“How would you know?” asked Ysabel with a sneer. “
I felt a blush of my own creeping over my cheeks. My new coddled status still grated on me, as did the knowledge that I had to keep myself out of harm’s way while others defended me. No matter how logical it all seemed, I’d never be easy about it.
“Hey, I did my part,” I said.
Ysabel had already turned away from me and was addressing Dorian. “It isn’t right that my son is risking his life for
“Agreed,” said Edria. Her dark hair was pulled back so tightly that I swore it stretched the skin on her face. Maybe it was the gentry equivalent of a facelift. “He has no stake in this alleged prophecy concerning her son. He owes her nothing.”
Pagiel kept trying to interject and was constantly shushed by his mother and grandmother. I felt bad for him, particularly as the only male in that family. His father had died years ago, and Ysabel’s father had allegedly been some ne’er-do-well who ran out on them. Pagiel had no one but women around.
Dorian glanced between Ysabel and Edria. “I’m not ordering him to do anything for her. He goes with her by choice.”
“But it’s not safe,” said Ysabel.
Dorian remained unmoved. “And again, I say that he goes with her by choice. Honestly, I’m not really sure what you expect me to do. Your son is a free citizen of my kingdom, and he is of age to make his own decisions.”
Ysabel looked on the verge of stomping her feet. “It’s dangerous! Isn’t it your job to protect your subjects from harm?”
“Certainly,” said Dorian. “And at the same time, I must also look after the kingdom’s needs. I can hardly protect every soldier in times of war, can I? And even if we aren’t technically at war right now, this kingdom is supporting the Queen of Rowan and Thorn. Doing that has certain unavoidable dangers, but there’s nothing to be done for it. Hence my use of ‘unavoidable.’ I can hardly denounce him for voluntarily choosing to assist her. And, in fact, since he’s gone above and beyond to keep her safe—as today’s skirmish proved—he’s actually due for commendation.”
Pagiel beamed under his king’s praise, but Ysabel’s face grew darker. Part of me felt a little sorry for her. After all, she was a mother trying to protect her son. Bitchy or not, she did care about him. At the same time, it was hard for me to give too much credit to someone who’d often used her son for her own gain. After the death of her husband, Ysabel had come to Dorian’s court with the sole purpose of seducing a man (preferably the king) who would then provide for her. Bringing Pagiel and Ansonia had been a ploy on Ysabel’s part to enhance her own allure. Fertility was a continual concern among the gentry, who didn’t conceive easily. Flaunting her two children was Ysabel’s attempt at showing off what a good catch she was.
“There, you see?” asked Pagiel triumphantly, finally getting a word in. “I have the king’s support. I believe in what I’m doing. I want to further the prophecy.”
I winced a little at that. While I was thankful to those who were helping protect me from Kiyo and Maiwenn, that gratitude was marred by the knowledge that most who aided me did so in the hopes that my son truly would conquer humanity. Gentry and humans had once shared the same world, but the former had eventually left as magic faded and technology rose. Many gentry felt they’d been wronged and deserved a claim back there.
“You’re a foolish boy,” snapped Edria. “And you have no idea what you believe in. Half of why you do this is because of her sister.”
I saw a flicker of embarrassment in Pagiel’s features, but he held his ground. It was true that I’d originally gotten to know him when he began showing a romantic interest in Jasmine. Over time, however, he’d become vehemently opposed to those who would threaten unborn children and had taken my side because of that.
“My reasons are my own,” Pagiel returned, glaring at his mother and grandmother. “Not yours. This is what I’m choosing to do, and you can’t stop me.”
The three of them seemed to have forgotten us and had been drawn back into their own private family dispute. Ansonia continued skulking in the back. I was guessing her mother had ordered her here to show family solidarity.
“Pagiel’s been amazing,” I said, hoping to lend him a little support. “In fact, he’s been essential on our trips to the Otherworld. Few other gen—er, shining ones have that kind of power in the human world.”
“Power that’s being wasted,” said Edria with a sniff. “He has more important things to do than be your errand boy.”
“Grandmother, you can’t talk to her like that!” Pagiel looked mortified. “She’s the Queen of Rowan and Thorn.”
“I don’t care if she’s—”
“Enough,” said Dorian, raising his hand. Everything about his posture was still easy and relaxed, but there was sternness in his voice that drew everyone’s attention. “This conversation is done. There’s nothing I can—or will—do. Both of you charming ladies must accept that Pagiel is a man and in control of his own life. Although, if it’s any comfort”—he spared me a brief, amused glance—“I doubt he’ll be traipsing off to the human world anytime soon, now that Her Majesty’s secret hideaway is no longer so secret.”
I scowled but made no argument—because he was right.
Pagiel’s blue eyes lit up. “I’ll help you find a new place,” he told me. “I’ll check all the gates and see where they lead into the human world.”
I smiled indulgently. I was beginning to think Dorian might have a point about staying holed up in this world, but I didn’t want to dress Pagiel down in front of Ysabel and Edria. “Thank you, Pagiel.”
Ysabel looked ready to explode. “This isn’t finished.”
“Oh,” said Dorian. “I assure you, it is. Now go. All of you.”
That commanding tone was back, and after some obligatory curtsies and bowing, the family scurried off.
“They’re always so delightful,” said Dorian.
“Not the first word that comes to mind for me,” I said, watching as the guards shut the door again. I sighed. “Although, I really
“That’s the unfortunate thing,” said Dorian, smiling. “It’s always going to be people you like. Enemies tend not to risk their lives for you. Only your friends are willing to make the sacrifice. Besides, I thought you got over this moral quandary when we went to war against Katrice?”
“I wouldn’t say I ever really got over it. Mostly I learned to deal with it.”
“That may have to be a permanent philosophy for you.”
“Maybe,” I agreed. I stood up, stretching to relieve an ache in my back that hadn’t been there earlier. Great. One more way my body was falling apart. “I should get back to the Thorn Land now.”
Dorian rose with me. “Not yet.”
I eyed him warily. “Trying to keep me around?”
“Just being smart. Maiwenn’s agents were probably watching this hold, waiting to see if you’d return after their ambush. If they’re still in the area, it’s best you not take to the roads, escorted or not. That, and they’d also likely expect you to report here and immediately go home. Wait another day or so, and they’ll give up and leave.”
“I hate intrigue,” I muttered, knowing he was right again.
“But you do it so well.”
Then, without warning, he reached out and laid a hand on my stomach. I jumped back. “Hey! Ask permission first.”
“Just wanted to check in on my little prodigies,” he said, unfazed. He stepped toward me again. “May I?”
“They’re not your prodigies.” I gave a reluctant nod, and his hand returned. “Why bother? I haven’t felt them move yet. You certainly can’t.”
“Even so, I like the connection. We’re going to be very close, these two and I. Well, if you’ll stop being stubborn and let me adopt them.”
It was an offer he kept making me, one that would give my children legitimacy and status in the Otherworld. As queen of two kingdoms, though, they had plenty of status and inheritance through me, without his help. Dorian
