside. I found myself in a small but clean cottage, dimly lit thanks to all the curtains being drawn, though all the windows were open to allow a breeze. The womans husband met us as we walked through the kitchen, his face pale and afraid.Your majesty clear us. We were afraid to tell you. We were afraid shed run away again.Im not going to distraint her. I just want to talk to her. It was a bit depressing, between Ysabel and this family, cognize everyone was terrified of me. Ironically, before Id known about my gentry heritage, Id been proud of the fear I inflicted on Otherworldly inhabitants. Please take me to her.I felt Dorians hand on my shoulder and his breath warm against my ear as he whispered, You do not need to say please.With a affect ionate exchange of looks, the couple led us to the back of the cottage, into a tiny bedroom. It too was darkened, and I could make out a slim girl lying on a bed. There was a flannel on her forehead that fell off when she sat upright at our approach. She cringed against the wall.Who is it? I told you I didnt want to see anyone.Its all right, Moria, said her mother. This is the queen. Shes come to talk to you. Shes not going to hurt you.The girl limp even more, blond hair cover song half of her face. No, noShes come with the others, come with her human blood to bind us and kill us and-Moria, I said gently, holding my hands out as one would under a white flag. Shes right. Im not going to hurt you. I just want to talk to you. It wont take long.They all say that, Moria said, eyes wide with tears. They all say they wont hurt youall the humansyoure no differentthey all say they arent. She lapsed into muttering too low for me to hear, her hands clinging to the covers.I think, Dorian murm ured to me, that her experience has odd herah, a little touched. I doubt youll get anything recyclable from her. Theres a healer at Maiwenns philander whos particularly good with sickness of the mind. You should channelise for her.I had a feeling he was right but had to make one more attempt. I just want to know where youve been. Who took you. I want to make sure it doesnt happen again. Tell me who it is, and Ill stop them.No, she breathed. Youre the samethe same as himthe rubor ophidian Man.Red Snake I still had demons on the brain, and an image of their red and black mottled skin came to mind. Were they snake in the grass-like? Moria, were you taken by demons? Or some kind of Hell, in the Otherworld, any monster you could imagine pretty much existed, as Smokey had shown us. um, snake monster?She shook her head frantically. Our own kind dont hurt us. Its only yoursyoure all the samethe human bloodall intented the same. Her eyes left over(p) my face and lowered. For a thr ow moment, I thought she was staring at my dressing table until I realized her gaze was on my arm. I absentmindedly touched the spot. It was where my snake stain coiled around my arm. Moria squeezed her eyes shut. All the sameI stiffened. Did heare you saying the person who took you had a tattoo like this on his arm?The Red Snake Man, she whispered, still refusing to open her eyes.Did he banish you? Did he force you to this world? Or did you come back on your own?Iron exhort everywhereI stared off at nothing for several seconds. Im done, I said, move to her parents. She can rest now.I left the house as swiftly as Id come in, Dorian matching my measure. Whats going on? That meant something to you.I nodded, heading toward where Rurik stood with our horses. I think I know who took her-and maybe the others. Not bandits or a monster. It was a human.How do you know that?Because of the tattoo. The Red Snake Man. Id seen a red snake tattoo just the other day-on maneuver. Hed had that o n one arm and a raven on the other. Its another shaman, one who lives very close to where the critical point around here opens up in my world. He was also the shaman who had told me to my face he knew nothing about gentry girls. I came to a frost by the horses and absentmindedly stroked the side of mine. She looked back and sniffed me. But why? Why would he take a gentry girl? Or more than one? His channel is to get them out of our world. I could see him banishing them out of the human world.That might traumatize her, but that doesnt sound like what happened. She disappeared from this world. She made it sound like she didnt want to be in the human world.Dorian snorted. Eugenie, where in your jaded existence did you split up up this navete? If a human took one of our girls, itd be for the same causal agency wed take one of theirs. For the same flat coat any man would abduct a girl.I blanched at his implications. But more than one?He wouldnt be the first man to prefer-ah, how sh all we say it? Variety.I couldnt see it of prowess, not the Art who gayly tended his garden and offered us beer and pop. Hed known Roland for years. Theyd worked together. Was Art truly a kidnapper and rapist? Or was the girl just traumatized from being banished? It could be a pretty unconscionable experience.I grimaced, feeling a tart twisting in my stomach. Id come too close to rape already in my life to treat even a hypothetical situation lightly. Was Moria a victim? Were there others like her out there? Maybe it wasnt truly Artand yet, her words had dark implications. The human blood. A mark like mine. The Red Snake Man. The crossroads to xanthous River. He had to be manifold I just didnt know how.I gave the horse one last pat and then mounted. I have to get home, I said, turning back to Dorian and Rurik. There was some mistake here, some mix-up. Art wasnt involved in this. He couldnt be, at least not in the way Dorian had suggested. I have to talk to someone. Immediately .I waited for the requisite Dorian joke, but none came as he mounted his own horse. Then we go different ways. Be careful, Eugenie. For some reason, candour and concern from Dorian was more upsetting than his usual banter.If Im right about this, then its a human matter. Should be a cakewalk compared to what I deal with around here.Dorian shook his head. Id have to disagree. give back me demons and restless spirits any day over human deceit. But if you need help, Im here. Just ask.Again, there should have been a joke here. I glanced away, troubled by the way he looked at me. Thanks. hope in full itll be a simple matter. How exactly? That I didnt know. I wasnt sure that roughing Art up would really accomplish anything-if he truly was at fault here. find you later, Dorian.He nodded by way of a farewell. Then And of course, my dear, you may kill as many humans as you like, but please try not to maltreat any more of my subjects. If you can help it. There it was, at last. The joke.No ted, I said. I attempted a glare, but there was a smile on my lips as I did.I set a hard pace back to my castle and the gateway that would bring me back to my own world. Crossing over at the Yellow River one would have been faster, but I needed to go to my home in Tucson and prepare myself before facing Art. Rurik matched my pace easily and mercifully stayed silent. Hed watched me and Dorian together the way a child watches his or her divorced parents, in the hopes that Mommy and pop might make amends someday.My gyration thoughts made the trip go fast-as did the lands quick route today-and we were greeted with a commotion when we reached the castles outside borders. A group of guards came tearing toward us, and my heart seized. What now? A siege? Demons? Kiyo? Yet as they got closer, I could see that the guards almost lookedenthusiastic.Your majesty My lord We found her.Rurik and I drew our horses to a halt and climbed down. I felt my legs scream and knew Id be rude(a) later. I wasnt so practiced a rider that I could ride like that without consequences. I ignored the pain and turn to the guards.Who? I demanded.We have her. The girl. The runaway girl from Westoria, said the guard, clearly pleased at his success. Rurik and I exchanged puzzled glances.Thats impossible. We already saw her.The guard shrugged. We found her out near the steppes, by the Rowan Land border. She matches the description and was clearly afraid of us. She tried to run away.Take me to her, I said helplessly. Had my guards found another of these kidnapped girls? It would certainly provide more information.He led us inside toward one of the little-used rooms, explaining that they hadnt wanted to put her in the dungeon-although her fear and desire to escape had required a guard. His expression turned uncomfortable.We, um, also had to bind her in iron. She unploughed attempting magic. Theyre still not able to fully stop her.A guard like this could never handle iron shackles without create himself intense pain. Sometimes, though, prisoners would be bound in bronze cuffs with a tiny bit of iron affixed to them. It required breakable handling by the captors but was unremarkably enough to stunt the prisoners magic.We reached the room, and the men on duty stepped aside for us to enter. There, crosswise the room, a slim young woman had her back to us. Long blond hair cascaded down her back, and I had a weird, disorienting sense for a moment as my brain grappled with the possibility that Moria had somehow made it here before us. Then, as the girl slowly turned around, the torchlight began bringing out glints of red in the golden hair that little Moria hadnt had. I realized what was possibility even before I fully saw my prisoners face.You have got to be kidding me, I said.It was Jasmine.