Page 11

Chapter Eleven

Hellebores could only help me so much

H ellebores stroked me frantically. Five of them. Tap, tap went Princess Change’s chisel out in the courtyard. She had ramped up her hunt for a dried bouquet. Thwack, thwack arose the damp orchestra of daylight activities between Princess Bring and Gangrel. Clang, clang banged Picket, out at the wall. He surely struck metal, not brick. If there was leftover space in my mind, I might have wondered what he was working on, but this dusk, even the dark murmurs and mutterings of my humans swelled in my mind.

There was a constant whispering in the walls of my queendom too.

But most of all.

Most of all.

King Raise stopped lamenting his princess to ask, “Can you hear that whispering in the walls?”

I forced my mouth to form words. “Yes, I hear it.”

“ She… not… away,” hushed the feminine voice in the walls.

I tilted my head, but the whispering cut off after. My lips curved. Ah , my suspicions were correct.

“What is it? Is that usual?” he asked.

I did not answer. I suspected a new monster had come to grace my queendom, and this monster must be protected in its infancy. She was no concern of a king’s.

I wished Raise’s marital issues were less of my concern, too, but since these mediations delayed war with him, I would continue playing my part of counselor.

The thwack of Princess Bring and Gangrel increased in pace. The rhythm grew erratic before halting altogether. Only the clang of Picket and the tap of Princess Change remained. The humans had retired into their thatched homes to have dinner.

I dared to ask the Raises, “What if you discovered that another monster had forced this misery upon you?”

The Raises turned their blank faces to me. What a wonderful symmetry between inside and out because I gleaned that they felt rather blank after my question.

“I will expand the thought,” I told them. “ How was your union warped?”

“Because we dared to love,” sobbed Princess Raise, then wailed.

Before she could pick up emotional pace, I shot in. “What if love did not warp your union?”

Her wail ended abruptly.

“Then I would slay the creature responsible one thousand times, then one thousand times again,” boomed King Raise.

Princess Change had not spoken of any ruin forced upon the Raises’ union, but she might have missed that out on purpose. The line in the original poem of kings—the one about fraying seams kept niggling at my mind. In the chant of fifty mothers, they had mentioned that unions are seams. Unions meant more than I had anticipated. Had I fulfilled my purpose already by uncovering King Change’s sinister ruin on monsters, or was a grander ancient scheme afoot?

I would not pass on my knowledge of King Change’s depraved ploys to the Raises. But insanity might claim me despite the best efforts of hellebores if the tragic carousel of these conversations did not change direction for two minutes.

King Raise spoke again. “Only ancients have the power to affect matters between princess and king.”

He surprised me with his connection. “What could you assume of ancients’ involvement if they did warp your union, sir?”

“They are punishing us for our love,” cried the princess.

Her husband’s exhale shook. “I must agree.”

I am glad they agreed on something, though I disagreed with them. “Here is what I see.”

Princess Raise snapped her head up, and I received her blank warning and threat. If I was not careful in how I meddled, she would betray my kingly obsession.

“King Raise,’ I said, “from the perspective of a queen, I have watched this marital issue drag you from purpose time and again. Ancients will not have it. This disagreement in your union must find resolution, so that you might return full attention to your purpose.”

He growled, “These mediations drag me from purpose too.”

I nodded. “Which leads me to my solution. While we resolve union matters, I propose that we counter the time you are away from your purpose. Princess Raise will work toward your purpose and in your kingdom for the same length of time as these meetings. Furthermore, I suggest that she also work in your kingdom for any length of time where you dwell on the futility of your lovers’ quarrel. In this way, ancients may not seek to punish you for neglecting purpose, and you will have the pleasure of knowing that your princess dwells in your kingdom for a time.”

Princess Raise had stilled. The princess wished to be free in her husband’s kingdom, not locked away. She also had to go about his purpose to make up for his tendency to spurn it in favor of loving her. This solution would “punish” her for not signing the amendment, and more importantly, would punish him for dwelling on his love for her. She would have ample reason to work on his purpose, and in freedom.

I could not see the way to heal their warping yet, but they might find easier ground to walk upon with this.

And a princess might not keep watching me with distrust.

King Raise tilted his head. “My princess should work at my purpose for the same amount of time as we engage in marital dispute.”

“’Tis only fair that there should be consequence for her,” I murmured. “Once she feels the heavy burden of your purpose, she may be otherwise convinced to amendments.”

“Purpose is no burden,” he said too quickly.

His purpose had become a burden from the moment Raise loved his wife. Apparently union was seam, and if unions were seams, then this one was frayed indeed.

I sat straighter. Five powers to grasp the world’s fraying seams,

And if golden fate deems fit, to mend.

But could it be? Surely there was more to my purpose than mere heart healer. Yet I was golden fate, and unions were seams—though seams of what I could not say. How stumping to feel that this marital mediation was crucial to the fate of the world.

Ancient scheme was afoot.

I said, “King Raise, please consider this before next time. Now, my pawns await.”

The Raises scampered for the double doors, though King Raise glared over his shoulder at my audacity of kicking him out.

Soft laughter squeezed from the walls. I blinked as skeletal fingers appeared out of the stone before sucking away again.

“Hello to you,” I called.

Whispering, then silence fell. She was not ready to meet me.

“Mother,” I said, peering out the double doors to the pawns gathered beyond. “This is a very complex affair.”

Beyond pawns, a glittering hellebore appeared atop Mother’s grave in answer to my comment.

“Another mother arrived?” I asked. “I shall be there again soon.” I had visited my mothers after the meeting with King Bring too. Their arrival was swift and steady.

As pawns filed into the throne room, I observed Princess Change walking over to inspect the glittering bloom. Her face was set in determined lines, but a softness washed over her features as she assessed the lush hellebores.

Such potential of monsterdom. Such warping in union. I almost felt sorry that she would never find her bouquet.

Pawns awaited me. “Good dusk to you, and what news have you tonight?”

This was the first dusk in some time where I did not wish for them to answer. So many strings pulled at me, and I wished not to be a puppet for a night.

No pawn was forthcoming.

“Anything from King Take?” I asked.

Gangrel, Sanguine, and Vassal shook their heads. They appeared exhausted. More wrinkled and gray than ever.

“King Bring?” I inquired.

The bringing blobs were crispier than last night.

I said, “King Bring’s ailment will meet a resolution, dear pawns. You need not worry so. ’Tis not the job of pawns, nor princes, to fret.”

Toil’s slime cracked and crunched as he nodded.

They were not in good health. “Did you take care to hydrate as I ordered?”

“Yes, my queen,” Hex rasped.

Their uniquities were fading. “You will do so again,” I demanded, feeling the urge to stomp somewhat. “You may be assured that matters with King Bring have my attention.”

Sigil’s bottom blob jiggled as if he might cry, and the sight made me wish to sniff away tears of my own. I detested seeing them like this.

“Seeing pawns?” I asked next.

Will Be bowed. “My queen, our king is calmer than ever. He occupies us with management of his sixth. His humans are in some disarray.”

“What have you seen?” I asked—not an easy question for pawns. Odds were that they could not answer. They were not witnesses after all.

Has Been screwed up his face. “They gather in larger groups. There is more glass on the streets. Crops ruined. Paint splashed on buildings.”

He sagged after.

“Well done, Has Been. Thank you for these grand details.”

A bright pink splashed across his chalky cheeks. “My queen, you flatter me.”

The other pawns glared at him. Unguis and Loup included.

I had to speak further on human affairs with Princess Raise. She had assumed that the humans of King See were engaging in peacekeeping efforts—therefore behaving in line with See’s purpose of supporting me. Has Been’s report challenged that assumption and suggested that no sixth was impervious to the unrest. “Anything of King Raise?”

“He tires of mediation, my queen,” said Deliver.

Make that two of us.

“Does he meet with other kings?”

“Always, but he met with King Change yesterday. There have been no meetings with King Take in the last week, and that is uncommon.”

So a possible alliance with Change, but a severing of one with King Take? Take had demanded retribution for his princess’s crotch nuzzling of me. He was a certain ally in this time. Many strange happenings were afoot, and many of them were linked.

Tonight was not as burdensome as I had expected. I felt emboldened to ask, “Werebeast pawns, what of King Change?”

Unguis and Loup looked to Huckery, who regarded me in his calculating way.

“King Change seeks to tear down your queendom,” he said. “As you know.”

“He wishes to place me in a cage in his kingdom,” I corrected.

Huckery tilted his furry head. “You are not meant to be caged.”

“Nor any monster. But I blind a seeing king. And so I am invaluable to a king who does not wish to be thwarted in ruin.”

A growl built in his chest. “There must be a way for a king to ruin without harming a queen.”

And did he worry about me so? A cheering thought because I often wondered if Huckery detested me more than he delighted in me.

Sign grunted, then Seal groaned. Deliver yelped. Mother gobbled back stones in time for three staircases to erupt through the ground. The pawns leaped aboard and promptly disappeared.

Pawns should not obey the calls of their king during this time. I frowned at their immense rudeness.

Gangrel, Sanguine, and Vassal’s fangs slithered down.

“Our king calls urgently,” Gangrel hissed. “Might we go, my queen?”

I crossed my arms. “I suppose we are done. You might go.”

Two kings had called their pawns at the same time. Take and Raise… who had not met in a week. What was the connection?

The pawns filed out. When they were gone, I stood from my throne and stomped my foot. Then a second time. And a third. Ah. The release.

I bit back a yelp as the stone floor was gobbled away again. A stairway exploded into the throne room.

“My queen,” gasped Sign. “You asked us to watch kings.”

I strode to him. “You did not disappear on your king’s orders.”

He reeled back as if struck. “I would never answer my king’s call during our dusk ritual.”

“I stand humbled.” Goodness, and I had stomped my foot three times over it. “What has happened?”

My mind connected Sign’s gasping state to the sudden disappearance of my taking pawns. “What has happened to the Takes?” I asked before he had answered.

He appeared stunned. “How did you know it was the Takes?”

I did not answer, for I had heard a knock at my wall of bars. The knock was not timid, nor humble, nor respectful. The knock was furious and jilted.

“Await my order,” I said to Sign, then floated in queenly gait to the courtyard.

Princess Change smirked from the shadows behind mother’s grave, and I ignored her to approach the gate.

Picket was there. “My queen, Princess Take visits. Shall I allow her entry?”

My, but my picket monster was bedraggled. Just how hard was he working.

“Allow me?” she screeched. “ Allow me ?”

“You may allow her entry,” I told him.

Picket drew the gate open, and Princess Take shoved inside. She carried a hat case that appeared to be stuffed with lace and silk. Beyond the wall of bars were two horse-drawn wagons overflowing with furniture and wooden trunks. My gaze swept over a vanity, coat stand, and full-length mirror.

Princess Take stormed past me, aiming for the stairway that led up to the second floor. I did not need to be queen to gather that the princess was moving in.

“Princess Take,” I drawled.

She paused, a delicate hand placed upon the railing. Fury was etched in the tension of her shoulders and the heavings of her breath.

I called, “You are welcome in my queendom, and I will know the circumstances.”

Her exhale shuddered. “I will not put up with his… his aloofness any longer. If he does not wish for my flesh, then I emptied myself of all else for him, and there is nothing to keep us together any longer. He shall not have me at all!”

From that I could gather that King Take had kicked her out, and not through any thinking of his own.

King Change had been busy.

“While staying in my queendom, you will make yourself useful. Consider your role tonight, and we will speak of our arrangement at dawn.”

Princess Take charged upstairs without replying.

Picket whipped out a few rope fibers to open the gate for Valetise. She gave directions to some of King Take’s minions unload the wagons.

“A word, Picket,” I said, as he moved to help.

He stood at attention, rope arms and legs rigid and snapped into obedient lines. “Of course, my queen.”

“Picket, are you well?”

“Never better, Your Majesty. Is something amiss in my performance?”

“Not at all, sir. I rather worry that you are working your fibers to thinness.”

He inspected his arms, then grimaced at the fraying state of them. “There is much to do. Your queendom grows with your power, and it is up to me to ensure your picket is strong and complete.”

“Us,” I said softly. “It is up to us. You are grandly made for your purpose, Picket, and truly a monster of wonder. I am stunned by all you have achieved. And there is more to monsterdom than duty.”

Picket’s fibers creaked as he shot Valetise a look. She appeared particularly beautiful in a pencil skirt and blouse combination. “More?”

“More,” I repeated. “We are monsters for a reason, and purpose is just one part of walking in the toothed beast’s yawn. Enjoyment of monsters. Enjoyment of the monstrous… these are equally as important.”

He creaked a bow. “Thank you for your ancient wisdom, my queen.”

“You are welcome. Fret not, dear Picket. You are not the first monster to learn the juggling act. There is much that we need to do, and there must be constant effort to ensure one need does not gain more attention than the others. Now then, I fathom that Valetise could use some help.”

My rope monster bowed again and hastened away.

Frayed indeed . But he would be well in Valetise’s loving hands.

I glanced at Princess Change, who continued to smirk from the shadows. What glee she felt. I did not care for it.

I let her see my smirk.

Princess Take and her king were suddenly at odds. Very suddenly. There was a stench of ruin in the air.

My smirk widened. King Change had just used his power to force ruin upon the Takes. He had used all of his power.

He would be weakened for two days.

Ah, but I had tried to conquer King Bring, only for ancients to halt my clawing hand in midair. I had felt no madness nor obsession.

Yet now.

Now…

Obsession started to trot within me, and then to gallop, and then to hurtle as lightning might careen to slap the cold, hard ground. Crack! I dragged in an inhale, and my voice was layered and terrible.

The princess’s smirk was long gone. She had seen this part of me before. Madness in obsession.

As if summoned, the other princesses appeared at the balustrade above.

My body shook with suppressed obsession, and I roared a laugh at them. “Are you here to stop me, then? You cannot! Not this night.”

My queendom leaped and squeezed.

Princess Take answered, “We do not come to stop you. We smell the air. The target of your obsession is true. The champions of your queendom gather to cheer you to battle.”

She curtsied—as did Princess Bring. Princess Raise bowed.

I dipped my head at them, then looked at Princess Change.

In this mad state, I did not hesitate to use my power to force a curtsey out of her too. She glared up at me from her lowered position.

“Yes,” I purred at her. “You see what will happen now. I go for your king.” I sent my voice on the wind. “ Pawns, return to your queen .”

Most were still here, though Deliver and Seal were still watching Change’s kingdom. I pulsed a summons for my taking pawns, too, who had rushed off in an attempt to calm their king, no doubt.

As my queendom pulsed and squeezed, pawns gathered behind me. I faced the gate, trying to hold madness steady.

Soon you will be unleashed. Soon.

Valetise hurried forward to unhook the partial skirt from around my hips, leaving me in leather pants and a laced tunic. A growl ripped from my curled lips.

“Where do we go?” Huckery called.

This would be uncomfortable for them. I did not care. “To conquer King Change.”

My werebeasts skittered back.

“Will you stand with me?” I asked them, and my eerie voice was filled with everything uncertain and threatening.

Unguis covered his snout. Loup’s hind legs buckled. I took that as a no.

I met Huckery’s startled and fearful look. “You will pay the price for this choice, as all others.”

He managed a furry nod in the face of a queen’s madness. Huckery was a prince amongst pawns, truly.

I anticipated tying them more tightly to loving themselves. “We march.”

“What of your sixth?” crunched Toil.

Too late.

Red blinked across my vision as obsession and madness claimed me. I gave myself over to the violent creature who ruled this version of me. There could be no hesitation. I could not hold anything back in a battle with a king.

“What of them?” I hissed, filling the air itself with my menace.

Wicked delight was in my heart. Savage thirst in my mind. “Keep up.”