Kingsbane

Chapter 3

Immediately after the boy had gone, Siva fought his way to the gazebo and sat down. As he entered, a low hum emanated beneath his feet, sending power, like lightning, up his spine. Shuddering, he glanced around, and then closed his eyes. In order to do this magic, he would have to release his Glamour. It was not something he liked to do, nor was it the safest, but he could not bring himself to let Grayson run off alone, dying on his feet as he was, and would not chase after him for fear of further frightening him.
Human mentality was fragile, the smallest thing could shatter it. Even with the urgent circumstances, he must be gentle with him. Handling him carelessly would only lead to certain destruction and that was just not something Siva could deal with.
As the veil of magic fell, his true form was revealed, and his energy was greatly increased. The sensation was almost pleasurable, but there was no time to revel in it. He had to move quickly, or his soul's wings would never catch up.

Gray had made it to his car, but now he sat, winded and dizzy in the front seat, the door open and his heart pounding painfully against his sternum. He felt as if he may vomit, and the sweat running down his face wet the collar of his shirt. His mother would definitely notice. However, she'd be more suspicious if he didn't show up at all.
With a shaking hand he put the key into the ignition and started the car. If he left the window down, perhaps the air would dry out his shirt before he got to the cafe. Just as he was about to pull out of the hospital parking lot a frantic green butterfly fluttered inside. It bustled about his head before coming to sit upon his shoulder where it rested it's wings and grew calm.
He was about to brush it away when the same calm washed over him. His breathing steadied, his trembling ceased, and the weakness faded from his limbs. It was such a familiar warmth, like a tender embrace. He could not bring himself to bother with the butterfly now. If it wanted to sit on his shoulder, why not let it?
And it did sit there. It sat there while he pulled up in front of the cafe, remained there as he waved to his mother, and even continued to perch there as he went to sit down.
"I can't wait any longer Gray, tell me." The insect was forgotten as his mother grabbed his hands as he sat down across from her. "What did the doctors say?"
"I'm fine, Mom." He smiled, trying hard to put the happiness he was projecting into his eyes. "They prescribed me some iron supplements, told me to eat healthier and sent me on my way."
His mother pursed her lips and looked at him with fierce brown eyes. "Grayson Lee, shame on you for lying to your mother."
The waitress brought them both a warm cup of tea and a side order of chips as Gray sighed. It wasn't that he was a bad liar, it was just that his mother always knew better. Usually, she'd pin him with that cold look and he'd spill his every secret, but not today. Today he was sticking to his story, for her sake.
"Why would I lie?" He shrugged, forcing down a handful of chips even when his appetite had long abandoned him. "You know I can't keep anything from you."
"I ordered you a grilled ham and cheese with a side salad." She mumbled, looking down at her tea. "Your dad asked about you this morning."
"Oh." Gray stiffened a little at the mention of his father. "Did he want to know if I'd found a girlfriend yet?"
"No, baby, he just asked if you'd heard anything about your test results. He does still love you, you know. He's just still trying to adjust."
"What the hell is there to adjust to? My sexuality has nothing to do with him." Gray's tone was more cruel than he'd meant it to be, and he immediately tried to save the situation. "This butterfly has been sitting on my shoulder since I got in the car this morning."
As the waitress returned with their food, his mother gave him a nervous look. "What butterfly, baby?" She whispered.
Grayson looked down at the butterfly on his shoulder. "Oh, it must have flown off." He murmured, though he could plainly see it there. His mother couldn't see it. Was he hallucinating? Great.
"So, are you seeing anyone?"
"No." Except for imaginary butterflies. "I heard Sarah got into the school she was hoping for."
"Yeah, and all the other ones too. She said she tried to call you."
"I was at work. I forgot to call her back." It was an excuse, of course, but his mother knew that. "I'll call her tonight." Turning his attention to the sandwich he had absolutely zero will to eat, he began to slowly force feed himself.
"Don't forget. You know how she is. She'll take it personally." His mother lectured gently, "The house isn't the same without you. She's been moping."
"Well, she's always been dramatic." He muttered, trying to ignore the imaginary butterfly as it slowly flapped it's wings.
"So, do you have your eye on someone special?"
"No. I'm not really looking for a relationship. Why the sudden interest in my love life?"
"Well, you're almost twenty four." She sighed, "Adoption takes longer than gestation and I'm not getting any younger. I want grand-babies."
"Get Sarah to make you some. She can actually give you real ones."
"Grayson." Reaching out, she took the hand that wasn't busy picking at a sandwich crust. "I can tell you're not feeling well."
Actually, he felt much better than usual, though he could still feel the lingering heaviness in his bones, waiting to bring him down he moment the calm lifted. "I'm hung-over."
"You know I don't approve of drinking." Releasing him, she turned back to her tea, seeming satisfied at last.
"I know."

* * * *

Rafferty sat across from Siva's slumped body, where he'd been now for over an hour waiting for his soul to return. What could have possessed him to project his essence in a place like this? Apparently he thought tall grass was going to shield him from assassins. Guarding the royal family would be a hell of a lot easier if Siva had any common sense.
At last, he spotted the butterfly dancing and skittering through the air toward them. Rising, he straightened his uniform and prepared to greet his king. When the insect entered the gazebo, and it's tiny eyes saw him, it turned around and began to flutter the opposite direction.
"Relax." He sighed, capturing it in his hand carefully. "What a coward."
Raff placed the butterfly over Siva's heart. There was a flash of green light and then Siva took a deep breath, eyes wide as he returned to his body. With a violent shudder, he settled back into his bones.
Before he even had time to speak, Raff boxed his ears. "Are you an idiot?" He growled. "Right here in the open? Really?"
"Naturally I'd want to be inside the Circle for magic like that." Siva grumbled, "I'm stronger here."
"And vulnerable!" The general snapped. "Sverre would be very unhappy to find out you were being so careless, and if Sio knew-"
"Give it a break, Raff. There's no need for either of them to find out. Why are you here?"
"Come on, your Highness." The disgruntled Fae sighed, grabbing Siva by the arm and helping him to his feet. "You know why I'm here."
"I still have time." Siva argued as Raff escorted him back to the house.
"I know. But I thought it best to keep an eye on you."
"Admit it, you just missed me." Shaking his friend's hand away, Siva went to he kitchen and grabbed a few beers from the refrigerator.
"Yeah. That too." Raff confessed, accepting the beverage. "Cigarettes?"
"Sio still have her no smoking policy?" Siva grinned, tossing his pack of Marlboros at him.
"She can't stand the smell of it." Raff confirmed.
"She never did like anything human." Siva flopped down in the recliner by the couch and put his feet up on the coffee table as his friend lit a cigarette. "So, how'd you find me?"
Raff waved his hand to dismiss the question. "You know how it works. What's bothering you? You've never been one for small talk."
The jovial air fell away and Raff gave him a knowing look. "I need to speak with Sverre." He confessed.
"No. Out of the question."
"I'm not fucking around here, Rafferty. I have to meet with him."
"I can not allow you to do that."
"Why?"
"You know damn well why! Siva, shit, just please, for me, stop causing trouble. Sverre is fine where he is, and you would only stir things up."
"Fine where he is?" There was fire in Siva's eyes suddenly, and an icy undertone in his words. "Fine where he is?"
Raff took a draw of his cigarette and watched expressionless as his king's temper flared. He was used to Siva's dramatics, had lived with it for years and years and years. So, when a phantom wind began to blow, and Siva's eyes lit up like a pair of roman candles, he sat stoically, waiting for his friend to come back to his senses.
"What's this all about?" He inquired, when the breeze died away and Siva heaved a great, weary sigh, placing his head in his hands. "Come on, spill it."
"I need Sverre's help. I don't know who else to turn to." Siva whispered. "I know this is shitty timing, but, I found my Bane."
"You're coming back to Faery tonight. End of discussion." Raff rose, and pulled Siva up out of the chair. "Now."
"I can't leave him. You know how it feels." Siva breathed. Raff's hold tightened until it was painful.
"They call them a Bane for a reason, Siva." The man hissed, "They will only bring us misery."
"He's only got two months to live. I need Avalbane's help."
"A human can not enter Faery."
"They can if an Unseelie kidnaps them." Siva stated, rising as Rafferty released him and headed for the door.
"I can not let you dishonor yourself, or Sio, by doing this." He murmured. "I'm sorry. Let the human die. It is their way."
"Don't make me do it." There was a desperation in Siva's tone that made Raff's stomach sink.
"Siva, you are the King of Faery, it is time to put aside your own wants and do what is best for your people."
"Sverre was best for my people! Not me! I didn't want any of this! What I want is this boy, and I can not let him go. Are you telling me that even when my whole being rails against it, that I have to just-"
"Yes!" Raff snarled, "You have to do your duty! Just like Siofra has to, just like Sverre has to, and just like I have to!"
"Rafferty, I call upon the life debt you owe me."
"Siva, you bastard."
"Will you deny me?" Siva's voice trembled, knowing the cruelty of what he was doing, but unable to stop himself.
"No, of course I wont." The general mumbled. "But, listen to me, please. This human will bring only suffering. You must rethink this."
"I can't. I can't think of anything but saving his life. I'm so sorry Raff, but I can't turn away from him. He's got me blinded."
"We should tell Siofra."
"Absolutely not."
"I think if anyone should know about this Bane, it is your wife."