Timothy:
The guys and I discussed the situation at the table. Bob and Terry downed a pint or two, Ben sipped at his iced tea, while Daniel and I abstained from anything. I could barely sit down and found myself restlessly pacing, only to be brought back to the table with a kindly reminder from one of them that my impatience would not save Penelope.
It was several hours later when Queen Moragana flashed back into the room. “We’ve found her,” she said. “Or at least we know where she was taken.”
The Queen had brought her usual guards who saluted Ben, then took a stance over by the window. I was amazed that they would allow the distance they had set between the Queen and themselves, but that was only a passing thought. The major thing was that Penelope had been found.
“Is she okay?” I demanded more harshly than I should have.
The head guard cleared his throat and glared at me, but Queen Moragana waved him still.
“She is with a minor Faery queen, one not even in her season. Queen Zamba she is called, although she has many names with which she and her people address her. She is not powerful enough to cause much grief for the Faery courts, so we more or less ignore her. But this affront is serious. It is an issue of war. My troops are assembling now. We will declare war and march on her kingdom.
“And Penelope?” I asked. “Would she be safe if you attack Queen Zamba? I can’t allow . . .”
The head guard lifted his head, this time aiming his pole weapon in my direction. It was a warning that I took note of.
“Forgive me, my Queen,” I quickly said, lowering my head. “My words fly without heeding protocol. It is only that I am besought by worry for my dear, sweet wife.”
The Queen sighed and waved the guard’s pole downward. “I will bubble your bride so she is safe. I also do not want any harm to come to her. It is a shame she has no protection, though. You have bitten her, have you not? Does she not have any magic in her? Is it too early? Or is she not a sensitive?”
That was something I was wondering about myself. I’d thought on the plane that Penelope was reacting to my bite, but it had only been to the Queen’s magic, to that necklace. I would never love Penelope any less, but it would provide protection if her reaction to the Pooka serum enhanced her powers.