Here There be Dragons (Book 4 in the Twilight Court Series) Page 15

  “I think the resources you've already taken should be distributed to the other land courts,” James, one of the keeluts, said to Uisdean.

  “That's not going to happen,” Uisdean said simply, looking James up and down as if shocked that the keelut would speak to him.

  “Actually,” I lifted a brow at Uisdean, “that's not such a bad idea. You shouldn't get to keep ill-gotten gains. But I think an eighty/twenty percent split would be fair. Forty to both Twilight and Seelie while Unseelie keeps twenty.”

  “You want to let them keep some of the stolen resources?” Ralph asked in surprise.

  “Well it's not like we can hand it all back to the humans and it's not the unseelie's fault that their king is a schmuck,” I noted and Uisdean grimaced at me. “Also I think the men you forced to mine the resources should be given some compensation for their trauma.”

  A muttering went around the room, heads nodding in agreement.

  “You can't force me to give up the resources,” Uisdean set his jaw. “I am King.”

  “A true king shouldn't have to declare that he's king,” I observed.

  Uisdean's eyes went round and filled with rage. He took a step towards me.

  “I'd advise you to consider it,” Chad said in a deceptively cheerful tone, distracting Uisdean from whatever he was about to try to do to me. “You are, as the humans like to say; treading on thin ice, King Uisdean. One misstep and you will find yourself in deep and very cold water.”

  “Without a breathing spell,” I pouted, in what I'm sure was an extremely annoying fashion.

  Uisdean glared at Chad, then me, then Tiernan, and finally settled his stare on Raza. Uisdean froze like a rabbit sensing a snake. I looked over at Raza and saw something terrifying in his eyes. Not anger, not even ferocity, but machination. Raza was thinking. Goddess help us all.

  “You would not,” Uisdean said to Raza, in a low voice that had a surprising note of desperation to it. “You have no rights any longer.”

  “I have every right,” Raza declared.

  Uisdean's Guard tensed but their hands remained at their sides. No one wanted to move against the dragon-djinn.

  “The dragons haven't ruled the Unseelie Court for over three-thousand years,” Uisdean's eyes narrowed on Raza. “Your family has relinquished its claim and you are only a quarter dragon-djinn.”

  I felt my jaw drop. Was this what I thought it was? Was Raza making a bid for the Unseelie Throne? And also; dragons had ruled Unseelie?!

  “We never relinquished anything,” Raza spat. “It was taken from us and we were forced to accept it or die. My claim to the throne is as strong as yours, Uisdean, and you know it.”

  “Don't do this,” Uisdean warned Raza. “It will split our kingdom in two.”

  “Will it?” Raza cocked his head at Uisdean. “Or will it finally unite the unseelie under the rule of a fairy who actually cares about his people?”

  “I care,” Uisdean snapped. “Everything I do is for my people.”

  “That may have once been true,” Raza shook his head. “But not anymore. You've lost your way. You can't decide whether to be strong or cruel. There is a difference, you realize?”

  “You cannot do this!” Uisdean shouted.

  “I am Raza Tnyn, Marquess of Craos-Teine,” Raza said in a deadly voice. “I can do whatever I wish.”

  Uisdean swayed on his feet.

  “But I will not, just yet,” Raza smirked. “I only point out that I can and I will, if you continue to rule so badly, Cousin.”

  The room was full of gaping fairies, staring back and forth between Raza and Uisdean like they were at a tennis match.

  “A marquess,” I broke the silence. “I thought you were maybe a baron or something like that. But a marquess? What the hell, Raza?”

  “Titles are such tricky things, aren't they?” Raza smiled at me. “My Lord can be used for anyone up to a duke.”

  “Yeah, I know,” I chuckled. “It was a huge relief to me when I first took the crown. I'd be lost if I had to remember eight different forms of address.”

  “It would be ten actually,” Raza gave me a wink.

  “So be it,” Uisdean muttered. “Eighty percent to the other kingdoms.”

  “Wonderful!” Chad exclaimed delightedly, as if a threat of dethronement hadn't just been issued. “Now we just need to go over a plan to protect Alaska. Can I get a chair for His Majesty?”

  Chad waved out a hand and someone brought forward a chair for Uisdean. Uisdean took the seat, holding himself rigid and regal as he surveyed the living room as if it were his court.

  “Princess,” Raza was holding out a chair for me while Tiernan stared at him with an odd expression on his face.

  “Why have I never heard of Craos-Teine?” I asked Raza as I took the seat.

  “Because very few speak of it anymore,” Raza took a position beside my chair while Tiernan came up on my right.

  “It was the original home of the Unseelie Court,” Tiernan explained.

  “So you're telling me that dragons ruled both of the water courts and one on land?” I asked.

  “Dragons tend to rule,” Raza shrugged. “It's kind of our thing.”

  I chuckled at his use of human vernacular, which I knew was an imitation of my own speech.

  “Well, it's good to know that someone can keep Uisdean in check,” I settled back in my chair and set my stare on my uncle. “I'd hate to have to slap him again.” Then I smirked, “No, that's a lie. I'd love to slap him again.”

  The fairies were starting to speak animatedly about how best to patrol the shore for a possible dragon invasion. It sounded as if the Alaskan fey weren't thrilled at the possibility of unseelie guards being posted but at the same time, they didn't want to do the guard duty all by themselves. Quite the quandary.

  Then a knock came from the front door and everyone went still.

  “Are you expecting anyone else?” Tiernan's hand went to his sword hilt as he spoke.

  “No,” Chad narrowed his eyes on the door as his irises began to glow baby blue.

  “I hardly think an enemy would bother with knocking,” Nessa scoffed as she made her way through the crowd and opened the door.

  I heard a deep voice ask, “Princess Seren Firethorn?”

  Nessa's eyes went wide and she turned to look at me. “It's for you.”

  I joined her at the door and she eased aside so I could get a look at our visitors. There were four rugged looking men standing on Chad's elevated porch. A quick scan with my psychic senses showed them to be human but still, something about them wasn't quite normal. I cocked my head at them and found myself reaching for my sword... which of course wasn't there. So I started to reach for my magic, when one of them spoke.

  “Princess Seren?”

  “Who's asking?” I countered as I eyed their mountain-man clothing and matching muscles. “You guys part of the lumberjack union? Or are you one of those families who lives off the grid up in the wilderness?”

  “You mean like fairies?” A guy in back asked with a smirk.

  “No, not like fairies,” I said dryly. “Fairies have magic and living off the grid isn't really a big deal for us. We are the grid,” I held up my hand and waggled my fingers to showcase the lavender sparkles of my magic.

  “Ambassador Seren,” the one in front spoke again. He had a thick brown beard which went with his shaggy hair, and blue eyes so dark, they were almost black. “I am Wesley Dearheart, Alpha of the Alaskan Pack.”

  Tiernan cursed, giving away his location; right behind me.

  “Wolves, eh?” I looked them over, wondering yet again what it was about Alaska that attracted the canines. Maybe it was the freedom of an untouched wilderness. “That explains a lot but what it doesn't explain is why you're standing on this particular doorstep looking for me.”

  I didn't even bother commenting on the conflict between his looks and his name. I'm sure he got enough of that as it was and it wasn't like I had a normal name. People wh
o live in twilight castles shouldn't throw stones. Or something like that.

  “We watch over this area,” Wesley went on. “I'm sure you know that we witches have kept an eye on the Councils for awhile now.”

  “Yep,” was all I said.

  “Princess Seren, may we come in?” Wesley sighed.

  “Nope.”

  “It's cold out here.”

  “It's summer,” I smirked. “A balmy sixty degrees. You locals should be sweating. Now, what do you want, farm boy?”

  Alright, so I couldn't resist throwing one little pebble.

  “Yeah that's so funny, cause no one's ever used a Princess Bride joke on me before,” he grimaced.

  “It had to be said,” I noted in a deadpan voice. “Now it's out of the way and we can move on.”

  “We want to know why fairies think they can steal from us,” Wesley growled suddenly, showing a pair of lengthening canines.

  “The situation has been handled,” I replied calmly. “Put your teeth away. In this crowd, you'll just embarrass yourself.”

  “Are you really witches?” Chad peered over my shoulder at the men like they were animals at the zoo. “You look completely human. Though you do have a musky scent.”

  “Because they're also werewolves,” I explained.

  “Are you really a dragon?” The same snarky guy in the back asked.

  “Yes, I am,” Chad's eyes flashed as his voice went low and deadly. “Would you care to see my teeth?”

  “No, I'm good,” the guy swallowed hard and stepped back.

  “I need assurances,” the alpha wasn't intimidated. “What exactly do you mean when you say it's been handled?”

  “Oh, come in then,” Chad drew the door open further. “Good luck finding a place to stand. Perhaps try the kitchen... but stay out of my fridge.”

  Chad walked back into the crowd and the werewolves stared at the collection of fey with wide eyes.

  “Is this your first time actually meeting fairies?” I asked them.

  “Meeting; yes,” Wesley nodded. “We've seen numerous fey of course but we've never approached them.”

  “Well seeing and interacting are two different things,” I pointed to their feet and then gestured to the pile of footwear beside the door. “Take your shoes off, boys and welcome to the dragon's den.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Uncle Uisdean, if you think for one fairy second that we're going to allow your men to take over the watch at the shoreline, you're crazier than I thought.”

  It was two hours later and we'd finally hashed out a schedule of guards for the shore. Unfortunately, there was a lot of coast and we wanted to cover all of it, so our guards would be spread thin, even with the addition of the wolves, who declared that they had over twenty men to add to our efforts. We only had two groups, which meant twelve hour shifts for each of them. Harsh.

  “Fine,” Uisdean spread his hands out in surrender. “Will you at least allow me to post a few of my men at the mining site?”

  There were grumbles from both the assembled fey and the witches.

  “Easy now,” Chad held up his hands. “He can't sneak any resources past us. I'm in control of this rath and we'll have guards watching the sea, so he won't be able to use the underwater rath either. Even if there weren't dragon kings to deal with.”

  “There are other raths,” one of the new mermen said. “In other states.”

  “But it would be difficult to transport the resources there and then through those raths without detection,” I sighed. “I think we can allow a few of King Uisdean's men to patrol the mining area if that makes him feel better.”

  “Thank you,” Uisdean said stiffly. “Now I think we should prepare for battle.”

  “Battle?” Tiernan lifted a brow. “Do you really believe it will come to that?”

  “I believe there's a chance,” Uisdean cocked his head consideringly. “The dragon kings don't like being thwarted. And I don't like to be caught unaware.”

  “Plus, there's the matter of a dead water fairy,” I added.

  “Precisely,” Uisdean nodded. “They're out for your blood, Niece. You've killed one of their most beloved courtiers.”

  “I didn't kill him,” I offered lamely. “Raza did.”

  “They don't know that,” Uisdean smirked.

  “Alright everyone,” I decided to get us off the subject of dragons who wanted my blood. “If you're outnumbered, call for backup and run. There's no shame in retreat from overwhelming forces.”

  “My tizheruk friend will guard the undersea rath for us,” Chad added. “So if any of the water fey make it past him, they will, at the very least, pay highly for it.”

  “Excellent,” Raza nodded.

  Uisdean stretched his shoulders. “It's been a long day, I think I shall find lodging for the night.”

  “I'd offer you a room but as it is,” Chad grimaced. “I think you'd do best to find your own accommodations. My apologies.”

  “Not at all,” Uisdean stood.

  “Hold on,” I stood as well. “I'll join you.”

  “What?” His voice betrayed the barest hint of panic.

  “Is that a problem?” I stared at him suspiciously. “I'm taking up a whole bedroom here. If I leave, several fairies can share it.”

  “Of course it isn't a problem,” Uisdean recovered. “In fact, you can drive.”

  “Good,” I kept my narrowed gaze on him but he didn't flinch.

  “I shall join you as well,” Raza declared. “I should like my own space. Besides,” he held up a leather wallet. “You don't have any human currency, Seren.”

  “Right,” I sighed. “Thanks, Raza. My father will pay you back.”

  “Not necessary, it's my pleasure,” the dragon-djinn winked at me.

  Tiernan edged closer and took my hand.

  “We have our own homes in the area,” Wesley added. “And we each have at least one spare bedroom. We can put some of them up for the night as well.”

  “You're going to trust us fairies in your home?” I lifted a brow.

  “Well, technically we're fey too, right?” Wesley countered. “And trust is harder to gain if none is offered.”

  “Well said,” I nodded.

  “We'll take you up on that,” one of the merfolk said. “We'd like to stay out of the water for now.”

  “I got a hot tub,” one of the other pack witches said as he admired the mermaids.

  The ladies sent him shy smiles until one of the mermen stepped in front of them. “Thanks, that sounds great,” he said.

  The werewolf grimaced.

  “I'll just go fetch my things and we can leave,” I said to Uisdean.

  I turned and headed to the corner opposite the kitchen, where stairs led down to the first floor. Tiernan trailed behind me and when I stepped into the bedroom, he closed the door. I grabbed my dress, which was pretty much the extent of my “things” and turned to head out but Tiernan was blocking my way.

  I thought I was going to get a lecture but what I got was a scalding kiss that sent shivers racing down my legs. The dress fell to the floor as I wrapped my arms around Tiernan's neck and pushed further into his kiss. Then twilight came and with it, a rush of extra power to fuel my magic. I trembled through the tingles as lavender sparks danced across my fingertips. I pushed those power-filled fingers through Tiernan's hair and he moaned, pressing himself into me.

  When we finally pulled away from each other, we were panting.

  “Twilight,” I smiled. “That's why you followed me down here.”

  “You know how much I love to hold you when your magic intensifies,” he grinned back. “Now; shall we, Princess?” He held out an arm for me. “I believe your evil uncle awaits.”

  “We shall,” I took his arm. “Tiernan?”

  We headed up the stairs.

  “Yes?”

  “Do you really believe we'll be going to battle against the sea dragons?”

  “Believe?” He shrugged. “Hope?
Yes, definitely. I'd like nothing more than to get my hands around a dragon neck.”

  I lifted a brow, wondering if he even cared whether that dragon was of the water or djinn variety.

  “Do you think the dragon kings will come?” I asked. “Won't they just send their fairies?”

  “Not if it's personal,” Tiernan's smile turned malicious.

  “What's personal?” Raza asked. He was standing at the top of the stairs with a satchel in his hand.

  “All of it,” Tiernan gave Raza a level look.

  Something passed between them, something that had Raza nodding in understanding.

  “King Uisdean and his Guard are waiting in the van outside,” Raza waved toward the front door. “It's a good thing Chad has that extra vehicle.”

  “Yes, it's really come in handy,” I agreed.

  “You aren't the first group I've had to chaperone around Alaska,” Chad came up to us. “The first watch has left for their posts, Nessa took the qalupaliks with her again, and your witch friends have taken some of the merfolk. With your combined absence, I should have enough space to accommodate the rest of my friends.”

  “Great,” I headed for the door. “Then we'll see you tom-”

  A knock cut me off. This time, Chad answered it. He blinked in surprise, opened the door fully, and turned to me.

  “Princess Seren, your army has arrived.”

  “What?” I went to the door and found a contingent of twilight fey standing in Chad's driveway.

  “Your Highness,” the knight at the door bowed to me. “King Keir has sent us to secure you.”

  “Secure me?” I lifted a brow.

  “We were told to prevent you from attending to King Uisdean's rescue but I saw him as we walked up,” the man nodded to the van where Uisdean was waiting. “So I assume we've arrived too late for that.”

  “Yes, Sir Hideo, you have,” I chuckled.