The Bastard Queen (Viciously Yours #2)

After a brief stop at a tavern to wash up and change, the sight of blood drew a surprising amount of attention, we were slowly making our way through the crowded streets below the MacDuffy’s Estate. Fae seemed to clog the road as they fought to get a look at us passing by. It was a major change from the last two cities we had visited but perhaps whispers of the war had turned into screams.

Cillian had heard from his sister that Afric convinced four more Banshee Dens to join us, apparently they loved the idea of having a Queen who experienced death. And when they heard about my most recent fling with the underworld they had a party in joy. The Death God they’re calling me, I snorted. By the time this was over, I was going to have ten different names.

Eyes rolling over the crowd, I took in the differing looks among the Fae. Some were in awe but others held anxiety and fear in their eyes that I couldn’t fault them for. I was going to be calling their families to fight and probably die for the chance of ripping Mab off the throne. And I’m sure the fact that I failed once before was giving them less than optimistic hopes this time around. I could only hope that news of me being a Divine would boost their confidence in me.

With every step the Kelpie took, Cillian and I had been rubbing up against each other for the past few hours. The worst of my dizziness from the bloodlost was over but he had refused to let me ride my own Kelpie. I could tell that I had scared him and I was willing to allow him to act like this up until we entered the MacDuffy’s Estate. I hadn’t been exaggerating when I told him that the MacDuffy’s wouldn’t even talk about joining my side if they thought I was with someone. The possibility of me joining their relationship would gain us entry and their ear. From there though, the real games would begin.

Chattering from the crowd lessened as we rode up to the thick black bars fencing in the Estate on all sides. Soldiers in dark green tunics with brown leaves swirling across the front yanked the gates open to let us pass through. The instant Cillian’s Kelpie stepped into the Estates courtyard the atmosphere changed. Cold and misty morning air turned into a humid heat that was starting to make me wish I’d worn a sleeveless tunic.

Thick green grass muffled the clop of the Kelpies hooves as we moved further into the courtyard. Unlike the other Estates, this one was more modern and resembled large houses found in the human realm. Large stone pillars lined the front porch with long rectangular windows placed strategically between them. It wasn’t long after we stopped that the owners of the house came waltzing out with bright smiles.

Countess MacDuffy had her long light brown hair pulled up into a messy bun that drew attention to her unnaturally wide emerald eyes. More conservatively dressed for a Nymph, the sundress she wore made out of orange brown leaves stopped at mid thigh. Her mate, a few inches taller than her five five height, wore a pair of tight leather pants and a loose cotton shirt. Together they looked like they belonged on the cover of one of those smutty romance novels. Especially, with the way he had pulled his dark green hair back into a low ponytail.

Giving them a smile, I turned my head to the right to hide the words I murmured to Cillian, “Do not. Fuck this up, Lilly. Follow my lead.”

He didn’t reply of course, but I took the brush of his hand over my thigh as he dropped the reins to be an agreement.

I waited for him to dismount first before throwing my leg over and dropping to the ground. Tugging my sleeves up to my elbows, I walked around and towards the MacDuffy’s with a smile. Sorcha bounded down the porch steps and then raced across the grass to me with a squeal. Don’t do it. Don’t do it, I thought watching her bare feet practically fly over the grass. But she did, she did do it.

She was two steps away when she launched herself at me, arms and legs folding around me in a tight hold. With her entire curvy little body molded against mine, I winced internally from the way her chest crushed my freshly healed one. The warm heat of arousal pumped through my veins where her skin touched mine, her allure working hard to tear apart my resistance. Giving her a couple pats on the back with a fake laugh, I turned my head in time to avoid a kiss on the lips.

Loosening her arms around my neck, she leaned back in my hold to give me a sunny smile, “Macha, it’s so good to see you!”

“You too, Sorcha.”

“I love your tattoos by the way. Me and Loch didn’t think it was possible for you to get any more tempting but we should’ve known better.” She purred, brushing a piece of hair behind my ear.

“Well, you know me,” I shrugged, gently pulling her away to place her on the ground. “I do love proving people wrong.”

“That you do, Macha. You’ve been proving us wrong for a long time.”

Cringing internally, I turned and smiled innocently at Loch, “You really should be careful, Loch. I hear bitterness leaves agelines.”

His green brows pulled together for less than a second before smoothing out just as fast, “Who’s your masked man?”

“Yes,” Sorcha added, slipping an arm around her mate’s waist and shooting a look over my shoulder. “I’ve been wondering as well. He’s gaze is...piercing.”

Cillian had been standing right behind my left shoulder since the moment I set Sorcha back on the ground. The heat of his body against my back was reassuring, like he was telling me that no matter what I did he would always be right behind me. Which was why I decided to skip the part of my plan where I humored their obvious advances. Though it was probably more uncomfortable for me to go through than it was for him to watch. And I know he had to feel some level of discomfort because of that kiss he planted on me a few hours ago. Yea, I hadn’t forgotten about that.

Turning, I placed a very visible hand on Cillian’s shoulder and leaned into his side as I grinned at them, “This would be my Acolyte.”

The minuscule amount of tension in the couples faces disappeared and Loch held his hand out to Cillian, “Ah! Very nice to meet you. I’m Loch and this is my mate Sorcha.”

Cillian glanced down at Loch’s offered hand before looking back up at him with no intention of shaking his hand.

For my own amusement, I said nothing when Loch let his hand hang in the air for a few moments. Dropping his hand, he stared back at Cillian and then cut a glance at me.

Raising a hand as if to hide my mouth from Cillian, I whispered loudly, “He’s not real big on pleasantries or talking.”

“Wait a minute, you said Acolyte?” Sorcha questioned. “I’ve read about them in the Divine literature. Don’t mind him, Baby. Acolyte’s are like mute monks, some are even castrated to be more efficient. Poor thing’s probably just frustrated.”

Skin prickling at her words and the laughter that poured from their smug mouths, I chuckled with them. “Actually,” I interrupted, slipping my hand down and giving Cillian’s crotch a healthy squeeze. “All his body parts are intact. And unsurprisingly, like the energy he radiates, it’s big.”

The couple blinked before Sorcha clapped her hands and grabbed her mate’s arm with narrowed eyes, “Brunch?”

“Do you have chocolate pastries?”

“We can get the chef to scrounge some up for you.”

Scrunching my eyes with a fake smile, I replied in the same falsely bright tone, “Then brunch sounds lovely, Sorcha.”

The minute their backs were turned I rolled my eyes with the power of a thousand ancestors. Divines, I forgot how exhausting they were. Did I look like the type that did brunch? I mean…maybe after a battle…Now that I thought about it, that would be nice. Maybe I could convince Kaiya to brunch with me? I wonder if she’d like Gnome meat…

“Eh-hem.”

“You’re right. That’s a horrible way to treat a bestie. I’ll bring her a brucks bear.”

“Eh...hem.”

Pulling my eyes away from the Estate, I looked up at Cillian, “What? And again, you are not supposed to be talking.”

Staying silent this time, he tipped his head to look down exaggeratedly.

Following his gaze, I looked at my hand that was still grabbing his crotch, “Well, would you look at that.” Releasing him, I asked, “Do I need to apologize for the inappropriate touch or are we okay?”

Silver eyes stared into mine before I got the distinct feeling that he was calling me an idiot.

“It was a genuine question, Dickhead. Excuuuse me for being a decent Fae for once and asking.” I snapped, embarrassed for even caring. Turning to face my soldiers currently still in the process of dismounting, I called out to them, “You fought hard last night. Come inside for brunch.”

Spinning on my heel, I stalked over the thick lawn and straight into the Estate. The white marble of the flooring contrasted beautifully against the light blue wall paper with white butterflies scattered about. The foyer branched off into three separate directions, the rooms on either side of me and the hall leading further into the house behind the stairwell. And since the sound of pots and pans rang out from behind the stairs I chose to head in that direction.

Leather boots slowly thumping against the marble, I confidently entered the large open kitchen slash dining room. Five little Brownies buzzed around the open kitchen, flinging batter and tossing utensils as they went. Working on old stoves and ovens, they looked like they were having a blast while still managing to get unburned food onto the tables. Beyond them in the dining room sat an extra long rectangular silver table with chairs lining each side in even rows.

Plates, utensils, and cups of silver were placed elegantly in front of every seat. Even I had to admit that the setup was done wonderfully, the change from butterflies to leafy branches on the blue walls was a nice touch. It was obvious from the decor and the Brownies whizzing by to place plates on the table that Loch let his Nymph rule the home. It was interesting to see since the last time I had seen their home it was red and black with a deep base thumping through the walls.

“This way, Macha. Your soldiers can dine here while we bunch on the terrace.”

So posh. Nodding, I gave my soldiers the go ahead before walking through the sliding glass doors that lead to the terrace.

The way they were waiting for me was almost laughable. The couple sat on one side of the table with an empty white chair between them and another across from them. Smiling, I took slow steps around the table to place a hand on the back of each of their chairs. Looking from one to the other, I gave their smiling faces a wink before grabbing the empty chair. With it in hand, I straightened up and dragged the chair noisily over the tan stones to the other side of the table.

Still smiling pleasantly, I took a seat and then patted the chair beside me with my eyes on the couple, “Sit, Acolyte. There’s no danger here.”

Loch’s smile tightened at the corners, “How was Slykhelm, Macha? I heard it was...unpleasant.”

“Thanks for asking, Loch.” I mocked happily, reaching for a chocolate drizzled croissant. “I had the time of my life. Really got in touch with my artistic side, you know? You wouldn’t believe how long it takes to skin someone alive. Truly, a lost art form.”

“How...informative.” Sorcha replied, buttering a perfectly round pancake. “So, we hear you’re a Divine now? Is that true?”

Knocking the croissant out of my hand, Cillian replaced it with a plate of fluffy waffles topped with fruit. Shooting him a look, I told them, “Yea, turns out this bastard has a rich heritage. Though, the thought of killing my parents is very appealing.”

“But your father’s already dead…”

Meeting Sorcha’s eyes for a second, I flicked a glare up at the sky, “So they tell me.”

“Not...that we don’t love seeing you Macha but are you well?”

“In what sense?” I asked, staring down at the untouched waffles. For the past week, I’ve dealt with Cillian putting together my food like he had just done. But this...this was too much, I hadn’t had chocolate in a week. A week.

“What do you mean?”

Picking up the utensils, I started to reluctantly cut into the fluffy stack, “Are you asking if I’m physically or mentally unwell, Sorcha?”

“Just in the general sense, I suppose.” She replied, her voice pitched higher than usual.

Smiling at her, I speared a piece of fruit and waffle. “Then I suppose, I’m generally unwell. Though I would be better if someone would allow some damn chocolate in my diet.”

Catching my pointed look, Cillian rolled his eyes and grabbed the chocolate sauciere before stopping to look at the MacDuffy’s.

“Oh, for fuck-” Cutting myself off with a huff, I snapped, “Is that pure chocolate or the sugary kind?”

“Does it matter?”

“I don’t know, Loch. Would you like me semi-stable or completely impulsive?”

“It’s the pure stuff.”

Grinning, I turned to Cillian, “Drown it.”

Mesmerized, I watched Lilly tip the sauciere over and spill the rich thick chocolate over the fruit littered waffles. When one waffles little golden squares filled with the stuff, I nudge it to the side so that the next one could get in on the action. Once the third waffle was covered in chocolate, I dipped the piece I had cut into the pool of chocolate on the sides of the plate.

“So good.” I hummed after taking the first bite.

Clearing his throat, Loch interrupted my breakfast, “Why are you here, Macha?”

“And here I thought you guys were happy to see me.”

“We were-are happy to see you but you’re different. More unpredictable.”

Smiling, I gestured at Sorcha with the knife, “You noticed, I knew you did. Otherwise, I would have laughed off at least five sexual comments by now.”

“This is about the war between you and Mab, isn’t it?”

“It is.” I murmured, allowing them to steer the conversation as I ate.

Scratching at her pale neck, Sorcha placed a hand on her mate’s back while they shared a look. Clearing his throat and straightening out his shoulders, Loch took a sip from his champagne glass before saying, “We had a feeling you’d come by but we’ve decided to stay out of the war this time. You understand.”

“Oh, sure.” I replied, plopping a chocolate coated strawberry in my mouth.

Relieved, Sorcha gave me a huge smile, “It’s just that we’re trying for a baby right now so it just really isn’t the best time for us.”

“Awwww.”

“I’m hoping for a boy and of course, Sorcha is happy with whichever. I am too but I’ve always wanted a little boy.”

Cutting another piece of waffle, I raised a brow as I looked up at them, “Babies are cute. Especially the chubby ones.”

The couple laughed and then Loch reached across the short table to place a hand over mine, “We’re so glad you understand, Macha. And just because we can’t join in your war doesn’t mean that we won’t support you after as your loyal nobles.”

“Of course, I understand.” I laughed, setting down my utensils. “I understand that none of what you just said has anything to do with me.”

Growing still, Loch pulled his hand off mine as Sorcha spoke hesitantly, “What-What are saying, Macha?”

“What I’m saying, Sorcha. Is that I don’t give a fuck if you’re trying to have a baby. Quite frankly, I have much bigger things to worry about. Like the future of the realm sized things to worry about. So, it’s really cute how you’re both sitting here trying to tell me how things are going to go.”

Speechless they blinked at me for a long second before Loch jumped to his feet, “How dare you speak-”

Sighing, I fell back against my chair with a heavy roll of my eyes, “Sit down before you lose your head, Loch. Honestly, he’s just waiting for you to twitch.”

The skin of Loch’s tan throat rolled with his swallow against the sharp, and still kind of bloody, silver axe Cillian held against his throat. A tense moment fell over the table where nobody but me, who had restarted eating, moved. Knife scratching the metal plate, I had lifted a piece of fruit to my lips when I caught sight of a wiggling vine. Pausing with the fork at my lips, I tipped my head as I watched it grow thorns and slither towards Cillians boot.

With a mental whisper, I broke through the will controlling it with an almost auditable snap and urged the vine to lash out at it’s previous wielder. The vine rose up and sped towards Sorcha, snapping at the air inches away from her skin. Yelping, she pressed herself up against the back of her chair as I laughed.

Noticing his mate’s distress, Loch broke eye contact with Cillian to turn and check on Sorcha. After running his hands over her arms with murmured words, he turned to glare accusingly at me, “Why are you doing this? We’re friends.”

“Ah, I see. That’s where everything went wrong!” I exclaimed in understanding. “You made the mistake of thinking that because I humor you, we’re friends.”

When a thick silence fell over the table once more, I took it as a sign for me to continue talking, “Listen, you have two very simple options.”

“Which are?” Sorcha snapped.

Looks like little Mrs. Sunshine has left the building. Shrugging, I said, “One, you commit your men to my army without having to fight yourself. Or Two, I crush you like the little snakes you are, before, during or after the war.”

Loch’s eyes narrowed, “Those are simple to you?”

“Ummmm,” I hummed, pretending to think about it before grinning. “Yes. Either way, there’s no way in hell you two are going to reap the rewards after sitting on the sidelines. So what’s it going to be?”

“You’d really kill us?”

Looking into Sorcha’s wide doe eyes, I cackled, “Oh, Babes. I wouldn’t even give it a second thought.”

Sharing a look, the MacDuffy’s turned their backs to us to whisper back and forth for a few minutes. Ignoring their little talk, I went to grab one of those chocolate drizzled croissants again when another fork speared it to the plate. Eyes shooting up at the culprit, I narrowed my eyes at his silver ones and tried taking the pastry again. He shook his head and held out a glass of water for me to take.

Dropping my fork, I took the glass with pout and sank back into my chair.

“Okay, fine.” Loch announced, turning around to face us. “We’ll commit our men to your war for thirty thousand gold pieces.”

Jumping forward in my seat, I purred, “So, you want to deal?”

“Yes.” Sorcha hesitantly replied.

Tapping my fingers on the table, I felt a heady sense of power rush over me as I stared at the two. Cocking my head to the left and then to the right I tried to understand how I felt so sure about what they wanted. It was just something that I knew, like how everyone knew not to climb inside the oven or how to bite an apple and not lick it. It was instinctual.

“Your eyes are-”

“Glowing? Yea, they do that. Perks of being a Divine, I guess. Now-” Folding one leg underneath me, I swiped the plates to the floor with a crash and practically laid on it as I leaned towards them, “-how about I tell you what you really want in exchange for your soldiers but if you back out, everything you have is mine.”

“How would you even know something like that?”

Grinning, I mocked, “Come on, where’s your sense of adventure?” And then, when they took too long to answer, I sing songed, “You know you wannnt tooooo.”

Loch was the first to break, “Fine.”

“Deal?”

“Deal.”

At his agreement, I felt an intoxicating rush of power thrumming through my veins. Closing my eyes at the feeling, I soaked it in before opening my eyes to look at Sorcha, “What about you, Babes? You in?”

Her eyes shot from me to Loch and then back again, “Deal.”

“Deal, Deal, Deal!” I cackled, falling back into my seat. Drumming my hands on the table, I was bouncing with energy, “Who wants to go first? Never mind, I’ll choose.” Pressing my hands together, I pointed them at Sorcha with a grin, “You want to continue your swingers lifestyle, baby free.” Pointing at Loch, I continued, “And you want to settle down with a few babies, no more swinging.”

It took less than three seconds for the couple in front of me to turn to each other and start arguing.

“I can’t believe-”

“You knew what species I was-”

Chuckling, I snatched the croissant dangling off the fork in front of my face and shot a wink at Lilly, “Damn. I’m such a good problem solver.”

—-

Some treats for your Halloween! 🎃👻

I know it’s not three chapters but these two are almost double the normal length of my chapters, so hopefully you don’t feel cheated. I feel like Macha just radiates chaotic energy, do y’all agree? Lmao. I actually really liked this chapter, it felt fun and whimsical. Although, I did almost name Sorcha, Karen because that’s the vibe I was getting off her.

As always, feel free to comment or like!

Happy Halloween, Verbage🎃👻