24. Jen

24

Jen

T he visions and dreams plagued her sleeping hours, and so Jen did all she could not to sleep, and had done for days. Troy dogged her over it, hovering like a fretting parent. "You require rest," they reminded her, and she waved a hand. It was about all the energy she had for anything at the moment. "Even with that mark upon you, you're still human. I can smell that much, at least."

Jen wrinkled her nose. "Can you tell when I'm angry? Or horny?"

"Yes," they said, kicking out so they began to swing on the rope affixed to a large, winter-dormant oak in one of the many courtyards. "Your scent changes and I need to know why."

Jen snorted and looked out over their surroundings. This was one of the garden areas she was certain Sebastian had not been able to access during his too-long reign. It was a bit shaggy but there were actual rows of overgrown vegetable and herb beds here, and great spreading trees. She was certain several of them were fruiting and would provide well come spring and summer.

She was sitting up against the trunk of the tree while Troy swung on the rope, their glee something they did little to hide as they leaped off it at a high arc, crouching as they hit the ground with a whoop of excitement. Then they scrambled over to it again, placing their left foot in the loop at the bottom and kicking off once more.

Jen was watching them swing back and forth, back and forth, when her eyes became heavy and the next thing she knew?—

Fire.

Smoke thick as tar, coating her throat and nose and mouth. Jen tried to scream as skyscrapers toppled in plumes of choking gray and white ash. She was pulled back from the blaze by some unseen force, and then she was looking out over a wasteland of fire, raging, consuming all, and before it an army of roiling darkness, like ink boiling into water. All which fell before that darkness was consumed in terror and screams.

Jen was screaming, too, thrashing even as she felt familiar hands on her shoulders. "Wake up!" Troy cried, and that, at last, brought her out of the smoke and darkness.

She was kicking her legs as she came to, upturned soil under the heels of her boots, and she could smell the stink of black smoke. She coughed and a plume of it came out of her mouth. She and Troy stared at it in abject horror.

"What in all the gods," the elf said. "I've never heard of such magic."

Jen cast about, desperate. "Water?"

Her lover handed her a water skin of clear snow melt, and she drank greedily. "It was the same dream. The fire. Earth. All that destruction."

Troy took the skin from her, frowning. "I don't think you should go back."

Jen smiled a little haltingly. "I had a feeling you'd say something like that." Hesitating for a moment, she confessed, "I've been unsure, as well. The Realms feel like safety, like home, only?—"

There's no such thing as safe.

"—I think the best things for this, my adopted home, is to go back to Earth one last time." She swallowed. "I didn't intend on returning again."

Troy stared her down, their expression calculating and serious. She could see herself reflected in the orbs of their dark brown eyes. "You don't have… there is no one?"

"I have a bunch of creditors who would love to know where I live, I'm sure, and a boss already tired of my shit that's probably more than relieved I've suddenly disappeared." She laughed, and there was a trace of the cracking in that laugh. She felt as though she might shatter, given the intensity of their stare and—"I had no one, after dad died," she whispered. "None who matter. All of them colleagues and networking connections, nothing more. Only Maeve."

That brought a smile to their lips. "I know the feeling. She was what I clung to, when—" they quieted. "I've told you all, regarding Sebastian," they said, and she nodded, a lump in her throat. She did not want to hear those stories again, but was glad they had been shared, regardless. "I knew Pike hated me, and I knew—I still had trouble seeing what Sebastian did was from within, not from some outside force. I thought Maeve the only one who would believe me."

"She always wants to see the best in people, though the gods only know why, considering all they've done to her."

Troy nodded. "Just so. But, love, you do not have no one but Maeve. Not anymore. You have me. I am your mate, and I will be at your side always."

She stared at them for a moment. "You really mean that? Always? No taking back?"

"No," they said on a laugh. "Why would I? I have you now. I never intend on letting you go."

Jen looked away, but they reached out, touching her chin to draw her face back. Her lower lip trembled. "But what if?—"

They stopped her words with a kiss, and she let it happen. Let the joy and sweetness wash over her. Their grip went from her chin to bracketing her face, before they hauled her on top of them so she straddled their waist, her arms wrapped around their shoulders and neck.

They kissed while a breeze picked up and the bit of snow still on the ground drifted their way, pebbling her bare hands and cheeks.

Somewhere far beneath her feet, she sensed a sort of satisfaction that was hard to put a finger on, something that seemed inherent to the very world.

They kissed until Troy was the one to stop, every motion reluctant and punctuated by further presses of their mouth on hers. Normally they would not be the one to do so, unless—"There's someone coming," they murmured. "One of our royals."

Jen sighed and pulled away, then glanced over to see Rodan striding through the gardens, his head swinging as he looked for them. She hopped off her lover—her mate—and waved. "We're here!"

The Fae caught on her and quickened his pace, speaking before he was close enough to fully hear. "—go." Was all she heard.

"Sorry?"

Rodan looked severe, as always, but she knew him enough now to know he wasn't truly annoyed, only impatient. "Everyone has been gathered, and supplies to hold the castle over have been made. It is time to go."

Troy had a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "What supplies are we taking?"

"Very few, as this is a world based in science and technology, not magic. Magic will work there, though how much of your powers as a Songweaver?—"

Troy startled, and Rodan stopped speaking.

Jen held up her hands. "I said nothing, but you were basically making out with a plant in front of him the other night."

Rodan's lips twitched. "I don't know if our friend has recollection of the events. I will say nothing. Troy, I apologize, but also until you all learn to shield better, there are some things that have been loudly telegraphed, and my psychic abilities are far greater than ever before with my bond to Maeve. I cannot control this the way I used to be able to, and so I know more of your secrets than you might like. I know what you are."

Troy took a deep breath. "We had to stay hidden. For centuries."

"I know."

"Because no one would help us," they finished on a whisper. "Not even our king."

Rodan bowed his head for a moment, then lifted it and stared straight at Troy. "What was done to your people was a grave injustice. I have come to understand since being taken by Icarus that he was hugely influential in keeping me disinterested in my people. My reign did rot, and it did so from the head. I am surprised I still managed to inspire intense loyalty in people like Victor. Through illusions and makings, Icarus stayed my hand and kept me from intervening where I should have. I should have protected the song weavers when the teachers and other followers of Garna were persecuting you so heavily."

"They took our holy city," Troy said, the accusation not new. Thea and her ilk disputed this claim, but the archaeological evidence and the written record was not on their side. "Made it their own. We want it back."

Rodan rubbed his temple. "As much as I agree with you, I am no longer the one who will ultimately be making these decisions. That rests primarily with Maeve. But, understand, she will have to listen to both sides, and judge things equitably. You may not like the agreement she strikes."

Troy lifted their chin. "I trust in her. She will do the right thing."

"Be that as it may, now is not the time to bring this dispute to light. The High Priestess is traveling with us. Can you be civil?"

"So long as she is the same," Troy said. "Then I have no issue."

Rodan sighed. "Very well. I will speak with her. May we go?"

Jen chuckled and laced her fingers with Troy's. "Come, my dear. Time for us to go to Earth, where you can learn why I am the way that I am, at least in part." She grinned and looked them up and down. "You will not blend in. Rodan, do you know where you're bringing us to?"

"Maeve wants to aim for the same apartment she was at in New York City. She has unfinished business with Lydia LaBlanc. And we can glamour Troy, when they're among the humans."

Jen laughed this time. "Lydia is going to—well, I honestly don't know. Ten people showing up in her penthouse unannounced? I hope she doesn't have guests already."

They left the gardens and moved through the halls to Maeve's sitting room, where the ceiling soared upward into a sea of lapis, studded with painted stars. It was one of Jen's favorite rooms, besides the ones she shared with Troy.

Victor, Lizette, and Flora were there alongside the five representatives from each of the Realms, picked for their influence and connections, as well as their good reputations. A centaur, an elf, a goblin, and two humans. They were arranged at one side of the room, Maeve addressing them all at once, gesturing animatedly.

"—has to be a two-thirds majority to pass any sort of proclamation. That is your sole power. Nothing you do will become law, not until I've had a chance to review it upon my return. I have been told by numerous citizens of good standing you are each beyond reproach. Do not let me down. Do not let your people down."

They each bowed or curtseyed, the centaur crossing his front legs and bending slightly at the waist. The goblin asked in a voice like gravel, "When will you return?"

"Within a week, hopefully no longer," she said. "But Rodan is bringing us his communication mirror. You will be able to reach me this way for the worst of emergencies. Use it only if there is no other option, or it has been longer than a week." She gestured at the incoming trio, and Jen was startled to note that Rodan had opened up a passage to his personal library and laboratory combination.

She peered into it, curious. There were thousands of books, must have been, and apothecary ingredients beyond count. She sniffed toward the red-tinged potion burbling on the center table, then moved away as Rodan came out with a small mirror. He gave her a look as he waved his hand to close the portal behind him. "You're far too curious, Jennifer Casper."

"I can't believe you use a portable hideaway for a library."

"Have you ever tried to haul around that many books? They're heavy." He winked, then passed the mirror to Maeve, who gave it to Lizette. "Are you each ready to go?" Rodan asked everyone else who was assembled in the room.

There were six more of them; Pike, Nath, Corra, the High Priestess Thea, and her guardsman Cedric. Plus the Fae Elias. None of them carried much more than a small backpack. Assessing the lot of them, Jen thought they looked more like something from a fantasy photoshoot or a Renaissance Faire. Theywould need to change once they were on Earth if they were to blend in.

She said as much, and Maeve nodded, turning from the council which would remain to rule in her stead. "We will face that once we get to Lydia's and assess the situation. Rodan? Elias?"

"I have the others," Rodan said. "Elias should only transport himself, at least this time."

"I'll be right behind you," the Fae said.

Maeve nodded. "Jen, Troy, Pike? Hold to me. Keep a firm grip. Jen, close your eyes. I don't know how to shield you properly." She took a deep breath as everyone she called came to her side and took hold. Jen hugged her about the waist, but Troy and Pike each grasped an arm. "Close your eyes," she repeated, and after a moment Jen did as she was bid.

There was not even a moment to take in a breath. Something hooked her naval, tugging, and there was the sensation of a sudden, sharp fall. Jen squeezed her eyes closed and yet she still smelled the moment of the between place, the pressing void?—

And then there was the ear-splitting scream of sirens, and her eyes snapped open, finding she was still grasping Maeve about the waist but there was a familiar single sun above her head, and they stood on a massive balcony at the peak of a building right on the edge of Central Park.

Moving away, Jen looked around, nostrils burning with the stench of car exhaust and the summer funk of a city this size.

"We made it," she announced, looking around to find Troy covering their nose with the back of their hand, face screwed up in disgust. She laughed, "It's not that bad."

"Says you."

She laughed again, interrupted a moment later by the appearance of Rodan, who had the rest of their party, then Elias.

There was a sudden exclamation from inside the glass-fronted penthouse.

"Jennifer! Maeve!"

Jen glanced around the newcomers to see Lydia LaBlanc standing just inside the penthouse, cup of tea in one hand, wearing nothing but a short purple silk pajama set and matching robe, looking every inch the debutante she was.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice rough with sleep, and then her gaze tracked to Rodan, and Jen noticed the woman go utterly still. "Is that—is that him?"

The Fae extricated himself from those he had transported, going first to Maeve's side and then approaching Lydia. He bowed, while Maeve tilted her head. "Our apologies for such an abrupt arrival, miss LaBlanc. I am Rodan of the Five Realms. I believe you know my bondmate and our High Queen, Maeve Almeida?"

Maeve smiled. "We have a small retinue with us."

Lydia had a hand to her throat, but she nodded and backed into the penthouse. "It's a pleasure to meet you, all of you. Please come in. We're letting out the air conditioning."

Jen joined the party filing into the apartment, and slid the door closed. It gave her a second to stand close to Lydia, canting her voice low. "You look like you've seen a specter."

Miss LaBlanc laughed, then crossed the room to one of her humidors and pulled out a slender cigarette. "If you'll excuse me, I was heading that way for a reason," she said, pulling a chair up to one of the windows and opening it enough to let the smoke out. Troy wrinkled their nose when the tobacco was lit. "I welcome all of you to my home," Lydia said. "Though I will confess, I have not experienced this to my knowledge, not in my many lives. What are you all doing here?"

Though she spoke to the room, Jen noticed Lydia often stared at Maeve and, in particular, Rodan.

Frowning, Jen opened her mouth to ask, when she noticed Thea gazing open-mouthed at Lydia. And she was not the only one to have noted. Maeve did, as well, but she answered their host first. "There were a series of visions a number of my citizens, as well as I, have seen pertaining to Earth. What will happen here also affects the Realms, and so we're here to do what we can to help." She tilted her head. "Thea? What is it? You'll offend our friend."

Jen stepped around the group to see the High Priestess better. She was wearing her multi-colored ombre robes, and she seemed paler than ever before. Her eyes flicked between Maeve, Rodan, and Lydia. "Do you not—my Queen," Thea sank into a deep curtsey. "Perhaps the journey has muddled my senses. This place is—incredible, and I am unused to such magic and power."

Everyone was staring at Thea, even Lydia, her cigarette smoldering down to the filter. Maeve cleared her throat. "Speak, Thea. What do you see and sense?"

The High Priestess looked up, still bowed low. "That is—it is impossible, your grace, only I could swear I see the mark of several gods upon miss LaBlanc, and…" she trailed off, hesitating as she glanced between them all once more. Cedric, her guard, placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "I must apologize if I speak out of turn, but I could swear she is yours."

Silence fell.

"Mine?" Maeve queried, her voice a little high.

Thea licked her lips, then nodded. "Your daughter."