Hockey Pucks & Pixie Dust

6 - The Power of a Name

Sindri feared asking what Loki had gotten himself into this time. Whatever he'd done must have been before their encounter at the altar, but the queen's rage wasn't any less assuaged by the passage of time.

While Sindri and Thayer kept a respectful distance and their heads dipped, the queen spewed more profanities than a common sailor. Her vernacular was quite impressive, if not crude and unbefitting of the ethereal beauty with flaming hair.

Once the Queen's wings settled into an irritated flutter from the blazing inferno of orange and red fire licking the humid air around them, Sindri wet her lips and dared to chance a peek at the woman who may or may not help. "I am sorry to hear you have crossed paths with Loki."

The queen huffed before inhaling a deep breath and soothing her flimsy dress. The fabric rippled like water under her delicate hands, and Sindri stared, shameless and transfixed by the small movements. Did all fairies hold the ability to ensnare the unprepared into their beautiful net? Sindri hadn't considered her sensual side, even when faced with marriage to Ivor.

The queen regained her composure and claimed her hands once again, resuming the image of peace when just a moment ago, she'd been ready to unleash the wrath of Hell upon Loki. Anger lingered in her ever-burning eyes though, making Sindri wary as she kept a safe distance. "Come. I shall bring you to my home, where you shall eat and rest."

None of that explained the queen's obvious issue with the Nordic god, but at least she hadn't sent Sindri on her own to fend for herself. Still, like anyone else, she wanted to know what had transpired between the pair. "Aye, of course." She hesitated before deciding to ask anyway. "Forgive me, but what did Loki do?"

The queen regarded her with a shrewd glare before responding in an equally icy tone: "He stole something from me. I shall be sure to return the favor in kind, but that is a worry for another day. For now, you should take a respite."

That should have been the end of the conversation, and Sindri truly knew better than to press, but she had to know. "Was he your lover?"

Thayer's mouth fell open, making Sindri shrink in on herself, but otherwise, she remained calm. She wouldn't receive answers if she didn't ask questions. "M'lady, you should not ask such things!"

New lesson worth noting: the fae were as prone to taking offense as humans. Sindri would do well to learn quickly so as not to incur magical repercussions.

Raising her hand in a halting motion, the queen commanded, "Peace, Thayer. 'Tis only natural the girl would have questions." She pointedly stared at other men and women as they left their activities in the streets and inched closer. They scattered with hasty bows when she looked their way. Ignoring them, the monarch faced Sindri again. "Come, child. You must be exhausted."

Sindri wouldn't argue with that, but she still had so much to know and do. Couldn't she rest later?

As if reading her mind, the timeless woman slowly shook her head. "I promise we will speak, but you must be patient."

Her pledge was good enough for Sindri, who finally took a tentative step forward. She hesitated long enough to ask, "How should I address you? For that matter, I do not know what to call myself."

The queen and Thayer exchanged a glance as the latter said, "She knows nothing of our ways and would have blurted her true name for everyone to hear if I had not stopped her."

The queen tapped her chin and cocked her head to one side, unblinking as she regarded Sindri. "You are a child of the Norse tribes, aye?" When Sindri nodded, the woman took her hands into hers, spreading warmth throughout her body. "Choose a name for me."