Light in Torment: An Annora Park Novel: Book Three

Chapter Twelve: Rift in the Raft

   "Hey baby," I stroke Bento's soft fur and laugh when he purrs and snuggles deeper into my chest.  "Did you miss me, you did, didn't you boy.  Oh you are the best little kitty ever, the best best guy in the whole wide world."
   "Hey!" Walker says and I laugh
   "Oh shush, you know what I mean."
   "We've retrieved the familiar, we had better get to the light Fae Court before Terrenel wonders what has happened to us." Chamuel says ever the reasonable one.
   "Oh fine." I look at my bloodstained clothing and sigh.  "I wish I was wearing something appropriate for the Light Fae Court." A bright light I emanates from me and suddenly I standing in a floor length ball gown.  I sigh and shrug.  "Guess this is the best I'm getting."
   "You look magnificent." Chamuel says in awe.
   "I look like I stepped out of the period movie."
   "A beautiful period movie."
   I look at Walker who has a smirk on his face.  "I don't need to ask you what you think."
   "I think you always look lovely, beautiful, radiant, dearheart."
   "But you hate the dress."
   "I think the dress is..." his words drop off and I sigh.
   "Exactly."
   "Where are you putting your weapons?"
   I take my dagger belt and belt it around my waist.  "There, problem solved."
   "And the coronet?" He asks.
   "The what what?"
   "The hairdo you're wearing it's called a coronet, a braided crown of sorts." Chamuel answers.
   "I wish I had some dagger hair pins." Again the light and then I'm holding some jeweled hair pins with wicked sharp points.  I turn to Walker.  "Will you do the honors.
   "With pleasure, dearheart."  Walker inserts the pins carefully into my hair.
   "You look absolutely regal, my beloved," Chamuel says.
   "I feel ridiculous, but whatever.  Isn't it you that once said that the Court is one big show?  So lets give them a show."  I hold out my hands, still cradling Bento.  "Take my hands."  They do.  "I wish we were all in Terrenel's throne room right now." The moment I say the wish we disappear.

Terrenel's throne room is filled to capacity and Terrenel sits on the throne looking regal as ever.  When he sees me his eyes light up like a million stars.  He gets off his throne and comes to stand in front of me.  Ignoring Chamuel and Walker and even Bento he pulls me into his arms and plants a giant kiss on my lips, claiming me in front of the entire court.  I here a few gasps but I ignore them in favor of a truly epic kiss.
   "You look magnificent."
   "Thanks.  Thought I should look the part."
   "I cannot tell you how I appreciate it, my love.  I know how much you hate these clothes."
   I sigh,  "Every once in awhile I'm willing."
   Terrenel leans in to whisper in my ear.  "May I show you how much I appreciate it later, my love?"
   I laugh and shake my head.  "We'll see.  We have matters to attend to." At my words, Terrenel's face grow somber.
"That we do, that we do."  He narrows his eyes and calls out, "Rioardan attend me."
   A bright light blinds the room and we shield out eyes and suddenly Rioardan is there.  "You summoned me, you Majesty."
   "Indeed I did," Terrenel approaches Rioardan.  "Rioardan I do not like to be lied to.  My Queen doesn't like to be lied to."
   "No, I don't," I catch Terrenel giving me a look and I shut my mouth—shocking I know.
   "You know something is going on with the Shasharra there is a rogue amongst your people, I want to know who the rogue is."
   "Your Majesty I questioned all my people, and there are no rogues amongst me and mine."
   Okay, I'd had enough,  I take my daggers and drag them down the side of my dress on both sides, much to the dismay of the court whom continue to gasp.  Whatever.  I don't give. Fuck.  I can't move in this fucking thing.  I move to the side of Rioardan and before he can say or move, I stab him in his side.  He gasps and grabs his side.
   "You stabbed me."
   "Yup," And I pop the P.  "And I'll stab you again if you continue to lie to me and to your king.  Although I'll find a much better place to stab you."
   "Oh, beloved, you couldn't show a little decorum," Chamuel says.  I shoot him a dirty look.
   "Hey! That was showing decorum I didn't hit any major arteries, did I?"
   Terrenel narrows his eyes.  "We may not be the Dark Fae Court, but we have ways to get things out of traitors, Rioardan."
   Rioardan pales.  "But...but...I do not know—"
   I stab him in his stomach and he doubles over.  "Oh shut up you baby.  You can heal."  I watch as his light begins to dim a little and shove that information away for a later date.  "Now, you're going to tell us the truth.  No more shitting around.  I've come to the end of my patience."
   "You had patience?" Walker asks?
   "Okay, well, maybe ten years ago, but whatever.  You get it.  I've had it.  This sack of shit if lying to us.  And he's lying to his king.  That is not okay."
   "I...I..." Riordan says.
   I twirl my daggers..."You'd better be careful about what you say next."
   "I know of one.  One Shasharra that is missing from our flock.  His name is Caspar and he was a runt."
   "What's a runt?"
   "May I have a healer?" Riordan asks.
   I look at Terrenel and Terrenel shakes his head.  My admiration for him goes up a notch.  "Nope.  You may not have a healer.  You've lied to us front he beginning.  You can sit there and bleed for all I care and tell us what we need to know, or the next shot will be to your heart you lying sack of shit."
   "A...a...a...runt is one born small in the Flock.  He was always mocked and ridiculed.  He was small.  His light was bright, but not the brightest.  Something went wrong when he was born in the grove and he never grew wings.  It was a sense of deep dishonor in his family."
   Now we were getting somewhere.  "So this Caspar has gone missing.  He has no wings and what...he wants some?"
   "It's not possible." Riordan mumbles.  "You cannot just grow wings.  If you are born with them you are born with them.  If you are born without them, then you are born without them, and you are deformed."
   I wasn't about to show this asshole my wings.  "Terrenel I think we have our culprit."
   "NO!" Rioardan shouts.  "Again, it's not possible.  You cannot take another Fairies wings.  You cannot just take them.  It is not possible, not for any Fairy, certainly not for the Shasharra ."
   I swallow and look at Walker and bite my lip.  "Are you thinking what I'm thinking."
   "If you're thinking that fantastic psychological thriller, then yes."
   "Terrenel, ever seen "Silence of the Lambs," before?"
   "No."
   "Well," sigh.  "I think it's time that you did."