She grabbed him by the arm, and with an apologetic glance at Airiu, he allowed her to lead him away. She led him back to the bower where they’d completed their first tryst. This time, his experience had even less romance than the first time, if possible. He had no control over his body’s reaction to her attentions, and she completed the act quickly. Tomnat hesitated when she’d finished, and then she raked her fingernails–which had somehow turned into cat’s claws–across his chest, leaving thin slashes which bled onto the gossamer fabric of the bower.
Without another word, she let out a dreadful laugh and left him.
Daubing at the scratches, he winced at the stinging pain. He dressed with care, trying not to get more blood on his clothing. He then returned once again to Adhna’s home. He felt branded, like a farmer’s kine.
When the roundhouse came into view, Fingin noticed Airiu waited for him, but Bodach had joined her. She didn’t appear happy with his company, but she sat straight, doing her best to ignore his presence. The darker Fae moved his hand up her arm, caressed her shoulder, then ran his finger down between her breasts. Her jaw clenched, she refused to move or acknowledge his intrusions. When his efforts elicited no reaction, he moved closer, until his lips almost touched hers.
Fingin hurried, hoping to help Airiu. However, he needn’t have worried.
As soon as Bodach’s lips touched hers, Airiu bared her pointed teeth, and, when that didn’t make him draw back, she sank them into his cheek. His bark skin resisted more than bare skin would have, but they still broke the surface, making him cry out in pain and surprise. He jumped back, holding his hand to his face.
“Foul harridan! I will see you punished for this outrage!”
Airiu hissed at him. “Me? Punished? For your own outrages far surpass my own, Bodach, and well you know it!”
Bodach let out a hearty laugh and then winced from his wound. “The Queen won’t listen to your side of the story, Airiu. Have no hope for that.”
“She may not listen, but she will hear, none the less.”
Another voice came from behind Fingin. He spun around to see the Queen. “What will I know, Airiu?”
Both Fae fell silent, their heads bowed. Fingin’s body stayed still. He wanted to run, to hide behind Adhna’s roundhouse, but he had no control over his muscles. With great effort, he relaxed his knees, which let his body drop to the ground. He felt safer out of the line of the Faerie Queen’s wrath.
The Queen’s voice, even in this bucolic glade, far away from her imposing palace, bore through his bones. “Bodach, you will explain this situation.”
The bark-skinned Fae sidled up to her, his head still bowed. However, his voice retained its customary arrogance. “My Queen, this Fae has been taunting the mortal, tempting him to break his vow with Tomnat. I’m only trying to convince her such activities aren’t fair to a poor human, one unable to resist the lure of the Fae.”
Airiu let out a harsh laugh, and the Queen turned to stare at her. “Is this the truth, Airiu?”
“Of course it isn’t, my Queen. Fingin and I chatted peacefully. I had been telling a story when Tomnat arrived and absconded with Fingin to complete the second half of his vow. During that time, Bodach arrived and pestered me.”
The Queen didn’t change her expression with either explanation. She clasped her hands and waited. “What else?”
Airiu glanced at Bodach, but he maintained his innocent façade. She glanced back to the Queen. “I may say nothing, Your Grace, in the current company.”
The Queen narrowed her eyes and set her jaw. “Do you defy my command?”
Airiu stood straighter, the first glimmer of fear showing in her eyes. “Not at all, my Queen. However, the information I have is for your ears only.”
The air grew colder, and the light dimmed. Fingin remained frozen, but it seemed as if everyone else did, too. Bran whined beside him, and he wanted to comfort the dog, but couldn’t even move his hand to place on Bran’s head.
The Queen’s voice grew colder than an ice storm. “Bodach, you will leave.”
“My Queen! But there is something you should hear—“
“Leave. Now. Do not test my wrath, Consort.”
The bark-skinned Fae gave Fingin and Airiu each a murderous glare but slunk away with several glances over his shoulder. As soon as he disappeared, the air warmed again. Queen Cliodhna sat on one log, a normal movement that removed some of the regal mystical quality from her stature. The freezing eased, and he placed his hand on Bran’s flank, patting the dog a few times in reassurance.
Again, the Queen spoke, but her manner had also thawed. She smiled, her berry-red lips in a beautiful curve which took Fingin’s breath away. “Airiu, what have you to tell me? I suspect I already know your news, but I would hear it from you.”
With a glance at Fingin, Airiu cleared her throat. “It’s about your Consort. May I speak of him?”
“You may.”
“Bodach is searching for information, trying to find something against you, Your Grace. I fear he is trying to undermine your power. He’s interrogated me, Uasal, and even Tomnat.”
“And have you told him anything to his advantage?”
Airiu’s eyes grew wide. “Of course not! Even if I knew anything, I’d never tell his ilk.”
The Queen nodded. “Good, good. You’ve done well, Airiu. I must find a way to reward you for your loyalty. Now I must speak with the human and his hound. Leave us.”
The ice had returned, but it had nothing to do with the Queen’s magic and everything to do with Fingin’s own fear.
As his love left, he sent her a beseeching glance, a wish, and a prayer.
