Thorn Queen (Dark Swan, #2)(49)

"This is only the beginning of what we can do," Leith said, positioning himself so that Dorian wasn't in his line of sight. "I'd love to come visit and discuss more ways to work through this. I've got some ideas on how to construct buildings that will reflect light better. Have you ever considered redesigning your castle?"

"Yikes," I said. "No. That'd be a big feat."

"Not as big as you think. Not with the right help."

I shook my head with a smile. "Let's just focus on the people first."

Leith smiled back. "Sure. But I will come by some day to show you some palace ideas-just in case you change your mind. Or, better yet, you should come visit us. Mother would love to show you the hospitality of the Rowan Land."

"Or, better yet, you should throw the Thorn Queen a party," said Dorian, deadpan. "I'm sure she would love it."

This time, I did elbow Dorian. Leith didn't notice. Dorian knew perfectly well I dreaded Otherworldly social events-particularly when the focus was on me.

"Really," I began. "That's not-"

"Of course!" said Leith. "We haven't had a grand ball in quite a while. We could invite hundreds of people...."

I decided then that elbowing wasn't severe enough. It was with great restraint that I didn't actually kick Dorian. He placed his own elbow on the table, resting his chin in his hand, appearing quite entertained.

"You'd have to outdo Maiwenn's party, to truly show Eugenie honor," said Dorian. "That's going to be hard to do. Of course, Maiwenn has an unfair advantage with her maternal glow, eh? Eugenie was just telling me on the way here how all this baby talk is kindling longings of her own."

I choked on my wine.

"I love children too," Leith told me. "I can't wait to have some-once I find the right woman."

I was spared more of this when one of Leith's workers came in, anxious over some mishap. Leith looked devastated at the thought of abandoning me-and also embarrassed over me witnessing a flaw in his grand plans. "I'm sorry," he said. "I hate to leave you. I'm sure this will only take a moment."

"Actually," I said, rising. "We should probably get going as well."

"Must you?" he asked, face falling further.

"I'm sure I'll see you soon."

"Yes," agreed Dorian. "You should get moving on that ball. Or maybe I should just throw one for her...."

Leith totally fell for the baiting. "No, no. I would be more than honored to." He swept me a bow, and I let him kiss my hand. "I'll have news for you soon, I promise."

I smiled and expressed my thanks and allowed him to kiss my hand again when he insisted. As soon as he was gone, I turned on Dorian. "Are you trying to push me into his arms or away?"

"Ironically, doing one causes the other." He stretched and stifled a yawn. "Were you telling the truth? Are you ready to leave?"

"Yeah, I think so-"

"Your majesty?"

Davros stuck his head into the room, wearing his usual apologetic look. His eyes flicked nervously from Dorian to me. "I'm so sorry to bother you...I know you must be busy and..."

"What is it?"

"She's been found, your majesty. The missing girl? Her parents tracked her down last night but were afraid to tell you...she seemed so distraught. I only just found out myself. I told them you'd want to know-"

"Of course, I do." I was already moving toward the door, Dorian fast on my heels. "Where are they?"

Still bobbing his head in obeisance, Davros hastily led us to a small home on the opposite side from Leith's construction. He beat impatiently on the door. "Open up! The queen is here."

Almost a minute passed before the door opened. The woman who had accosted me on my first visit peered out, eyes wide. "Your majesty," she said humbly, inclining her head. She didn't seem to recognize Dorian. "We-we didn't know you were here."

"I want to see her," I said impatiently. "Let me talk to her."

The woman hesitated, fearful of me but also fearful of something else, apparently. Davros was undeterred. "This is the Thorn Queen! Let her in."

With a gulp, the woman stepped aside. I found myself in a small but clean cottage, dimly lit thanks to all the curtains being drawn, though all the windows were open to allow a breeze. The woman's husband met us as we walked through the kitchen, his face pale and afraid.

"Your majesty...forgive us. We were afraid to tell you. We were afraid she'd run away again."

"I'm not going to hurt her. I just want to talk to her." It was a bit depressing, between Ysabel and this family, knowing everyone was terrified of me. Ironically, before I'd known about my gentry heritage, I'd been proud of the fear I inflicted on Otherworldly inhabitants. "Please take me to her."

I felt Dorian's hand on my shoulder and his breath warm against my ear as he whispered, "You do not need to say please."

With a quick exchange of looks, the couple led us to the back of the cottage, into a tiny bedroom. It too was darkened, and I could make out a slim girl lying on a bed. There was a washcloth on her forehead that fell off when she sat upright at our approach. She cringed against the wall.