9. Timas
Chapter 9
Timas
I am fuming and trying desperately not to let my anger take control. My precious and beautiful flower has been through so much in her short time in this world. I want to destroy Gormash for the torment he has put her through and the pain he has caused her Father. I know that the Orc lands are divided into two regions: the Northern Clans and the Southern Clans, and it sounds as if my spirit bond is from the Southern Clans. My understanding is that they still live in somewhat primitive ways, leaning towards the old ways of Orc life and traditions. Ruk leads the Southern region and is well-respected by his Clans.
Meanwhile, the Northern Clans are led by a strong and brutal leader named Gormash. He has pushed his Clans into a more ‘civilized’ era. They have better housing, but the people are not happy, and there is often dissent among the ranks despite having better technology and a supposedly superior way of life.
All I know is I need this woman more than I need my next breath, and I know that if I can’t save her Father, she will never be mine wholly. I take a cleansing breath and release the anger I so desperately want to unleash on Gormash or a nearby plant.
“Milori, dispatch some scouts to find out exactly where their Father is. I want to know everything: where he is being held, who is guarding him, their routines, everything. Report back within a day.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Milori bows and heads quickly out of my suite to do precisely as I said. Though we often joke with each other, he knows when the job needs to be done well and efficiently, and this is one of those times.
Turning to my darling flower, I see her hope spurring to life, but there is still uncertainty, and I desperately wish to make that go away.
“Oh, my darling. I will retrieve your father, please do not worry any longer about his safety.”
“But if you get him out, he can never return to the village–Gormash will hunt us down. Where will that leave us?”
“My darling, your place is here now, I will take care of you and your family. They will be welcome here.” She doesn’t look as overjoyed as I was hoping. I can’t help but feel hurt by her hesitance. I know it will be an adjustment, but I am sure they can learn to adapt.
“But they are Orcs. They… they will not fit in well here.” Yes, like she does not fit in well with the Orcs, but she is too good to think so selfishly. I look at Garrick, hoping he sees the wisdom in this plan. He stands unmoving, his face a blank slate. When I am about to give up hope of him saying anything, he speaks in a quiet voice, not to me, but to my precious flower .
“Emmy… maybe that’s ok. You have endured much to live in the Orc Clan. Maybe it is time for Father and I to give as you do. The King… he is your spirit bond. I know we talked about this, and maybe you don’t feel what he feels, but he would do anything for you–he would die for you. The connection that links you two is beyond anything you can imagine, and for the King, your happiness and safety are directly linked to his very spirit. I know you would do anything for Father and me, but us coming here is the least we can do. Especially if it means you will be safe and our family can be together.” I may not have a high opinion of the Orc race, but I have a great deal of respect for this Orc. I dip my head in gratitude as Emilia stands at my side. Emilia lets out a shaky breath and says to Garrick,
“Will Father be mad?”
“Oh, Emmy, no! He has been agonizing over you having to do this. He wishes he had taken you away earlier, moved somewhere safe for all of us, and even suggested going to the Human Kingdom so that you would be safer.”
“...you never told me.”
“What was there to tell? He sent me those messages while you were serving that horrid girl to save his life. It can’t change anything. But…” Garrick looks at me now.
“Emilia needs to return to Lady Dahlia until Father is rescued.” Without warning, my magic lashes out and strikes the wall beside Garrick. NO WAY am I letting her go back to that wretched woman. She isn’t to serve someone but to be my Queen, ruling by my side! Emilia screams and crouches on the floor, which effectively calms my powers like a bucket of cold water poured on my head. I just scared her. My inability to control my anger has scared my spirit bond. I feel so foolish, but the bond is pulling so hard on me that it doesn’t want me to let her go. You would think after being in this world for two hundred and fifty years, I would have a handle on my emotions. As it would seem, I do not. I have waited so long to be with my spirit bond. The person who would complete my spirit, the person who would be my Queen, standing beside me to serve the Day Court people. She isn’t a servant. She is to be served; she is to be Queen. I desperately try to reign in my anger because not only is it frightening her, but doing anything to harm Garrick will not help me win Emilia’s heart. A soft hand lands on my arm, and a warmth spreads through me. Looking down, I see those beautiful pale blue eyes staring at me.
“I’m sorry.” I all but whisper. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath to regain my composure.
“It’s ok. All of this is a lot to take in. I have meltdowns all the time but, I just don’t have, you know, powers to throw around.“ She looks so endearing, trying to calm me down.
“I wouldn’t say it was a meltdown ," I say under my breath. She gives me a sweet smile, which somehow calms my turbulent mind.
“Help me understand WHY Emilia has to return to… Lady Dahlia.” Garrick wastes no time filling me in.
“If Emilia doesn’t return to her position, the other scouts and spies will report back to Gormash. As it stands right now, we know Father is safe if Emilia continues to report on Duke Hemmet’s comings and goings. Though she is not able to be at the estate, all we have been told is that Father is safe if Emmy does her job. I’m just the middleman– Emilia’s position is the only thing keeping Father from death.”
I can’t help but be frustrated by this entire situation, but focusing on that won’t do Emilia any good.
“Fine… But I will have guards watch you.” Emilia blanches at that. “I’ll make sure they are not noticed, my flower, but I won’t be able to control myself if I don’t know you are safe.” I gently graze her cheek with the back of my finger. She is perfect.
“Alright.”
As hard as it is to see her leave, I am more motivated than ever to sort this out. The idea of two individuals in a spirit bond not coming together immediately to seal their union is unheard of in my culture. Fae who find their spirit bonds immediately arrange for a bonding ceremony, calling on our priestesses to unite them as one forever. It takes a great deal of control not to keep her beside me, to know she is safe, but I need more information. Once I get the report from Milori, I can put a plan together.
A knock sounds on the door. “Enter.” The guard from my door comes in.
“What is it?”
“The council has requested an audience.” Where is my chamberlain? For a man who's sole job is to deliver messages to me he has been annoyingly absent.
“I’ll be there in a moment.” After the guard leaves, I take a minute to look out across the water to the continent. Something stirs in me. I’m frustrated by Emilia’s situation, yes, but with the turmoil in my Court, I feel my attention being pulled in every direction. There never seems to be enough time in the day or year to solve everything.
Before long, I walk down the hall leading to the meeting chambers, and one of my scouts comes out from behind to greet me.
“Your Majesty, I have news. There was another murder, this one in the upper city. Woman, unbonded but a daughter to an influential family.” My rage resurfaces. Of all the times to have another murder, this is not it. With so many humans running around, this can cause unfathomable problems. We haven’t had an incident in nearly three months. “But there is good news, your Majesty. We have finally captured an assassin, the one who killed the woman. He must have been very new to the profession because he wasn’t nearly as trained as the others. His act was sloppy, and he left blatant clues that led to where he was found. We have him in the dungeons.”
A jolt of joy ricochets through me, giving me a much-needed jump in my step. This is the first time we have had any real leads in this situation—to actually have an assassin alive! Hope begins to rise in me. Maybe the fates have finally allowed us to solve this issue.
“Have the interrogator speak with him. I will be down once I inform the council.” I hasten into the meeting chambers. This is an unnecessary meeting, and I know it’s only to complain about the human nobles. Before, I was fine entertaining their concerns, but now I have a lead for the murders. I can finally get information on the Night Court.
“Council,” I announce as I walk to the head of the table.
Raza’l immediately starts to complain. “Your Majesty, the Human nobles have left the designated areas. This is beyond what is tolerable. They should be confined to their suites when not attending a function.” I look at Raza’l in utter disbelief. THIS is what I have been called here for?
“Please do not tell me you asked for a meeting to complain that the humans are what? Roaming the HALLS?”
“Your Majesty, they are everywhere!” His disdain for humans is palpable, but his annoyance flares my anger because now I have a spirit bond, and my precious flower is a human. It feels very much like an attack on her. But I won’t tell them, not yet. The floor shakes with my anger, however, and Raza’l‘s pompous face changes from righteous indignation to fear.
“Wards have been put up to keep the humans in the designated areas. Your clear lack of faith in the Fae responsible for those wards is insulting. They are here to help us solve our problems. If it is too much for you to handle, Raza’l return to your private island until the spring festival is complete.” My anger doesn’t subside, but the floor has stopped shaking.
“And seeing as you are all here, I can tell you we have finally caught an assassin from the Night Court. Unfortunately, another Fae died in the process, but they were able to track the murderer down. He is being detained in the dungeons. So if you don’t have any other PRESSING issues,” I look directly at Raza’l, “I would like to deal with that.”
Silence fills the room as the weight of my words hits each person. Fae superiority is not a priority right now. Finding out how to stop the Night Court is. Estola stands and bows deeply to me.
“Apologies, your Majesty. Would you care for assistance with the assassin?” Estola is not only wise but also has a unique power to force her presence into weaker minds. I have never had an issue with Estola, and I am far too powerful for her powers to work on me. But her power is known among the people, and many are terrified by it.
“Yes, please join me. As for the rest of you, if you request an audience again to complain about our human guest, I won’t be so civil.”
I walked out of the chambers and headed to the dungeons. Finally, we can find out something—anything—about what the Night Court has planned… I hope.