The Bastard Queen (Viciously Yours #2)
Chapter Forty-Nine: Game Changer

A crisp breeze whisked through the dimly lit street and tugged the ends of my cloaked as we waited. Tucked away in a small alley between a posh bathhouse and a lavish dress shop, stood my small troop of ten waiting on an idiot. With a gloved hand pressed against the brick wall of the bathhouse, I leaned out to scan the street for any glimpse of Baris. In the past two weeks, the boy, while still an idiot, had undergone a major attitude change. Baris took on his intense training without complaint and was quick to follow my orders as we moved from Estate to Estate.

However, he missed the past two Estate visits because his father had caught an infection in his last stage of healing. So I sent him back to help his mother without having to be asked. It wasn’t that I particularly cared to offer Dougal any sort of help but because I didn’t want to push my luck. So far none of the Grymes had held a grudge after finding out what I’d done to their father and I wanted to keep it that way. It wasn’t everyday you could brutally burn and take a man’s tongue and eyes without losing the loyalty of his family. But then again, gaining the loyalty of a Grymes was a hell of a thing.

Two hooded figures around the same height came gliding around the corner, a dark strand of green hair slipping free and down one’s chest. Bria and Baris kept their heads down and weaved quickly past the small amount of Fae still out looking for a bit of fun. Glancing from one side of the colorful street lit with torches to the otherside, my lips curved as I made a split second decision. Leaning a bit further out of the entrance of the alley, I tipped my head up and swept my eyes over the Unseelie guards strolling behind the twins. One of them did a double take as our gazes locked for a moment but by then I was already hidden back behind the wall.

“Did you see them?”

Turning, I made quick eye contact with ten pairs of colored eyes before answering Erick, “They’re coming, get ready to travel.”

“What did you do?”

Giving Dani an innocent look, I wandered deeper into the alley towards them, “Why do you always think I’m doing something heinous?”

“Because you are and Divines, you really just love that word don’t you?”

I cocked a brow as I thought it over and then shot her a grin, “Yes. It just leaves so much to the imagination. It’s also a great word to toss into a deal, leaves a lot of leeway in how you want to punish someone for breaking it.”

My troop grew still at my words, some looking intrigued while the others looked a little pale. Thankfully the silence didn’t last long as the cloak covered twins slipped seamlessly into the alleyway. Or so they thought, two Unseelie guards came walking in after them with hands on the hilts of their weapons. Lips curving, I fell back into the small crowd as they watched the foursome approach with growing tension.

“Hey! What’s going on here?” The male guard with closely cropped red hair barked, red eyes searching the shadows for more Fae.

Stopping, the twins gave each other a sidelong glance before Baris turned and Bria continued walking towards us. Spinning the young man spread his hands as he faced them, “Good evening, Gentlemen. Me and my friends had a long night at the tavern down the street. It’s my girlfriend’s birthday and she can’t handle her sugar.” Giving a boyish shrug, I could hear the amusement in his tone as he finished with a, “You know how it is.”

Long gray hair brushed the second guard’s shoulder as he cracked a smirk, “She throw up yet?”

Baris gave a carefree laugh and jerked his thumb over at us, “No, thank Divines. That’s why we’re trying to get her home beforehand. Her dads gonna kill me as it is.”

The man whistled in sympathy and went to reply when the red eyed guard interrupted sharply, “What’s your girl’s Fae color?”

“What?”

A shiver of excitement raced through my body and I couldn’t wait to see how the boy was going to handle the situation. Hidden in the darkest part of the alley, I grinned widely at the trouble I had caused and the feeling of intense rightness that coursed through me. Reaching forward, I snagged Bria’s cloak as she moved to intervene and shook my head at her questioning look. She fell back on her heels with a nod and turned to look at her brother from the shadows as I released my hold on her.

Shrewd blood colored eyes narrowed on the boy, “Is it blue?”

My soldiers held their breath while Dani shot me a look of disbelief but the hint of a smirk forming on her lips told me even she was craving a bit of recklessness. The scratch to the right side of her jaw with her left hand confirmed it, Time to shine? Holding back a laugh, I winked and pretended to brush a lock of hair from my forehead, Make ’em blush. Our old code had the woman grinning widely before she turned towards the boy with a roll of her shoulders.

“Blue? No, it’s-”

Stumbling out of the shadows with a wobbly laugh, Dani pretended to lean against the wall for support, “Honey Buns! I thought we were going to your place!”

Baris turned with a slight widening of his eyes but was quick to recover as Dani came stumbling over to clutch at his arm, “I know, Baby. I know. I just needed to talk to the guards-”

“You promised we’d try the-” Dani glanced shyly at the guards before whispering poorly in Baris’ ear, “the clamps tonight.”

The grey eyed guard’s eyebrows shot up while the red head looked unphased casting Dani a suspicious look.

Meanwhile Baris visibly swallowed before giving a nervous laugh, “We got all night, Baby. If we’re done here, Gentlemen. My girl’s really excited to get home.”

“I saw someone with blue eyes.” The red eyed guard clipped, his head turning from their sideway position in the alley to point a finger at our group clustered in the dark. “I need all of your friends out here to line up against the wall so I can check their eye color.”

“Is that really necessary? We’re all pretty tired.”

Right before the red haired man could reply, Dani suddenly jerked upright after wedging her way underneath Baris’s arm, “Di-did you say blue eyes?”

“Yes. Does one of your friends have blue eyes?”

Dani gave a drunken sounding giggle before tucking her hand behind her back and wiggling her hand at us, “Nooooo. But I think I know what you saw, Mr. Guard.”

A red brow rose judgmentally at the supposedly intoxicated woman, “And what would that be, Miss?”

Pulling a link from the silver chains around my waist, I flattened it out in a small rounded loop and flung it towards her wiggling fingers. The silver metal spun quickly through the space between us before Dani’s fist closed around it and brought it around to show the men in front of her.

All three men looked at the small silver ring pressed between her fingers in confusion, while Dani slid an arm around Baris’s trim waist with a coy smile, “Ssseeee? It wasn’t blue. It was silver.”

“What is that?” The red head pressed, still looking unconvinced.

Pink eyes flicked to Baris as if looking for permission before giving an embarrassed smile. Holding it up so it winked in the low light, she dropped her hand until it hovered in front of the young Grymes’s crotch, “It’sss- it’s a cock ring. It stops him from cumming too soon. Our sex life has improved ever since.”

Stuffing a knuckle between my teeth, I bit down to stop the roar of laughter that wanted to escape my chest at the boy’s reaction. His tan cheeks flushed so deeply that the red tint could be seen while his entire body went taunt with embarrassment. Baris’s grip on Dani’s arm tightened as his eyes flickered between the guards with a ‘kill me now’ smile plastered across his face.

The gray eyed guard looked like he was trying not to laugh in the boy’s face while the red-head now looked a bit uncomfortable, “But I saw-”

“Let’s let the kids get home, Orion. It was just a trick of the light, our shifts ending anyways.” The long haired guard cut off his partner, clapping a hand on his shoulder and steering him back towards the mouth of the alley. The guard, Orion, tried to turn back around to face us but his partner’s strong hand kept him walking out of the alley at a steady pace.

The grey haired males voice rang out once more before they turned the corner and disappeared, “We’re definitely winning Craziest Shift Story tonight!”

There was a pause in the alley before multiple low chuckles rushed out from between my soldiers lips. Loud laughter left my own as I watched Baris shove a cackling Dani off of him and walked over to us with bright red cheeks. Skipping up behind him with a shit-eating grin, Dani bumped his shoulder cheerfully and then laughed when he scowled at her.

Pushing back into the front of our small troop, I met Baris’s scowl with a smirk, “Kinky, Babes. But I’m curious, what’s your recovery time? Obviously not as fast as your brothers.”

Pastel green eyes narrowed, “How long are you guys going to give me shit?”

“My Queen.” I emphasized with a slight narrowing of my eyes. “How long are you guys going to give me shit, My Queen?”

“How long are you going to give me shit, My Queen?” He corrected himself with a grumble.

Stepping closer, I gave his cheek a pat, “As soon as I feel like you’ve earned your place, Babes.”

“But-”

“No whining. Let’s travel out!” I called out, spinning on my heel and disappearing before anyone could stop me.

A blue haze swallowed everything in my vision, giving the world around me a gorgeous glow. The streets of the Unseelie Kingdom smeared into colorful lines along the sides of my eyes from the speed at which I was traveling. Imogen O’Neil lived within the inner ring of the Kingdom that was crawling with guards due to the close proximity of the Castle where Mab resided. Sneaking in and out of the O’Neil Estate was going to be a test of skill for my soldiers. Me, Dani, and possibly Bria could do this in our sleep but I thought it’d be fun to let the soldiers plan our entrance and exit. Poor things had been whispering among themselves for the past two hours ever since we left the Burn’s Estate where I had sprung it on them.

Blinking as I jolted to a stop a quarter mile from the O’Neil’s Estate, I slipped into the shadow of a large Oak off to the side of the road. My eyes glided over the thick brick walls surrounding the Estate with guards spaced out every ten feet or so. Lips curving, I tap my nails against the bark of the tree in interest. So she stays out of politics but requires twenty guards for her perimeter alone? Tipping my head in thought, I decided to go into this Estate a little differently.

Fingers brushing over the metal of my breast plate, I felt the cool material shift and morph as it slid underneath my tunic. Shivering a little at the cold touch, I pulled free of my cloak and gloves to place them in a small groove at the base of the Oak’s trunk. Pulling the swords from over my shoulders, the metal instantly began to slither down my wrists to cover my long fingers in rings. Smiling at the new ease of my ability, I listened to the tiny pieces of metal in my hair clink together as I shrugged the steath from my back.

Awareness sparked along my nerves as multiple Fae popped into existence in various places among the shadows. Dropping the sheath on the pile at the base of the trunk, I twisted on my heel to face the others. They slunk across the road, quickly and quietly, until they formed a huddle around me.

Brown eyes flickered over my form before glancing at the pile on the ground, “My Queen, are you sure it’s wise to go in undisguised?”

“I’m trying something new, General. Something tells me I don’t need a show of force.”

He hummed in obvious disagreement but didn’t try to convince me otherwise.

Glancing at the nervous soldiers behind my core group, I flashed them an encouraging smile, “Little Babes? The plan?”

A female with dark auburn hair that was partially shaved on the right side, slid to the front with a chin notched in false confidence, “Split into two groups, My Queen. One will breach from the left where there is a larger gap between guards and make a stealth entrance. The second will stay hidden around the Estate with eyes on the outside to make sure there are no surprises.”

“How would you warn us if there was a surprise?” I hummed, liking the plan but needing to know she thought everything through.

Swallowing, the brown skin around her eyes crinkled as if she was struggling not to wince, “My Queen, there are rumors that the Grymes can mentally communicate. So if there’s one twin out here and one inside...”

Expressionless, I allowed for her to shift uncomfortably in place for a moment before giving her slow grin, “Speak with confidence, Private Twyla. You all crafted a good strategy, not too heavy on the details but this is a simple in and out so that’s okay.”

The soldiers in front of me beamed at the praise before they tittered among each other in excitement. Chucking at their child-like excitement, I raised a brow at Twyla, “Have you divided us into groups already?”

She nodded quickly before shooting a look at the man beside her and taking a step back.

The dark purple haired male with bright blue streaks moved to stand in front of me with a rigid spine that had amusement sparking through me. His chest moved faster than necessary and he had to take a small step back after realizing he was in my personal space. I bit my cheek to stop the laugh that wanted to burst free when the motion reminded me that I practically towered over our entire group.

“You, General Erick, Lady Dani, Prince Puck, and Sergeant Bria are the group that will breach, My Queen. The rest of us will stay vigilant on the outside.”

The males voice pulled me from my thoughts and I smiled, “That’s perfect, except let’s switch Bria and Baris.”

With a nod from the others signaling their approval of the plan, we spit into two groups and disappeared into the shadows. Taking firm steps, I led my group around the left side of the Estate in a wide arc. Weaving around a weeping willow, I motioned for the rest to stay before traveling myself right up against the Estate wall. Adrenaline laced excitement twinged through my chest as I peaked up to find a guard paused on the wall just ten feet above me. The woman scanned the woods in front of her slowly from left to right before huffing and moving further down the wall.

Grinning, I willed the stone wall to part just enough for me to look inside the Estate yard. Nothing, not even an insect crawled within the walls of the Estate. It would’ve been eerie except I quite liked the promise of danger it held. Sliding my eyes back to the others, I motioned with my head before slipping through the crack I had created in the wall. And the second the tip of my boot hit gravel, I traveled to the small alcove beside the front double doors carved with leafy designs.

Humming, I shot a wink at Dani who was frantically motioning me back over along the wall. The air beside me shifted a few moments later when they traveled and crammed themselves in behind me. Rolling my eyes at the way I was practically shoved out of the alcove, I flashed a look at the guards. Satisfied that their backs were still facing the Estate, I turned back around and took the two steps necessary to knock on the front door. Knuckles halting millimeters from the wood, I thought of something much more interesting.

Slipping a ring from my thumb, I stuck the flattening piece of metal between the wooden doors and jimmied the lock. Using the tips of my fingers, I pushed the left door open with a small shove and stepped inside. With the others following behind me quickly, I listened to their barely there footsteps and the swish of the door closing as I looked around. The room before us looked like some kind of old fashion hosting room complete with the fainting chairs and lace table cloths. What is it about my kind and the human’s Victorian Era? Maybe I just didn’t get it because I didn’t experience it?

Ignoring the room’s design, I narrowed my eyes when I found no one lurking in the corners of the room. Silently moving further into the Estate, my eyes caught on the soft glow lighting the wooden flooring from another hallway. Light on my feet, I crossed the room and cautiously entered the hall. Doors lined each side of the empty hallway but only the door at the end hinted to someone being home. The lack of noise from the staff that this large Estate had to have employed told me that it was unusual for Imogen to be up this late. Afterall, the staff only retired after the Master of the house. Anything else would’ve been improper, according to the rigid rules of the Unseelie Upper class.

No bothering to continue our silent trek towards the door, I allowed my boots to hit the floor in rhythmic thumps. The small rumbling of a drawer and the tink of a glass sounded out from behind the door before I swung it open. Heat rolled over my slightly chilled skin from the fire roaring in the masterfully woven fireplace of brick and metal. Dragging my eyes away from the crackling red flames, I took my time soaking in the old fashion look of the large office slash library. Brown leather chairs made for a small sitting area in front of the fireplace and contrasted nicely with the black bookshelves built into the walls.

The soles of my boots scraped against the fine threading of the thick tan carpeting as I turned to look at the large desk along the left wall. It was large and screamed of importance but the woman who sat behind it looked weary and small. Resigned brown eyes slid from the top of my head to the toes of my boots looking not the least bit surprised to find me in her Estate. From the tan fingers of her right hand dangled a glass of dark gray liquid that swirled as she leaned back in her chair.

“You’re taller than I thought you’d be.”

Shrugging, I walked closer to take the seat across from her, “And you’re a lot less surprised than I thought you’d be.”

“I knew the moment that the Kelly’s Estate was burned to the ground that I was well and truly fucked so, no. I’m not surprised.”

The comfortable looking chair beside me shot to the side before maneuvering around to gently hit the back of my knees. I startled slightly from the uncommanded use of my magick but pushed it aside as a drink slid into my right hand. Swirling the liquid, I brought it to my nose and sighed at the sharp scent of the amber liquid, “Brazilian Sugar Whiskey 1342.”

“You know your whiskey.”

“I know my alcohol.” I corrected, gazing back at the disheveled woman. “So what’s the plan, Babes? Your guards rushing to protect you as we speak or are we doing a deal?”

Her eyes flicked over my shoulder to watch my soldiers that I could hear spreading around the room, “You ever been in love, Divine?” Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“If I have, I don’t remember.” I heaved out on a sigh, something about our conversation making me feel my age for the first time in a long time.

Haunted brown eyes moved back to stare at me, “Ever been with someone that you knew would ruin you? Someone that was fun and dangerous but hell on your mental health?”

Sinking into the chair, I took a sip of the sugared whiskey and let the tang of it soak into my tongue. I didn’t understand what it was about this woman that made it seem natural to speak to her like an old friend but I found myself giving an honest answer, “My ex.”

“Then you understand.”

Cocking my head, I asked, “Understand what?”

“You understand how hard it is to escape when the sting of their bite is just as alluring as their kiss.”

Humming, I remained silent.

“I knew who he was, I knew the things he’d done but I’d wanted him anyway.” She spoke, looking into her glass as she swirled the gray liquid. “In the beginning it was sweet and heavenly, I thought I had it all. He was attentive and passionate. Until the games began. Cruel, twisted, mind games that tore at my heart and mind. I screamed at myself to leave him, to leave before he ruined me completely. It’s what I would have told anyone else in my position. But I couldn’t, he knew all the right words and I fell for it every time. I used to judge women like me, you know? Unseelie who allowed their lovers to toy with their minds...I understand it now. Why the humans loved us so deeply despite the games we played. The way we destroy others from the inside out is beautifully complex and memorizing. Even as I grew to hate him as much as I loved him, I was still in awe of him.”

“Who is he, Imogen?” I whispered, my breath freezing in my lungs as everything clicked into place.

Raising her head, her eyes trailed over the room before landing back on mine, “The same man who locked me away here. Your brother, the beloved Crowned Prince of the Unseelie, Tidhg.”

A thick wave of sadness crashed over me at the dead look in her eyes as she said his name and suddenly I understood why I felt connected to her. We had both craved the love and acceptance from an O’Riordan and it had left a permanent mark on our souls when it was thrown sharply back in our faces. But while I had clung to anger and resentment, Imogen had been swept away by the suffocating sense of defeat and despair. And I knew as sure as I knew that my hair was blue that Imogen wouldn’t be seeing the light of day break.

Taking a deep swallow of my drink, I savored the burn and steeled myself, “You’ve made up your mind, then? Are you sure?”

“There’s nothing left of me to fix or repair.”

Nodding at her drink, I questioned, “Liquid iron?”

“Mixed in with a little coconut rum. Maybe I’ll end up on a beach in my next life.”

Despite the situation, I gave her what I hoped was a comforting smile, “I’ve died before, twice actually. It’s quiet, peaceful. The view’s amazing from the stars.”

“I don’t doubt it.” She responded, a small twitch of a smile on her face. “I could use the rest.”

I nodded, unsure of what to say. The moment was too somber for my usual words.

Dropping her left hand, Imogen slid open a drawer and removed a bundle of papers bound with twine. Shoving it towards me, she closed the drawer and leaned back to swirl her drink.

“What’s this?” I asked her, looking at the top. It looked like some kind of personal letter about field movements.

“Every correspondence Tidgh’s had with Mab’s Generals in the last six months. He’s been planning a coup for a very long time, he thought with you distracting her that now was the perfect time. You get those to Mab some how and she’ll take out a quarter and a half of her army before the war even starts.”

Holy Divines, we may not need the final war plans after all.

Hesitation and excitement warred within me as I furrowed my brows, “Why are you giving this to me?”

“Because if I can give him a taste of his own games just once...then loving him would have been worth it all.”

“I don’t understand, how do you have these?”

Her lips curved sadly, “Tidhg never thought I’d betray him. Hell, neither did I. But then I heard about you being in Unseelie territory and I knew you were my way out. A way for me to finally let go and move on, on my terms.”

Looking her over once more, I drained the rest of my drink and placed the glass on the edge of the wooden desk, “Is there anything I can do for you in return?”

“We haven’t done a deal.”

Snagging the bundle of letters from the desk, I held them up, “This is more than enough to garner a favor from a God, don’t you think Babes?” Not expecting a reply, I twisted in my seat and tossed it to Dani, “You and Puck, take those back to base and then to his informant. This is too much heat to add on to the other one.” The other one being Cillian, who was under Prince Daithí and Mab’s critical eye already because of Baris.

With a grave nod, Dani clutched the bundle to her chest as Puck grabbed her arm and they blinked out of existence.

“If it’s not too much, I’d appreciate it if you could perform the Surrendering Rites. I don’t have anyone else.”

Turning back to her, I stood up, “Of course.”

At my words, Imogen released a small sigh of relief and waved a hand over the desk. A gust of wind swept the clutter from the desk and to the floor with minimal sound. Drink in hand, she stood and slid onto the bare desk while leaving herself enough room to lay back. Brown eyes slowly scanned the room for the last time before landing on me, “It was nice to meet you, Divine. I hope you achieve the change you desire for Tir Na Nog.”

“May you find the rest you seek in the stars, Imogen O’Neil.”

“My Queen, we can’t just-”

Snapping my head towards the boy, I pinned him with a sharp look, “Silence.”

“Don’t fret for me, child. This life has taken more than I had to give and I’m ready for the next. One day, you’ll be old enough to understand my choice like the Divine.” Her voice was calm and strong, like her choice, there wasn’t a hint of wavering. “Though hopefully not quite as well.”

Green eyes flickered between us before dropping to the ground.

Dismissing him, I stepped closer and took her left hand in mine with a soft, “Whenever you’re ready.”

“I’ve been ready for a very long time, Divine.” She replied, before tipping her head back and downing the liquid in one go.

Carefully slipping the glass from her grip, I placed it to the side and grasped her right shoulder just as her body began to slacken. With the amount she took, her death would be painful in the beginning but quick and numb towards the end. Gently, I lowered her to lay across the desk and smoothed her hair from her face in a repeated motion. Her chest fell and rose steadily for several moments until it turned staggered and shallow.

As her eyes began to flutter, I spoke the rite in soft whisper, “Anseo luíonn Unseelie Imogen O’Neill, síochánta agus meon soiléir, tugann sí a greim ar an eitleán marfach seo duit. Fadó a bhí a saol agus a fulaingt go hiontach, go bhfeicfeadh na Diaga agus an chinniúint an méid atá déanta acu agus comhbhrón a thairiscint. Ní féidir léi dul ar aghaidh a thuilleadh, géilleann sí a corp, a intinn agus a hanam do na réaltaí. Breathe saol nua isteach san anam tuirseach seo le cineáltas neamh-mhéadaithe.” Pausing, I took a deep breath as a tear slipped from the corner of her eye and a genuine smile formed on her lips. “Tiontaigh na dials ama ar ais, cloiseann fates ár gcaoin, glac leis an ngéilleadh seo. Tabhair suaimhneas dár deirfiúr.”

Her hand went limp in mine at the same time I finished the rite and a heavy feeling pressed down over the room. Smoothing my hand over her hair for the last time, I closed her eyelids and gently rested her hand by her side. Taking a step back, I felt raw and exposed while watching the white flames spring to life on her body. The heat of the fire warmed my skin and burned my eyes as I continued to stare until the smell of burning flesh curled my nose.

Blinking away the sadness of performing a Surrendering for the eleventh time in my life, I fell back into awareness and glanced at my side to find Erick.

The General wore a subdued expression as he watched the flames, “Is it foolish to wish that every Surrendering is the last I’ll witness, My Queen?”

“Only if you believe that it’s truly the last, General.” I replied, turning back to stare into the raging flames. “Go mbeannaí na réaltaí go réidh duit, Imogen O’Neill.”

Erick repeated my sentiments before we silently left the room, red and white light flickering ominously at our backs as a brooding Baris trailed slowly behind.

-

🚨Before anyone judges the Surrendering Rite or Macha’s actions, please wait until the next chapter. The Rite will be explained in more detail and how it pertains to the lives of Fae. I am in NO WAY justifying or trying to glorify suicide, this is a fictional race that lives by a different set of moral codes and normalisms 🚨

Surrendering Rite:

Here lies Unseelie Imogen O’Neill, peaceful and of clear mind, she gives her hold on this mortal plane to you. Long was her life and her suffering great, may the Divines and fate see what they have done and offer a condolence. No longer able to go on, she surrenders her body, mind, and soul to the stars. Breathe new life into this tired soul with unmeasured kindness.

Turn back the dials of time, fates hear our cry, accept this surrender. Give our sister peace.

Macha’s parting words:

May the stars greet you gently, Imogen O’Neill.

Smooches, Verbage💋

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