Iron Crowned Chapter 4

Distracting your enemies by saying shocking things is a classic way to get an attack in. If this refinement had wanted to catch me off guard and yarn-dye in, this would induce been her chance. Instead, she alone hung there in the air, staring at me. I forced my jaw disagreeable and kind of wished Kiyo had stuck around to hear this bizarre development.Finally, I s serve, Thats not what I do. And anyway I mean, wouldnt you kind of know? Wouldnt you have seen it?No, she state mourn repletey. Whoever did it shot me in the head before I could see. They make it look like a suicide.I grimaced. Weak ghosts often appe ared in their final state, as theyd looked at the cartridge clip of death. This wholeness was strong and able to appear as she remembered herself, for which I was grateful. I wouldnt have wanted to see her after that gunshot.Well, Im sorry for your loss, I told her, wondering wherefore I hadnt already banished her. scarce private detective work isnt my thing.I cant go to one she cried. Or the police. Only you can see me. All the new(prenominal) ghosts say you were the one to go to.All the other what, do you guys have a country club or something?Please, Miss Markham, she begged. Her eyes were so, so sad. I have to find out. If someone dangerous is walking around, I have to know. My family has to know.From what I knew, family was usually behind near homicides. Look, youre obviously strong. You have to be in order to move around like you do and come outside. It makes sense. If youre this upset about what happened, then youre bound strongly to this world while the, um, murders unsettled. So, the odds are, you probably could appear to someone else. Wouldnt work on most humans, however you might get someone close to you to see you and hear you. neertheless would they believe me? she asked bitterly. Theyd envisage they were imagining things. Youre the only one who knows this is real.I shook my head. Sorry. I dont investigate this stuff. Certain ly not for ghosts. Youre getting my best offer here. Otherwise I held up the wand. You move on to peace.She scowled and disappeared. Yes, a very strong ghost, one who should have already been in the Underworld right then and there. I shouldnt have halt to talk.But what was one more ghost when I was already letting so many slide by? Kiyos accusatory words came back to me. I matte up like I was doing a half-ass job in both worlds, too divided to give either my full attention.Nonetheless, I made the most of my twenty-four hours in Tucson. I knocked off three more jobs for Lara, much to her relief. Jobs meant money, meaning both of us got paid. Shed hinted in the past that our drop in work was creating financial problems, enough that she might need a second job. That made me uneasy because a second job could easily turn into her only job. Finding an administrative assistant who could schedule and bill supernatural appointments wasnt that easy.I came home at last to an empty house, with a note scrawled from Tim saying he had a lancet tonight and that there was fettuccine alfredo in the refrigerator if I wanted it. Eating in front of the TV, I selfishly felt resentful that hed go out on one of the few nights I was home. But why wouldnt he? He certainly had a life, one I was hardly in. What authentically brought me down was that on a night like this, I once would have been everyplace at my moms eating dinner. For a second, I stared at my telephony and considered taking the plunge. But, no. If she wanted to get in touch clandestinely, she would. Calling now would risk me getting Roland, who would hang up on me. Or most believably not answer.Frustrated, I decided I didnt want to stay here anymore. It was weird, especially since Id wanted to come home so badly early. Yet, I felt like I wasnt welcome in my own house. I showered off the days fights no gentry baths for me and headed right back to the Otherworld. I almost neer came and went the same day, ba rely suddenly, my kingdom seemed like the only place I had friends at the moment.They were surprised to see me back so soon. I found Shaya and Rurik acting chess in a formal sitting room, leaning together and laughing as she planned her next move. Both jumped when they saw me.Your Majesty, said Shaya. Theyd straightway gone from casual to formal mode.Sit, both of you. You should know better. I sat as well, sinking into a down-filled love seat that Id inherited from the castles previous owner.Shaya and Rurik returned to their seats, reposeful somewhat. We didnt think youd be back for a while, said Rurik, ever blunt.Shaya looked twitchy, like she wanted to get up, despite what Id said. Should I have the kitchen start preparing dinner?No, no, dont bother. It was jet among gentry monarchs for every meal to be a full-fledged banquet, particularly dinner, hosting the full court. With my schedule and the fact that I didnt take down keep a full court just the essentials that was not the case around here. My kitchen staff had it easy, and I certainly didnt want them to get in a sudden panic over a meal they would have normally started on hours ago, had they known Id be there.I stared off at the empty fireplace, which had been unused since Id taken over. Had the Thorn area shifted into winter, we might have needed it. A kingdoms seasons bent to its monarchs will, and although Tucson was in winter right now, my subconscious apparently purpose summer was the proper state.Shaya and Rurik regarded me patiently, wondering what it was I wanted, if not dinner. I wasnt sure myself. I fumbled for something to say. News or messages on the war front?No, said Rurik. Not surprising. Ranelle had probably only just gotten home. She was likely feasting with the Linden King right now.I met Shayas eyes. Its probably dinnertime at Dorians, huh? Or close to it.She tilted her head thoughtfully. There were no filaree in the Otherworld, but she had a good sense of the time. I would imagine so, Your Majesty.Do you think hed mind unscheduled visitors?You? Shaya laughed. Hardly.I glanced between the two of them, thought a smile creep onto my lips. What do you say? Should we go crash his party?Party crashing might not be a colloquialism among the gentry, but it didnt take Shaya or Rurik long to figure out what I meant. Both sprang to action. I couldnt travel alone during wartime, so Rurik had to assemble a military reckon for us. Shaya left to alert the civilians whod go with us and make herself ready for a royal visit. Both of them were excited, I could tell. Humans and gentry werent so different, in a lot of ways. Once at Dorians, Shaya and Rurik would have few official duties. This was the equivalent of an Otherworldly night on the town.In my rooms, I found my handmaiden Nia uneasily awaiting me. Gentry magical skills ranged greatly. I controlled weather. Dorian could rip apart the earth. And Nia? Her talent was in beautifying others, in hair and clothing. L ike those of my cooks, her skills were often underutilized.Lets get ready, I told her.Her mettle lit up, and she practically ran to the wardrobe. Which would you like, Your Majesty? Her hand hovered near a black cocktail dress from the human world, then moved to a gauzy risque sundress. Then, she hesitated totally and glanced at me questioningly. It wouldnt have been out of character for me to show up at a state function in the jeans I already wore.After my earlier loneliness, I was excited to see Dorian almost desperately so. He seemed like my only connection right now, and I suddenly liked the belief of surprising him. The peach one, I said.Nia nodded, her fingers skimming the dresses. Finding no peach, she frowned and rechecked them. Then, her gaze went to the other half of my wardrobe, where the gentry dresses she and others had had made for me hung. Her eyes widened as she pulled out a peach silk dress shed probably never thought would see the light of day.Your Majesty was all she could gasp. It was like Christmas morning for her.With coppery hair, I had to be cautious with what colors I wore, but this was a warm enough shade of peach that it worked. The fabric was shining and fluid, like some living thing. The dress was one long piece, clinging around the torso and then flaring and falling like water from the waist to the floor. Gold ribbons laced up the back, decorated with aquamarines. Straps, also made from strings of aquamarines, hung loosely off my shoulders around my upper arm, trailing more streams of silk beneath my arm and giving the illusion of sleeves. For all intents and purposes, it was a strapless dress, divergence my arms, shoulders, and a healthy amount of cleavage exposed.I think I need a bra, I said, eyeing the way the thin silk wrapped around my chest.But thats how its worn said Nia. Gentry, in fashion and other ways, didnt incessantly share the same taste as humans. Nia knew this, and I could see in her face she was panic-stri cken Id do something human to ruin this dream-come-true of finally dressing me properly.Fine, I said. But keep my hair down. Hopefully it would give me some coverage. Lack of a haircut had my ends just barely touching my shoulder blades lately.Nia took this as an acceptable compromise, going over every lock of my hair so that it was smooth and slightly curled at the ends. Aquamarine barrettes (the gentry loved jewels too) were placed strategically without my hair, and she forced more jewelry on me in the same color scheme. After a bit of cosmetics, Nia deemed me fit to be a queen. I planned on bringing her to Dorians and was about to tell her we should go when a strange and unexpected thought came to me.Nia can you get my sister ready too?Your your sister, Your Majesty? She was equally surprised. Is she coming?I thought about it, wondering the same thing. I never let Jasmine leave the castle and its grounds, for everyones safety. Yet, I couldnt shake the thought of how bored and lonely she seemed. Plus, Id forgotten her Twinkies.Yes, I decided. Shes coming. Be fast. Nia nodded and headed toward my door, off to whatever closet she always produced endless stores of dresses and jewelry from. Jasmine had once been the mistress of this castles former king for all I knew, her wardrobe was still here. Nia? I called. The gentry girl paused. Long sleeves.Nia nodded again, staining my meaning. It was no secret among the gentry that the Thorn Queen kept her sister a prisoner. That didnt mean I wanted her chains flaunted, however. And when my whole entourage met up to leave, I could see that Nia really was magically gifted with beauty. Jasmine who looked utterly stunned by this unexpected field trip wore a dress made of spotter green velvet. It was floor-length like mine but had long bell sleeves that did a good job of hiding the chains. The dress was more modest than mine too, but I had a feeling Nia hadnt done it to protect Jasmines fifteen-year-old modesty. Most likely, Nia didnt want the queens sister to draw more attention than the queen herself. The minimal jewels on Jasmine turn up as much, and the looks from my own people showed that I was definitely attention-getting. I doubted theyd ever seen me dressed up like a full-fledged gentry woman.Riding a horse in that dress was a pain in the ass. It wasnt the first time Id done so, and I was glad the skirt wasnt as snug as the top. I was also glad our route was short tonight. The Otherworld folded in upon itself, taking travelers through ways that seemed impossible but which often proved the most orchestrate path. These paths also cut through other kingdoms often my neighbors. Knowing this, our party was on high alert as we rode, everyone tense. To my relief, the road didnt take us through the Rowan Land as it frequently did. The only transition between my land and the Oak Land was a brief stint in the willow Land. Not comforting, but safer than enemy territory.Once Dorians castle was i n sight, my groups mood lifted, and the party-crashing spirit returned. His home was exactly what you expected from a castle, multi-turreted and made of heavy bleached stones, with stained glass windows. As always, it was autumn in the Oak Land, and although night prevented me from seeing the orange-leaved trees, the smell of harvest and touch of fall chill on my fell reaffirmed for me what season it was. Scattered on the castle grounds, I spotted small clusters of peasants around campfires, watching us curiously. Like me, Dorian had war refugees seeking aid from their monarch. The sight of their faces twisted my stomach, and I forced myself to look away.Servants took our horses, people scrambling at our unexpected arrival. Guests dropped in all the time for dinner especially at Dorians but we were VIPs. I walked briskly toward the banquet hall while groveling stewards scurried at my side, promising proper accommodations for my companions and checking on anything else we might n eed. I came to a halt when I reached the banquet doors. Even I with my bad human etiquette knew I had to be announced first.A herald swung open the door, revealing light, color, and noise. Dorian had about a hundred people in there tonight, gathered around various tables on chairs and couches. Most were gentry nobility. Some were his soldiers. Others were creatures of the Otherworld, types I fought when they crossed to the human world. As Id guessed, dinner was already being served, with servants scurrying around and the guests chatting and eating.That all came to a halt when the heralds voice rang out Her Royal Majesty, Queen Eugenie Markham, Called Odile Dark Swan, Daughter of Tirigan the rage King, Protector of the Thorn Land, Beloved of the Triple Moon Goddess.I would never get used to all those titles. Conversation dropped, and then there was the usual whine of chair legs as people hastily stood up. Once I would have cringed from this, but I knew what was expected now. I bega n to stride forward but stopped after two steps. Most of my soldiers had stayed at the doors, and none of the rest of my retinue would be announced since I had no high-ranking nobility with me. Almost. I glanced at the herald.My sister, announce my sister.His eyes bugged, and I could guess his confusion. Not only was that kind of a weird request coming from me, it was also hard for him to manage since Jasmine didnt have any official titles. The guy was fast on his feet, though. That was his job.The Lady Jasmine Delaney, Daughter of Tirigan the Storm King, Sister of Eugenie the Thorn Queen.That got a few surprised glances. I smiled at the herald. Thank you, I said softly. Only next time, announce my name before our fathers.He blanched. Y-yes, Your Majesty.I entered the room at the head of my party, startled Id said that to the herald. Where had that come from? A need to diminish Storm King? A desire to tout my own importance? Whatever the reason, I already regretted the words.A long walkway stretched through the room, and halfway down it, Dorian emerged from the crowd and stood to meet me. I reached him, and he took my hand, giving it a long and languid pamper. Among the gentry, that kiss was perfectly acceptable for receiving ones lover or a visiting monarch.My dear, he said, lifting his eyes. They swept over me in that clever, efficient way of his. To all those watching, he was as calm and in control as always, his lips curved into the devil-may-care smile normal for him. Still, I could imagine his surprise. He hadnt expected to see me this soon. He certainly hadnt expected to see me in full queenly glory. I might have been Christmas morning for Nia, but for Dorian, I was dessert being served before dinner. You and yours are very welcome.It was a formality, one that returned the guests to their seats and declared my party was under Dorians hospitality, meaning no one here could do us any abuse and vice versa.I guess soon does mean all sorts of things, he mu rmured. He glanced toward my cleavage. All sorts of things.Hey. I kept my voice as low as his. argon you looking down my dress?My dear, I want to do much more than look down it. Much, much more. And I want to do it now. I dont suppose, he added, that your transformation came along with an embracing of many of our other superior customs?He was referring, of course, to couples scattered about the room who had promptly returned to amorous activities after I was announced. People made out, took off clothing, and even had sex with ease in public. Some guests watched, but most went on with their meal as though nothing out of the ordinary were happening.No, I said firmly.Are you sure? he asked, leaning closer. No one would take it amiss. Indeed, many would find it quieten to see their king and queen consummating their relationship. Its a sign of dominance and power.Im here for dinner, I said sweetly. Underneath my prim attitude, his words and his body language were already getting to me. You would have thought wed last had sex a year ago, not this morning. I might not consent to his exhibitionism, but if I said I wanted to go to his bedroom right now, hed immediately turn around and walk out with me.Dinner, it is, he said regretfully. Perhaps Ill serve you something special. And Im sure youll enjoy our guests tonight.He began steering me toward the halls front. His throne sat on a high pedestal, and below that was the head table where hed been dining. My eyes fell on the aforesaid(prenominal) guests, and I nearly stopped walking. Instead, I glanced behind me and called, Rurik?Id given instructions for Shaya and Rurik (and a handful of guards) not to leave Jasmines side. They were seeking out their own table, and even though they were halfway across the room, Rurik heard me and turned. With a sharp head nod, I gestured for him to join us. He crossed the room swiftly, arching an eyebrow when he saw the dinner guests and understanding why Id want one of my own people a round.There, sitting at the head table and watching me with cold blue eyes was Ysabel Dorians former lover.