Chapter Eleven

I let the strains of the cello and orchestral music sweep over my body as the car glided along the road. The lights were blinking as we drove past them; I groaned and closed my eyes again. I felt horrible, I wanted to hang my head out the window and vomit again. The soothing chill of Tristan’s mind touched my fevered brain and I whimpered.

            “I am truly sorry my lady, I did not have the antidote for the miasma, I wish I could do more for you.” I felt his disappointment and I feebly raised my head to let out a low whine. He reached his hand back and placed it on my muzzle.

            “Do you know anything about Lynx? Is he alright?” I saw Tristan stiffen and something went off in my brain. I filed it away for later; there was something wrong with the way he acted when I mentioned the name of Lynx. I saw his jaw clench and his eyes flashed as they reflected the streetlights.

            “My lady wishes I will inquire to his health when we arrive at my Queen’s home. For now I advise you to sleep and when you awake we shall be home.” I looked at him and narrowed my eyes. He seemed to be avoiding something, I felt the prickles of magic run down my spine, and my eyes grew heavy. I let out a growl and pulled my lips back exposing my teeth.

            “I mean you no harm, as your chevalier I will ensure no harm comes to you.” I believed him, only I still was not sure he was my protector willingly. It all seemed as real as my hair color. Which everyone knew came from a bottle; I trembled violently as I tried to fight the exhaustion that was washing over me.

~ * * * ~

            I rolled over and looked up at the ceiling, there were dark beams criss-crossing the off white of the ceiling. I looked at the tall pillars that surrounded the bed and I groaned again as the nausea rolled over me. This would not be good if I threw up in an unknown bed. The silk sheets were cool against my heated flesh. The dim light still hurt my eyes and somewhere a piano was playing a haunting melody.

            I leaned over the side of the bed and looked at the marble floors, they glistened against the glow from the lights. The room was intricately decorated and everything screamed money. I caught the scent of something sharp and medicinal. I looked toward the scent and could not find the source. A door opened somewhere in the huge room and I heard the soft padding of footsteps.

            “Oh my lady you are awake. If I had known I would not have wandered off, please forgive me!” the young woman dropped into a deep curtsey and I grunted at the formality of the people in this place. I was assuming this was where Tristan had emerged from; I looked around for him and found no sign of him.

            “Where’s Tristan?” The young woman shook visibly when I mentioned his name. I furrowed my brows and chewed at my lip. These were strange individuals; I studied her closely and smacked my head. She was not human, she was not full-blooded fae either she was a shifter and wood nymph.

            “I-I-I’m s-s-s-sorry” she stammered and the scent of pine filled the air mingling with the sharp tang of fear. I crawled out of bed and made my way towards her, she gasped as she saw me walking towards her and shrank back in fear. I lifted my hand up to put it on her shoulder and she disappeared into a green puff of smoke. A trembling bush stood in the place of the girl, the leaves shook and rubbed against each other. I backed up and recoiled in confusion and horror.

            “That’s the first time I saw a shifter that was a plant shifter.” I stared at the trembling bush and kept my eyes on it as I moved slowly towards the door. I was hoping there was at least another wereanimal in this place or someone that did not turn into a bush when I talked to them. I caught the scent of cat and bristled. Not my first choice of people to ask for answers, it will work though. I followed the pungent odor of mountain lion towards the stairs, I gasped when I saw the place, which Tristan brought me.

            There were two staircases that snaked up the side of the foyer, ending with one landing and then two more staircases led to the level where I was. A large crystal chandelier lit the black and white tiled foyer. Windows lined the front of house and I could see the sun glinting off water in the distance. I let out a low whistle and the music stopped suddenly. The odor of cat became stronger and I turned around in time to see a shadow streak behind a pillar.

            I picked up the hem of the nightshirt I was wearing and felt exposed to everyone and everything. The shirt was a gown made of silk and lace, and it showed more skin than I was comfortable with. The music resumed, this time a jaunty tune came from the keys that were being stroked. I turned my attention back to the music and followed the sound down the stairs. The silk of the nightdress stroked my skin making a soft whispering noise when I walked.

            I suddenly felt as if I were the intruder, my bare feet touched the icy marble in the foyer and the music became more urgent and erratic. It was as if the song was speaking to me, it was telling me to beware of what you cannot see, but come to me, I will save you. I walked past the front door and followed the melody into a large expansive living room.

            Couches in plush maroon velvet surrounded a large black piano; candelabras surrounded the outer reaches of the room. The walls were covered in pale gold wallpaper there were large vases of flowers the filled the room with a heady perfume. A small figure lounged on a far couch, a dainty frame against the lush velvet of the couch. I could not make out if it was a child or an adult, the person was hidden in shadow, and all I saw was the feral glow of eyes in the darkness.

            I slowly made my way to the piano and an annoying buzzing started in my head. I looked around in a panic as the figure on the couch moved slowly towards me. The room spun and I was falling to the floor as the music washed over me and I landed hard on the marble. My vision blurred and pain raced along my spine. I blinked back the rolling gray fog and saw a small figure staring down at me. Her eyes were a deep brown, nearly black, her pale skin and high bones made her look like a doll. Her glossy black hair was in a long braid down the side of her sleek white neck.

            She shook her head and I was being lifted up in the air, the unpleasant stink of cat filling my nostrils, I growled and fought with the person carrying me. I heard a low rumbling sound and saw the floor coming at my face as I was nearly dropped. I closed my eyes and blinked several times trying to get my vision to focus. The woman came over to me and put her icy fingers to my forehead. I flinched and she smiled shaking her head.

            “You will be just fine, please stop fighting my servant, he means you no harm.” Her voice was quiet and she sounded as if she were from Asia. That would explain the slight tilt to her eyes and the smooth skin. She was beautiful and my thoughts were consumed with her. I reached a shaky hand to her face and she squeezed it reassuringly.

            “My Queen she is enamored with you now.” The woman smiled and I could feel myself falling into that smile. She shook her head and something glimmered in her eyes, was it sadness?

            "I will explain to her later, take her to her room and watch over her." I looked longingly after her. She wore a red velvet jacket that buttoned to her waist and flared out to a full skirt. The underskirt was snowy white, there was also a rustling sound when she moved. I puzzled over what the man carrying me said, my Queen? Was she Queen Anemone? What did he mean by being enamored? My thoughts ran around like a hamster in a wheel and it was being overrun by fog. I let the thoughts slip away as slumber overtook me.

        

Reviews

[Marie]

Nice chapter. I can see the house in my mind as clearly as if I were looking at picture. Learning more about the Queen should be interesting.