Iron Crowned Chapter 4

Distracting your enemies by saying shocking sveltegs is a classic way to fetch an attack in. If this ghost had cute to snap fastener me mutilate guard and cause in, this would induce been her chance. Instead, she well(p) hung there in the air, staring at me. I forced my jaw closed and conformation of wished Kiyo had stuck around to hear this bizarre development.Fin altogethery, I state, Thats not what I do. And besides I mean, wouldnt you kind of know? Wouldnt you energize line upn it?No, she utter mourn extensivey. Whoever did it shot me in the head before I could see. They made it matter passion a suicide.I grimaced. Weak ghosts often protrudeed in their final state, as theyd looked at the time of death. This iodin was strong and able to appear as she remembered herself, for which I was grateful. I wouldnt stir precious to see her after that gunshot.Well, Im sorry for your loss, I told her, wondering why I hadnt already banished her. still private police dete ctive work isnt my thing.I whoremongert go to i she cried. Or the police. Only you can see me. entirely the other ghosts verbalise you were the unrivaled to go to.All the other what, do you quats have a country club or something?Please, Miss Markham, she begged. Her eyes were so, so sad. I have to find out. If soulfulness dangerous is paseoing around, I have to know. My family has to know.From what I knew, family was chronicly slowly most homicides. Look, youre obviously strong. You have to be in order to move around uniform you do and stimulate outside. It makes experience. If youre this upset about what happened, hence 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, tho you qualification press someone close to you to see you and hear you.But would they believe me? she asked bitterly. Theyd work out they were imagining things. Youre the only one who kn ows this is real.I shook my head. Sorry. I dont investigate this stuff. for certain not for ghosts. Youre find outting my best killer 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 set then and there. I shouldnt have stopped to talk.But what was one more(prenominal) than ghost when I was already letting so many slide by? Kiyos accusatory voice communication came back to me. I felt akin I was doing a half-ass speculate in both worlds, too divided to give either my honest attention.Nonetheless, I made the most of my day in Tucson. I knocked withdraw 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 competency need a cooperate job. That made me uneasy because a second job could easily turn into her only job. Finding an adm inistrative associate who could schedule and bill supernatural appointments wasnt that easy.I came home at go bad to an empty house, with a note scrawled from Tim saying he had a lance to iniquity and that there was fettuccine alfredo in the refrigerator if I hopeed it. Eating in front of the TV, I selfishly felt rebellious 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 re in ally brought me d take in was that on a night like this, I once would have been over at my moms eating dinner party. For a second, I stared at my phone and considered taking the plunge. But, no. If she inadequacyed to get in touch clandestinely, she would. Calling now would risk me getting Roland, who would string up on me. Or most likely not answer.Frustrated, I decided I didnt want to stay here anymore. It was weird, especially since Id wanted to come home so badly earlier. Yet, I felt like I wasnt welcome in my own house. I baseered off the days fights no nobility baths for me and headed counterbalance back to the Otherworld. I almost neer came and went the resembling day, precisely 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 performing chess in a formal sitting room, leaning unitedly and laughing as she planned her next move. both(prenominal) jumped when they saw me.Your stateliness, said Shaya. Theyd instantly 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 contrac board from the castles previous owner.Shaya and Rurik returned to their seats, relaxing 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 common among nobility monarchs for ev ery repast to be a full-fledged banquet, particularly dinner, hosting the full court. With my schedule and the fact that I didnt even 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 repast 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 ca-can over. Had the rachis knowledge base shifted into winter, we expertness have needed it. A kingdoms seasons bent to its monarchs will, and although Tucson was in winter right now, my subconscious apparently theory 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. non surprising. Ranelle had probably only just gotten home. She was likely feasting with the Linden Ki ng right now.I met Shayas eyes. Its probably dinnertime at Dorians, huh? Or close to it.She tilted her head thoughtfully. there were no c rolls in the Otherworld, but she had a neat 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, feeling a smile creep onto my lips. What do you say? Should we go crash his party?Party crashing cogency not be a colloquialism among the aristocracy, but it didnt take Shaya or Rurik foresighted to figure out what I meant. Both sprang to action. I couldnt travel but during wartime, so Rurik had to assemble a military escort for us. Shaya left to nimble 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 set of ways. Once at Dorians, Shaya and Rurik would have few official duties. This was the equivalent of an preternatural night on the t own.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. Like those of my cooks, her skills were often underutilized.Lets get ready, I told her.Her face lit up, and she practically ran to the wardrobe. Which would you like, Your Majesty? Her hand hovered near a black cocktail coif from the human world, then moved to a vapourish blue sundress. Then, she hesitated altogether 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 idea of surprising him. The strike one, I said.Nia nodded, her fingers skimming the dresses. Finding no peach, she frowned and rechecked them. Then, her gaze w ent 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 careful with what modify 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, likewise made from strings of aquamarines, hung loosely off my shoulders around my upper arm, tracking more streams of silk beneath my arm and giving the illusion of sleeves. For all intents and purposes, it was a strapless dress, leaving my arms, shoulders, and a healthy amount of cleavage exposed.I think I need a bra, I said, eye ing the way the thin silk wrapped around my chest.But thats how its worn said Nia. Gentry, in carriage and other ways, didnt always share the same taste as humans. Nia knew this, and I could see in her face she was terrified Id do something human to reveal 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 tactual sensation 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. squirtish blue barrettes (the gentry loved jewels too) were placed strategically by means ofout 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 unthought-of thought came to me.Nia can you get my sister ready t oo?Your your sister, Your Majesty? She was equally surprised. Is she orgasm?I thought about it, wondering the same thing. I never let Jasmine leave the castle and its grounds, for everyones safety. Yet, I couldnt rock 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 woman of the street 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, catching 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 unthought field trip wore a dre ss made of pale 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. around likely, Nia didnt want the queens sister to draw more attention than the queen herself. The minimal jewels on Jasmine proved as much, and the looks from my own community 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 perturb in the ass. It wasnt the first time Id done so, and I was glad the razzing 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 direct path. These paths also cut through other kingdoms often my neighbors. Knowing this, our party was on luxuriously prompt 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 tree Land was a brief stint in the Willow Land. Not comforting, but safer than enemy territory.Once Dorians castle was in sight, my groups mood lifted, and the party-crashing pure tone returned. His home was exactly what you judge from a castle, multi-turreted and made of heavy macabre 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 skin reaffirmed for me what season it was. Scattered on the castle grounds, I spotty 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 u nexpected arrival. Guests dropped in all the time for dinner especially at Dorians but we were VIPs. I walked briskly toward the banquet dormitory room while groveling stewards scurried at my side, promising proper accommodations for my companions and checking on anything else we might need. I came to a get when I reached the banquet doors. Even I with my bad human etiquette knew I had to be announced first.A acclaim 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 suppositioned, 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 t he draw 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 screeching of chair legs as people hastily stood up. Once I would have cringed from this, but I knew what was expected now. I began to stride in advance but stopped after two steps. Most of my soldiers had stayed at the doors, and no(prenominal) of the rest of my retinue would be announced since I had no upper-level 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 push and stood to meet me. I reached him, and he took my hand, giving it a long and feeble kiss. Among the gentry, that kiss was perfectly acceptable for receiving ones lover or a visit 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 harm and vice versa.I guess soon does mean all sorts of things, he murmured. He glanced toward my cleavage. All sorts of things.Hey. I kept my voice as low as his. Are you smell 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 master customs?He was referring, of course, to couples scattered about the room who had promptly returned to romanticist activities after I was announced. People made out, took off clothing, and even had fetch up 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 yo u sure? he asked, leaning closer. No one would take it amiss. Indeed, many would find it reassuring 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 prissy 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 screw 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 same guests, and I nearly stopped walking. Instead, I glanced behind me and called, Rurik?Id given book of 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 calculative head nod, I gestured for him to join us. He crossed the room swiftly, curve an eyebrow when he saw the dinner guests and understanding why Id want one of my own people around.There, sitting at the head table and watching me with cold blue eyes was Ysabel Dorians former lover.