Protected by Emeralds (A Dance with Destiny Book 5) (5 page)

Shaemon sighed softly, a tiny smile turning up the corners of his usually pursed lips.

“I knew something bad must have happened to him,” he whispered. “But I tried to keep those dark thoughts from running rampant. I knew… if he couldn’t come to me, he would send word. He always had. I just had to wait. As soon as his duties would permit it, Garoth would dispatch a blue jay, just like always before. I would see him. I was certain of it. Perhaps I would just have to wait a couple more days. That’s all. But I
would
see him.”

Jenevier lightly stroked his hair as the scenes from his past vividly played out in his mind…

When he made it to the edge of the great green expanse, Shaemon closed his gossamer wings and walked the rest of the way back home.

“What does that old Bat want with me, anyway?” He snapped off another weed and began chewing on it. “She knows this is my day off. But does
she
care? Noooo. No one is as important as the Queen. No one’s needs matter as much as hers.” His voice went mockingly high. “All you measly vermin shall cater to my every whim.
My
life is the only important life. My loyal subjects should
know
this. You live to serve me. That is all.” He waved his tiny hands as if he were shooing away the kneeling masses. “Ugh! I hate that old witch.”

As he reached for the veil to her chambers, all the tiny butterflies that covered it fluttered and shimmered, but they didn’t fly away. Shaemon flinched. That
always
made him flinch. Every. Single. Time. He rolled his eyes as he stepped through the living curtain and into her room.

“And why have I been summoned to your private chambers, Your Grace? What could be so impor—”

His words froze in his throat when he looked up and realized they were not alone. Prince Garoth lay motionless atop the Queen’s lounge, his head resting still upon her lap as she tenderly stroked his thick brown hair.

“What is it, Shaemon? Did the Mermaids steal your voice?”

He met her icy glare, but the devilish smile now parting her thin lips sent a cold shiver down his spine.

“Don’t just stand there gawking, Shae. Make yourself useful. It’s past time for tea and I didn’t wish to wake my sleeping little friend here.” She lightly ran her fingertips down his cheek as she spoke. “He was exhausted.” She smiled. “But he did such a good job, I made him do it again… and again.”

Shaemon tried to swallow down the bile building in the back of his throat, and the sickening feeling that accompanied it. He already knew the handsome Dwarf Prince was loved by many women. Of course he was. Shaemon had quietly listened to all the sordid tales his royal friend had enlightened him with throughout the years. He knew Garoth enjoyed sex, knew he was good at it, had heard his play-by-play concerning multiple partners in a single night… all female. But as long as he never actually
saw
Garoth with a woman, they could remain just that—sordid tales.

“Well don’t just stand there, Shae. Tea. Tea. Oh, and if you’re going to be sick… take it outside. You are turning as green as a gourd.”

“Wh-why would I be sick, Your Grace?”

The teacup sounded a loud ringing noise when the teapot banged shakily against its side. Shaemon gripped it tighter, trying to halt the trembling in his hands.

“Why indeed,” the Queen said as she took her first sip.

When she purposefully cleared her throat, Shaemon looked up from the gentle sleeping face of his Dwarf friend and met her knowing gaze.

“Why are you fretting so, Shae? Is it because your beloved Queen has spent these last few hours in the arms of a filthy Dwarf? Or… is it this
particular
Dwarf that gives you pause?”

“I am certain I have no idea what you mean, Milady.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It is.”

“Very well, then. Call for the guards to come get him, Shea. He is much heavier than he looks. My legs are falling asleep.”

His beady eyes went wide. “Th-the guards?”

“Yes, you bumbling idiot, the guards. This disgusting troll of a Prince has obviously violated your Queen. The guards will take care of it. Summon them.”

“B-but, Your Highness, the guards will—”

“I know perfectly well what the guards will do, Shaemon Green. Do you believe I am ignorant of our laws?”

“No. No, Your Majesty. But… they will execute him. He is a Crown Prince. Why would you do such a thing?”

“Don’t you dare question me, Shae. I will be the only one asking questions. Tell me. How do you know he is a Crown Prince? How is it that a lowly courtier such as yourself knows anything of the other royal households?”

“I… I…”

“You… You, what?” She narrowed her bright green eyes. “Did you truly believe you could skip about all these years with a secret such as this…” She waved her arm to encompass the sleeping Prince. “…and I wouldn’t know about it?”

Shaemon could only stand there, swallowing back his rising panic.

“Of course I knew. That is why I made it to your regular meeting spot and winged him away before you got there.”

“But… why?”

“Because… I need you to do something for me.”

“…What? If you need me to do something, all you have to do is but ask. Why would you feel the need to kidnap someone? Have I ever denied your commands before?”

“No, of course not.” She snorted haughtily. “You yet live, do you not?”

“Then why, Your Grace?”

“Because… I have never asked you to do anything contrary to the law before.”

“Contrary to the— But… why me? I am but a common courtier.”

“Yes, I know. I know full well what and who you are, Shaemon. I am the Queen, after all.”

“Then… why?”

“Because you keep to yourself, Shae. I have not heard a single Fairy name you as friend. You don’t bat a single lash at the court ladies, even the ones who
try
to get your attention.” She lightly ran her fingers back through Garoth’s hair. “And after I decided to follow you one day… I knew you were a man who could keep a secret, and keep it well.”

The stunned little Fairy gazed at the Prince’s full lips as they slowly parted. Garoth mumbled and stirred in his sleep. The Queen gently stroked his hair until he stilled once more.

Shaemon blinked away his tears before he spoke. “But… why would you have to…” He paused, swallowing hard.

“Have to what, Shae? Sleep with him? Join our bodies in passionate sex?” She chuckled. “Curiosity, I suppose.”

He narrowed his eyes before looking back up to meet her haughty gaze.

“Curiosity? You would do such a thing simply to sate your curiosity?”

She smiled. “My curiosity was not the only thing in need of sating. I have never had a Dwarf before. Never wanted one, actually. And although he was quite good, I don’t believe I wish to have another. Tell me, Shae. Did you know he liked girls?”

Shaemon bristled at the Queen’s brash tone. “Of course I knew. We have been the closest of friends since we were but children. I know everything there is to know about him. We have no secrets.”

“Indeed. No secrets, you say? Then tell me. Does he know you are in love with him? You claim to know everything about
him
, Shae. Can he boast the same claim concerning you?”

Anger was fast swelling inside the frazzled Fairy, but he refused to give her what she wanted, refused to be goaded by her viciously contrived line of questioning.

“I am certain I have no idea what you are talking about, Your Highness.”

“Indeed.” She finished off her tea. “Then, I suppose it wouldn’t bother you in the least if I keep him here in my chambers… while you see to the task I am about to set before you. Hmm?”

“You are the Queen. You can do whatever you like. It is no concern of mine.”

“Is that so? Well then, as long as it doesn’t bother you, perhaps I will let him wake now. I could do with a bit more of his royal attentions.”

Shaemon took one bold step toward her before her icy green gaze halted his advance.

“Do you have something you wish to say, Courtier?”

He sighed, resignedly dropping his head. “What is it you wish of me, my Queen?”

She smiled. “That’s a good boy, Shae. Now, help me up.”

The Queen gently lifted the Prince’s head as she stood. Shaemon carefully placed a pillow on the lounge before lowering his dear friend back down. Garoth mumbled and stirred, turning over in his sleep. The distraught Fairy watched silently as the other man’s shoulders slowly rose and fell with his relaxed breathing.

Shaemon lovingly spread a cover over the Prince before he spoke. “How did you convince him to come here? I mean, I know you are lovely and filled with the magic of our people. But bringing him here against his will…
that
would have been a great feat indeed.”

“I did not bring him here against his will. He came freely.” She finished her second cup of tea. “Not only that, we shared in a lovely conversation along our journey here. He is quite charming, Shae—chivalrous and noble to a fault.”

“Yes… I know,” Shaemon whispered. “So you simply bade him follow you… and he did? Just like that?”

“Close.” The Queen came to stand beside the entranced little Fairy-man staring down so adoringly at the sleeping Prince. “I told him you had need of him, Shae. That’s all it took.”

“What?”

“Yes. He thought you needed him—didn’t even hesitate.”

“…Garoth,” he whispered to himself.

“Oh, come on, Shaemon. Snap out of it.” She snapped her fingers right in front of his nose as she spoke. “As I said, I’ve been watching you. I knew the exact path you always took to meet your
friend
here. I simply led him along the forest’s edge, ensuring that our trip would proceed unhindered.” She sighed as she turned toward her mirror. “You know how this works, Shae. Once he entered the grotto, he was mine. I sent the dove to you as soon as he had finished his tea and biscuits. Imagine my surprise when you didn’t answer my summons immediately.” She turned back to face him. “And imagine
his
surprise when we found ourselves with hours to kill… all alone… here in my private chambers.”

Shaemon was gritting his teeth simply to keep from yelling.

“By the time you decided to grace us with your presence, pure exhaustion had claimed him.”

“What is it you want, my Queen?” he spat through clenched teeth.

She giggled softly and took his arm, pulling the rigid Fairy-man against her.

“Nothing less than what I deserve, good Shaemon… power.”

“And how am I to grant such a wish as that, Your Highness? How can
I
bestow power upon
you
?”

“By stealing it.”

Jenevier gasped then. “How in the world did she expect you to steal power? Is it a tangible thing here on Lyra?”

Shaemon only smiled. “Be quiet and I will tell you.”

She yanked on a lock of his hair, then quickly kissed the top of his head.

“Very well, Shae. I’ll hush.”

He tilted his head back and looked up at her. “Since when did you learn how to mind? Normally, you tease me. When first we met, you were horrid.”

“I was not.”

“Yes, you were—swore to eat me, even. Remember?”

Jenevier giggled. “And I could, you know. Gobble you up, quick as a whip.”

She tickled him then. He actually laughed. It was small and muffled, but a laugh all the same.

“I like the sound of that,” she whispered.

“Sound of what?”

“Your laughter. It’s so gentle. I didn’t expect it to sound so warm. I mean, you have the most ferocious scowl I have ever seen.” She lightly tapped the tip of his pointy nose. “Never dreamed you could make such happy sounds.”

Shaemon rolled his eyes. “Can I go on now?”

“Apologies, little Fairy. Please, continue.”

He sighed. “Me being a Fairy and all, walking upon the surface of water is no big deal. But plunging beneath its depths… that’s a whole other story.”

“You mean… Fairies cannot swim?”

“That is not our forte, no.”

“So… she was sending you to the Mermaids?”

“Yes. Now, just listen,” he said softly, continuing where he had left off…

“Shaemon, I trust my request will not be a problem. Remember, mum’s the word.”

“Oh, I don’t think you will have to worry about that, Your Excellency. Dead men cannot talk… and drowned Fairies are never found,” he mumbled quietly.

“I swear, Shae, if all my subjects grumbled and twittered the way you do, I wouldn’t know a moment’s peace. Not a single moment, mind you.” She closed and locked the doors on her apothecary. “This should do the trick, you fretting little Fairy.”

The Queen handed Shaemon a blue glass bottle. Golden wax was slowly running down from the tiny cork, her fresh royal seal now cooling there.