Page 76 of Arise the Queen
“Perhaps. But wouldn’t you be better served to keep your armies close to home… to prevent another rebellion?”
“There will be no further rebellions,” said Málik.
“Why?”
“Because I’ve given them what they most desire.”
Baugh nodded, weighing the answer. “So… it is true?”
Málik nodded, but did not feel the need to elaborate.
Once they were done in this realm, he’d given the command to close the last portal. There was no place for magic in this land, and as every spirit departed, the portal’s magic would grow fainter… and fainter… like the dying embers of a once-dazzling flame… Until one day, the last of thepiskies, the last will-o’-the-wisps, the last of the Fae would pass through, and the path Betwixt would be closed evermore. This was the price he’d paid for his army—the deal he’d brought to the table. They needn’t believe in the Cornish Queen to fight for her. They simply wanted their affiliation to end.
“Why didyouchoose to fight?” Málik countered, turning the question, and Baugh scratched his head, then chortled.
“Consider it my parting gift… as my time here will be done when yours is,” he said. “Like your father, I will try my hand at a return to the homeland. I mean to take my wife and return to the Rhipaion valley, leave Caledonia to the likes of Albanactus.”
Gwendolyn’s return silenced both men until Baugh reached out to clap Málik upon the shoulder. “I leave him to you,Dótturbarn,” he said. “Have a care with him.” He gave her a wink. “Even a god’s cock will grow weary if you use it too well.” And with that, he gave his reins a snap and trotted away.
“What was that about?” Gwendolyn asked once he was gone, her cheeks stained with pink. Málik grinned. So it seemed she could sever a head, or run a man through, and bury him with her own two hands, but she was still demure enough to blush. He winked at her. “We’ve fooled no one, so it seems.”
It wasn’t a lie, only a deflection—for her sake. With the coming battle, he did not intend to divert her attention any more than he had already.
“He’s right, you know. Half-bloods do not fare well without the sanctity of marriage.”
“You mean babies!” she squeaked, and her brows collided, a look of horror twisting her features, as though she had nevereven once considered this consequence of their union. As it was, she needn’t worry about it. The difference between a Fae’s mating and a mortal’s was that Fae could not bear offspring, unless by mutual agreement.Shewould have to want it, but so, too, would he, and he would not leave a child to be raised without both a mother and a father. She leaned close. “I dislike Baugh asserts himself where he has no right, but, yes, we must have a care.”
“Worry not,” he said, winking again. “There are ways to bring pleasure that do not risk a babe.”
“Have we…?” Gwendolyn asked, and Málik was quick to reassure her, but it wrenched his heart when he spied the look of disappointment that crossed her features, despite her attempt to hide it.
Yet one more thing that would be denied them—the sharing of children.
It galled him, though he would not allow her to see his ire, nor did he intend to share the rest of the conversation he’d had with Baugh.
“When the time is right, you’ll have babes,” he reassured, and Gwendolyn averted her gaze. Because they both knew that if that came to pass, those babes would not be of his blood.
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The very thought made Gwendolyn ill.
She’d not mistaken his tone when he’d assured her she would have babes—only not with him. But she wouldnevertake a mortal husband.
Caradoc? Indeed!
He would be better suited to her mother. Eseld was not so old she should forsake her own desires, only because she’d been unfortunate enough to lose a husband through treachery. She had been considering this for weeks now, and the more she thought about it, the more hopeful she became, relishing the thought of little brothers and sisters running about Trevena’s halls. She would teach them how to wield a sword, how to ride a horse… and now that she and Málik had begun to heal their hearts, perhaps they too would have children running about Trevena’s halls…
Unconsciously, her hand moved to her belly, only considering…
Children of two worlds, who could do what she could not in this mortal coil… unite the Fae and mortal realms.
When this war was over, she would find some way to convince Málik to stay, or, if he could not, she would navigate that portal as often as possible, only to see him. There must be some way for them to do what must be done for the sakes of their realms and still be together…
The first snowfall arrived as they crossed into Parisi lands, but Gwendolyn wasn’t concerned. This was a tribe well aligned with the north. Not only did they contribute another thousand men to her cause, they also provisioned them with more food and supplies, and gave them leave to remain on Parisi lands as long as was necessary to prepare for the journey south. With spirits high, they settled for the winter near Petvaria, and there, huddled through the worst of the weather, remaining through December, January and February.
On the first day of March, a small company of warriors arrived, and Gwendolyn was shocked to discover they were led by Caradoc. Numbering little more than two hundred, the troop included Taryn, Kelan… and… Esme, who rode in on a steed as black as Caradoc’s hair, trotting straight up to Gwendolyn as though she hadn’t a care in this mortal realm.
Gwendolyn watched with arms akimbo as Esme dismounted, holding her tongue despite that she wanted nothing more than to upbraid her. However, as Esme was Esme, she made no apologies, gave no explanations. Nor did she appear the least contrite or uncertain of her welcome. She marched up to Gwendolyn with a toothy grin and gave her a resounding clap on the back.
