The Queen's Garden Mage

We left the forest in what felt like just a few seconds and thundered across the Training Fields once familiar now completely foreign. The grass once lush with life now darkened, brown near black from poison. The stable bursting with activity, lay destroyed a pile of ash, the horses long gone. The recruits and soldiers taken from this place, by necessity to survive or force, the silence was deafening without them. The stands I created were the only thing that remained of what once was…bringing to heart a sense of melancholy. If they lived I could not here them, I could not see their vibrant spirits as we passed. I clenched my fists in Renka’s mane resting my cheek along her strong neck urging her forward. There was nothing for us here…not anymore.

Renka changed back when we came to the vipers’ wrath, gazing at the mass of thorny brambles that spanned the entirety of the Pleasure Garden, beneath them no doubt lay dead flowers. The world had never seemed so dark and gray as it did in that moment coming into a land renowned for its greenery now barren of it. “It hurts me…” Renka murmured softly drawing my attention. Her eyes were full of sadness glowing slightly in the muted light from the sun, a day once bright was now made dull. “It hurts me to come to this place once full of activity, and people. Of green growing things and bright sunlight and see it destroyed. It hurts me…so I can only imagine how it must feel for you.” She finished softly.

“Like my life has been taken from me all over again,” I offered before proceeding forward, drawing my sword as we came to the double doors leading into the ballroom now wide open.

Renka trailed behind ears flickering attentively, “Your brother has made it into the palace…soldiers battle in the halls. They’re too loud for me to hear anything else.”

I tipped my head in acknowledgement of her words, “I suppose the best place to go would be the throne room.” Renka moved first with me guiding her through the halls after all her hearing was better than mine, she’d sense an enemy long before I would. I glanced periodically behind us to ensure that we were safe on that front.

“Gods!” I spun around seeing Renka duck a sword that had appeared out of thin air. I opened my pouched and tossed a handful of succubus petals slashing the air furiously as a man began to appear. He fell at our feet now completely visible blood spurting from his chest. “Of course you would be as good with a sword as you are with a whip and dagger…is there any weapon you can’t use?” Renka questioned drawing my attention from the fact that I’d just killed a man…it never got any easier.

I actually thought about her question as I wiped my sword free of blood on the dead man’s tunic unwilling to look at his face for fear that I would find that I knew him. “I don’t think I would do too well with an axe.” I murmured softly.

Renka chuckled helping me to my feet and wiping a spot of blood from my cheek, “I suppose it’s a good thing you’re not carrying an axe then.”

“A good thing indeed,” I offered back as we continued on our way. “We’re nearly there…” I pointed down the corridor with the tip of my sword. “Just around that corner where the tapestry of the first Queen of Angileri has been defaced…” I gazed at the tatters of something that had survived generations, now destroyed in a moment of rage or disgust. Renka placed her hand on my shoulder bringing me back to myself. “Lies the throne room…” I finished quietly not wishing to draw unnecessary attention.

“What do you think we’ll find there…” Renka asked unwilling to move just yet.

I gazed down the hall sword pointed at the ground. “An end…whether if it’s our own or his. We’ll doubtfully find an end.” I supplied solemnly. Renka gazed at me for a brief moment before we moved as one jogging towards the throne room.

She reached the doors first, transforming as she rammed into them bursting through the doors with me right behind hiding in her shadow. We found Prince Eris sitting on the throne smiling softly as if he’d expected our arrival. I glanced quickly around the room to find Adri off to the side cradling her mother to her chest, tears streaming down her face as she spoke to her motionless body is whispered words. Libeth lay crumpled beside a stone wall cracked from the impact of her body no doubt. Taeli I saw forced to her knees beside the throne by several guards, blood streamed from a cut above her brow. She breathed heavily grimacing in pain.

At once I blinked and a room once empty was now full of men, “Gods I’m tired of walking into ambushes.” Renka grumbled as she changed back, shifting closer to me.

“You and me both…” I replied sword raised slightly.

“So glad of you to join us.” Prince Eris smiled. “We’ve been waiting with baited breath for your arrival.” He waved his hand towards the Princess. “As you can see the Heir holds her mother slowly dying in her arms. Your Gardener there is either dead or unconscious and…” He furrowed his brow at Taeli as guard wrenched her head back by her hair causing her to cry out. “I really have no idea who she is but she’s pretty useless to you now. Hmm, your soldiers will eventually take the palace…but there’s nothing for you here.”

I shook my head, “What was the point…in ruling a Queendom you planned to destroy?”

“Regardless if I live or die I will always be known as the man who demolished the nation everyone thought untouchable.” He shrugged the Queen’s crown upon his brow glinting in the light from above. “Though I hadn’t really planned on dying as you can see.” He finished gazing around the room at how vastly out numbered we were. “If I live and I will live, I can rebuild or move on, and if I die, unlikely as that seems…there’s nothing here for you. A win for me either way and ultimately a loss for you.” I watched a grin of malicious glee spread across his face. “Taking everything you loved was also enjoyable. It was almost too easy to be honest.”

I raised my sword pointing it at his chest steadily, “By my word I will watch the life drain from your eyes and when you’re gone…” I met his gaze head on. “When you’re gone I promise, that no one will remember your name.”

His grin grew wider still as I slowly lowered my sword, “Promises, promises Denarii but did you forget you have to reach me first?”

“No…I just wanted you to be aware of what will happen when I do.” I held my pouch of seeds in my hand firmly closed. I let it fall to the ground while he watched brow raised.

“I’m sure you’ll need all the handy tricks in that pouch of yours if you hope to make it out of here alive.” He countered condescendingly.

“I’m tired of handy tricks.” I countered with a shrug allowing my magic to seep into the ground as the Shades attacked, normal soldiers hiding among them. I fought furiously with Renka at my back using brute strength to send Shades and soldiers alike flying in every direction. I slashed here and there, taking off limbs and ignoring screams as I cut a man in two before slitting another’s throat. I danced through the shadows never staying in one spot too long least I find myself on the wrong end of someone else’s blade. Renka remained at my back, always, guarding me from those who wished to sneak up behind.

“You’ll grow tired eventually…and if not you. Your friend will.” Eris called after I’d killed a number of traitors, that’s how I had to look at them. Men and women who had betrayed their Queen for power, otherwise I’d never find sleep again…if I survived. I wasn’t yet sure we’d survive.

“You tired?” I gasped breathlessly, when they’d paused briefly trying to find an opening in our defense. The Prince sat watching rubbing his hands together happily.

Renka’s nostrils flared as she breathed deeply, her eyes flashing. “I hope you have a plan Head Gardener…because I’d really hate to die unbroken.” I blinked startled at her sudden truth sharing a brief look before turning to face our adversaries.

“I have a plan…it’ll just take a little longer to set up.” I continued pouring my magic into the ground finding exactly what I’d aimed for…roots, deeply buried roots, dormant but not dead. Strong and thick and dangerous. I glanced up at Prince Eris judging the distance from the ground to the throne seated atop the dais. “Do you trust me?” I questioned as the Shades and soldiers began creeping forward.

Renka shook her head, huffing out a breath, “Sometimes more than I think I should…Why?” I ducked as she spun taking off a soldier’s head with nothing but her fist and a whole lot of rage. She screamed a completely inhuman sound and in that moment of slight hesitation caused by fear of the unknown I took several more lives.

“When it happens transform…” I called softly.

Renka growled at my cryptic words but didn’t argue, too distracted by trying to stay alive to speak. “Rhyme!” I turned to see a sword heading for my torso too quick for me to block or avoid. For a moment I saw my death and then just as quickly a dagger appeared in the soldier’s neck blood splattering my face. I wiped my cheek as he raised his hand towards his neck in confusion blood dribbling from his mouth as he crumpled to the ground never completing his movement. I turned to find Libeth sitting up against the wall face pale, hand held firmly to her side the other falling from where she’d extended it to throw the dagger that had saved my life.

I impaled the person who thought to try the same thing showing no mercy as he fell to the ground. “Is it almost time?” Renka questioned as she kicked a man clear across the room, I heard his bones break as he struck the wall. He didn’t move when he hit the ground instantly dead on impact.

The ground began to shake, I kept my feet as stone cracked, shattering completely as large roots from trees far older than I pushed from the ground catching soldiers and Shades alike by surprise. Renka ran towards me as I knocked a man aside clearing my line of sight to the man sitting on the dais. She transformed just as she reached me and I jumped letting her momentum carry me for a time, a root flicked upward curling slightly and I leaped using it as a foothold before jumping again raising my sword as it slammed down killing those not quick enough to get out the way. I took in the Prince watching the smile slowly fade from his eyes at last as he saw his death in mine. I screamed a sound of rage and anguish at all that he’d taken from me as I landed on the dais thrusting my sword straight through his chest.

I leaned forward twisting the blade to the side as I gazed him in the eyes, “I never break my promises.” I hissed softly wrenching my sword from his body. He chuckled softly choking on his own blood as with grim finality the light faded from his eyes.

Someone touched my shoulder and I turned sword raised to find Rosen gazing at me with kind eyes. I gazed around confused to find bodies littering the ground…that I could see, the rest destroyed by raised roots that once again lay still, now covered in blood and yet still pulsing with the life of my magic. “You betray us…” I lowered my sword unable and unwilling to kill even one more person.

“No…” Rosen took my sword gently from limp fingers. “I ensured that you all made it out of the palace alive. It was I who struck you with the knife, not in the heart but beside it. As strong as you are I knew you could heal it. It was I who suggested poison to the Princess instead of killing her out right, I twinned the plant in her hair. I sent the Princesses together. I threw the dagger that just saved your life…” I watched as she wiped my blade free of blood on a dead man’s sleeve. Nimbly plucking the Queen’s crown from his head and offering each to me.

“I hate you…” I murmured softly tears blurring my vision. “I hate you more than words can say for what you put me through. For making me think even for a moment that you’d betrayed us.”

“I love you too…for achieving all that I’d expected of you and more.” I did not fight her as she pulled me into her arms and held me firmly against her chest despite the blood that coated every inch of me. I was so tired of fighting.

“The Queen…” I started as I pulled away using my magic briefly causing the roots to shift revealing a small alcove where Adri had dragged her mother. Libeth sat beside them leaning against the wall eyes closed hand clutched firmly against her side. Taeli crouched near at hand a bloody rag that looked as if it had once been a part of her shirt tied around her head. I leapt from the dais and raced towards them as Renka dragged herself from beneath a large root, legs bent oddly brow dripping with sweat.

Rosen broke away from me and moved towards the Marr alarmed by her injuries, “Gods…” I heard Renka say, voice breathy with pain as I dropped down beside the Princess sword clattering beside me. I’d forgotten I’d held it in my haste.

“How is she?” I asked softly noting the tears streaming Adri’s face, as well as the blue tint to the Queen’s lips and the waxy pallor of her skin.

“Tell me you can heal her Rhyme…tell me you can heal her like you healed me?” Adri pleaded softly cradling her mother in her arms.

I gazed down at the Queen not needing to feel for her pulse to know that she was long gone… She’d probably been dead before the battle had even begun. I checked anyway. I felt for her pulse at her neck, at her wrist, and even her thigh. I rested my head on her chest and listened carefully, I held my palm lightly above her mouth and nose on the off chance that perhaps I heard wrong. I pulsed my magic through her veins…only to have it bleed out finding no purchase. No pain that I could heal, no wound that I could close. I laid her crown respectfully upon her chest, before gently folding her hands over it. Adri sobbed softly as I looked at her with grief stricken eyes. “She’s gone Adri…the Queen…is gone.”

She broke completely then, Rosen appearing to take her in strong arms. “How…” The Princess cried… “How? She has no wounds; she looks like she’s sleeping.” Rosen and I shared a meaningful look but neither of us spoke. Neither of us wished to say poison, though I’m sure on some level Adri knew. “Mother…” Adri placed kisses all over the Queen’s face. “Mother I need you…”

A grunt of effort drew my attention from Adri’s pain and I turned to find Renka laying on the ground nostrils flaring in pained frustration. I allowed Rosen to comfort the Princess, drowning in my own emotions as I moved towards the Marr pulling off my helmet as I stepped over several bodies. I knelt beside her taking in the mangled mess of her legs. “I suppose you didn’t move out of the way fast enough?” I questioned softly as she gazed up at me twitching with pain.

“This was me trusting you…” She grunted resting her cheek upon her hands sweat and blood dripping onto the stone floor still intact where she lay.

I traced my hands along her legs closing my eyes and aiding the healing process, watching muscles knitting together as bone reconnected and blood replenished itself pumping steadily through healthy veins as neurons fired sparking movement in limbs once paralyzed due to pain. “Gods…” Renka moaned in agony as it all caught up to her brain in an instant, before rolling over and pushing herself into a sitting position. “I’d thank you but some part of me blames you for it.”

“You were too slow…” I countered playfully despite all that had transpired.

Renka snapped her teeth at me before pushing unsteadily to her feet, “At least he’s dead…” She sighed as I caught her round the waist to keep her from falling on legs that no doubt didn’t quite feel like her own. “Despite all that he’s taken from us at least he’s gone.” The Marr finished gazing at the Heir as she cried her heart out against Rosen’s chest. “Still smiling even in death…Gods I hate him.”

“He’s dead…the past tense would be hated.” I offered without thinking. Renka snorted shaking her head as she moved towards the Princess with my aid, grimacing in pain despite the healing.

“How did you make it through the forest like this Head Gardener… I feel as if I’ll be sick.” Renka questioned as I lowered her down beside Libeth, feeling the pain of her broken bones despite the fact that she was healed. I knew from experience that she’d feel that way until she slept. All severe healings in a short span of time were like that.

“Necessity,” Was the only answer I could think to give.

The sound of a lot of people in a crowded space reached us soon after and I breathed a sigh of relief as my brother burst through the doors of the throne room with Captain Sowin trailing not far behind. He looked as I felt, covered in blood and battle weary but whole. The Healers reached us first, but they could do no more than I could. After all you couldn’t bring back the dead. Reason held me tightly when he reached me, rejoicing in the fact that I had lived. Once the Heir was all cried out, we formed a sling of a banana leaf and vines, Captain Sowin had found my pouch. Gently as if she might break we placed Adri’s mother in the sling, as well as all those unable to walk, among them were Renka and Libeth.

Then as one we marched from the palace roots destroying what remained of the building we left behind. We were halfway across the Training Fields when a large bird soared overhead…a warm tingling filled my mind and I halted our procession just short of the Heir’s own command. What I’d first thought was a bird grew into something unmistakably reptilian. Murmurs started as a dragon formed of emerald so dark it was near black landed gently before us. It’s large slitted eyes far bluer than the Queen’s had been. Majesty…When she spoke, her voice vibrated through my entire body. I shuddered softly as more tears streamed Adri’s face. The dragon, Apora could be speaking of no one else. We felt the loss of a Great Soul and thought to send aid… She swung her head on a long sinuous neck taking in all that remained of what had been a beautiful place. I see we’ve come too late. Is there anything we may offer you? Her voice was full of grief, large eyes shining with sadness.

Adri turned gazing back at the ruins of the palace and beyond as if she could glimpse the city now deserted. “Burn it…finish what that man started and ensure that no one can live here for generations to come.” She spoke for everyone’s benefit, just as Apora could speak in her mind so too could she likely speak into hers.

Are you sure? The Heir…the Queen bowed her head in a firm sign of approval before marching on.

Apora and I gazed at each other for a long moment. Cleanse it…so that when she feels ready the green may grow here again. I added before marching after my Queen. I caught up to her easily, our soldiers marching steadily behind. I glanced over my shoulder when we reached the forest watching fire spread across what once was while we moved towards what would be. Rosen placed her hand on my shoulder turning me away and nudging me towards our future. I didn’t look back again…

One Sun Cycle Later

I moaned shivering in frustrated delight as I watched Renka give pleasure to Adri from my position tied to the headboard by something easily escapable as vines. My punishment for disappearing for a seven day without notifying anyone. The guards had been in a panic thinking they’d lost one of the Queen’s Consorts and no doubt thinking that it would be their heads. They were new, a gift from King Teaon of Dangilere presented by his daughter, ambassador Princess Taeli and did not truly understand the way things worked here. They’d understand in time. No one was punished for my actions…save me.

“I promise I won’t run off again without letting you know now please let me free myself.” I think that was the worst part of it, we all knew I could easily free myself if I wished, but we also knew I couldn’t stand to see either of them upset with me for long and so would take my punishment willingly until one of them said otherwise.

“What do you think?” Renka husked pressing a tender kiss against Adri’s thigh as she came back to herself twining her fingers lovely through Renka’s tricolored hair. It was nearly as long as mine had been once upon a time. “Has she suffered enough?”

Adri gazed at the frustration in my eyes, the sweat coating my skin, and my fists clenched tightly around the vines holding me in place before sighing softly. “You were doing so good Rhyme…where did you go?” Her Majesty questioned allowing me to free my hands.

“I know.” I pulled my hands free, vines once more becoming a part of the headboard as if they’d never left.

“We just held our joining ceremony a seven day ago. You remember the dragons, the royalty, the parade of soldiers…” Renka’s nostrils flared just talking about it. I think she hated politics ten times more than I did.

I grimaced remembering it all in vivid detail, “I remember.”

“You’re no longer just the Head Gardener, a large title in itself, you’re now the Queen’s Consort and royalty in your own right. So knowing the danger…why did you disappear without a guard detail or allowing Renka or I to know where you’d gone?” Adri asked concern furrowing her brow. “We don’t want to lose you.”

“I know. I know and I’m sorry, truly honestly it’ll never happen again. I just wanted to give you a gift of my own Dri.” I clutched her hands in mine while Renka rubbed her back soothingly sensing her distress in a way only someone not fully human could.

“Rhyme you are a gift in yourself…what more could you possibly give me?” She asked softly eyes shining with all the love she felt for me.

I took a deep breath before speaking, “You’re pregnant…Renka is as well. I told her on the night of our joining ceremony.” I watched tears of joy shimmer in her eyes. “I also told Renka to trust me…before I left.” I glared at the Marr who smiled sweetly. “You’d think she’d have mentioned that.”

“You’d think by now, you know how much I hate you doing things without explanation and that I would of course adeptly punish you given the chance in the future after said request…” Renka offered nonchalantly when Adri gazed at her curiously.

“She has you there Rhy…” Adri used the shortened version of my name, signaling that I was no longer in her ill grace.

I relaxed pressing a tender kiss to her fingertips. “That she does Dri that she does. Now your gift…” I smiled softly thinking of the skill and divine intervention it had taken to achieve what I’d done. “You’ll love it Majesty…and you’ll finally forget that man who thought he took everything from you.”

“Not everything…” Adri stroked my cheek gently while Renka butted her head playfully. “Just enough though…”

“Just enough.” I agreed tracing my fingers along her tummy listening to the familiar song of our child. I relaxed more fully soothed beyond compare.

“I wish…I could hear him, her…can you tell at this point what they are?” Adri gazed at me with wonder in her eyes waiting for me to answer.

“They’re both girls…” I smiled. “Two beautiful girls…” I made a small suggestion in my mind pushing it towards those two lovely songs I’d never forget as long as I live.

Renka’s eyes widened first, “Gods”, she breathed in awe as Adri brought her hands to her mouth tears falling more steadily now.

“They’re so beautiful…how did you choose?” I leaned forward pressing a tender kiss to Adri’s lips and then Renka’s, the Marr gripped me by the collar and nipped my bottom lip as softly as she could, leaving behind an all too familiar stinging sensation that she soothed with her tongue. I thought briefly of the past…Adri’s near death and me saving her…of almost dying myself and all the things I couldn’t remember and the two beautiful songs that I could.

I pulled away smiling softly… “They sounded familiar.” Adri chuckled wiping her face. “We should sleep…the faster we sleep the faster I get to show you your gift.” I glanced between them, “Who’s in the middle tonight?” I remembered that I’d been in the middle the night before but not who’d been there the night before that.

“It’s Renka’s turn,” Adri nudged the Marr, and we all shifted until she lay pressed snuggly between us.

I playfully tried to catch her flickering ear in my mouth while Adri watched fighting laughter. Fed up after just a few moments Renka snorted her frustration and laid her ears flat, I continued nipping at her until she turned to face me. “I will bite you.” She threated with no real heat.

I bared my throat heart racing with desire, “I can take you.” Renka’s eyes glowed in the dim light of the room lit by the eternal fireflies standing in every corner of the room. I could see Leaf inching towards the door not wanting to be traumatized by another bout of lovemaking. He’d been so quiet I’d forgotten he was there.

“I think she’s challenging you Ren…” Adri murmured resting her chin on her upraised palm.

“You think a Gardener can take one of the Horse People?” Renka asked no one in particular.

“I think…” Adri watched the quick rise and fall of my chest as I tensed slightly waiting for Renka to move. “We’re about to find out.” Renka pounced and like always I lost, after all despite my magic, I was only human.

“Goddess,” I breathed as she pressed me down against the mattress tracing firm hands along my body. I wrapped my legs around her waist as she slipped her hand between my thighs easily finding my need. “Don’t stop…” I gasped when she slipped inside me. She didn’t…not for a long time after that at least and by then I was long spent...

I woke slowly to the feel of warm fingers tracing the scars trailing along my back, I shifted slightly opening my eyes to see Adri sitting up in bed reading through several sheaves of parchment hands completely full. I shifted groaning when I felt the twinge of pain from the bite mark on my neck. Renka chuckled softly behind me while Adri smiled down at me reaching forward to trace her fingers through my hair now just a little shorter than shoulder length. “You’re awake.”

“When did you bite me?” I questioned brow furrowed as I tried to remember all that had transpired the night before. After the first three orgasms everything was a bit of a blur, I’m not surprised I don’t remember it.

“Last orgasm, just before you passed out.” She explained with Adri there to tip her head in full agreement.

“How’d I get in the middle?” I closed my eyes unwilling to move just yet, enjoying the comfort their joint presence brought me before I had to start the day.

“I had to use the bathroom in the middle of the night and didn’t want to wake you.” Renka pressed a tender kiss between my shoulder blades. “Do you want to show the Queen her gift now or later?” The Marr asked making me groan again, staying in bed all day sounded way too good right then.

“Rhyme you have to get up, Libeth has already come knocking and your brother not far behind her for Ren. We all have our duties and I don’t really want to have my Chief Advisor and the previous Head Gardener to come looking for us…you remember what happened last time.” I pushed up right, Renka already running for the closet while Adri laughed at our haste.

The “last time,” Rosen had found us lounging in bed ignoring our duties she’d knocked us out with an enchantment, no doubt having Mariel’s help in some way and we’d all woken up in the center of the city in nothing but our underthings. The Queen at least had been surrounded by guards, we’d not been joined yet and therefore weren’t that lucky. It wasn’t an experience we’d soon forget.

“What are you reading love?” I turned to face Adri realizing that she was already fully dressed wearing her mother’s crown. On most days she wore the one cast in the image of the one I’d made of plants. When we were in the Gardens and she felt burdened she wore the one I’d crafted and when she was missing her mother, she wore her crown to remember her.

“A letter from the King of Ierilo, Sir Zeron made it home and recounted all that he remembered of what transpired before he escaped. The King sends his regards and denies all knowledge of his son’s actions. He hopes this will not disrupt the peace between us…” She glanced up at me. “Considering the fact that Prince Eris tried to kill his protector and that said protector didn’t agree with his actions from the start. I’m inclined to agree that Prince Eris had his own agenda coming here that had nothing to do with his father. An old man now lacking an Heir…though I think he lucked out with that one.”

Renka snorted drawing our attention, she’d just finished braiding her hair letting it go so that it could swing gently behind her. Somehow she’d woven a few strands over the circlet atop her head in several areas, to keep it from falling off when she went to train the horses. Reason trained the soldiers to ride the horses and Renka trained the horses to understand and care for the riders making my brother’s job easier. They loved their work but sometimes…mostly always butted heads. “I fully agree.”

I donned my circlet mostly silver with vines wrapped around it, they twinned in my hair ensuring that it wouldn’t fall off if I did something crazy…I’d lost it several times the first day alone. Adri had not been pleased. “As do I,” I pulled Adri to her feet pressing a kiss to her lips as I pulled the parchment from her hands. “Work later, I want to show you your gift.”

“Alright, alright…but we have to be quick. I have a Council meeting later to introduce the new members.” Adri smiled against my lips, “It’s gonna be interesting.”

“Indeed, who did you pick again. The Sol-Lea once infected by the Void…no one really knows how exactly she just reappeared after everything was said and done with seemingly no idea of what had happened for the past few sun cycles. Captain Sowin…not even a citizen of Angileri…”

“Neither are you.” Adri countered.

Renka raised her hands, “Marriage counts for something,” she argued. “Guard Captain Neola refused, Lialey refused enjoying the safeness of her anonymity. Ahh and I think the last one was…Cook’s daughter. So, a traitor, a foreigner, and a servant.” The Marr laughed softly.

“I wish I were there to see the looks on their faces.” I flicked her braid on my way to the door. “I’ll be sure to tell you all about it.” As the Head Gardener, I had an automatic seat on the Council. The joy it brought to my life I thought with a grimace of distaste.

“I look forward to it,” I opened the door and ushered them forward Leaf waiting on the other side to greet them with warm happiness that they couldn’t feel. I smiled down at the green knight closing the door behind me, like always, unless I said otherwise, he trailed behind me ready to explore.

Renka, I could tell knew exactly where we were going when we began our trek through several tree trunks, and tunnels made of long dead lumber, no doubt remembering it from all those moon cycles ago. She raised her brow at me curiously. I simply smiled and raised my finger to my lips, she smiled back and shook her head. Just as we reached the familiar archway with sunlight shinning beyond I halted them, “You have to close your eyes now.” I spoke softly as if others might hear me. They shared a look but did as I’d asked. “No peeking.” I tugged them forward each by an arm guiding them into the center of my own private garden.

I breathed a sigh of relief to find it just as I’d left it, so beautiful that it took my breath away. I asked a request of my children, still little more than mere seeds inside their mothers, and prayed to the Goddess that it would work. “You can look now.”

Adri opened her eyes, widening slightly as she first took in the beauty of this place and then the large Alia rose floating in the center of the small pond, on the edge of the pond there were small green buds that when night fell regardless if the moon shown or not would bloom into were lilies. I still hadn’t quite figured out how I’d done it without magic but here they were. I smiled softly as Adri gasped in shock and Renka choked on air finally seeing exactly what I saw through the magic of our daughters. On the edge of the pond sitting among the buds of the were lilies sat two spirits side by side, one in the striking image of a Queen’s niece small and beautiful and the other resembling the former Queen of Angileri, Adri’s mother.

Adri stepped forward hesitantly before gazing back at me… “Can I talk to her?”

“I’d not have brought you here otherwise.” I nudge her forward gently. “Take as much time as you need.” Adri moved forward on shaky legs crouching down beside the two spirits and speaking slowly. They turned to her listening attentively to all she had to say.

“Is that her…is that the former Queen of Angileri?” Renka asked coming to stand beside me.

“I’m not sure…I’ve never wondered where the spirits come from, I just know that they’re there and that after I’ve seen them once I always see the same spirit associated with the same flower. Some flowers all have spirits of their own, small spirits like the faeries and some are like the former Queen, one large spirit for an entire group of blooms. I’d like to think it’s her…”

“This is the best gift you could have given her, the chance to say goodbye.” Renka laid her head on my shoulder while we watched Adri’s face light up with laughter. “How long will this last? Being able to see what you see?”

“Until the girls are born I suppose and perhaps a little after depending on if the magic lingers.” I wrapped my arm around her waist resting my head atop hers.

“She’ll be here every day.” Renka murmured chuckling softly.

“Do you really mind if it means she’ll finally be able to move on and forget about that man?” I questioned.

Renka sighed softly, “No. No I don’t.” The Marr nuzzled my neck gently above my collar where she’d marked me. “She looks so happy Rhyme and you did that…”

“No, we did it. Together.” I squeezed her arm softly as we watched the Queen waving her hands about sharing all the crazy things that had happened in the past few moon cycles, all the people returning, the coronation, the wedding, my disappearing acts and the punishments as a result Adri shared it all while we stood watching from a distance remembering it all with her and laughing when it was appropriate.

The sun shone down brightly upon us, slowly creeping along the sky, eventually Renka and I found ourselves sitting beside Adri talking with the spirits. The spirit of the former Queen, for I was sure it was her now despite the green spouting from her hair and the emerald tint to her skin, turned to me winking playfully. I winked back before gazing back and forth between the two women I loved realizing in that moment that I’d found my home.

It had taken sun cycles of struggling and fighting a small war to reach it, but I wouldn’t have it any other way and in the silence of my own mind I thanked Queen Servasli for giving me everything I never knew I wanted. After all it all began when she took me away…