Page 12 of Out of Time (The Ice King Chronicles #3)
Ethan
We left for Glori’s old home just after lunch.
Since I wasn’t sure what time it was in the Fae realm—I used to keep up with such matters but had gotten out of the habit—I made sure we both ate lunch before we left. Since I had so much mortal blood in me, I had always limited what I ate or drank while in the Fae realm, though Drogheda had assured me I was strong enough to withstand any ill effects. Better safe than sorry, I’d always thought in the past. But I’d be there long enough on this trip that I would no doubt have to eat and drink and trust what Drogheda told me. She’d never steered me wrong before. And if it meant that I’d wind up in some Fairy’s thrall—it seemed to me that ship had apparently already sailed.
As soon as we’d eaten, and after Glori and I loaded the dishwasher, I turned to him and took his hand. “Are you ready?”
He took a deep breath. “As I’ll ever be.”
“Go find us both a jacket in my closet. The weather is very different at your home. It’s winter there now, isn’t it?”
“Yes. The snow wasn’t on the ground yet, but it was getting colder. I’ll go find some warm cloaks.”
He hurried upstairs while I waited, and I could hear his feet clattering around as he retrieved what we needed. He came back down wearing one of my leather jackets and bringing a parka for me. He held it out shyly to me. “This is warmer than mine, because you’re not accustomed to the cold.”
Actually, Salem could be colder than a witch’s teat in the winter, and we had a lot of snow, but he had yet to pass that season here with me, so he had no idea. I was pleased at his thoughtfulness though.
I wrapped an arm around his waist, whispered the spell that would take us to the Fae realm and then pulled him close. The present, both time and place, fell quickly away.
The air shimmered around us, and the world went black. The familiar feeling of dropping through time swirled over my skin, and I held Glori’s trembling body close against mine. We landed with the usual little thump in the Fae realm.
Every time I came to this realm, I noticed how bright the colors were and how clean the air smelled. Partly the clean air was due to so much less pollution, though that was due entirely to being in this realm. In the mortal world at this same time, pollution had already reared its ugly head because of industrialization. Here in the Fae realm, the air was fresh, not to mention heavy and wet with the promise of the coming snow.
Time here in the Fae realm moved at a different pace and here it was already late fall, edging into winter. The Woodland kingdom had already been plunged into cold weather at the end of the month of October, though they had other names for it. From the end of that month, which was Samhain, to Beltane on the first of May, it was considered the Dark Season. In the Fairy realm, the Unseelie court held sway, and during this time, their magic had great strength.
Both the Unseelie and the Seelie courts disliked me and my magic, mostly because they didn’t understand me. I was mostly mortal, yet through some trick of my DNA I had inherited powers as great or greater than any of my ancestors through my Sidhe bloodline. Every time I came back to the Fae realm, I could literally feel my powers growing and expanding. Just like Glori shed the glamour Drogheda and I had put on him when we arrived, my Fae blood quickly took over, forcing out some of my mortal characteristics. I could literally feel the power singing in my veins.
As for Glori, his glamour had dropped off once he entered his own world, and I saw him again as he truly was. It had been easy to forget just how inhumanly beautiful he was. In fact, I thought I might have to come up with a few new words to describe it. Even his clothing had changed, as he now wore a short blue tunic and snug fitting leather trousers with knee high boots. Over his shoulders draped a rich ermine fur. I objected strongly to how tight those trousers were. It looked like I’d have to spend most of my time here warning men away from him, and I began to understand why King Stefan finally had to send Glori away in order to keep his own sanity. I’d brought us close to King Lorimach’s castle, and I could see it now in the near distance.
Typical of Fae castles, it sat on a hill, gleaming in the sun with the morning frost still clinging to its walls. There was a winding road leading up to it, and in fact, the whole scene looked as if it sprang from the pages of a Fairy tale. Tall turrets shot up on either side of its white walls, topped with little banners emblazoned with the king’s crest, all of them billowing in the wintry breeze.
Glori smiled with pleasure to see it again, though it had only been a few days. A little frisson of unease swept over me. Would he ever be happy living far away from his home and his family? I shook the thought off and began walking toward the castle, with Glori eagerly following along. As we got closer, he slipped his hand shyly inside mine.
We arrived at the tall gate, guarded by two handsome men wearing green uniforms with long, green coats and tall brown fur hats with a strap under the chin. They obviously recognized their prince, and both gave me a brief, suspicious look and him a bow before opening the gates wide for us to enter.
Inside the open-air courtyard, things were quiet. This was not an armed citadel, like the Elves tended to have—King Lorimach ruled over a peaceful kingdom—so there were no soldiers training for battle, or warriors swaggering around with swords and armor. Only servants in green liveries and a few glittering Lords and Ladies huddled in mink-lined cloaks and ermine capes were about, all of them going about their normal day. All of them stared at the two of us, looking shocked to see me.
Glori ignored them and led me up a trail swept out of broad, icy stone steps and straight inside to the impressively tall and golden front doors. An attendant wearing thick, fur-lined clothing bowed to the prince and then opened the door for us.
“Your father is in the throne room, Your Highness. It’s Midweek and your brothers are in attendance also.”
“Thank you,” Glori said, and tugged on my hand to lead me in to see his father. Before we’d gone two steps, a very small boy with red hair dressed as a royal page—a young leprechaun, I thought—stopped us by bowing deeply in front of Glori.
“Your Highness. I need to announce you, please.”
“Oh, go ahead then,” Glori said, sneaking a glance over at me, looking to see if I were impressed. I was a bit but didn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing it. He was far too proud as it was.
A long line of citizens stretched in front of us, waiting for their audience with the king. The great hall was chilly and filled with an assortment of Woodland creatures. Fairies, pixies, brownies and sprites, all lined up to bring their grievances and concerns to the king for his judgment.
The little page stepped importantly in front of us and raised his brass trumpet to blow it loudly, startling the ones in front of us and making my ears ring.
“Announcing His Highness, Prince Glorfindel Alluro Splendiferous, son of King Lorimach the Good.”
The crowd ahead of us parted, leaving a wide aisle down the middle for us to traverse. Glori strode confidently ahead toward the throne and the man sitting on it, Glori’s father, Lorimach. Beside him sat his sons, the Princes Fabulosa, Charmello and Radiense. Lorimach had a small coal burning heater beside the throne.
All of them were beautiful creatures, and all of them resembled Glori. Even the king was spectacularly handsome.
Glori bowed deeply to his father, who seemed surprised to see me standing behind him. I, too, gave him a bow, though not nearly as gracefully as his son. “Your Majesty,” I said.
Like his sons, he had golden hair and very few lines in his face. His bright blue eyes were innocent and wide. “Glori, what are you doing here? You’ve only been gone for a few days. Did Drogheda’s plan not work as it should have? Are you still plagued by that awful curse? And who is this mortal with you, son?”
“I’ll answer all of your questions, Father, but in private, please. I don’t want my private business to be fodder for the gossip mill.”
“Why should today be different from any other?” he asked querulously, but he did rise and signaled to one of his sons—I assumed it was his eldest, Prince Fabulosa, to take over for him as he got up to take us to a private room. As soon as the king stood up, six Afghan hounds, who had been sleeping under his feet and beside his throne, including a female who was very obviously pregnant, stood up and stretched so they could trail along behind him.
Fabulosa gave me a curious look as he passed by me, and I nodded in greeting. I noticed he looked like Glori too, but he had the same blue eyes as his father. When he passed Glori, he gave his shoulder a squeeze. We followed along in King Lorimach’s wake of Afghan hounds and courtiers, as he led us all to a room off the throne room.
Once we had all trooped inside, the king sighed as he plopped onto a chair, and stretched out his feet in front of a small brazier. “Florimar, help me please,” he said, and one of his courtiers came quickly over to take off his shoes and ease his feet onto a stool.
“My feet are killing me,” he said with a sigh. “I’ve never understood the need to wear such high heels.” He glanced over at Glori. “Now that I can think of something other than my sore feet, go ahead, Glori. Tell me who your companion is and why you’re back so soon.”
“This is Drogheda’s grandson, Ethan, Father. Remember? He’s been helping me figure out my curse and how to break it.”
“Ah yes. You’re mostly mortal, aren’t you, though you scarcely look it. I’ve heard you’re very powerful, though. Thank you for helping my son.”
“It’s my pleasure, Your Majesty. And we have good news—and a little bad news as well.”
“Oh dear. Give me the good news first. I could use it. Your brother Fabulosa just informed me he has filled his wife’s belly with yet another child. This will make eight of them, Glori, just think of it. Eight of the little hooligans ripping around the palace, making noise and tormenting my poor dogs.” He looked over at Ethan. “I love my grandchildren, of course, but I don’t love the noise they produce.”
Glori leaned in to explain. “As Crown Prince, Fabulosa has a wing of the palace for his family. And his wife doesn’t believe in disciplining the children. Not ever. It has made them quite...boisterous.”
“I see.”
“At any rate, tell me your news, Glori.”
“My curse—the one Drusilla put on me—is gone.”
“You found true love then?”
He glanced over at me and blushed. “That remains to be seen. But the curse is gone. Both Ethan and Drogheda performed tests.”
“That’s excellent news, then, isn’t it? So why did you say there was bad news too?”
“Because there is,” Glori replied, looking up at me to explain.
“Once we had performed a spell to see if your son was still affected, Your Majesty,” I explained, “we were happy to see that it was gone. But there was something else inside him aside from the curse—something we think the Elves may possibly have sent after him. This thing, we fear, may be some kind of demon.”
The king clutched his throat and stared at me in horror. Demons were terrible creatures and the stuff of nightmares. I could see that Lorimach was frightened for his son.
“But what makes you say that?”
“Glori tells me that King Tarrak’s new consort is a purveyor of Infernal Magic, and he may feel he has good reason to hate Glori.”
“I see. And you think this consort sent a demon after Glori?”
“We think it may be a possibility. I intend to find out for sure.”
“How may I be of help?”
Glori stepped forward and knelt beside his father. “We’re going to see King Tarrak and speak to him about this possibility. We need you to go with us.”
“Me? But why is that?”
I stepped closer. “You’re a powerful king, Sire, and this accusation may anger King Tarrak. He would never dare any insult to you. We think your presence will help us find out the truth.”
“I see. Then of course, I’ll go. I’ll have my carriage made ready, and we can leave first thing in the morning. Glori, go upstairs and rest until dinner. You look tired. Please have the servants prepare a chamber for Ethan too.”
Before I could say anything, Glori spoke up. “Father, I-I’d prefer it if Ethan stays with me.”
The king’s eyebrows rose a bit and then he glanced back at me. “Would this have anything to do with the matter of true love that ‘remains to be seen?’”
I bowed in front of him. “Yes, it does, Your Majesty. But there’s nothing unsure about it as Glori indicated. In fact, I...I’d like to make a formal offer for your son’s hand in marriage.”
Glori’s head whipped up and his mouth dropped open. “What? You would?”
“Yes,” I replied, not looking at Glori but focusing on his father.
Lorimach nodded thoughtfully. “I see. Lady Drogheda’s family has an impeccable lineage in the Seelie Court. I understand the Court has some reservations where you’re concerned, though most of them, I hear, stem from fear of what you might be able to do if you were to return to the Fae realm and draw on the energy here. Or if you were to align your powers with another Fae creature. Especially one with magic as strong as my Glori’s. Would that have anything to do with your wish to marry my son?”
“No, Sire. I care little for the opinion of either Court. And I’m not seeking anymore power. I’m confident in the power I already have.”
“I see,” he said, looking me up and down. “Then you wish to wed my son?”
“Yes, I do.”
“And would you propose to live in the future?”
“It’s where I’m from, Sire. If Glori becomes unhappy there, we can try to figure something out. But I think he’d do well in Salem once he becomes accustomed to it. I have a home and a good business there, and I’ll make sure he never wants for anything.”
Lorimach leaned forward. “But will you make him happy?”
“I can answer that, Father,” Glori interrupted. “Ethan would make me very happy.”
“Even living in this future, Glori?”
“As long as I’m with Ethan, I’ll be happy.”
The king beamed and spread his hands wide. “So, are you saying you did find your true love after all? Excellent. This has all happened very suddenly, but if it’s what Glori wants,” he fixed me with a stern look, “and if you promise to bring him home for visits, then you have both my consent and my blessing. I presume the wedding would be here.”
“Whatever Glori wants.”
Glori beamed up at me, and I had to look away for a moment. Because he was literally radiant and if I touched him, I wasn’t sure what would happen, but I thought that if I did, I wouldn’t soon let him go.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” I said as Glori went over to hug him. The king pretended to be annoyed by the gesture, but I could tell it was subterfuge. He patted his son’s back. “Well then, go and rest, my boy, and take your Timeroamer with you. I’ll see you later at dinner.”
Glori came back to me, still acting shy, and took my hand to lead me out of the little room and over to a wide, curving staircase. “My room is on the second floor,” he said, and tugged me along with him. I wasn’t tired in the least, but a “nap” sounded good to me. Since that look he’d given me when I asked for his hand in marriage, I’d been dying to get my hands on him. I followed him up the stairs, enjoying the sway of that delectable ass and trying to calm my own nerves.
I had done it—committed to this Fairy, who had been driving me crazy since the day I met him. Which had been only literally a few days ago. I knew I didn’t have any spells on me, so was I simply crazy? I hadn’t even planned to make that offer of marriage to his father. It had just erupted out of me and not until the words came spewing out did I realize I was even going to say them. Was I in love with Glori then? And was it true love?
It must be for him, since his curse was undeniably broken, though he’d never said the word love to me. Neither of us had said the word, for that matter. Yet the thought of parting from him filled me with anxiety and despair. The thought of another man’s hands on him consumed me with jealousy and rage. Suspiciously, I still searched inside myself again for some kind of spell but found nothing.
When we got upstairs, I found that his room was large and well-appointed. He went inside and over to sit on his bed. “Did you want to rest for a while?” he asked me.
“No, I’m fine. Go ahead if you like.”
He nodded, still looking uncertain. I knew him well enough by now to know he had something on his mind. Finally, he blurted it out. “So you love me? Like you really love me?”
The words appeared to have flown out of his mouth before he could stop them, and we both took a shocked, breathless moment to stare at each other.
“It seems so,” I said softly, and Glori gasped.
“You really do?”
“That’s what I said.”
His eyes filled up with tears though he tried to angrily dash them away. “No, you haven’t said. Not to me, and you don’t seem happy about it. Are you sure this is true love?”
“Look at me, damn it,” I said. “In the short time I’ve known you, I’ve seen that you have a truly terrible temper and fly off the handle whenever you’re angry. You have to be absolutely comfortable at all times or you stomp your little foot like a toddler and storm off. You’re possibly the laziest person I’ve ever met and almost impossible to get along with. You steal sweets, you argue about everything and you lie as it suits your purpose. You leave your dirty dishes for someone else to clean up. You have only a nodding acquaintance with a clothes hamper, and trouble seems to follow you wherever you go.”
He folded his arms over his chest and lowered his eyebrows while he puffed out his lips. “So what’s your point?”
“The point is I want you anyway. Despite all of that. Despite all our differences and the fact that we come from two totally different worlds. None of that seems to matter. I think I’ll probably drive you just as crazy as you drive me, but I can’t imagine a life without you. I can’t even breathe without you. And if that’s not true love, then maybe I don’t know what love is. Maybe I don’t want to.” I stalked over toward him until he backed up against the bed and had to look up at me. “But I do know this. I know that you’re mine. That you belong to me and no one else and I’m staking my claim on you. Is that understood?”
He frowned and glared at me. “Oh, I understand, all right. You don’t really love me. You don’t even like me, but you can’t stay away from me, because I’m some kind of magnet for you, even though you hate it. Meanwhile, I’m alone in my feelings the way I always am.”
He tried to storm out of the room, but I pulled him back easily and wrapped a hand around the back of his neck to pull him close so I could kiss his lips. His mouth was luscious and hot and open to me, despite his anger, and I plundered it hungrily. I could taste a trace of honey in that mouth, and I was greedy for every bit of it. He was bristling with outrage and anger, but he couldn’t hide how much he wanted me.
I pulled away long enough to whisper to him. “I didn’t tell you that you could go yet.”
He pulled his hand back to strike me and I caught it easily in my hand. He stared up at me warily, and the fear and hurt in his eyes affected me more than I wanted to acknowledge, more than was good for me, considering who he was. I knew that he exerted no real power over me. His magic wasn’t nearly as skilled or powerful as mine. He commanded no love spells or potions. He simply looked up at me with a mixture of hurt and acceptance in his eyes, like a dog that had been kicked one too many times. And somehow just that made something burst to life inside me that I’d been trying to suppress since the moment I saw him.
I loved him . It was as simple and as complicated as that and I wondered why I’d been so afraid to admit it before, even to myself. I wanted him badly and yet I had no idea where this would lead. One day, he could betray me. He could leave me, fall in love with someone else or disappear into the night like my grandmother had done with my grandfather. Fairies were immortal, but not impervious to death, so he could even die and go where I couldn’t follow him. And that might destroy me. Love didn’t come with guarantees, or at least not the kind I’d been looking for. Neither with Fairies nor with any other creature that lived.
It occurred to me that love had to be a leap of faith. I had to jump into it head and heart first and trust him to catch me. And if I wanted something I’d never had before, it stood to reason that I had to do something I’d never done before. I picked him up and laid him on the bed, pulling at his clothes. He gasped when my mouth engulfed him, and I didn’t know if my magic had taken over or if this was love that was rocking me so powerfully. My mouth unleashed wave after wave of pleasure on his lovely cock until he lay limp beneath me. That’s when I knelt over him, put my mouth to his ear and began to tell him all the things that were within my heart.
“You’re wrong, Glori. I do love you. More than I thought possible. More than you’ll ever know. You’re not alone in this, sweetheart. Not at all. I can’t let the fear of an unknowable future stop me from loving you anymore. I can’t. I love you way too much.”
Glori’s face lit up, but he threw his arms around my neck, his entire body relaxed under me, and he allowed me to arouse him again. Then I turned him over and put him on his hands and knees. My hands dug into his hips, and my body rocked into his deeply again and again. I thrust into him, caught up in the thrill of possession and love. At last, Glori’s voice broke in a sob and a moan, and we called out together as we came.
I fell down beside him and wrapped my arms around him, pulling him close to me. I’d taken that first frightening leap and it turned out that it had been absolutely necessary.
It had been the only way for me to get to where I needed to be.