Wickedly Ever After: A Baba Yaga Novella(4)
Tittering laughter and murmuring voices intertwined with the sweet song of birds (and some things that weren’t quite birds) and over that soared ethereal music being played by a trio of fauns playing their flutes under a nearby weeping willow tree.
The Queen looked up at their approach and gave them a benign smile. “Baba Yaga, what an unexpected pleasure. And with such an entourage.” She gestured at the assembled company. “We are having a light afternoon repast. You must join Us.” She narrowed her eyes, staring at the dragon. “Dear Chudo-Yudo, you are as resplendent as always, but I do believe you are crushing one of my ladies-in-waiting under your right wing. Assume a more reasonable size for the occasion, please.”
The dragon shimmered slightly and shrank down to the mass of a large car instead of a small house, bowing slightly as he did so, and apologizing to the slightly crumpled but still graceful woman who emerged from under his wing.
“Why didn’t he just do that in the first place?” Liam whispered to Barbara.
“Because he’s a big showoff,” she whispered back.
“I heard that,” Chudo-Yudo said, his dragon grin almost as wide and toothy as his doggy one.
Barbara ignored him and approached the royal couple, bowing politely. The Baba Yagas weren’t members of the Queen’s court, but they did work for her in a way, so it was always a good idea to follow her rules for proper behavior.
The Queen was so beautiful, it almost hurt to look at her. Long silver-white hair was bound up in jewels on the top of her head and surrounded by a delicate gold crown decorated with diamonds and amethysts, which matched the Queen’s striking purple eyes. Today she was wearing flowing silks in the palest lavender, in a style that accented her slender form with its perfect posture.
Next to her, her consort wore a more somber dove-gray tunic and black tights that matched his neatly trimmed beard and long sleek hair. His crown was silver with black diamonds. As always, his smile was a few degrees warmer than that of his Queen; Barbara had been one of his favorites since she’d started coming to court as a small child.
“Your Majesties, it is good to see you looking so well,” Barbara said. “You remember Liam and little Babs, I’m sure.” Since the denizens of the Otherworld never forgot anything, it was a safe bet.
“Ah yes, the girl you took as your apprentice,” the Queen said, brushing over the incidents that led to that decision, including traitorous acts by a member of her court. She beckoned Babs closer and peered down at the dark-haired child with interest.
“How do your studies go with Our Baba Yaga?” the Queen asked. “Are you working hard and learning much?”
Babs glanced back at Barbara over one narrow shoulder and Barbara gave her a miniscule nod. They’d been practicing for this moment.
The girl stepped forward, her face as solemn as always, and bowed low to the Queen and her consort. Then she closed her eyes in concentration and held her hands out in front of her chest. There was a slight wavering of the air and then one perfect white rose appeared across her palms. Bowing again, she held it out to the Queen.
“Delightful!” the Queen said, clapping her hands together and then reaching out to accept the simple gift. “We are pleased indeed.”
She tapped one finger against her ruby lips as she looked at Liam. “And this is your mate, yes? The Human who helped you deal with Our unfortunate problem not so long ago? I take it you are still together.”
“We are, Your Majesty,” Barbara said. “In fact, he is part of the reason we are here today, along with the need to get a further supply of the Water of Life and Death that you provide so generously to those who serve you.”
“Is he?” the Queen asked. Her consort sat up straighter, looking interested. “Do explain.”
Barbara took Liam’s hand and they stepped forward together, little Babs returning to stand by Chudo-Yudo’s side. “I have come to formally present Liam McClellan to the court and to ask for your blessing on our marriage, so that he might be allowed to occasionally taste of the Water as well, to extend his life so we might grow old together.” She held her breath and felt Liam’s hand tighten around hers.
“This is quite unusual,” the King said.
“But not without precedent, Your Highness. True, most Baba Yagas live solitary lives or take lovers from among the paranormal community, but there have been those in the past who have fallen in love with Humans. Some of them have been allowed this boon.”
The King stroked his dark beard. “Indeed, that is so.” He turned to his consort. “What do you think, dearest? After all, Barbara has served us well for many years. It seems a simple enough request.”
Barbara’s heart thumped in her chest as she waited for the Queen to answer—once, twice, three times.
“No,” said the Queen. “Have you tried the crumpets, they are quite delicious today.”
Barbara could feel the blood drain out of her face as Liam said, “Did she just say ‘no’?” and a tiny gout of fire slid out of Chudo-Yudo’s nostrils.
Even the King looked a bit surprised.
“Excuse me, darling, but it seems to me—”
The Queen raised one pale and imperious hand. “I said no. There has been too much upheaval of late. Courtiers sneaking around behind my back, a Rusalka kidnapping Human children and bringing them into my kingdom against all the rules. The Riders going missing. Even a Baba Yaga who, instead of taking her retirement with dignity, actually attempted to harm her replacement. It is simply too upsetting. We do not enjoy change.” She shook her head. “No, ask again in a hundred years or so, Baba Yaga, and then we shall see.”