pain, others like moans of pleasure; some it was impossible to distinguish.
They were eventually presented to a chamber draped throughout its length and breadth with gossamer ivory silk which filtered the flickering light of the torches on the walls so that the room was infused with a dreamy white glow. The material was almost transparent, but hung in so many places it was impossible to see what lay at the centre. Melliflor bowed and retreated, silently urging them to continue. They pushed their way through the gently swaying silk, which felt like the wings of butterflies when it brushed their skin. As each layer was passed they could see shapes more clearly. Veitch's heart began to beat hard in anticipation.
Finally they were through to the middle of the room. The Queen lay on a bed made of luxuriant cushions, so deep they looked as if they would swallow her. Her face was more beautiful than anything Veitch had seen in his life; there was a cruelty there which counterpointed the beauty in such a way it made her even more desirable. Her black hair was long and lustrous, her lips full and red; her eyes sparkled with an inner green light. And she was naked, her golden skin shimmering in the filtered light. Her breasts were large, her nipples tautly erect, her waist slim, her hips shapely, her belly flat; the epitome of what many would consider a male fantasy, truly the Queen of Desire. Veitch wondered if that was how she really looked, or if it was a form she thought could manipulate him; he tried to tell himself that with the Tuatha De Danann nothing could be trusted.
But then his eyes were drawn to her sleek, black pubic hair. She lay with her legs curled round so he could see her vagina. She made no attempt to hide herself; indeed, she seemed to be presenting herself to them. Veitch could see how Tom had been so entranced by her.
'It is wonderful to see you again, True Thomas.' Her voice was lazy and filled with strange, enticing notes.
'My Queen.' Tom bowed.
'Come.' She waved them nearer. 'Who is your companion, True Thomas?'
They stood so close Veitch could smell the warm perfume of her skin. She looked at his face intently, her eyes dark beneath half-lids; Witch felt sucked in by them.
'This is Ryan Veitch, my Queen. He is a Brother of Dragons.'
'Ah, one of the champions of the solid lands.' There was none of the mockery or contempt in her voice that Veitch had heard in so many of the other Tuatha lle Danann. She sounded honestly interested, even impressed. He attempted an awkward bow, which seemed to please her. 'You did us a great service by freeing us from the Night Walkers' place of exile,' she said directly to Veitch. 'You are in our gratitude. If there is anything you require here in my court, you only have to ask.'
'Thank you.' Veitch was embarrassed his voice sounded so strained.
The Queen suddenly noticed the colourful tattoos only half-covered by the sleeve of his jacket. Her brow furrowed in curiosity. 'What have we here? Is that the Staff of Heart's Desire?' She looked up brightly into Veitch's face. 'Please. Remove your shirt. I must see.'
Veitch glanced at Tom who nodded curtly. Self-consciously he slipped off his jacket and shirt; on his naked skin, the tattoos gleamed vibrantly. The Queen leaned forward until her face was close to his hard stomach muscles; Veitch could feel her breath. 'The Watchtower,' she mused. 'And here, the sword, Caledfwlch. Amazing. You are a walking picture book.'
She smiled seductively. Then, while her eyes were fixed firmly on his, she reached out gently until her fingers touched his skin just above his belt. A deep, uncontrollable shiver ran through him. Within an instant he had an erection so hard it was painful. The Queen kept her fingertips there a moment longer, then withdrew them just before he came. Veitch took an involuntary step back and sucked in a juddering breath.
Her little game won, the Queen turned from Veitch as though he were no longer there and spoke directly to Tom. 'You were always my favourite, True Thomas.'
He bowed. 'You are gracious, my Queen.'
'Why have you returned to me? I thought it likely I would never see you again. I presume you are not here to seek my affection?'
'We request your aid in a matter of great importance, my Queen.'
'We, True Thomas?' Her gaze was incisive.
'I request your aid, my Queen. And I will be forever in your debt if you will help me.'
'That is indeed a gift worth having, True Thomas.'
Veitch had the impression of an owner curbing her dog. Suddenly he could see the huge edifice of power and malice that lay behind her eyes, but that did not stop him desiring her.
'One of the Sisters of Dragons has been infected with the taint of the Night Walkers,' Tom began. He paused while he formed his argument, knowing that everything depended on it. 'That understates the situation. It is not a taint, it is the ultimate corruption. The essence of the Heart of Shadows grows within her. The Night Walkers seek to bring back the End of Everything.'
'That is indeed a serious development.' Her gaze never wavered from Tom's face; she didn't seem even slightly troubled by the news. She shifted her position, raising her behind slightly so Veitch once again had a perfect view of her sex. 'What is your primary wish?'
Tom collected himself before he said, 'To destroy the End of Everything.'
Veitch started. 'To save Ruth's life,' he corrected sharply.
The Queen's smile grew as she looked from one to the other. 'A disagreement?'
'No disagreement.' Tom fixed a cold eye on Veitch.
'There is no need to argue.' Her voice was like honey. 'There is a possibility I may be able to help you achieve both your aims.'
Tom bowed again. 'Anything you can do to help us would be gratefully received, my Queen.' She glanced at Veitch and he realised he was supposed to prostrate himself too. He bowed awkwardly once more and muttered something that approximated Tom's statement.
It appeared to please her; she nodded and smiled. 'There are many secrets here in the Court of the Yearning Heart, some which are hidden even from my brethren; even from the Court of the Final Word. Here, all things are given up eventually.' She sucked on her index finger as she thought deeply for a moment. 'The Eddy-Ball,' she said with a certain nod. 'A gift of great value to me.' A smile; the game had begun. 'The orb opens out into the void between worlds. It has the ability to suck the essence from the solid.'
'And this could be done without harming the Sister of Dragons?'
'Of course. And the Heart of Shadows will find itself in a place where no shadows are cast.' This amused her.
Veitch could barely contain his relief. Although Tom maintained his plain expression, Veitch could see the signs in the Rhymer's face too.
'Thank you, my Queen,' Tom said.
'And you will do something for me. True Thomas?'
His face grew taut. 'Of course, my Queen.' Tom waited for her to demand he stay behind.
She pretended to think, toying with him. 'No, True Thomas, not you. This Brother of Dragons.' She glanced seductively at Veitch. 'I will give the Eddy-Ball to him and him alone, and in return he will carry out a simple request for me.'
'Anything,' Veitch replied before Tom could stop him.
There was a triumphant note in her smile that made Veitch uneasy. 'The Questing Beast has again escaped from the pits beneath us. It is loose in the solid world. It is my heart's desire that this Brother of Dragons seek it out and destroy it, or at least lead it back here to the Court of the Yearning Heart.'
Veitch could hear her words, but all he could see was Tom's face, which had grown eerily bloodless. 'The Questing Beast-' he began.
The Queen silenced him with an upraised hand, her eyes watching Veitch's face intently. 'Will you do this for me?'
Whatever doubts Tom felt, Veitch knew he didn't have an option. 'All right.'
'Then I will make the arrangements. Go with Melliflor and he will provide you with all you require.'
They moved slowly away until the gently stirring sheets of silk had swallowed up the Queen once more. As they walked, Veitch brushed against Tom and felt the trembling that was running through the Rhymer's body.
They were provided with two connecting chambers far from the noise of the Great Hall where they could rest and prepare themselves. They were both ravenously hungry, made worse by the plates of food left for them on
