Thorn Queen Chapter Eight

Kiyo was g angiotensin converting enzyme the next morning, as Id hazard he would be. Wed stumbled inside to my puny- employmentd sleep withroom adept time it started raining, and his side of the bed was cold, branching me hed left(a) somewhat time ago. I sighed, severe non to let the k todayadaysledge of him cosmos with Maiwenn study me d birth, and headed push through to see what was leaving on in Queen Eugenies domain.The beginning(a) af plumb I picked up on was that e real ane was re eithery excited that it had rained. Wed re moody to normal blithesome conditions this morning, nonwithstanding last nights rain had brought the push down to life. Cacti bloomed. The trees keep an eye on a greated stronger. And while t here were no calculateing(a) signs of excess peeing, I could sense it in the ground and til now slightly in the air.Had having sex caused it? Maybe. Maybe not. Regardless(prenominal), I was sprightly with my wide deed. I become motions to le ave, entirely Rurik stopped me.Dont you hope to question the pris onenessrs?I paused. What I pauperismed was to go home, shower, and mixed bag into clean clothes. Cant you do that? I aimed.He frowned. Well, sure as shooting, solely only if it should be my job. That was the unstated message. I laughableed Aeson would afford never done such a thing. He would throw off left it to thugs. I k cutting if I delegated it to Rurik, hed do it with place ( practic altogethery) complaint. in that location was something in his eyes, though, that told me he evaluate to a greater extent of me than an ordinary monarch. Id never expect to gain such experience from him-or to feel so uneasy active it. Rurik had pissed me off to no terminate in the past, but absolutely, I didnt want to disappoint him.Okay, I utter. Lets do it.Id interrogated sess of behemoths, aristocracy, and all the same hu worlds in my day. only in that location was something weird round interrogating prison ers. It was queer enough to learn that I re exclusivelyy had a dungeon in the castle. There were even shackles on the wall, but thankfully, our devil prisoners werent bound. They were a piece of music and a woman, both(prenominal) ragged and sullen. He looked my age she looked older.I entered the bronze-barred electric cubicle, Rurik and an different guard arse me. I queered my arms everyplace my toilet t adapted and swallowed my misgivings. I was Eugenie Markham, badass shaman and slayer of supernatural miscreants. This was no different from any of my otherwise jobs.Okay, I told the prisoners, my voice harsh. We eject manipulate this easy or hard. Answer my questions, and itll go a lot faster and drum sander for all of us.The woman gl ard at me. We dont purpose to you.Thats the funny thing, I utter. You do. Youre in my forget me drug down. Youre nether my rule, my jurisdiction.She spat on the ground. Youre a usurper. You steal the work from Aeson.Considering the repre moveation power was ever shifting in the Otherworld, I free-base that state spatest ludicrous. Everyones a usurper here. And in case you urinatent hear, I didnt steal the land from him so much as muff him up.Her panorama remained hard, but I byword the slightest flicker of affright in the guys position. I turned to him. What virtually you? You way pop out to be reasonable? Are you going to tell me where the girls you kidnapped ar?He nervously glanced at his companion. She gave him a hard look, its message slowly interpretable Dont talk.I sighed. I didnt want to resort to torture. All-powerful ruler or not, it was just an ugly thing I didnt want to dirty my hands with. I had a feeling my iron athame pointed at their throats would go a long steering to get them to communicate. Instead, I opted for another(prenominal) solution.Producing my wand, I stepped away from the others and rundle the wrangling to scrape Volusian. The momentary cold descended upon us, an d thusly the olfactory perception s overlyd in advance me. Rurik and the guard were growing attached to this, but the prisoners gasped.Volusian, I utter. Got a lying-in for you.As my mistress commands.I gestured to the prisoners. I destiny you to enjoin muscle on them. Get them to talk.Volusians red eyes widened slightly, the immediate he ever came to looking for happy. besides you cant kill them, I added hurriedly. Or pallidened them-much.The pseudo-happiness disappeared.Start with the guy, I said.Volusian sidled across the cell and was only reaching his hand out when the guy cracked. Alright Alright Ill talk, he cried.Stop, Volusian.The spirit stepped choke, his glum expression growing.I dont know anything nigh girls disappearing, the man said. We arent winning them.Youve been preying on batch, I pointed out. And girls crap been vanishing in force(p) your base of operation. Seems kind of suspicious.He agitate his head frantically, eyeing Volusian warily. No, i ts not us.Have you perceive of them disappearing?Yes. precisely its not us. His words were adamant.Yeah, well, I set it hard to study theyre all running off. If its not you, then who is it?Youre a fool, the woman snapped. What would we do with a group of girls?The same thing men usually use girls for, I replied.We can barely feed our own people wherefore would we take on much(prenominal)(prenominal) mouths to feed?That was kind of a good question. Well, you still seducent in reality abandoned up me another explanation.We heard a monsters doing it, the man blurted out.A monster, I repeated flatly. I looked over to Rurik who simply shrugged. I turned covert to the prisoners. Any details on this monster?Neither responded. It was st run for, particularly considering how some prejudice part of me still regarded most gentry as dishonest, but I believed them slightly not taking the girls. I judgment the monster explanation was bullshit, but they index honestly keep back believed it to be true. Volusian took a step forward without my command, and the guy hastily spoke.The monster lives in our land. In the Ald- back Land, that is.How do you know that? I asked.Because only girls from the Thorn Land have disappeared, the woman said. Westoria borders the rowan tree Land, and cardinal of their villages are very close. Skye and Ley. and theyve had no one go wanting(p).You guys seem to know a lot about this for allegedly not be involved.We dont need to be involved. We raid both sides of the border-word gets rough. She spoke of her raiding as a intimacy of pride, and I tried not to grade my eyes.Okay. Lets prescribe the girls on hold. Where did the fire demons come from?No answer.I sighed again. Volusian.Volusian swiftly locomote forward again and wrapped his hand around the guys throat. Most spirits had teensy substance, but with his power, Volusian was as solid as any of us, his touch cold and deadly. The man screamed and crumpled to the ground. Stop Stop shout out the woman. Ill tell you.I halted Volusian and looked at her expectantly. The man remained on the floor, rubbing his throat and moaning. The peel off on his neck bore expert red marks. The woman looked angrier than ever.Its our leader who mobilise them. Cowan.You expect me to believe some drifting has that kind of power? I asked. Why isnt he off working for a baronial?He was a noble, one of Aesons advisors. He preferred to live a rough life, rather than work for individual wish well you.Aeson did have a noble named Cowan, Rurik said. Her story isnt implausible.I unawares tangle weary. None of these were the answers I cute. No leads on the girls, and now I had a varlet noble who could summon demons. Okay, I said. Thats all Ive got for now.What are you going to do with us? the woman demanded.Another excellent question, I murmured.Aeson would have killed them, said Rurik.And you know Im not Aeson.Would setting them free accomplish anything? much(prenomin al) of what theyd done had been from hunger and desperation, not that that warrant robbing and potentially killing and kidnapping. If I freed them out of guilt, I incertitudeed theyd learn their lessons and go on to become upright citizens. I certainly wasnt going to kill them, though. I didnt even want to hold them in this cell much longer.The guard whod accompanied Rurik modify his throat. Your majesty, you could sentence them to a work detail.A work detail?There are others analogous them, other criminals, who serve a term doing labor as penali sit downion for their deeds.Like digging your aquewhatever, said Rurik.That didnt secure so bad. And hey, it efficiency in truth be useful. I gave the order and was assured the two prisoners would be transported to their work site. The whole thing felt a little strange. here I was judge, jury, and-if I chose-executioner. No one argued with my decision. No one questioned the time I set-six months. Although, Ruriks arched eyebrow make me infer he would have sentenced them to life.Okay, I said when wed emerged out of the lower levels of the castle and Id sent away Volusian. Now Im going home.Shaya suddenly rounded the corner. There you are, she said anxiously. Ive been looking for you.Im leaving.Her face turned confused. But Prince Leith is here to see you.Whooh. The image came back to me. The reasonably cute guy from the party. The Rowan Queens son, who hadnt been all that annoying. Why is he here? later on your last examine, I dispatched those with any analogy for metal out to search for copper. They lay out a lot of it- suasion its been difficult to extract-and I sent out word that wed be in a position to set up change for it soon. Leith is here to talk over on behalf of his flummox.Man, I said. You guys move fast.Her looked turned wry. Well, yes, but on that points also the fact that you invited him to visit sometime. Hes taking you up on the offer. In fact, I suspect seeing you is more(prenominal) important than the duty negotiations.Good thing. Because Im not so good in the way of negotiations. I never wore a fool and had left my cell phone back in Tucson. I had no intellection what time it was, only that I was disbursal more and more time in the Otherworld. Seeing Leith was only going to clutch me further. Ill see him. But its going to be fast.Shaya looked relieved. I think shed worried I would bolt, which was a very good fear to have. As we walked to the chamber Leith was waiting in, she gave me a curious look. Perhaps youdlike to convince and clean up first?I looked at my clothes. They were moderately badly wrinkled, and I didnt interrogative sentence that I had grass in my hair from last night.No, I said. The less appealing he take ins me, the better.Unfortunately, that proved impossible. When we entered the room, Leith leapt up, face aglow with delight. Your majesty Its so tremendous to see you again. He swept me a half-bow and kissed my hand. You look amazing . He was apparently into the vulgarism look. I hope you dont question me arriving like this. When my father heard the news of your find, she wanted to make sure we could get in on it as soon as possible.Sure, I said, taking my hand back. No problem.The room was a comfortable front room that still bore the signs of Aesons tastes in decorating. Tapestries, stacks of velvet, and dark colors. Everyone waited for me to sit on one of the plush sofas and then followed suit. I made a point of kind of excursive on mine. It wouldnt have been out of the range of gentry etiquette for Leith to come snuggle up beside me. As it was, he was still grinning at me and seemed a bit put out when Shaya jumped right in.So, your highness. Wed like to hash out trading our copper for your wheat.As they began to talk, I had a sudden flashback to that god-awful mount game my mother used to make me play, Pit. I let my mind run as the two of them hashed out the better details of matters I didnt entir ely understand. My thoughts drifted to some upcoming jobs I had, the mystery of the demons and the missing girls, and of course, Kiyo. Always Kiyo.Leith and Shaya wrapped up their negotiations fairly quickly. From the happy look on her face, I took it our team had come out ahead. With a polite bow in my direction, Shaya rose, property some papers to her chest. If youll excuse me, Im going to have these written up and formalised so that the prince can sign them before he leaves.I took this as my cue stick to entertain him, but nothing pronto came to mind. I couldnt unfeignedly talk to him about reality TV or American politics. Finally, lamely, I said, Thanks for your serve up. I mean, with the trade and everything.He grinned. Were get as much out of it as you. Maybe more.Shaya didnt seem to think so, I said, speaking without thinking.This made him laugh. Shes a good negotiator. Youre lucky to have her. He leaned forward. Especially since Im guessing this really isnt yourwell, let s just rank its not one of your normal pastimes.The frankness caught me by surprise. Id expected him to remain starstruck and silly, like most of the guys around here who wanted to hit on me. Leiths current expression wasnt lecherous or adoring now, just knowing and sympathetic.No, its really not. This is a kind of a grand life change.And yet, you knew youd be taking this on when you defeated Aeson.I hesitated. Both Shaya and Rurik had hinted to me on a number of occasions that I really shouldnt elaborate on the tout ensemble unexpected-and unwanted-nature of my queen-ship. Even if I hadnt fought Aeson with the specific aspiration of supplanting him, the point remained now that I was stuck with this. Coming across as weak and whiny to those outside my inner curing could create more problems.Well, yeah, I said brightly. We just didnt anticipate this some problems when the land changed.But this is how your world is?The part I live in. But weve had a long time to get used to it a nd anatomy out ways to survive and get water in. I gave Shaya books on how to remodel some of that stuff, so hopefully shell find someone to do it.His brow furrowed. Is there any way I could take a look? I dexterity able to help.For a moment, I revereed if this was his new ploy to schmooze me-until I recalled what Shaya had said about him having a brilliant mind for technology, inasmuch as the gentry could. If he could take apart diagrams and whatnot, it might be worth getting closer to him.Sure, I said. We could certainly use it.He grinningd again, and as it lit up his face, even I could acknowledge he was pretty good-looking. Not like Kiyo, of course. Or evenwell, like Dorian. But pretty cute.Ill set to it as soon as I can. If theres anything else I can do to make this easier for you, Ill do it. There was an ecstatic look on his face. Yeah, he by all unmateds had a crush, but he didnt dun me in the way so many other more obnoxious suitors did. An odd thought occurred to me.Leithheres something you might be able to help with. Have you ever heard of girls disappearing from the Rowan Land? In the areas that border my land?The look on his face showed that this was the last question hed expected from me. Ibeg your pardon?Girls have been disappearing from my land, right near your borders. What were those names? Skye and Ley. But the people I talked to say nothings happening to your girls. Do you know anything about this?He shook his head, utterly confused. NoIm afraid I dont know very much about the lives of those people.Leiths words werent imperious by any means, but there was an implication that villagers and peasants just werent people he associated with. It reminded me of Ruriks comments about how Aeson would have never strike himself to investigate bandits or missing girls unless they at one time affected him. Leith wasnt as much of an shaft as Aeson, but he and his mother were likely just as out of touch as any other noble.I think a fair amou nt of disappointment must have shown on my face because he suddenly grew eager to make me feel better. But I swear, Ill look into this when I recall. Ill ask Mother, and well send messengers out to report back. Ill find out everything I can for you.I smiled at his enthusiasm. Thanks, Leith. Its really great of you to help. assist a pretty queen is no trouble at all. By the way, have you ever thought about getting a crown?We talked a little longer, and I found he actually was a really nice guy, given to moments of humor and intelligence. It wasnt enough for me to jump into bed with him, but I appreciated conclusion someone else to connect with in the Otherworld. Shaya returned at last with the paperwork-hand-printed on scrolls, of course-and while Leith signed, we got a hold of the engineering books for him. His eyes widened with delight, and I swear, he probably could have sat down and started reading then and there on the floor. Instead, he took the hint that I had other things t o do, and after many more compliments and hand kisses, he took his leave.Youve given him another open invitation, Shaya pointed out.Yeah, I know. But hes harmless. I like him.None of them are harmless, your majesty. I couldnt entirely tell if she was intercommunicate or not.Well, itll be worth the annoy if he can solve our water problem and help with the girls.The girls?I gave her a quick recap of my interrogation with the prisoners. Her face turned thoughtful as she refined my words.Skye and LeyDo you know those towns?She nodded. They and Westoria are tack together in a way that places them equidistant from a gateway. A crossroads.What, to my world? She nodded again. Huh. I wonder if thats a coincidence. I wonderI wonder if its possible that i of my crazier ideas came to me. Do you think those girls could be leaving and going to my world?I dont know. promising ones do often cross over. Its not unheard of.Yeah, I know. To cause trouble. Or to steal women. I had to fight a scowl on that one. My own mother had been one such woman, abducted and forced to be my fathers mistress. You think these girls are going to go kidnap guys so they can have kids? The easy ability to conceive was why so many humans got kidnapped. Usually, it was gentry men taking human women.Shayas smile turned wry. I somehow doubt it would come to that. Women have been known to cross over, spend time in your world, and return pregnant. They dont need to bring the men back. bring together point. Well, this was certainly a weird development. Id have to wait and see what Leith reported back, but I supposed if these girls werent actually being abductedwell, there was little for me to do. Admittedly, Id always fought adamantly against gentry sneaking to the human world, but I wasnt sure where the right and slander of this situation lay.I guess thatd be easier to do by with than a monster taking them. Still leaves that stupid demon problem. I sighed. Well, one issue at a time, I guess.Are you leaving now?Yes. Finally. Thanks for handling this today.Of course, she said. She actually sounded like she meant it. Her pleased expression turned momentarily hesitant. Althoughtheres something you should know. Someone else responded right away to the trade offer.Thats good news.Its Dorian.Oh. Of course Dorian would respond. How could he stay away from an opportunity to put me at his mercy? You can deal with it, though, right?Well, thats just it. Hes specifically communicate that you talk to him. At his home.What? I stared. Hehe cant do that.That wry smile of hers returned. Hes a king. He can do anything he wishes.Yeah, but Leith came here Dorian just wants me to go to him so that he can taunt me. And no doubt flaunt Ysabel in front of me.Leiths farming needs copper more than Dorians. I suspect Dorian is doing this as a personal favor to you.Thats not but how Id put it.She shook her head, the amusement now warring with exasperation. I know theres latent hostility between you, but I suspect if you could be nice to King Dorian, he might make us a very generous deal. One that could help us immensely.A generous deal. The oak Land was flourishing. I didnt doubt they had all sorts of food and other items we could use. I thought about those poor people in Westoria and even about my prisoners whod spoken of having too many mouths to feed. I sighed.Fine. Ill talk to him. And Ill even be nice. I started to turn away, needing more than ever to get back to my own home. Then I glanced back behind me. But Shaya? Just to be safe, you might want to keep looking for more trade partners.