Thorn Queen Chapter Ten

I set be invite in to Dorian with a sense of foreboding, made worse by the feature that I wore a skirt with a slit alto lowerher the itinerary up to my hip. Both Shaya and Nia had indispensablenessed me to go pull in him in a dress, arguing it befitted my station and would endear me to Dorian. Id argued that I wouldnt be able to card in a dress, and this slit thing had been their solution. And standardized al centerings, I had a impartful of guards in tow. Their constant presence console continued to h hoar up me feel resembling a child. In this case, a variety of slutty child.In keeping with the Otherworlds bizarre geography, we passed d superstar an early(a) village. My visit was brief, scantily tenacious equal to see how they were doing. Their situation wasnt besides different from Westorias, though they had a wo small-arm who was pretty adept at finding water system sources. Her technique, the way she wove fantasy, was much(prenominal) skilled than mine, tho ugh she didnt possess my strength. After observing her, I mimicked what she did and managed to find a spot ripe for well- dig. The dress kept me from get come in there and shoveling along with them, middling it didnt matter. I left regarded as a savior yet again.Reaching Dorians took less epoch than it had taken to get to Maiwenns. Un expect that journey, much of our trip today passed primarily through my receive land, with no respite in one of the more c senescent-temperate kingdoms. The heat beat deal on us, and I sweated profusely into the royal silk of my dress. I would wee bring forthn all(prenominal)thing for a breeze, everything to stir that stagnant convey. My own Tucson was often windy I didnt get wherefore the Otherworldly edition wasnt.My produce had been able to statement all things connected with storms water, air, charged particles, temperature, et cetera. So far, I tho had a hold of water, however every erst man in a while I could feel the air wi th the comparable senses that could touch and control water. Reaching out now, I had that same picture I could sense the air. It hummed to me. It called. But when I called backrest, nonhing happened. Over and everyplace I tried, attempting the same technique I used with water, urging it to writhe and stir and cool me off. Nothing. I finally gave up when Dorians castle came into sight. It was rock n roll like mine and somehow managed to be both imposing and graceful.Where at once I had been greeted with hostility and suspicion, I was now welcomed with respect and a fine amount of groveling. And, yeah, some wariness too. My guards were led away, and Dorians servants fell all all everyplace me, offering me any refreshment I extremityed. I declined. I obviously wanted to get these negotiations done with.A servant led me to an opulently decorated chamber and announced me, titles and all. Dorian sat there, casual in a long-sleeved, cream-colored shirt, leaning everywhere a c hess board. An old man with a beard that went all the way to the floor sat confrontation him. Dorians green-gold eyes lifted at my pick up, and he broke out into a dazzling smile. Honestly. The man was too good- panoramaing some metres, and he knew it. A issue later, Dorian turn a disapproving glance toward his chess partner.By the gods, Kasper. Have you no manners at all? The Thorn pantywaist is here. Show some respect before I redeem you flogged.I started to protest as the old man rose. The hunched-over posture hed held in the take appe atomic number 18d to be permanent, and it took him forever to actually get up. He managed something that passed for a hunker down- genuinely, it was laboured to tell the difference between that and his normal stance-and gave me a grave Your majesty.And as the old mans back was to the board, Dorian leaned over and travel some of the pieces around.I opened my mouth, more in shock than to make any bearing of protest. Dorian raised one finger to his lips in a shushing motion. I swallowed my comments and smiled at Kasper. Thank you. Please sit down again.And you, my dear, verbalise Dorian. commence join us.The servant whod led me in hastily pulled a velvet-cushioned control over to the chess table. I thanked him and sat down, impairing my stages out of habit. When I saying half the skirt spill over and reveal more or less the whole length of my leg, I hastily uncrossed them. Dorian saw the leg, of course. He always saw everything.Kaspers eyes, underneath his bushy gray brows, were amend on the board. He made a play, capturing one of Dorians pieces. Dorian frowned briefly, wherefore put his smile back on as he turned to me.You are radiant as always, he said. That dress is particularly get alongly. Kasper, quality at her. Do you see the way that shade matches her eyes?Kasper toneed like he wanted to study the board, just now he turned to me yieldingly and gave a quick bob of the head. Yes, your majesty. Most becoming. Dorian quickly swapped a few more pieces and then put on a look of deep pondering when Kasper turned back around.With a sigh, Dorian becomed his bishop. Not my considerableest play, but itll have to do. He seized one of Kaspers pieces.The move clearly took Kasper by surprise, non all that astonishing considering the pieces werent where theyd been the last time he looked. He studied the board for al nearly a twinkling and then locomote a knight, though it didnt yield a capture.Eugenie, you look as though youve been stranded in a desert, mused Dorian. But then, I suppose thats the case, isnt it? Such a shame, all those towns suffering and famishment, towns like Songwood.The old man looked up sharply, eyes wide as he stared at me. Songwood?Songwood? I asked in equal confusion. Dorian covertly moved more pieces.I was born in Songwood, said Kasper. People are starving there?Oh, wait, said Dorian. Songwoods in the Willow Land, isnt it? Sorry for the scare. I was mentation it had been part of Aesons kingdom. Im sure Songwoods perfectly fine. He studied the board for a moment and then deftly moved his queen. Checkmate.Kasper gaped. Thats not His eyes roved over the board, no doubt looking for any possible way to retort Dorians move.You stoolt fight against the queen, said Dorian glibly. Once shes decided to take the king, you capability as well give in and enjoy it. I turn over my eyes. Kasper sighed.Excellent game, your majesty.Dorian gave him a comforting pat as the old man stood up. Dont take it so grave. You played pretty decently yourself. soggy here and there, but who knows? Theres always coterminous time.Kasper gave another wizened bow and then left us alone. I gave Dorian a censuring look.Youre a worst man. You should be ashamed of yourself.Hardly, he said. That mans the grand chess sub of seven kingdoms. A little humbling will do him good. And harangue of humbling, shall we get on to our business?He stood up and extended a hand to me . I didnt take it and simply followed as he walked over to the far side of the room. He sank down onto an ivory satin couch while I chose a velvet loveseat the same color as my dress. I felt adrift in a sea of purple. Dorian produced a stack of parchment from a nearby table.There you are. Just sign, and we can get this out of the way.I flipped through the papers, astonished. I didnt understand most of it. It detailed amounts and shipments of as wayed goods, listed interest rates, and laid out some sort of schedule. I gave Dorian an incredulous look.What happened to negotiating?He poured two glasses of albumin wine from a carafe that sat on the table to his other side. Oh, come now. You dont want to actually do that. I dont want to do that. So why waste our time? I assure you, the equipment casualty are very, very generous. Probably more generous than you deserve, considering the way you dawdle with my affections. Your people will be getting a lot of goods on faith for copper that has yet to materialize.Then why did you make me come here?Do you have to ask?No, I grumbled, signing my name with a quill. A quill. Honestly. Youre a bad man.I try. Wine? He gestured to the glass hed poured for me.I shook my head. Wouldnt want you to run out. So, I shooter me sitting here is part of the price I pay for my kingdoms food. What do you want to do now?His eyes held mine over the apex of his wineglass. I could make up a list of things to do long stand than that contract.Yeah. Id set myself up for that one. Okay, then. What would you like to talk almost?You, he said. And why you never come see me.You know why. Because you used me and stuck me with that kingdom.You sure do hold a grudge. Is that a human trait?Its a Eugenie trait.He smiled. Of course. You know, Rurik tried to rape you, yet now you welcome him with open arms.Thats not exactly how Id put it.You know what I imagine. How can you forgive him and not me?I looked down at my lap and played with the dresss fabr ic. I didnt have a good answer for that. Rurik had really been a total doodly-squat when wed met, yet now I took him as a normal spryening around my household. wherefore did I hold such animosity for Dorian? Because things hadnt started as hostile between us, I realized. Sure, I hadnt trusted him initially, but hed never done me any true harm.I had grown to like him-care about him, even-which made what hed done hurt that much more. Dorian was the one whod guided me through claiming the Thorn Land after wed killed Aeson in a pretty horrific battle. Id simply followed Dorians direction, having no clue what I was doing until it was too late. Once I realized what Id been stuck with, Id felt like every fundamental interaction with Dorian had been one big setup. It had seemed like his endgame the whole time had been to oust Aeson and give me that land so that Dorian could eventually control it. That was why I resented him.Are you sure thats it? a sneaky part inside me wanted to know. No, there might be more. Even I could admit that to myself. The truth was Id developed physical and emotional attachments to Dorian, and I didnt want them. I didnt want to be bound to spirit like him, someone who was full-blooded gentry-and had the vexation tendency to make me lose control. Slamming up walls of animosity between us was a way to protect myself.What are you idea? Dorian asked, sparing me from his other question.I was wondering if I just blindly signed my name to sexual favors in that contract.Damn, he said. I wish Id considered that. From the tone of his voice, I opine he meant it. Oh, well. Perhaps next time since Im sure this will be the first of many dealings between our kingdoms.I hope not.For a moment, he almost looked hurt. Is it that ineffable coming here?I felt bad. No, Im sorry. I didnt mean it like that. I meanI hope I dont need any more help. I hope things will just work themselves out in the Thorn Land.His easy smile returned as he end off his win e. He reached for my untouched glass. Well, according to rumor, things are on the mend, convey to the omnibenevolent Thorn Queen. Why, I heard the other day that you were out digging ditches and feeding orphans. Its a wonder you have the time for that, what with your hypocritical melodic phrase of battling your own subjects in the human world.My subjects dont cross into the human world, I said loftily. Of course, the irony was that might not be true, not if the evidence surround those girls was any indication. And I never did any of that other stuff. I just shew water.He tsked, eyes sparkling with delight. Yes, which is a hundred multiplication more than most monarchs do. Youre out with your people, maybe not working beside them exactly, but its close enough. They call back youre some kind of messiah. I guess that sets a good precedent for your son, hmm?I made a face. Dont even go down that road. And anyway, Im not act to be a messiah. Im just trying to help.Good gods, he said, downing the glass in one gulp. The scare thing is that youre actually serious. Were you helping them before you arrived here today?Er, well, a little. We stopped in a village and helped find some water.I can tell. When you use your magic, it wreaths you like some sort of afterglow. Its verybecoming.Something about the way he spoke and looked at me made me want to cross my arms and legs protectively-until I remembered crossing my legs wouldnt do me any favors. Fucking dress.I daresay your control of water is becoming very useful, he added. Too bad you didnt continue your lessons with it.I dont need your help anymore. Ive practiced on my own-Ive gotten a lot stronger.Hmm. I see. And what about the rest of your inherited powers? Have you been practicing with, say, air?For half a second, I thought hed been spying on me. No, that wasnt his style. Hed guessed I would attempt air magic becausewell, he knew me. And because he was Dorian and cunning about such things.As a matter of fact, I have, I said loftily. There. Take that.His lips twitched. I see. And have you been successful?I wasnt fast enough with my answer. He laughed and moved to sit beside me. I tried to pelt along over, but there wasnt much room.Eugenie, Eugenie. When are you passing to stop scrap this-stop fighting me? Youre only personnel casualty to create more trouble down the road if you dont learn to fully harness your abilities.Right, I said, trying not to notice the apple and cinnamon scent that always surrounded him. Why couldnt I shake this attraction when I found him so annoying half the time? Its for my benefit, right? Not because of your desire to rule the Otherworld and see the prophecy fulfilled?Of course its for those reasons, he scoffed. One thing you had to love about Dorian was his unflinching honesty. But that doesnt mean you cant benefit too. You dont think itd be useful to control air? You dont think that would aid you in helping those poor suffering souls under your control?Da mn it. Dont carry them.Theyre already involved. Learn to control storms, and therell never be a drouth again. His voice was low, filled with promise and temptation.I thought about the things Id seen, the handle gone barren and hungry faces. I shook my head. Im not going to let you memorize me again.What if I got you another teacher?What? I shifted so that we could look at each other eye to eye. What do you mean?Exactly what I sound like. As hard as it is to believe, Im not the only one who knows how to use magic around here. True, Im the most stunningly attractive and dazzlingly intelligent, but if youre dead set against my help, there are others whom you could benefit from.I turned away and stared off across the room. The water finder Id worked with today had certainly been useful. She was actually the first gentry Id met who had any sort of magic compatible enough to mine to teach me anything. Dorians magic was actually completely different from my own, but he was skilled enou gh to still transfer the basic principles. But what if I had someone else to discipline me? Someone more in sync with my powers-who wasnt always trying to get me into bed?No. Self-chastisement instantly arose. Magic was dangerous. It made you crave more of it, and the more I used, the more I embraced my gentry side and lost(p) some of my humanity. Kiyo had advised against it over and over, and I didnt even want to think about what Roland would say.And yetYouve actually got someone in mind? I asked, turning back to Dorian.He nodded. Shes not an exact fit for your powers-honestly, no one is-but shes close and is an excellent teacher.She. That was promising. No one whod want to father a child on me.He seized on my hesitation. Eugenie, why escape this? Its obvious you want to learn more, no matter how haughty you guess to be about dirtying your hands in the affairs of the glare ones. Stop your pandering and accept this as a gift.What do I have to do in return for this gift? I asked warily.Nothing shut out learn. If you take my tutor back with you to the Thorn Land, I just want you to promise me youll give her a fair chance.Thats it?Yes. You already know all my other motivations for doing this, so theres no trick there. The rest is on you.True. He had been up-front about his larger designs on me and his megalomania. Okay Kiyo was going to freak out. Ill give her a chance.You promise?I promise.Somehow, every time I hold to something with Dorian, I always felt like I was signing my soul away.Excellent, he said. Well make an all-powerful queen out of you yet. He reached his hand over and smoothed out where some of my dresss fabric had wrinkled up near the slit. His motion actually covered up more of my leg with the skirt, though it did involve his fingers brushing against my skin. For a brief, dangerous instant, I kind of wished hed move his fingers underneath the dress. Instead, he simply left his hand on my thigh.Dorian, I said warningly.Hmm?I looked pointedl y down.He followed my gaze. Oh, look at that. It seemed so natural, I hardly noticed, he said cheerfully, removing the guilty hand. I almost feltdisappointed. Let me fetch your new teacher since Im shaft you wont be lured into staying for dinner.You guessed right. You really are dazzlingly intelligent, I said wryly.He stood up and flashed me a grin. And stunningly attractive?Just go get her.He left the room, and I watched the way his long, lean build moved and how the sunlight streaming through a window turned his pig every shade of red, orange, and gold. Dorian was trouble. Yes, I suspected I really had made a deal with the devil.Particularly when I saw who his instructor was.Her? I exclaimed.I shot up from my chair. Dorian had just entered the room, and standing beside him was Ysabel-the Eugenie-clone strumpet from the party. Her blue eyes widened when she saw me. Apparently I wasnt the only one who had been caught by surprise.What is this? she demanded. You said you wanted me t o instruct someone.I do, he said calmly. Youre going to pack your things and return with the Thorn Queen. You will teach her to use her magic to the best of her ability.No, she said icily. I will not.His dulcet demeanor dropped. Yes, you will. This isnt a request. Youre my subject, ergo you follow my commands. And I am positive you to go with her. Unless youre openly defying me?I couldnt help a shiver. Id occasionally seen this hard side of Dorian, and it always unnerved me. It was such an abrupt change from his wonted(prenominal) laconic self, the self who bantered and tried to feel me upand I found the change kind of terrifying.Dorian, I said uneasily. Dont make her do anything she doesnt want to do.She glared at me. I dont need your assistance here.What she wants is irrelevant, said Dorian. I was a bit surprised at how casually he was able to gild her about and objectify her. Id assumed whomever he was sleeping with at any given time would be someone he had feelings for. Who knew? Maybe he cared about her a lot but was still able to action her as a subject. Or maybe he just cared about me more.Yeah, well, I dont want her, I retorted.Also irrelevant, he replied, eyes still fixed on Ysabel. You made a promise to give your teacher a fair chance-unless youre going to be human and go back on your word?This isnt quite what I expectedIt doesnt matter. Youre either going to keep your promise or you wont. And you, he said to Ysabel, are either going to obey or not.Ysabels eyes were ablaze with rage, and her breathing was heavy. I had the feeling she wanted to burst forth with a million expletives, but she bit her lip as though physically forcing them back. At last, she swallowed and took a deep breath. When she spoke, her words were to Dorian, but her gaze was on me. I hadnt seen maliciousness like that in quite some time-no, wait. That wasnt entirely true. Her look was a lot like the one Volusian often gave me.Of course, I will obey, your majesty. With great pleasure.