The king continued laughing merrily at the queen’s comment, plainly in a good mood. “Hahaha! Well…” The king grinned and displayed his hands. “There’s good abominations and bad abominations, dear, your sensibilities notwithstanding. This one is the former. Yes, indeed. I find you pleasing in my sight, visitor.” After a long look, he suddenly flicked his eyes toward Aodhan. “Oh. You. Yes, you’re… tolerated.” A flat declaration.

  The queen glared at Azure a moment, then peeled her eyes to flicker to Aodhan. “You are pleasing in my sight, Elf of Twilight, as some other times before.” Her eyes returned to Azure. A cold gaze. “You. A stranger, an interloper seeking privilege. You are not.” This was said darkly, and it echoed through the hall. The courtly types behind the throne were suddenly whispering softly in each other’s ears. The king whipped his head around to glare at his queen, frowning. The queen’s eyes slid slightly in his direction and her chin raised. “Unless! She weds one of our progeny.” This caused a near uproar behind her as the court folk gaggled together.

  The king shot up onto his feet, his face going a shade of purple and his wings flaring out briefly. “Outrageous!” He pointed his finger at the queen and bared his teeth, but she held her chin high and didn’t meet his gaze. He scoffed and straightened himself, wings folding back behind him, finally sitting back down and regarding Azure. He took a breath. “As a necessary counteroffer, this she-devil being what she is, I would gladly take you as an official concubine where you’d be under my protection.”

  The queen turned and hissed at him like a cat, her tail lashing. “You wouldn’t! I’ll never tolerate it!”

  I better say something here. Azure cleared her throat loudly. She bowed low. “I am honored to be summoned before you and to behold you both in all your power and majesty. I am also honored, flattered, and in awe at your generous offers. Sadly, I am betrothed to another of great power and these affairs would cause conflict. It would also interfere with a soulmate bond, physical, emotional, and spiritual. I am in love, you see. I’d sooner die than betray that.”

  She glanced at Aodhan, who eyed her and gave a subtle nod.

  The king looked absolutely crestfallen. He sighed. “That’s that, then. The passion, even conviction, in your voice reflects the passion between you and your mate. How lovely for him.”

  I kind of respect that response, though his assumptions are off. Probably better that he thinks that, though.

  The queen held a guarded expression as she measured Azure, plainly still suspicious. “Why are you even here?”

  Azure kept her face and tone even. “I am here on behalf of a goddess who seeks allies or at least peace with all fae-kind, as well as all free peoples who deny and reject the Dominion and the Memory Killer, the Sage of-”

  The queen held her hand up sharply. “Enough! You are quite crude, aren’t you? We are a hidden folk who avoid the stain and evil of names spoken so flagrantly and openly. Are you unaware identifiers bring death and destruction?”

  Azure tried — and failed — not to get annoyed. “I’m sorry, but what is the bloody point of life without names?” The whole court stared at her silently. The queen stared daggers. Shit. Okay, change the subject, Azure! “It is noted that the deep forest, if not the outskirts, is protected by fae. Are we right in assuming your court is the origin of this protection?”

  The king nodded. “The forest is ours, and no fae not ours is allowed to inhabit the land. Furthermore, we rebuke humans who are foolish enough to embark too far into our territory. One way or another. Now, a question for me, to you, in trade. What happened to your tail?” Gasps and titters erupted behind the throne at this apparently 'audacious’ question.

  Azure met his eyes and shrugged. “I don’t have one.”

  He slapped his hands emphatically and grinned as he made a ‘no-no’ motion with a finger. “Impossible! You are of the noble, immortal Nightblood. Some other unknown pocket. Sadly, something tells me you aren’t a representative making contact for them. But you must know something?”

  Azure shook her head. I am not going to tell them I’m a Naugite. Did the Mirror Demon fashion us out of longing for her ancient kin? Did she have a tail? If I had a tail... “I don’t know anything. I have no idea where I’m from.”

  The king had a look of supreme sympathy. “What a horrific tragedy to know so little. I’m sure you long for answers with great curiosity. Perhaps we could explore this mystery together.”

  Oh. I see his game, now-

  Before she could reply, the queen shot up onto her feet and pointed an imperious finger at Azure, her wings rising and flaring imposingly. “You bring doom and calamity to our court! Nothing good can come from your presence. Begone! You are banished permanently! Guards, sentinels! Escort her out immediately.”

  As the court folk bubbled with gossip, the king scowled at the queen balefully. “Harpy.”

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Damn it. This is not an acceptable result! Stupid, horny fae!

  Guards moved in slowly to surround them, hands on their weapons. The great bear that had guided them — who had been simply watching things placidly off to the side — rose off his haunches and looked curiously between the royals and the party.

  Aodhan, ignoring the guards, appearing quite unaffected by events, even bored, stepped forward. In a suddenly quite-carrying, booming voice, he said, “We invoke the right of contest, as provisioned to one of your noble blood!”

  Deathsting piqued up in her head at this. Wordlessly, but he was certainly paying attention.

  Everyone stopped dead and went utterly silent. All eyes were on Aodhan. The queen glared down at him coldly, no doubt regretting her prior approval of him. Her tail lashed around in agitation. “To what end?”

  “Simple: to prove her worth to be here and be heard as a respected Fae of the Dusk. She has no home, has no harbor of kinship and spirit, as you’ve heard.”

  What in the Bowels of Ekrannus is he talking about?

  The king on the wooden throne sat forward, his eyes not on Aodhan, but on Azure. “Do you wish to be adopted by this court?” He did not look at his queen when she whipped her head around and stared murder. “To be one of us?”

  “I…” Azure began and felt her throat seize.

  Azure flashed mental speech as quickly as she could, to Aodhan. “What the hell is this?! What does it mean, and what are the ramifications? Again, what are you trying to get me into?!”

  Aodhan made something of a mental ‘sigh,’ as if he was bothered to explain the simple to a simpleton. “You can come and go as you please, have rights far above visitors and their poor, sorry peasantry, the clout to stir discussion and discourse in court, so on and so forth. Entirely everything you could possibly want out of this little endeavor.”

  Deathsting made a simple comment in her head. “A mysterious challenge to obtain spoils? I support this.”

  Everyone was hanging on Azure’s words right then, so she couldn’t continue her pressing of Aodhan. Damn him. He knew all this would happen, didn’t he? And now I have to consider impressing Deathsting, too. Great. She cleared her throat. “I believe so. What of the banishment, though?”

  The king smiled in absolute delight. Victory. “Null and void, oh scintillating one. You’d have to commit an ‘Ignoble Crime’ — that is, one applicable to the nobility. Mostly treason, betrayal of your betters, and so on. One of worth cannot be executed, as that would be abominable.”

  The queen looked as if she had a rock in her mouth. She crossed her arms and met Azure’s eyes. Jealousy and animosity were plain. “High adultery would apply.”

  “Indeed.” The king said nothing more, just rested his eyes on Azure. As did everyone else, apparently waiting with bated breath.

  Ehgh… whatever. Let’s just get on with it. I refuse to simply walk away. Azure took a deep breath and said, “The elf of twilight speaks truth for me in this. I invoke the right of contest to prove my worth.”

  “Granted!” the king said immediately, and exclaimed further in cheer as he clapped his hands and rose, his tail forming a perfect curl. “Haha! Entertainment, my queen! Such bravery in her eyes and heart; soon, in deeds. Isn’t that enough to soften yours? I pray it does, and so I will grant you the adjudication of the trial in further hope. Do you agree?”

  Wait… that doesn’t sound like a good thing…

  The queen glared at the king with her arms still crossed for a long moment. Finally, she threw her head back and burst into mocking laughter, flinging her hands up. “Fine! I agree, I relent!”

  On a dime, she whipped around dramatically toward Azure again, wings flaring up as she pointed her finger. Her eyes lit up in bright purple flames as she declared ominously, “Prove your worthiness, tramp! You will face the bear! In combat. To the death.”

  Stunned exclamations and gasps resounded in the court, including sounds almost like pain at the thought. One lady even fainted into another’s arms. Meanwhile, the king’s face seemed to go pale.

  Azure couldn’t hold her tongue this time. “What the hell?! He literally just said you don’t execute people!”

  The queen smiled devilishly at her, still holding out her finger. “One of Worth. You are unproven. The bear’s life is of no consequence, made to serve or die at our behest.”

  The king, suddenly weak-kneed, fell backward onto the throne, looking away and rubbing a hand over his face. “Why?” he muttered to no one. “Why must she be so cruel? Is a king not allowed his dalliances?”

  Through it all, the giant black bear seemed implacable to the conversation. Actually, he was oblivious. He looked up suddenly as if realizing something. “Which bear?”

  The queen gave him a deadpan look, her hand finally dropping. “There is only one bear here, after all.”

  The giant bear looked around, then blinked. “Oh. But… I’m a druid? We have an honorary exemption from these things outside of our circle. Honorary nobility?”

  The queen continued to stare down at him blankly. “A druid? Nonsense. They’re all gone! You’re a bear! You’ve always been a bear, you’ll always be a bear.”

  “You mean as long as you remember.” A sigh. “I forgot how to shape change back…”

  The queen stared incredulously. “Just do as I say, bear. You’re my appointed champion. Get to it.”

  “I don’t particularly relish killing a fae…”

  The queen made a deeply frustrated noise as she held her hands out as if to grip and shake the giant beast. “Urrrgh, do I have to spell everything out to you, you stupid bear?! Do you think I want her blood on my hands?! Just flex and show off your might and she’ll go running with her taillessness between her legs, never to return! Just as I wanted to begin with! She obviously has no chance against you.”

  Inwardly, Azure debated what she wanted to do. She certainly didn’t want to kill the bear- druid. But she also had no intention of walking. It was out of the question.

  Right?

  The midnight zone

  When you own the world

  You're always home

  I'm machine

  I'm obsolete

  In the land of the free

  Immortality

  If I had a tail

  I'd own the place

  If I had a tail

  I'd swat the flies

  See me dancing on the stars

  See me dance

  If I have a tail

  I will control the night

  —

  Thanks for reading!

  Next Chapter (Patreon Link)...

  See ya later, alligator...

  Backers go here! Huzzah! Thank you! is a link to the claim thread for those who want a spot.

  Elias Blade, holding eternally the tarot of The Fool!

  Helva, holding eternally the tarot of The Hierophant!

  Gostsamo, holding eternally the tarot of Death (+ Binky)!

  DuB, holding eternally the tarot of The Moon!

  Guessed, holding eternally the tarot of The Magician!

  Some BS Deity, holding eternally the tarot of The Hermit!

  Silxornas, holding eternally the tarot of The Wheel of Fortune!

  Max, holding eternally the tarot of The Devil!

  IrateRapScallion, holding eternally the tarot of Justice!

  Quarter, holding eternally the tarot of The Hanged Man!

  Flight, holding eternally the tarot of The Star!

  Tempest42, holding eternally the tarot of The High Priestess!

  Venerable Ro, holding eternally the tarot of The Emperor!

  Koza0, holding eternally the tarot of The World!

  Forgotten Name, holding eternally the tarot of The Sun!

  Cothand, holding eternally the tarot of The Tower!

  T3iain, holding eternally the tarot of Judgement!

  Paul, holding eternally the tarot of The Chariot!

  Thorlab, holding eternally the tarot of The Empress!

  Renn, holding eternally the tarot of The Lovers!

  Xeo, holding eternally the tarot of Temperance!

  ObsidianShiv, holding eternally the tarot of the Seven of Swords!

  7CatRunes, holding eternally the tarot of the Queen of Swords!

  Nick, holding eternally the tarot of the Four of Pentacles!

  Hikari, holding eternally the tarot of Strength!

  Wiggles1, holding eternally the tarot of the Eight of Ships Pentacles!

  Nanominatour, holding eternally the tarot of the Ace of Wands!

  Kusoneko, holding eternally the tarot of the Queen of Cups!

  Revolgod, holding eternally the tarot of the King of Swords!

  Martin, holding eternally the tarot of the Ace of Cups!

  Tejing, holding eternally the tarot of the King of Cups!

  Renimus, holding eternally the tarot of the Eight of Swords!

  Grevias, holding eternally the tarot of the Ace of Pentacles!

  LobskiTheMagicLobster, holding eternally the tarot of the Ace of Swords!

  3X!3X, holding eternally the tarot of the King of Pentacles!

  Manlor, holding eternally the tarot of the Knight of Pentacles!

  Mage_Kikyou, holding eternally the tarot of the Queen of Pentacles!

  Captain Nuclear, holding eternally the tarot of the King of Wands!

  This_bored_guy, holding eternally the tarot of the Five of Cups!

  TeeCee67, holding eternally the tarot of the Six of Cups!

  Ronny, holding eternally the tarot of the Six of Swords!

  ArcH, holding eternally the tarot of the Two of Wands!

  Ambicatus, holding eternally the tarot of the Three of Wands!

  TheOneGunslinger, holding eternally the tarot of the Three of Swords!

  Captain_Sulsear, holding eternally the tarot of the Three of Cups!

  Dtape467, holding eternally the tarot of the Knight of Cups!

  Rosy Bramble, holding eternally the tarot of the Nine of Swords!

  TheDxve, holding eternally the tarot of the Seven of Cups!

  Riley, holding eternally the tarot of the Page of Wands!

  Volpol, holding eternally the tarot of the Ten of Swords!

  Thernn, holding eternally the tarot of the Queen of Wands!

  Spark, holding eternally the tarot of the Eight of Wands!

  ZelTheUnbroken, holding eternally the tarot of the Knight of Swords!

  Arrogantfitz, holding eternally the tarot of the Five of Wands!

  Lazifur, holding eternally the tarot of the Knight of Wands!

  GrimmRozen, holding eternally the tarot of the Five of Swords!

  Rainer, holding eternally the tarot of the Six of Wands!

  Kaylee, holding eternally the tarot of the Two of Pentacles!

  SlipJay, holding eternally the tarot of the Four of Swords!

  Talisman, holding eternally the tarot of the Four of Cups!

  Ant Mac, holding eternally the tarot of the Page of Pentacles!

  Taublatt, holding eternally the tarot of the Nine of Pentacles!

  Shattered, holding eternally the tarot of the Ten of Wands!

  IsacIW, holding eternally the tarot of the Two of Swords!

  Claire Rylander, holding eternally the tarot of the Seven of Wands!

  Zimmy, holding eternally the tarot of the Nine of Cups!

  Sarai, holding eternally the tarot of the Seven of Pentacles!