“As for the one who calls himself Ben at the moment, “ the woman with the queen’s bearing said, glancing over at the chef, “You are to accompany the couple. I wish you to remain with them wherever they go, even in Faerie. You must protect them against all others.”
Whoa, this had gotten even stranger. A strange lady in a ball gown, who was wearing a crown and getting everyone – at least those awake and not in some kind of stasis – to go down on their knees in obeisance, now had started issuing orders to Timothy’s chief chef? And the woman knew about pookas and was discussing Faerie, although Timothy had said to never to do so? My brain was wheeling. I felt dizzy. I wondered if I’d actually fainted and was dreaming all this.
The woman drew near us, her elegant gown rustling like a nest of serpents. How she transported herself, I had no idea. I never saw her legs move, yet, she was instantly beside me, touching my head, her face soft and almost motherly. “Be fertile, youngling. There is a need. And know that I will stand by you when you call. Henceforth, you belong to me. Even before the bite of the pooka, I have enclosed you in the blessing of the Fae.”
She stepped back then and was once more was standing in the middle of the people bowing and all the seated guests. “As to this barbarian Human, I shall take him with me. Too bad that means a shortened stay for me at your ceremony, but it is better that way. The currents of magic, although not acknowledged by Humans, may give them a sensation of unease. Sometimes, it even makes them feel dizzy,” she said, looking directly at me again.
“Pardon the intrusion, Cadarone,” she said, glancing at Timothy. “Although you have kept separate from me, and I have permitted it, I was too eager to meet your choice of brides to wait any longer. Congratulations, Penelope and Timothy Caldwell. I bid you long life, great happiness, and exuberant prolificacy.”
Timothy, still head bowed, pulled me up so we were standing together side by side. “Forgive me for my past weaknesses, Your Majesty. It was cowardly for me to have run. I am grateful for your grace,” he said, bowing his head once more. Following suit, I did the same thing, although I was barely functioning, my brain such a whirl of disbelief and amazed awe (and worry over the last word the queen had used, a word which I was pretty sure meant fertility.)