Fragile Eternity
Page 68

Seth sat up and stared at his new queen. Youve given me everything. Because of you I can be with Ash. I can be there for Niall. I can survive being in their world.
The High Queen nodded and her look of worry receded. Few faeries will be strong enough to be a threat to you, she said. Ive made sure of that.
Why?
Because I chose to.
Rightso that month here Seth hated bringing it up, but right then all he wanted was to see Aislinn. Do the six days unconscious and my first few days here count too?
Yes. Sorcha poured steaming water over the blossoms shed plucked.
So twelve of my thirty days are over? He rolled out of bed and was briefly amused as she turned and quickly threw a robe at him.
Yes. She poured the blossom tea and handed him a cup. Drink this.
Seth didnt even think to hesitate. Hecouldnt. His queen had given him a command: he obeyed. He swallowed the vile drink, and then he scowled. ThatI justI couldnt tell you no.
She smiled. Youremine , Seth Morgan. Youd give me your heart if I ordered it.
Sheownsme.
Hed watched Niall, Donia, Keenan, and Aislinn with their faeries. It wasnt like this. He hadnt thought it would be like this when hed sworn fealty.Is it different because this is Faerie? Is it her? Me? He scowled at her. I didnt know.
She walked back to stand in front of the window again, once more keeping her distance from him. If I choose to, I own your will, your body, your soul. Would you have changed your answer?
No, he admitted.
Good. She nodded and stepped from the room into the garden. Bring another cup of tea.
She didnt ask him to follow, but he knew that he should. It was expected.
Barefoot, wearing pajama pants and a robe, carrying a cup of disgusting tea, he followed Sorcha into the garden with no hesitation. She was his queen: her will was all that mattered.
He had to walk faster than he liked in order to catch up. So Im what? Your pet? Your servant?
Sorchas look was bemused. I dont keep pets. Faerie isnt as twisted as it looks from outthere she made a vague gesture toward a faraway stone wallwe are civilized in my court.
You own me. Im not seeing how thats civilized. He sipped the noxious tea. It isnt like that for other rulers.
No? She made a moue of confusion and then shrugged. I am different.We are different.
But Im a faery when Im out there? He suddenly needed to have her confirm it. The weirdness of her being able to steal his will had unsettled him.
A strong faery. A faery few will be able to overcome. You aredifferent , but yes, definitely a faery. She looked away from him, staring at a bench that seemed as if it was carved of ivory. It was surrounded by tiny winged insects that shone like fireflies. They moved in a blurring arc and vanished.
Okay. Inhere Im a mortal. So what am I to do? Do I just lie about? Seth hoped that his being a faery wasnt going to make him turn into someone who parsed words so oddly. Conversation with many faeries was infuriating. Sorcha was no exception.
She gave him another tolerant lookas if he were the one being difficult. You will do what mortals have always done for us: you will create.
Create?
Art. Music. Verse. Absently, she ran a hand over the bench. The patterns on it re-formed under her touch. Everything you need is available here. Whatever medium. Whatever palette. Find inspiration and create something amazing for me.
So my price for immortality is weeks spent here doing what I enjoy doing?
Justshe gave him a calculating look that he had seen on other queens facesdont disappoint me. I will have your passion in your creation, or you wont leave.
No. Seths temper piqued, and he took a step toward her. A month per year. That is the deal.
A month offealty in Faerie was the deal. If you are to truly serve me, you will give me true art. Nothing offered to fill the surface only. True art. True passion. Her tone grew gentle then. Rest today, Seth. Tomorrow, I will return.
There was something hidden in her voice, but before he could ask any questions, a gray stone wall on the opposite side of the garden path opened. Devlin emerged from behind it.
Sorcha gave a sad smile to Seth that confused him. A mortal shouldnt be allowed the autonomy and influence youve had. Three of the four courts have been touched by your will. Balance needs to be reestablished. You are out of the natural order and so must be nullified in some way. It is in everyones best interests.
Seth suppressed a shudder as he looked from the High Queen to the waiting faery. Seth had believed that the worst of the faeries belonged to Niall these days, but as he looked at the placid expression on Devlins face, he wasnt so sure.
The monsters dont always look like monsters.
Devlin gestured for Seth to precede him through the stone doorway, away from Sorcha, and Seth had to wonder just how far the queens lackey would go to nullify something she declared out of order.
Chapter 27
Sorcha came to Seths room again the next dayand the three that followed. Shed stay all day, for countless hours while he worked. They spoke of life and dreams, of philosophy and art, of music hed enjoyed and theater shed seen. They walked in the garden. And sometimes, she simply sat quietly meditating or reading while he painted or sketched. Seth couldnt imagine being away from her. If not for missing Aislinn, he could see himself staying in Faerie. Out there, he had no real purpose, no direction, no family. He lived only for Aislinn. In Faerie, he existed to create Art. He felt whole for the first time he could remember, at peace and sure of everything. Hed come seeking immortality, but what hed found was more valuable.