Heart of the Fae (The Otherworld #1)(90)

Sorcha groaned and plopped down on a chair. “What am I supposed to do then? Wait around until someone gets hurt? That’s dangerous you know, I’ll just start causing accidents to ease my own boredom.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” the brownie said as she slipped off the apron and beat it with the spoon. “You’re too kind for that.”

“Yes, I am. But I have given it a good hard thought!”

“Thoughts aren’t actions, love. Now would you get out of my kitchen? I’ve got to make a day’s worth of meals for all the faeries and you aren’t helping.”

“But I want to help!”

Steam rose in the air from the big pot of soup the brownie was working on. She waved a hand and knives chopped the vegetables, measuring cups scooped up milk and salt, even the dish cloths Sorcha had ripped down rose back into their place.

Magic made everything so much easier. It felt almost like cheating.

Sorcha sighed and banged her forehead down on the center table.

“You’re getting my table dirty.”

“I’m resting,” she murmured against the grain. “Isn’t that what you all keep telling me to do?”

Oona’s voice joined them, thoroughly amused. “Resting is what you’re supposed to be doing regularly. Somehow you forget that.”

“I’ve rested so much that I don’t even want to sleep at night!”

“Well, dearie, that’s the life of a lady.”

“Then lady’s lives are boring and I want my old one back.”

Oona rubbed her back as she passed, leaning down to whisper in her ear, “We need to go back to your room. Now. But you cannot seem suspicious, no one can know.”

Now that was exactly what Sorcha needed to spice up the day. She sat up straight and plastered a fake smile on her face. “Oona, I think I have a new idea for decorating my room. Would you come with me and suggest plants that might grow?”

“You want to plant things?”

“Of course, but I’ll need your opinions. I can’t understand what would grow here and what wouldn’t.”

The brownie turned and gave them both a suspicious glance. “What are you up to?”

“Nothing,” Sorcha said. “I just want to redecorate.”

“Oona, you be careful with that little human. She’s a menace!”

Oona smiled, “Oh she’s a dear little thing, just bored is all. I’ll take her out of your hair, if it pleases you.”

“It does,” the brownie grumbled. “And make sure she doesn’t come back any time soon!”

As if she would go back into that kitchen run by a stuck-up mouse.

Oona hustled her from the room with a hand on her back. Sorcha should have been alarmed at the speed they raced towards the portal, but excitement coursed through her veins.

“Don’t you run the kitchens?”

“Not anymore. The master said that’s only for people he can trust to not put poison in his meals.”

“Rude!” Sorcha blurted. “He knows you’re loyal.”

“He does, but I betrayed him, dearie. It was the right thing to do. Now, open this wall so we can get inside. It’s of the utmost importance.”

The fear in Oona’s voice rattled Sorcha. This wasn’t an exciting trip, or even something that would end in a baby. Her brows furrowed, and she pressed the stone pommel hard.

“Is everything all right?” she asked as they raced into her bedroom. “Did something happen to one of the faeries?”

“They’re fine. It’s you I’m worried about. You’ve been summoned.”

“Summoned?” Sorcha snorted. “By who? The master again?”

“By the king.”

Her ears stopped working. All she could hear was a painful ringing sound. The crashing of bells and funeral dirges.

“The king?” she repeated. “How does the king know I exist?”

“I don’t know, my dear. But he knows and you cannot refuse him”

“Who is the king of the Seelie now?”

“His Highness the Wise.” Oona spit on the floor. “And may he rot forever in his castle. He does not respect the lesser Fae, and I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. Pathetic excuse for a man, and dangerous. You must be careful with your words.”

“I won’t go.” Sorcha shook her head. “He’s not my king; I don’t have to answer.”

“He is everyone’s king. If you don’t go, he will send someone to hunt you down. The Wild Hunt is nothing compared to the creatures the king can call down upon you.”

Then she had to go. There were no other options, but Sorcha still wracked her mind trying to figure out a way to escape.

“The king?” she repeated. “What would he want with me?”

“Midwives are scarce, and rumor has it his most favored concubine is pregnant.”

“Why doesn’t he have a Queen?”

“Not this king,” Oona muttered. “He has chosen to rule alone.”

“Isn’t that a bad idea?”

“It’s a terrible idea! The Seelie queen has always tempered the king. She is the kindness to his justice, the heart of the people. She is giving and just. That has always been the way of it until His Highness the Wise took the throne.”