“She won’t refuse. She wants the ocean to heal. It matters little to her when, as Fae live so long, but within your lifetime is sufficient. The counter-favor might be similarly long-termed if needs must.”
Clíodhna considered her initial reason for forming alliances with the Queens – some leverage against Bodach’s power and machinations. Perhaps she could ask for that someday. His defiance of her judgment proved that he had hoped for more power over her actions. He wouldn’t be satisfied with her reaction. She must prepare for his countermeasure.
To that end, she called several courtiers for a meeting after court. Not all the courtiers; only those she deemed most sympathetic to her hold over the realm, rather than Bodach’s.
Clíodhna had Grimnaugh and Cerul gauge each courtier’s loyalties and approach each one privately. When they had gathered, she bit her lip, considering the numbers. Only slightly more than half of the greater Fae had come. She searched for the young white-skinned Fae she’d met on her arrival to the court but couldn’t see him. Bodach must have nobbled the youngster already, more’s the pity. He seemed sweet.
Still, she must move forward with her plan. She had the servants seal the hall and stood on the dais. “I’ve assembled you to ask for your loyalty.”
The courtiers murmured amongst themselves, confusion clear on their face. One stepped up, a blocky, brown Fae from the outer marshes, near to the border of Grian’s realm. “I don’t understand, my Queen. You took our vows at your coronation.”
“Obligatory vows, to the new Queen. I am now requesting your true loyalty to my person. Asking, not demanding. If you prefer not to pledge yourselves to me, you may decline and I will not punish you. I need to be able to count upon your support.”
She felt like a Chief begging his warriors to fight for him. Clíodhna must have actual, verbal, magical vows from each of her subjects before she got pulled into a pitched battle with the likes of Bodach. He must be garnering support himself for such an inevitable conflict. To ignore such herself would be folly.
Cerul stepped forward, her head held high. She knelt before Clíodhna, bowing her head with perfect dignity. “I vow myself to you, my Queen. Until my blood runs cold and my body turns to dust. Until I walk with the Gods in Tír na nÓg. Until the memory of my power has faded.”
A second Fae, one of the beautiful sea Fae, came forward next and vowed themselves to her with similar words. One by one, each of the assembled gave their loyalty to her.
With each vow, her power grew. It swelled as a tangible force, coursing through her veins and making her skin glow with potential ability. When each had made their promise, she stood tall on her dais, shining with their love and regard.
“The day may soon come where I shall call upon my host to march beside me. I thank you for your trust in me.”
They left in small groups, though a few stayed behind to ask her questions. She answered them as best she could and for the thousandth time, wished Adhna stood by her side. He had so much more experience at this palace intrigue. Grimnaugh helped immensely, but he didn’t hold the initiative and influence she needed by her side.
Clíodhna wondered how long it would take one of them to betray her to Bodach.
When they’d all left, she turned to Grimnaugh. “I need one more favor from you.”
He grinned wide. “Just the one, my Queen?”
Clíodhna returned the grin, but then turned serious. “I need you to find Adhna. His presence at my side is necessary. I don’t care what you need to do or who you need to bribe. Find him.”
While she waited, Clíodhna held court, and many sleeps passed before she saw Grimnaugh again. Clíodhna gestured her hand out in invitation for the petitioner to continue their request. The lesser Fae listed every single slight their neighbor had committed over the last eon, in excruciating detail.
After she’d drunk three goblets of mead, her attention drifted from his diatribe. Her body didn’t react the same to alcohol now that she’d gained the power of her loyal courtiers, but she still grew muzzy with too much.
Her mind drifted, remembering when she’d first met Adhna. He’d been so kind to her, teaching her so much. Then she remembered how well his hands understood her body, and her flesh craved his. She wanted him back with a sudden intensity.
Grimnaugh cleared his throat for her attention. She glanced around to find the frog-like Fae standing next to her. He leaned over and whispered, “I discovered news of Adhna.”
She removed her hand from her breast. It must have drifted there in her mind-fog. The petitioner still droned on with his litany of complaints in a mind-numbing monotone.
Clíodhna sat straight and cut the petitioner off with a curt gesture. He halted mid-word.
“I’ve developed a headache. Court is dismissed.”
The petitioners shuffled off and soon they stood alone in the great hall except for servants and a few courtiers. She didn’t want these privy to the information Grimnaugh brought, so she walked to her antechamber, beckoning for Grimnaugh to follow.
Once she’d offered Grimnaugh refreshment and shooed the servants out, she folded her hands in her lap. “What news did you find?”
He bowed his head. “The news isn’t good, your Grace.”
“How so?”
He swallowed and stared at his shoes. “I couldn’t find word of him at any of the other Queens’ courts, though a few didn’t deign to answer.”
She held her hand up. “I don’t care which steps failed. Tell me what you found.”
He cleared his throat again. “Bodach has him.”
She closed her eyes to keep from crying out in rage and frustration. “Bodach! May his rotten hide be
