A Whisper in the Woods (Fated Folktales #1)

18. Chapter 18

Chapter eighteen

Leena

I paced around the village with balled fists until Theodora called out to me. “What are you doing, Your Majesty? I was looking everywhere for you.” I couldn’t stop thinking about Bratan, fuming and wishing I’d added more to my retort to humble him a little. I couldn’t stand his arrogance and tyranny and how everyone I encountered trembled in his presence. What could I do to get under his skin?

“Your Majesty?” Theodora repeated, handing me a napkin that I no longer needed.

Then a brilliant idea bloomed to life. “I want to throw a party.”

“What?” Theodora fidgeted nervously and looked around as though afraid Bratan might overhear.

“I want to throw a party,” I repeated, more insistent this time. “I want to introduce myself to everyone, and what better way than to gather everyone together and have a good time? I looove to dance. And music brings people together, doesn’t it?” I laced my fingers behind my back and scanned the square. “ I think the middle of this section of town will do, but we could always go somewhere else.” The maid continued to stare at me, speechless. “Though you were going to show me around the forest. Perhaps there’s a better location?”

“Um…well…we’ve never done anything like that before…”

“And you’ve never had a formerly human queen before either, right?”

“Well, we have…but it was long ago and wasn’t with His Majesty. But still, this is highly unusual.”

“None of the beings alive now has ever had a queen, correct?”

The maid sighed. “Most of us, no, but—”

“This place needs a woman’s touch, and I’m taking the lead. As queen.” I lifted my face triumphantly.

Theodora sighed again, rubbing her temples. A group of children skipped by, chasing each other in glee. “I want more happiness like that around here. Help me prepare. Please.” I nodded toward my house but then realized there wasn’t much there. “Um…could we gather some seamstresses and other townsfolk to help with food and decorations? And party favors?”

Theodora dropped her worried hand and shrugged in defeat. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

“Leena. Call me Leena.” I smiled brightly, but the maid shook her head.

“That is something I cannot do. I think His Majesty would have my head. ”

The thought of Bratan and his tyrannic rule made me fume again. “Fine. But we are throwing a party whether he likes it or not.”

Theodora scanned the square, inspecting the area and landing on a cottage on the far side of town. “Very well. Follow me.”

***

The seamstresses worked with the fabric like magicians. The fine material wove through their hands like sheets of soil scooped fresh from the earth. I marveled at the way they worked. I was always impressed with the seamstresses back home, but these otherworldly creatives were on a level a human simply could not match.

“Your Majesty.” The voice came from a female who looked human but with two small horns protruding from her temples. “The bakers want you to test the pastries.”

My face lit up. “I’d love to!” Anything food-related was where I loved to be. Following the girl out of the seamstress’ tent, I marveled at the newly decorated town square. Streamers of every color were strung across the village from tree to tree, covering the square in a rainbow canopy.

“Over here,” the seamstress called, motioning for me to one of the long tables off to the side. I wondered how they’d found tables so long on such short notice. They were each easily half the length of the forest’s trees, and various sweets were patterned like confetti along the surfaces, no empty space to be seen, and no color was next to itself twice. It was a beautifully curated mosaic.

I scanned the delicacies covered in frothy icing and scoops of caramel and fudge. I ran my hand along the table. It was smooth and polished and felt completely new. Did carpenters make them specifically for this event? These people—or creatures, or whatever I was to call them—were amazing. Such talent with eyes for creation.

“We have a few desserts we’d like you to try,” a raspy voice came from below. I looked down at a male troll—his nose was round with little wart-like bumps; his skin was a dark green, matching his fuzzy head. He held a large wooden platter of a colorful arrangement of cupcakes, custards, breads, and treats I’d never seen before.

I took bites of each one, ascending to heaven with every smack of my lips.

“This is incredible,” I said with a mouth full and crumbs bouncing off my chin.

“How dainty.” The deep voice instantly soured the mood. I shot Bratan a glare as I swallowed a hunk of cupcake.

“I didn’t ask for your opinion, my dear husband.” The last few words held a particularly large amount of venom, but that didn’t stop him from chuckling.

“I like the sound of that on those pretty lips.” He leaned in close, but I scoffed and quickly turned my back to him .

I plucked a small cookie in the shape of an acorn and popped it into my mouth. My eyes rolled back, and I made a sound of sheer delight. “Mmmm.”

A hand caressed my shoulder. “You’re making me jealous, little dove.”

I swatted Bratan’s hand away and pretended he wasn’t there, taking another sweet. He grumbled behind me, intensifying my satisfaction.

“Please ignore my husband,” I said with a saccharine smile; the troll looked up at Bratan in fear. “He’s probably never indulged in such treats before, or else he wouldn’t be able to resist.” I winked and took a bite of what appeared to be a sugared donut but ended up tasting like maple candy.

“I wouldn’t say that,” he purred, moving a sheet of my hair from my shoulder, “there’s a particular taste I rather enjoy.”

I whipped around with a venomous glare before assessing what he was wearing. He wore a thick black vest with matching trousers, gloves, white tunic, and cape. He seemed to alternate between black and white. I’d yet to see him in anything else.

“Go home and get changed,” I said.

He lifted a brow. “Why? What are you doing anyway?” He turned, motioning around him with an outstretched arm. “What is this?”

“A party, sweet husband. Now go get dressed into something more casual.”

“A party? Why? What are you up to? ”

I rolled my eyes and wiped my crumb-covered fingers off on my skirt, hoping Theodora didn’t see.

“You know, not everything has to have an ulterior motive.”

“No, but it often does.”

“Not with me.” Not bothering to face him, I turned back to the baker. “These are all very lovely, and I’m sure the rest are just as good. Please continue.” The man bowed and skittered away. I narrowed my eyes on Bratan. “You see what you do to your people? This is exactly why we need a party.”

“I’m not supposed to be liked,” he said, bored. “I’m supposed to run this place and keep them safe.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to be cruel. Besides, I’m running this place now, too, and I say we’re having a party.” I pointed in the direction of our house. “Now go get changed into something you can dance in.”

He barked out a laugh. “Dance? You can’t be serious.”

“Go! Now!” I stared at him with complete composure and confidence until, to my immense shock, he grumbled something under his breath and left. His cape billowed behind him as he strolled home. I stood frozen, stunned, but then realized I hadn’t given him pertinent information. “Come just before sundown!” I yelled, and he lifted a lazy hand without stopping. I couldn’t tell if I was annoyed or feeling something else…something positive? I was almost happy at the thought of him coming, which was annoying.

Taking a deep breath, I wondered what tonight would be like. “Your Majesty?” I turned to find Theodora with a black, lacy curtain of fabric hung over her folded arms. “Are you ready to be dressed?”

“Yes, of course,” I said, but my mind was elsewhere. I couldn’t stop thinking of Bratan and what was going through his mind. I truly didn’t understand him, though I wasn’t sure I wanted to.

Still, I couldn’t deny that I was excited to see what the party would be like with him so grumpily out of place in a field of song and laughter. I could hardly wait.

***

I was in a daze as I stood on my usual stump in the unofficial dressing tree. Butterflies bumped against the walls of my belly, and I found myself smiling as I was fitted into a new gown—a black one with gold embellishments. The dress was the color of night at its darkest, with netted sleeves and a lace collar that weaved up my neck. Golden thread snaked around the bodice, which had an outer corset made of black leather. I wanted to make an impression—to radiate like the sun amid shadows to signify my place as queen and equal to Bratan. This was perfect.

I’d also insisted on getting ready here and not at home so I didn’t run into him. I wanted to surprise him—to make him want me so desperately he couldn’t breathe. Of course, I wouldn’t cave into my desires, at least not yet, but I wanted to be sexy. Beautiful and desirable. A carrot he couldn’t reach.

Then, a thought dawned on me.

What if he didn’t show up?

It was highly unlikely that he would. He was the monster of the woods, after all. But he did begrudgingly go home to change. Maybe he went somewhere else and didn’t listen. A heavy weight sunk into my gut.

“Oh no,” Theodora muttered, going through the drawers of a jeweled armoire. Her hands sifted through each section. When she got to the bottom drawer, she forced it shut. It jingled like a wind chime.

“What is it?” I asked, following the maid’s movements as she fetched her cloak.

Theodora sighed and then forced a smile, meeting my gaze in the mirror. “You look beautiful, Your Majesty, but I want you to look absolutely perfect. Just as you requested.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to put any pressure on you.”

“Nonsense. You’re my queen. It’s my duty to serve you.” She slung her cloak over her shoulders. “I have to get hair ornaments from my cottage. I thought I’d brought them, but I must have forgotten. Ani will finish lacing you up and getting your hair ready. I’ll be right back.”

That small bit of excitement fizzled away as Ani took her place. The grumpy maid had been, thankfully, sitting quietly on a stump in the back of the room. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to deal with her today, especially not alone. “Thank you, Ani,” I managed to say. The fae woman didn’t respond. She took two golden combs and fitted them into my hair. “Isn’t Theodora fetching hair ornaments?”

She ignored me, so I stopped trying to speak to her and watched her work in the mirror. Despite my dislike for her, I couldn’t help smiling at the hairstyle she was fashioning for me. I liked that my blonde waves were partially down; it made me feel a little freer and accentuated one of my favorite features of myself. I loved my hair’s volume, and I liked that Theodora had curled the ends with another source of magic in an oil she’d brushed into it moments before.

Ani’s hands left my hair and roughly grabbed the cords of my outer corset. I suppressed a wince as she started, surprised at her strength. “Are you really going to keep pretending you’re equal to His Majesty?”

I tried not to give her a reaction, at least not a flustered one. “I am equal to him, and I plan to change things around here.” To my dismay, I couldn’t hide how furious I was, which wasn’t typical of me, but I’d had enough of Ani’s attitude. The maid snorted, her fingers working more quickly on the back of my dress.

She pulled at the cords a little tighter than necessary. “He won’t keep you for long. He only needs an heir. Once you give him one, he’ll leave you.”

The blood drained from my face. Nausea replaced my frustration. “He what? ”

Ani pulled harder. “Why do you think he wants to bed you so badly? Do you really think he wants to lie with human trash?”

“Ani!” Theodora snapped, snatching the cords from the smaller woman’s hands. “What venom are you poisoning our queen with?”

“The truth.” She shifted her vicious gaze to meet mine.

“Leave,” Theodora commanded. “ Now .”

Ani chortled and walked past the maid who I was starting to realize held a higher position, or else Ani would likely not have listened. But she seemed to stand by tradition. Before leaving, she shot one final glare at me. “Remember my words, human. He will cast you aside the moment he gets the chance.”

“She’s speaking lies, Your Majesty. He needs you.”

“Until he gets an heir,” Ani spat.

“He wants you,” she said, taking hold of my hands. “Trust me.” I ignored Ani as the infuriating maid left, pondering Theodora’s words.

I didn’t know who to believe. What Ani said made sense. He wanted to bed me so badly. There was nothing special about me. But I thought of the gentleness of his hands as they pulled off my clothes the night before. The way he’d held me close as I’d fallen asleep after rescuing me from an attacker. And of the heat that continuously roared between us—a special fire that wasn’t just lust. Sparks like that couldn’t be fabricated. I was sure of it…but…The nausea swelled in my stomach .

Theodora squeezed my hands tighter. “Don’t listen to her,” she said. “I’ve learned that she’s a stickler for tradition and has a prejudice against humans. She knows nothing of His Majesty. She only speaks for herself and a small group of zealots. All right?” Her eyes held such sincerity that I decided to believe her. If I had to believe someone, it might as well be her.

“All right,” I said, though it held no conviction.

Theodora smiled and released my chilled fingers. “Good. Now, let’s finish lacing you up. The town’s preparations are ready. All we need now is the guest of honor.” She winked, but as she finished lacing up my dress and removing the combs to put the hair ornaments in place, I couldn’t help but wonder if Bratan did have an ulterior motive and what I could do to keep myself safe.