The Bastard Queen (Viciously Yours #2)
Chapter Nine: Progress is Progress

Two days had passed since my speech and I was now convinced it was a hallucination. None of the Fae seemed to have left or if they did the number was so small that it wasn’t obvious to me. And when we re-arranged the tents to keep the domestics safe, I didn’t feel the expected hostility in the air. There were some glares but for the most part about half of the soldiers still referred to me as Queen and wore my color. It was unsettling to say the least, but the sense of stability made it easier to think over everything.

I had accepted the fact that Puck was a representative of Oberon with ease, it actually made it easier to trust him. Oberon wouldn’t have sent one of his own children to my base if he didn’t plan on actually helping in the war against Mab. Unlike my mother, he actually cared about his children and wasn’t fond of using them as collateral damage. But what Dougal had said about the kid seeing me as some kind of hero? Yea, it made it extremely uncomfortable to be around him. I wasn’t anybody’s hero. I had to get over that though because I needed to ask how many troops his father was willing to give us.

Orange and purple light painted the evening sky, giving the Fae who were eating outside a beautiful view. Nodding to the ones I passed, I didn’t pay any attention to the obvious staring at my arms and neck. I guess now that everything had calmed down, they were starting to notice my tattoos. But while they stared or spared me a quick hello, no one had actually spoken to me yet. Besides talking to the Grymes family, Dani and a few soldiers who needed an explanation on my late night screams. I haven’t really spoken to anyone else. I had seen a few of my old citizens here and there but I’ve avoided them at every turn.

There was an upside to all of this, though. Now that everyone knew the truth about who I was and what had happened under my reign. I could actually start doing things to make this army a credible threat against the Unseelie Queen. I needed to start taking troops out to recruit and secure allies. More recruits meant more power and more power meant we’d be able to create a secure base for the domestics. Once that was handled and our numbers bolstered we could start making open attacks on her bases. Maybe even turn an ally or two against her which was why I was now on my way to Dougals tent. The faster we discussed this, the faster we could start making actual moves in this war.

Kicking a tuft of grass, I watched as it rolled around the corner of the white tents. Before I could follow after it, the soothing sound of lapping water drew my attention towards the nearby lake. A small group of Fae at the edge of the bank were using their water ability to catch fish. I actually stopped for a second to watch the way they bent the water to their will with such ease. If only I could do more with my own water ability then stop and start a downpour. Anything else required an amount of willpower that I apparently didn’t possess.

What a joke.

I was a master in metal, earth and was making slow progress with fire but water was completely out of my wheelhouse. And of course, it also had to be the ability that Mab had mastered at a young age so it irked the ever loving shit out of me. If that bitch could wield it and we shared blood, then why the hell couldn’t I? I knew my will was strong, I wouldn’t have been able to bend fire to my will if it wasn’t. Hmmmmm. Maybe like with the others, I needed to figure out what water responded to the most. Or maybe I just needed to actually practice it. I needed to practice with all my abilities again, actually. Why was I still keeping that a secret anyways?

Yanking my gaze away, I turned down the row of tents alongside the bank of the lake. Set up just a foot away from where the grass gave way to sand, the breeze coming off the lake kept the heat of the day away. Nodding hello to a passing woman and her child, I felt my heart physically melt when the small toddler giggled. Grinning back at the toddler, I willed the metal pieces in my hair to float high in the air. I must have looked crazy with my hair sticking every which way but the child laughed uproariously.

The woman bounced the child and laughed along with her until I finally lowered the pieces. Waving a goodbye, I took the last few steps to the largest tent in the row and hesitated at the wind whipping around just inside the open entrance. To wait or not to wait? Eh, he’s kept enough secrets from me for the week. Pressing my palms together, I quickly stabbed them into the wind and broke the seal of the privacy cone with forceful movements. A trick I picked up from a rather...resourceful ex.

Moving to stand just inside the tent, I took a deep breath and hummed the crazy little blue fish song in my head. But surprisingly, I found I didn’t need it. Either I was finally getting a handle on my fear of traps and cells or my mind realized there was absolutely no way a flimsy tent could hold me. Taking into consideration that I had woken up with bloody scratches on my face and covered in sweat, I was going to go with the later. Progress is progress, I mentally shrugged to myself. At least, I wasn’t going to flip out every time I entered a tent. Maybe my fear only erupted when I was surrounded by actual walls.

“After her speech, more of us are convinced that she’s the one but there is still some doubt.”

“Erick, can you honestly say you don’t trust her to lead us?” Dougals voice was calm and steady. Had he really not noticed his barrier breaking?

The unknown male voice paused, “While her honesty is refreshing, her past is concerning and so is her tie to Mab. Dougal, it was obvious she doesn’t even believe she should be Queen. Maybe we were wrong.”

“General, she has no ties to Mab. She probably hates her more than anyone else here. The Seelie and my father, Oberon, have complete faith that she is the one to lead us. You know what we do, Tir Na Nog is her right.”

That’s a weird way to word it but I appreciate the support, Babes.

I cleared my throat, startling the three males and making myself smirk, “Puck’s right. I’m the only one who has a real shot at taking Mab down. Even Oberon with all his power can’t beat her and he knows that.”

The generals eyelids lowered and he bowed his head deeply, “I didn’t mean to offend, My Queen.”

“An empty title is worse than no title, General. I don’t mind that you don’t believe in me, after all I haven’t given you anything to believe in. But know this if you all choose to make me a Queen again, I will earn it. I will do whatever the people want me to do, no matter my personal feelings.”

The General nodded in respect, his dark brown curls dancing around his head. He wore a grey tunic with dark brown trousers and a blue ribbon around his wrist.

“Make sure you spread the word that if you wear my color be sure I’ve earned it. I don’t want blindly loyal or pretend followers.” I waited for his confirmation before continuing. “Dougal, put the barrier back up.”

His grey dreads swayed as he waved his hand towards the tent wall, “Of course, and please don’t break my barrier ever again. The sensation was...very unsettling.”

Being the petty person I was I just laughed in response, my eyes taking in the room.

The layout was the same as my own except for the pieces being of a much finer quality. His wife, Orlaith, had always had a remarkable talent for wood work and baking. Her pieces were obvious to spot as she favored snowflakes and mountains carved into her work. If I remembered correctly, she made me a beautiful wooden doll that I had gotten to play with for a full hour before Mab had it burned. Thoughts of her made me realize that I still hadn’t seen her.

“Where’s Orlaith?”

“She’s been spending a lot of time in the cooking tent. Orlaith has many worries about our children’s roles in the upcoming war. Baking works best to calm her nerves.”

I hummed in sympathy, “Yea, it must be hard being a family divided.”

“All will be well.” He replied with a relaxed smile.

Puck took a step forward, demanding our attention, “Sorry to interrupt, My Queen. But was there something you wanted to tell us?”

“Have somewhere to be?” I questioned with a pointed look towards his tapping foot.

Golden eyes darted to Dougal ever so slightly before he frantically shook his head, “No. Just curious.”

“Whatever you say, Representative.”

He flushed. “Oh, uh. Dougal told you then?”

“Yup.”

Puck was quick to explain himself, “I’m sorry. We only lied because we thought that if I came to you as a Seelie representative, you would have turned me away without question. It also may have been mostly my idea to lie so please don’t blame Dougal. He didn’t want to but I was so excited to meet you. I also couldn’t take the chance that you’d turn me or my kingdoms help away.”

“Relax, I understand. I appreciate your father’s help but I’d like to hear from you why your family is choosing to help me.”

“A long time ago, like a long long time ago. My father came across something that opened his eyes to the possibilities of what Tir Na Nog could be. But he also knew that Mab would have to die in order for the world to flourish and he didn’t have the power to destroy her. So, he began to make plans and search for the Fae he believed to be the one. He believes you to be that Fae, it’s why he tried to get to you as a child. To keep you safe until this day.

Oh, the pain he would have saved me from if I hadn’t been so afraid of royals as a child. And then annoyed with Seelies hunting me as an adult.

I crossed my arms over my chest, “How many troops is he willing to commit?”

“All of them.”

“All...of them?” I parroted. That had to be half of the Seelie population. He couldn’t actually be giving me his entire army.

Puck nodded, “Well, except for a few to keep the domestics safe back in the Kingdom.”

“And just what exactly does he want in return?” I sputtered. Oh, Divines. I was going to have to marry his heir, wasn’t I? I didn’t know if it was a woman or a man, not that it really mattered but still.

“Three things, for you to visit the Seelie Court when you can but definitely before the war. And when your destiny is revealed, unlock your soul.”

Glancing at the men in the room, I questioned, “Unlock my soul? What does that mean?”

“I asked the same thing but all he told me was that you’d understand when the time came to do so.” He shrugged.

Putting that to the side for the moment, I asked, “And the third?”

“You have to match the amount of troops he’s giving.”

I laughed incredulously, “Oh, is that all?”

“Yes.”

Gritting my sharpened teeth at his perky tone, I snapped, “That was sarcasm, you flower crowned fu-”

Dougal clapped his hands together, “Okay! Puck make sure your father gets word that she’s accepted his terms. You can go now.”

My interrupted insult flew right over his golden head, “Are you sure? I can stay.”

I hissed at Pucks’ smiling face.

“No, no. Go child, go now.” sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

The boy causing an irrational amount of rage to course through me at the moment slipped from the tent whistling a jaunty tune. Ignoring the disturbing cat-like urge to run after him and claw out his eyes, I turned to the other two men sporting stressed expressions.

“I know,” I said. “We need to set up recruiting missions to possible close by allies immediately.”

The General ran a hand down his face with a nod, “The sooner we start the better.”

“It’s going to be hard but Oberon was right to have us match his troops. Mab has just as many soldiers as he does, we need to double that if we want to win.” Dougal’s face grew determined, “Where should we start?”

“What about the Dunns, they have an estate out here in the outerlands with about five hundred soldiers?”

I shook my head, “That’s a no go. Lord Dunn hates me.”

The men tilted their heads questioningly.

“They came to my castle once for some noble dinner or something and he spoke down at Lady Dunn in front of everyone. I politely reminded him that he should have more respect for his wife who pays their Estates taxes and is of noble blood unlike him.”

They winced.

Laughing, I remembered the look on the Lord’s face, “Yea, I sort of took his manhood in hand and crushed it in front of anyone who was anyone at the time.”

“Okay,” Dougal replied. “What about the O’Sullivans?”

The general shot him down immediately, “They won’t get on board unless the Murphy’s are and the Murphys won’t get on board unless they get a seat on the council. Which Macha can’t give them because the people haven’t decided if they want her to rule yet.”

“Let’s leave all the Fae who need more than a good speech for later.” Dougal said, tapping his foot in thought. “Who does that leave?”

The tent grew quite as we all searched our brains for a solution to our little problem. Humming the fish tune, I turned in a circle and thought it over. Who could I ask for help? Who could I convince to help us? Who...Who...Who owed me a favor?

Grinning wickedly, I spun around to face the men sending my blue hair flying over my shoulders. As soon as they looked up, I clapped my hands in glee and laughed, “I’ve got it! I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before! It’s time I collected on some deals!”

They shared a look before the General said, “I’m going to learn to hate that sparkle in her eyes, aren’t I?”

“With the passion of a thousand flames, Erick.” Dougal sighed, sounding very annoyed.

The more I thought about it the more I realized that this is exactly what I needed.

Oh, this is going to be so much fun.

“Stop cackling, Fabht Siúcra.”

—————

YASSSS! I DID IT! Two updates for the ones I missed and another for the one scheduled today! I worked my ass off all week for y’all so I hope that these were some good chapters! Or at least satisfying to receive an update!

Leave a comment about something you enjoy in the chapter or how you feel about the book so far if you feel like it!

Smooches, Verbage 💋

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