Page 38 of Tasteful Anarchy and Tangled Auras
Adelaide
Now that we have averyloosey-goosey plan, I work with Grandmother to arrange travel for myself and my two consorts to Glario, for a formal tour, then onto the Temple for the Mabon festivities. Bryn argues for mirror travel, as the obviously safer alternative, but I know that Grandmother will want to make a show of this. I wonder off-handedly how well the announcement that Eira and I are the new heirs is being taken throughout the FEC.
Queen Seren settles on a retinue of twenty guards, a large handful of servants, and my consorts, as I’ve been very careful to avoid her learning that they are my mates.
I hate it. I’d rather ride freely with Bryn and Ossy, sleep in a tent between their warm, muscular bodies and actually enjoy myself. Instead, I’ll be the pampered royal Priestess. But there’s no arguing with her on this one. As soon as I get her to agree to let Rory go as a servant, I give in to the rest and work to get us ready for the trip.
THE RIDE NORTH IS ODDLYpleasant, once I let go of my annoyance about the retinue. Bryn, Ossy, and I ride horses at the head of the group. Bryn looks like he was born in a saddle, and Ossy surprises me with his horsemanship. I pat my redmare, who’s named—very originally—Red. She was bred for the Temple, as Priestesses only ride red mares. The palace staff keep several for myself and Alys at all times. Shockingly, Alys is a tight-ass about protocol and appearances. I couldn’t give a shit, really. I do truly enjoy “priestessing” out and about among the Fae, but the ritual abidances and protocol dig at me.
The boys, as I’m starting to call them in my head, and I are settling into a comfortable rhythm and getting to know each other. It’s almost surreal to watch them bond, but it makes me feel really good. I love Ossy’s term of family; I grin like a fool whenever I think about it. A family, a true one, not like my royal family. It’s inconceivable to me that I’ve somehow been gifted an instant family, when I never thought I’d have that safety and security.
Every late afternoon, the head of the Queen’s Guard calls a halt and servants run about, setting up my ridiculous tent and cooking food. Rory “serves” us our drinks, then sits with us as we stare into the fire and chat and enjoy the beer Rory has brewed. We don’t talk of anything of consequence, and the relaxed time together unquestionably feels like a blessing. My charming-yet-opposite mates take turns sharing my bed at night.
About halfway to Glario, our route starts to run parallel to the Murimont River. It warms my heart; the sound of the water, the occasional glimpses of sleek bodies. However, I can tell it sets Bryn and Ossy on edge, worried that a water Fae may attack. I bite my tongue; they aren’t necessarily wrong, but their caution fucks up my plan.
Bryn has a discussion with the head of the Queen’s Guard, and they decide to move our party east, putting some space between us and the river. I know I need to tell the boys my plan this morning, for we’ll be heading away from the water today.
At breakfast, I pour us all some cider and clear my throat. “I need to go out this evening alone, after we make camp and have dinner.”
“Absolutely not,” Bryn says flatly. Ossy raises his eyebrows.
I huff. “You haven’t even heard why.”
Swallowing a bite of eggs, Bryn shakes his head. “Doesn’t matter. Not worth it.”
I feel my anger rise and I take some deep breaths. They’ve both taken to “fucking my anger out of me,” as Ossy says. It’s delightful usually, but I need them to hear me right now. “Listen, I need to swim up a tributary of the Murimont—”
“Nope.”
“And collect an aquatic herb that I know grows at a confluence to the northwest—”
“Still no.”
“It’s called pygmy bladderblade. It’s used—”
“I don’t give a shit what it’s used for, Adelaide,” Bryn grumbles. “The answer is no. Neither of us can follow you in the water—which is full of individuals that would love to drown you or us, by the way.”
I scowl at Bryn. “It’s used for a variety of ailments, including ulcers, but most importantly,it’s toxic to alp-luachras.”
Ossy purses his lips. “Easily removing the joint-eater from the equation would make the ritual plans run smoother. Can we not hike to this part of the river to collect it?”
“No. The river in that direction is pretty much a gorge.”
A shrug. “No, then,” Ossy says. “It’s not worth the risk to you. We’ll find another way to take out the joint-eater if necessary.”
I slam my silverware down. “You two are not in charge of me. You’re not even in chargein general!” I’m galled, and perhaps a little too indignant. “I’m the heir to the throne. I’m a Priestess. I’m a female. That’s three reasons that you cannot make mydecisions for me!” and without thinking I push myself up and out of my tent.
I head straight for Red. I swing up upon her and take a silent lap around camp to see how packing up is going. I am furious and affronted. How dare they tell me what I can and cannot do.
I spend the entire day with Rory. I am too livid to see either of my mates. They pick up what I am putting down and avoid me too. Good. Jackasses.
I EVADE THEM AT DINNER, going to face the sunset as I begged off, saying I need to do some devotions to Aine. Night falls as I kneel, my face to the west, saying prayers to my Goddess. I ask for her protection tonight, on the full moon, and on Mabon. Three nights of chance, of peril, of fortune; it has good balance and I feel tranquil about it. Truthfully, I’m not really worried about tonight. In my seal form, I’m fast and I feel no fear.
If we had time for me to adjust, I’d take my crow form and fly. But the call of the river is too strong for me to change into either of my land animals. When I lived in Glario, it had taken me months to use them. We simply cannot delay.
I feel Bryn’s eyes on me. He’s suspicious. He thinks I’m going to slip out of camp. He’s right. I am going to, because fuck him. He doesn’t get to make decisions for me. I finish my prayers and head straight to my tent. I see Ossy stand as I do and throw a glare at him. I’ve been using a blocking spell since I stormed out of breakfast, leaving our bonds locked down. They should surmise I’m still pissed off and going to bed. Alone.
Inside, I grab my cloak and double-check that I have pouches and that my daith piercing is tight. It’s what carries my enchantment that allows my clothes to change with me. Losing that little earring while in seal form would suck.
