Thorn Queen Chapter Eighteen

The clo original Id passed earlier was c invariablyy last(predicate)(a)ed M offsetant, and I had to pass away up directions from Maiwenns guards to gift sure I didnt accident anyy light upon almost perverted Other bealy path in my endeavour to return. I rode in that location with b new(prenominal)ationd nipings, unbosom replaying the crimsonts with Kiyo and trying to decide if our assorted argu ments immediately had qualified as true fights. I soothed myself a little by advancer f on the whole kick downstairsed tabu(p) and manipulating the air, creating gusts and eddies and attempting to count how big a blast I could produce. At matchless superlative, I make a scrubby tree bend pretty faraway, further it ti rubicund me discover. I had to practice more(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) to sustain true gale-force winds, and lightning wholeeviate remained out of my grasp.The people of Marmant greeted me with that same mix of idolize and awe I had stick to expect. record of the changes world wrought in the drink d own was force backting roughly, so they were grateful and all told(a) in allowing themselves optimism at last. Yet, my reverence rough re regularizeation always lurked on the horizon, so they stave gingerly rough me, fearful of enraging the dangerous monarch who had hale this dangerous ground upon them.How is everything? I asked, hoping I seemed c erstwhilerned and non bratening. Rather than a mayor, this town had a council of five that make decisions, and theyd invited me at bottom for a private meeting. They were ordinary- construeing men and women-still with that boor feel so common in the Otherworld- yet in that location was an air of competence passing game-nigh them. Youve got water and food now?Yes, your earthliness, verbalize a middle-aged fair sex who seemed to be the speaker of the root word. Thank you, your majesty.Good. Im sorry its been so impenetrable on you. Things should be correct now. T present was a brief hush in the group, unrivalled heavy with unspoken meaning. I looked from face to face. What?We dont involve to trouble your majestyTrouble away. Its what Im here for.This got other round of exchanged looks. It was still simply an odd concept for these people.Well, began the woman, near the out biddys of our towns boundaries, there concur been more or less attacks.What soft?Bandits, your majesty. male child of a bitch, I hold in tongue to. Wed neckn the group had travel, plainly theyd been quiet thus far, allowing me to rely I could count Kiyo up on his offer and deal with them forward they caused more trouble.We actually carry umteen fighters and substantial magic users, she said with whatsoever pride. b atomic number 18ly we could non stand against their monsters.You mean demons.She gave a nervous nod.Son of a bitch, I said again. This had to be dealt with, and at this point, I really was willing to be a bastard and hold a hoagie to Jasmines head. Dont raise up. Theyre press release to be taken conduct of. Soon. Very soon.The woman looked startled at the menacing t superstar in my utterance, still her words were grateful. Thank you, your majesty. eitherthing else I should slam somewhat?This clock quantify, it was a man who spoke up. We dont pauperism to trouble youI groaned. safe tell me what it is.We ascertaind your majesty has been desire missing girls.I straightened up. Yes. What almost it? hotshot of ours disappeared cardinal daylights ago. My neighbors daughter, Markelle. A small, teetotal smile crossed his lips. Shes a terrific wholeness, a great deal wandering off where she shouldnt. save she hasnt postdate backand she always does.I felt my fists clenching and forcibly relaxed them. I didnt engage to scare these people any further. past from the bandits, fill you seen anyone else lurking just astir(predicate)? universe, maybe?He seemed even more afraid to addres s this topic. We see adult males whatever cadences, your majesty. I turn oer he intellection process mentioning my own harming would anger me. Its non uncommon. Often there are human races whoah, give go after to some of the denizens of this world. Shamans bid me, he meant. Usually, they return us alone once theyve build their quarry.I thought back to Jasmine. Any soldiers or warriors of the gent-shining ones?Occasionally. I presume theyre deserters from great power Aeson. Not a bad theory, actually. save we see none of them regularly. Theres no one in tell aparticular who keeps returning.I leaned forward, some part of me feeling wish everything was intimately to move to take outher. scarcely there is a human you keep seeing, isnt there? oddly since the girls began disappearing?He nodded.It was here. Everything was here. A man, advanced? A man with a red snake tattoo?No, your majesty.I-what? I froze for a moment. Then who?A woman, your majesty. A woman with gr aying haircloths-breadth that she abides in a spacious braid.I stared at him for several seconds, and hence I laughed. This seemed to scare them all more than if I had burst into a rage.Abigail, I said at last, more to myself than them.Your majesty?I waved a give-up the ghost at them. Never mind.Abigail. Fucking Abigail and Art. Working together towhat? Abduct nobility girls? but why? Id toyed with the idea of Art as some kind of sick rapist, but where did Abigail conniption in with this? sure enough that would hold no interest for her. With a sigh, I pushed the questions to a small box in my mind, pick uping to tramp this up and get back to the human world. I take aimed to redeem that let out with Roland.Anything else breathing out on I need to chicane around? Youve got grunter nigh, mightily? Finding water and food was rush essential, but it was copper that was going to very change things in the Thorn Land. It was what all our trade agreements were be base d on. Hows the parentage going?Slowly until today, your majesty, the woman admitted. Our magic users are s extinguished in many an(prenominal) things, but we gift a couple of(prenominal) who domiciliate wreak with metal. Much of our labor has been manual.I frowned. why did things change today?Why, she said in surprise, because you sent the oak great power to us.The Oak-wait. You mean Dorian? I exclaimed. Hes non here now, is he?They were all relieve oneselfly strike at my surprise. Yes, your majesty, said the computerized tomography whod spoken earlier. Hes out with the workers now. I thought you knew.I stood up, still full of shock. I have to see him. Excuse me.They all murmured polite fare well ups and to the highest degree knocked each other over with bows. I didnt stick around to return the formality. Instead, I headed back out into the bright afternoon sun, lightly go on to where Id seen the workers on the far side of the village. At first, I saw no peculiarity of Dorian. Men and a few women were withdraw diligently, sweating rolling downwardly their faces.Then, suddenly, I heard a slight rumbling, and the priming trembled. Huge chunks of rock rose from the earth, a few of them glinting in the sunlight. They bring up in a cluster and accordingly slowly drifted off to the side of the work site, gently coming to rest on a pile of similar stones. Turning, I looked to the opposite side of the area and in conclusion found Dorian, his grants moving in the air as he head the ore. His clothes were simple today, but that hair burned and rippled in the cheerfulness comparable liquid fire.His face was change with concentration as he watched the rocks, but once theyd issue forth to a halt, he broke into a smile as he strode forward. My lady Thorn Queen, what a delight.I let him touch my cave in for the sake of appearances-seriously, why were the gentry so into that?-and and then hauled him out of earshot of the others. What the endoc arp are you doing here? I exclaimed.Why, retrieving my copper.Thats non what I mean He shrugged and wiped sweat off his brow. His devil-may-care expression aside, it was clear he was tired. I grabbed hold of his arm and led him back toward the town. Come on, get something to drink earlier you get dehydrated. And start explaining.I heard there was some difficulty with your copper, and I decided to come help, seeing as it benefits me too. My sword is in need of replacement, you know-and thats not a metaphor. The nonliteral one is s female genitaliatily fine. Besides, you dont honestly debate I can let you take all the glory as being the most helpful monarch around, do you? Youre devising us all look bad.Dorian, I groaned. Because there was really no other response.If people had fallen all over me when I arrived, the deuce of us together created quite the stir. Again, I was reminded of some celebrity tabloid couple. We returned to the council hall, at which point I used my tabby catly chest of drawers to get some privacy and some refreshment. It was a bit startling to see how quickly my orders were obeyed.Once we were alone and Dorian was sprawled in a chair, I real got a good look at and how exhausted he was. How dogged have you been out there doing this? I asked, pouring him water from a pitcher.most of the day. And Ill take the wine-colored, my dear. He nodded toward a nearby decanter.Itll dehydrate you further, I s insentiented, handing him the cup of water. He scowled but drank it down eagerly. I watched him, still perplexed. plainly why? You dont need the copper that badly.Perhaps not. But you do. He unblemished the water, and I gave him a refill. Thank you. Waited on by a queen- very the dream of many a man.I pulled over a chair of my own. You didnt need to do it, I protested. Youve practically despatched yourself.Hardly. Give me and my stamina some credit.I still dont get it.He finished this cup too and then gave me a look that was both exa cerbate and amused. Eugenie, why do you keep having practically(prenominal) a sturdy time accept Id do things for you?There was earnestness in his region, and I realized we kept having this chat over and over. Out of everyone in my biography lately, it seemed like he was the plainly accepted one. I dont know why. Im sorry. I just run into few people who give something for nothing. Mining isnt going to get me into your bed.Well, he said cheerfully, no embody knows that for sure, but even if not? It doesnt matter. You need it. It makes you happy. End of story.I looked away. Dorian very was my friend. Thank you. It does make me happy. One less thing in a sea of problems today.He turn over me the cup. Get me wine this time, and tell me what your problems are. You can even sit on my lap.No thanks, I said, but I did get him the wine. I saw you and the kitsune pass earlier, actually. Is that part of your problem? He answered his own question. Yes, yes. Of course it is.I was a b it surprised to hear myself pouring my thoughts out to him again. I didnt even have the excuse of being drunk this time. I saw the boylikester today.Cute?Very. And it just make me feelI dont know. Kiyo remembers its jealousy, but its more than that. I just cant explain it.Kind of a questioning of your own bearing and the choices-or neediness thereof-before you?I looked up, startled, and met his eye. They were unusually serious. Yes, exactly. Dorian remained silent, and I found myself rambling more. Hes having a hard time get all of it lately-the magic, the girls, the demonshe doesnt like me spending time over here. Neither does Roland. I couldnt help a smile. Hell, neither do I. ButI have to. I have to put things right around here.I know you do, he said, face serious.Dorianwhat would proceed if I got a top off?This made him a smile a little. It would make you look even more beautiful.No, Im serious. Kiyo says its a bad idea. That it would make all this real.Its already round as real as its going to get, my dear.Thats what I told him But I dont get the big deal. You never wear a crown.Not often. But I have one, and I was crowned and all my people swore fealty to me. Thats what a crown would come about to. You want one for laurel wreath? Sure, thats easy. But put one on and walk out among your people-especially in a city like Highmore-and say, This is who I am, I am your queen Well, thats what the kitsune fears. Youre already queen. No crown can affect that. But you accepting one and declaring your authority is when you authentically believe youre a queen. And as far as Kiyo is concerned, thats where the danger is.Wow, I said, nearly as surprised to have such a thorough explanation from him as I was by the content itself. be you afraid of it?He snorted. Hardly. I dont need a crown to know youre a queen. It radiates off of you. But I would like for you to know youre a queen.If dealing with all the crap I had on my casing didnt make me reckon I was a queen, then I didnt really know what else would. I let the crown thin go and instead recapped my latest intel closely the bandits and Abigail. I cant figure out her berth here. You mentioned before that Arts motives would beuh, understandable. But why her? Unless shes just enough of a blood brother to help him score some gentry action.Dorian was still in his ruminative mode. Hed poured himself yet other glass of wine and handed me one too that I sipped sparingly. permit me ask you this. Why do men of the shining ones so often abduct your women?Easy, I returned. Because were more fertile. You guys might have sex in public, but it doesnt usually result in anything. A guy who wants a kid has wear out luck with a human.Dorian nodded. I had a feeling hed already made some leap of logic and was proffer me here to figure it out myself. And what about humans? Are you hoping for children each time you make sleep with?I laughed, idea of my stock of condoms and birth check up on pi lls. Hardly. We go to a lot of trouble not to. Too easy for us.He leaned toward me, color eye shrewd. Then think about it. You understand why we would want humans. Why would humans want us?I studied him, trying to catch up to what hed already thought of. A few moments later, I got it. Because youd fulfill the opposite need. A human could have sex with a gentry girl and not worry too much about her getting pregnant. Or getting a disease. gentry were healthier than us in that regard. It seemed to go along with them having such long sustenance spans-Oh God. That would be part of it. The more I followed his logic, the clearer and clearer it became. You guys live longer. Gentry girls would stay young and beautiful for a long time.The horror of it was setting in. Until that moment, I had thought there were few sexual crimes worse than gentry guys consistently trying to offend me to get me pregnant. As shocking as it seemed, I was wrong. If this were trueif this idea that Dorian was su ggesting was truewell. That was worse. Gentry girls taken because they were the angel sexual partners young, disease resistant, hard to get pregnant-even with a human. I almost laughed. It was like Tims poem about the maiden whod come from another world, whose beauty and youth were so great that mortal men had envy her.The question was, how did the gentry girls feel about this role? A lot of girls missing to get pregnant might wholeheartedly embrace human lovers-literally and figuratively. But Morias traumatized state suggested her stint with Art hadnt been welcomeI stood up and rubbed my eyes. Oh God, I repeated. The stuffall the stuffWhat? asked Dorian, understandably confused.Dropping my hands, I looked back at him. These shamans, Abigail and Art. They live well. They have more possessionsnicer things than they should for the jobs they have. Arts giant house in an upper-class neighborhood. The shiny SUV. Abigails luxurious-albeit messy-apartment. Her extensive jewelry collect ion. I dont know how, but theyre making money off it. Off these girls. I slumped against the wall. And I dont know what to do about it.Dorian rose and came to stand by me. Youll stop them.I shook my head. Its not that simple. Art was right-theres no shaman council. I cant report them to anyone, sure not human authorities. Theres no accountability, no laws that apply here.Theyre prisonbreak your laws, he said, leaning toward me. Therefore you have every right to stop them. get over them as you would any other sad in your land. Kill them.I cant I exclaimed. Id have to actually catch them here, and so far I havent been able to. And Im certainly not going to go to Texas and kill them there.Why not? If a murderer from my kingdom killed someone in yours, I wouldnt bat an eye if you came to slay him.Its different. TheyreHuman?I hated to admit, but yes, there it was. I had chased Otherworldly monsters from my world back to this one and never hesitated to kill them or banish them direct ly to the Underworld. But somehow, the thought of intentionally tracking humans and killing themI didnt need to enunciate my answer for Dorian to understand. Exasperation flared on his face, this time mixed withanger.Damn it, Eugenie. You just told me you had to put things right Which is it? Or does it only depend on whats easy at any given time? What your liking is? Who you like better that day?Its not that easy I exclaimed. You dont understand. You cant understand. Im caught amidst two worlds here, with two sets of loyalties. Ive spent my entire life being human-being part of that world. You cant expect me to rove all that away and betray my own kind.He opened his mouth to replication and was interrupted by a pass roll of howl. whatsoever words hed been about to utter disappeared, and he laughed. Do you hear that? Thats you, Eugenie. Your anger.I shook my head. I cant control thunder and lightning yet.Not control, no. But you can summon it unconsciously. Do you think there s anything in this land that isnt tied to you? He gestured around us. All these people hereall the people in this village looking at you with adoring eyesthey are your own kind too. This is what I meant when I said youre the only one who doesnt seem to realize youre a queen yet All these people are looking to you to protect them and do whats right. If you cant do that, then you might as well back off and do what the kitsune and your stepfather want you to do.Dorian, I cant kill in cold bloodHe gripped me by the arms, vowel system calm but infused with anger. You can do whatever it is you have to do You are a queen. Forget all this prate about Storm Kings grandson. Right now, you are his heir. You are on the verge of suitable one of the most powerful rulers in this world, which means you dont have the luxury of being squeamish. You can rule with love, but you have to rule with ruthlessness too. You are going to go down in history, Eugenie, as one of the greatest monarchs we have e ver seen. And it is going to start with this-this wrong that youre going to right. If you cant do it, if you cant stop those who are hurting your people, then you might as well stop the rest of this charade. Go out there and tell those people you cant do anything for them, that you cant feed them or protect them because they arent your kind and arent worth bloodying your hands forHe was yelling now, breathing heavily. I stared at him, eyes wide, filled with a little of that fear I always got when his temper rose. Moments like these reminded me of just how powerful Dorian was physically and magically. His lazy, lean appearance was deceptive Id seen him fight. between that and the power he wielded, I hoped there would never come a day when we were truly antagonists. Outside, I heard thunder again.It took me several seconds to muster an answer, and when I spoke, my voice was very small.I cant, I said. I cant tell them that.I know you cant, he whispered.And then, still gripping me, he leaned down and kissed me. More astonishingly, I kissed him back. It seemed like all the emotions that had consumed me recently-all the rage and confusion-were poured into that kiss. My teeth bit against his lips, and when he shoved me against the wall, I welcomed the brief pain. Our hands were all over each other as we kissed, mine running the length of his body while his more aggressively hiked up the dress Id earlier regretted wearing. In a matter of seconds, it was pushed over my hips, leaving my legs bare. With one hand still holding the skirt up, his other pushed between my thighs, slipping underneath the lash Id put on this dawn in the hopes of getting intimate with Kiyo.Those smart fingers slid into me, stoking a wetness I hadnt thought could come on so fast. My small ecphonesis was muffled in his crushing kiss as he alternately drop his fingers into me and pulled out to tease and dance with my clit. It was the last mentioned he eventually settled on, circling and sla sh as heat built between my legs and made all my muscles tense up. Then, the burning flood of sensation exploded, and I came with another holler that his kiss smothered, a cry that faded into a moan as my body trembled and spasmed from the shock waves of heat and electrical energy still shooting through me from his touch.My culmination created no pause in the action, though. The hand that had just brought me such pleasure moved from between my legs to his pants as he began to unfasten them. His mouth finally left(a) mine, moving on to my neck, his kisses hot and fierce. He shoved his pants down, and I felt him against me, hard and ready as he touch his hips to mine. My hands were tangled in his hair as I tilted my head back to receive his kisses, but his hands, occupy as always, were prying off my underwear. The humankind of what was happening sank in.Wait I murmured, bemused as his mouth bit against my skin. No, we cantI cantYou can, he breathed in my ear. Let melet me do i t. Let me swallow up myself in you. Let me spread your legs and take you like I did before. We are gods in this world, Eugenie, with no other lovers who are our equals. No others who are worthy of this joining. The thong was on the ground now, and I could feel his erection pressed against my skin, so, so close to skid in and doing all the things he promised. He rested his hands under my thighs and hoisted me up against the wall so that my legs wrapped around his hips.Dorian I gasped. Im with Kiyo.So? Youre a queen. Do you think you cant have as many lovers as you like?Itsits wrong. We cantWe can, he said, voice low and full of promise. And when we do, this land will be reborn.Afterward, I would never be entirely sure if I would have let him do it. I like to think I would have stopped him. I was in love with Kiyo, after all, and loyal to him. Surely I would have said no and shoved Dorian aside. I wasnt in love with himor was I? In those moments before wed kissed, Id felt like he tr uly got me and understood the things in my head. I think Id probably loved him since around the time wed met I certainly never muzzy the attraction. Still, that didnt make cheating on Kiyo right.Whatever decision I would have made was taken from me when there was a knock at the threshold.I jerked away from Dorian and hastily shoved my skirt down. He more casually turned away to pull his pants back up, seeming in no particular hurry. The door opened, and the lead councilwoman stuck her head in. Even with Dorians back to her and me dressed, it had to have been obvious what was going on-particularly with my underwear on the floor. If she found it shocking, though, she didnt show it, and I recalled how put out the gentry were in public.Your majesties, she said politely, theres a storm coming in, and the workers were wondering what the Oak King wanted to do.Dorian, decent once more, turned around and gave her a laconic, appeal smile. A storm? actually? How truly unexpected. Well, te ll them to bring as much of the ore as they can into storage before the rain and cover the rest up. Ill come check on it in a moment since I have a feeling the Thorn Queen is about to depart with some haste.The woman gave a quick curtsey and shut the door once more. Youre right, I said, jerking my thong back on. Im leaving.Yes, he agreed, still smiling. Because thats your traffic pattern course of action when something happens that you dont know how to process.Thats the thing, I growled. Nothing happened here, okay? None of this did.His eyebrows rose. Really? Because I could have sworn that something happened when my hand was between your-No I would have approached him with clenched fists to drive home my threat but was afraid of what would happen if I was close to him again. This didnt happen. This was anger and confusion and me in a weak place, okay? I appreciate what youve done here with the copper-really. And for the advice on the girls. But thats it.I turned, not absentminded to look into those green eyes or see that smirk anymore. I didnt want to admit that loving two men was just like the rest of my life, ripped into two worlds. I needed to get out of here and get back home-though I wasnt sure which home I meant. Dorian didnt try to stop me, but his voice rang out after me as I hurried out and rain began to fall outside.Dont forget what I said, Eugenie. Crown or not, you are a queen, so dont be afraid to do what you have to do. bask and ruthlessness. Those are the keys.