Wyld Wedding 2/4
Previous Part
It began with a burst of light.
The center throne glowed with a brilliance that dwarfed the candles, lamps and even the mini suns that floated throughout the Summer glade that was spread out before the thrones, and it cast shadows everywhere. The shadows of trees and dancers, some in mid leap, of lovers and those just sitting, the shadows were long and dark.
And then it was gone and whether or not they had seen the throne the light was seen by all and everyone turned toward the high end of the glade where the thrones sat on a frosted stage.
“This was not expected was it?” One woman asked breaking the long silence that had replaced the shadows as she stepped out of the crowd heading toward the stage. Her gown was the gleaning color of dew covered snow that matched her frosty skin and braided soft white hair, which set her apart from the other woman that joined her.
“No Mab, it was not,” the other women said as they both stepped onto the stage. Her dress of sun spun gold, her rich tan and sun bleached hair matched the gold and ivory throne she touched in the same way the silver and marble one matched her companion. “Lest, not by us that is,” she added.
“He knew, that is why,” Mab stopped as she looked at the empty throne between theirs. “What is he planning Tatiana?”
“Let us find out. Let us fetch this wild one. See what we can learn,” Tatiana suggested.
“Yes, let’s,” Mab agreed before turning to the crowd, “Kinrowan,” she called out, and thou she spoke no louder than before her voice rang through the glade and within moments a man was kneeling before the thrones.
“Yes, my Queen,” Kinrowan asked as he knelt.
“We have a task for you.”
***
“Queens of the who now?” Jason asked dumbfounded. “I don’t know any queens. And what’s this crap about mortal name, it is my name, Jason, not even a weird name or anything. Pretty common,” he went on.
“Jason, he just appeared out of nowhere, don’t tick him off,” Hoyt told Jason. “But could you explain what the heck you're talking about because we don’t know,” Hoyt added looking toward Kinrowan.
“I am here to speak with my fellow fae and I need not explain anything to you, mortal,” Kinrowan all but spat out the last word as he looked at Hoyt.
Hoyt jerked back in surprise as Joshua actually half hugged Hoyt defensively, shouting “Hey!” at Kinrowan, but it was Jason that reacted the most.
“Don’t you dare talk to him like that or this mortal’s going to beat the fuck out of you,” Jason ordered as he stepped into Kinrowan’s space and glared down the other man. “And you’d better damn well answer his questions because I’ve got the same ones.” He added when Kinrowan looked away.
“As you wish…Jason,” Kinrowan answered at last. “The Sidhe Queens, Lady Tatiana of Summer and Her Majesty Mab Mistress of Winter have requested that you come to the court of the Thrones to meet with them,” Kinrowan finished.
“And why do the Queens wish to see him,” Claude asked as he stepped out of the shadows and into the light of the truck.
“Claude? What are you doing…” Kinrowan began to asked but trailed off as he looked between Claude and Jason, “Ah. Well, Claude, the Queens do not tell me their mind.”
“Come now Kinrowan, you’re a smart fae, you must have some idea. And knowing why may help convince Jason to go because right now; I don’t think he cares to,” Claude told Kinrowan as he cast a glance at Jason who was just glaring at the two of them, looking very unhappy.
“Mayhap,” Kinrowan said as he too looked over at Jason before answering, “One of the unseen Thrones did something. What or even which one I do not know and none save the Queens or the King would as there were no wild ones at the gathering.”
“There rarely are,” Claude said to himself before he turned to Jason, “if my word has any weight then listen now. The Queens will not take no as an answer forever, and the King won’t take it at all, if you wish to limit how much they involve themselves in your life I would go now and be done with it, and I will see that you are not there alone,” Claude told them before he faded into the shadows.
“What the fuck?!” Joshua yelled from behind Hoyt as he looked at the empty spot. “How did that happen?”
“Is he one of you? A Fae?” Hoyt asked still staring at the empty space Claude had occupied so he missed the look that past over Kinrowan’s face.
“Yes we are…alike,” Kinrowan answered only just keeping the disgust out of his voice as he did so.
“Look, how long would this trip take because I’ve got work and Joshua’s got school in the morning and after what that guy was saying before you showed up, we’re staying together,” Jason asked as he stepped over to Hoyt, “Anyone that wants either of them is going have to get through me first,” he added firmly as he crossed his arms.
“Time does not flow the same so I can not answer that and a mortal cannot come to our realm, it is not our way. He will have to stay in this one,” Kinrowan told them not looking at Hoyt.
“Well then no way in hell am I going anywhere with you, end of story. He almost got killed less than a couple hours ago by those green freaks. And Joshua’s only safe because my sister so fuck that. We’re staying here,” Jason said flatly.
“Jason we need answers and these…people may have some,” Hoyt said as he turned to Jason. “Joshua and I’ll be fine.”
“Why do I have to stay? I want to go…wherever it is. Come on guy let us go too. I’m sure I can make it worth your while,” Joshua asked all three before turning toward Kinrowan with a flirty smile.
“Joshua Tate! You did not just do what I think you did,” Jason barked as he spun toward the teen.
“You don’t do that anymore, Joshua. You don’t need to and you’re better than that,” Hoyt added as he turned toward Joshua as well.
“Fine fine, whatever it was habit. It’s not like I really offered anything,” Joshua defended with an eye roll as the two men watched him.
“You may come to our realm whenever you wish as is your birthright young one,” Kinrowan told Joshua drawing attention back onto himself.
“What? Are you saying he’s one of you guys,” Jason asked as Hoyt glanced at Joshua then Jason before turning to Kinrowan.
“You mortal, the mortal, you keep acting like there’s only one mortal here,” Hoyt said slowly as he turned from Kinrowan to Jason, “and that’s me, which means…”
“Sookie’s the weird one in the family Bubba, not me,” Jason said with an unsure smile as he returned the look.
“But she’s not the only special one, we found that out in the fall,” Hoyt said, “that guy that looked like you said you were related,” he added.
“But…I’m the normal one, Sookie-“
“Not the only Fae in the family Jason. Get use to it,” Sookie said as she came around from the rear of the truck with Claudine.
“What the fuck? You knew about…whatever the hell is going on?” Jason demanded to know as he spun toward them.
“You remember that week and a half I was missing after that summer?” Sookie asked Jason.
“Hell yeah I remember it. After everything that had been happening we were all panicked looking for you,” Jason remind her, “and you did nothing but fucking lie about it when you did show back up,” he scolded his little sister.
“Would you have believed me if I’d told you I was in the land of the fairies learning about what I am? Would you have Jason? I don’t think so,” Sookie shot back returning her brother’s glare.
“Fuck all, fairies?! Like pixies and elves? I may not be the smartest guy around but, come on, I’m not that dumb,” Jason yelled back hands on his hips.
“Jason, your sister is dating a vampire, one of your best friends can turn into any animal he wants and is dating a vampire at whose house we were just attacked at by things that were not human. Add to that Joshua and your sister can pick up people’s thoughts,” Hoyt rattled off as he took Jason by the shoulders, “and then last fall. What happened in that circle,” Hoyt added as he touch foreheads with his lover, “Fairies being real and you being one…isn’t much of a stretch and kind of explains a lot, Jas.”
“Well, when you put it like that….,” Jason agreed as he leaned into Hoyt.
“I am sorry for breaking up this moment but it would be best if we left now. Keeping the Queens waiting will not make them predisposed to helping you,” Claudine said speaking for the first time.
“Help us? With what?” Jason asked her.
“Dealing with the dark ones. They have threatened the lives of two Sidhe,” Claudine answered Jason.
“Sidhu?” Jason repeated as he looked at Sookie.
“Sidhe, I’ll explain when we get there but we need to hurry. If we’re lucky we’ll get back tomorrow,” Sookie told him as she grabbed his hand from Hoyt.
“Hold on a moment, now we’re still at the same problem. I’m not going anywhere without Hoyt and Joshua and Kin here said no,” Jason told them as he pulled from Sookie’s grasp.
“Then take the mortal with you,” Claudine told Jason, “But your sister is right we should go, now.”
“Claudine,” Kinrowan cried out in shock, “He is mortal.”
“He will not be the first mortal to have entered our realm. And the wild one wants him. Will you challenge that?” Claudine challenged Kinrowan as she took Hoyt’s and Jason’s linked hand in hers.
“…no,” Kinrowan answered at last, “But be it on your head,” he added before vanishing into the shadows.
“It doesn’t look like that when you do it Claudine,” Sookie commented as she took Claudine’s other hand.
“He is of winter, I am of summer, Joshua lay your hands on ours,” she asked as she raised the hand that held the two other men.
“I get to go? Awesome!” Joshua cried out as he grabbed on.
“Hey will he be back in time for-” Jason started to ask before they all vanished in a burst of light leaving behind nothing but the empty and open truck.
***
“It seems they have not returned yet,” Korrigan said as he and Diana landed next to Jason and Hoyt’s home.
“They may have chosen to return to the other Sidhe’s home,” Diana suggested as she studied the building.
“Perhaps. But they will return, let’s see if they have anything to amuse ourselves with until they do,” Korrigan said as he blasted the door with a green blot of light sending it flying inward.
“Yes father,” Diana said as she followed him inside.
***
“Hey Tommy have you seen Jason today?” Kenya asked as she walked up to the bar still dressed in uniform.
“Hello deputy, not since he dropped me off after our finals this afternoon,” Tommy answered as he poured a drink for one of the waitress’s order. “Shouldn’t he be with you guys at the station by now, he said he was working tonight. That’s why he was fine with putting off his partying until I was done too,” Tommy added.
“That’s why I’m asking, he hasn’t shown and he’s been late before but never by two hours, we’re trying to find him if he shows up here let me know,” Kenya asked as she turned for the door.
“Fuck that wasn’t the end of it. Jess,” Tommy called at the redhead who was seating a couple.
“Dawn will be with you in a moment,” Jessica told the couple before speeding over to the bar, “Kenya how are you doing? Your favorite spots open if you want,” Jessica said with a smile.
“She’s still working because Jason’s gone missing. Tell her what you told me, about what happened,” Tommy said as he nodded to Kenya.
“Oh no, Jason said they’d be fine,” Jessica gasped.
“Why wouldn’t they be? What happened?” Kenya asked suddenly very interested.
“They were looking at flowers for the wedding, when these things attacked; they said they were just like the things last fall. I didn’t see the fight myself, I got froze like then. But they were sure the creatures were the same,” Jessica started to explain.
“Hold on a moment, the creatures from last fall, you mean the engagement party?” Kenya asked waiting until after Jessica nodded before going on, “and who is we, Jason and who else?” she asked.
“Hoyt, Joshua and Sookie. But everyone was okay when they left but that was over two hours ago,” Jessica said worriedly.
“Look we don’t know if anything has happened. We’re just looking, it could be noth-" Kenya said trying to calm her when her radio went off.
“Sheriff I’ve found Hoyt’s truck on Maple by the bend in the river. Engine running off and doors open but no sign of anyone. Not yet, anyways.” They heard Kevin call over it.
“Damn, stay on site. I’m on my way,” Andy called back moments later.
“I’ve got to go. If you see anything of them, call.” Kenya ordered as she ran for the door grabbing her mic, “Sheriff I’ve got a report that Jason was attacked by the same group as the engagement party not two hours ago.”
“Double damn…Kevin don’t take any chances, Kenya you still at Merlotte’s? You’re closer, get there as fast as you can,” Andy said not waiting for a reply.
“There’s more. Sookie was with them, maybe still was,” Kenya added as she started her car.
“Okay, doesn’t change anything. Kenya get to the scene, I’ll stop by the Stackhouse place on my way…be careful both of you.”
“Yes sir.”
“We will,” Kenya said as she stepped on the gas.
***
“-school, where the hell?”
“The Thrones have moved,” Claudine commented as the group appeared on a small mountain ledge overlooking a vast landscape of forests, lakes, plains and foothills that seemed to radiate out from the rocks below them to farther than their eyes could see.
“Sweet Jesus,” Hoyt whispered took it all in.
“Fuck yeah,” Jason added as he took a step closer to the edge to peer over it, or try anyways.
“Fuck, you have a death wish, cop,” Joshua yelled as he yanked Jason back as much as he could, he clung to the other man’s back his eyes closed tight.
“Joshua?”
“Hold on there kid. We’re walking backwards, little steps. Nothing but solid rock behind you, right Bubba,” Jason said as he turned and wrapped an arm around Joshua and started shuffling backward, away from the ledge and toward the cliff face on the other side.
“Nothing but rock Joshua,” Hoyt answered as he stepped around a worried looking Sookie and rested a hand on Joshua’s shoulder as the three made their way back from the edge.
“Its okay now, we aren’t anywhere near the edge. We’re by the cliff and the only thing on looks to be a cave with a really big stone guy guarding it?” Jason said as he looked over at the gaping hole and the statues that seemed to move ever so slightly.
“What, where?” Joshua asked as he opened one eye looking around until he spotting the cave mouth. “Fucking weird. Is it moving?” he asked unsure as he let go of Jason and stepped a bit closer to it.
“That is Carn and yes he is moving young one. I am sorry I did not realize that we would be coming to this spot or I would have warned you,” Claudine answered after watching the interaction.
“A new Wyldfae, the possibility of as full a court as will ever can be? Where else would the Thrones go but the Citadel?” Claude asked snidely as he stepped from the cave and toward the others.
“The Citadel? I wasn’t there last time was I?” Sookie asked as she looked from Claude to Claudine.
“No Sookie. The Citadel is not often visited,” Claudine answered, “but we have delayed long enough; follow my brother,” she added as she pointed to Claude.
“So you’re her brother? Older right? And what is your name again?” Jason asked as he went right up to Claude and surveyed the cave, giving Carn a long look over.
“I am Claude and Claudine is older than I, if only by a few moments,” Claude answered as he started walking deeper into the cave as the others slowly started to follow.
The floors were rough natural stone for the first couple of feet before they gave way to smooth polished and tilted crystal while the walls gave way to carved stone, covered with all different types of images engraved in them.
“We really are in fairyland aren't we?” Jason asked as he leaned closer for a better look when he glanced toward Hoyt to find the statue Carn blocking Hoyt, holding aloft a sword.
***
“What do you want Eric, I’m busy.”
“Too busy for your king, Bill?” Eric said smirking into the phone.
“Yes, Sookie’s missing,” Bill yelled in response.
“What! When?”
“Last night, it would appear. I felt her fear early in the evening. But under your orders I did nothing and now she’d gone, your Highness!” Bill all but spat out the last word at Eric.
“She was fine. I went to her and she was safe I even saw her home. I’ve felt nothing since. Are you sure she’s gone and not just hiding from you Bill,” Eric sneered at his subject.
“I can’t find her anywhere and her brother and his lover are gone as well. The police are looking everywhere. They believe it to be the same creatures as-“
“As during Vartai mirties yes that…I’m sending Pam to assist you,” Eric ordered before snapping the phone shut cutting off any response. “Sookie where did you go…”
***
Hoyt made sure to stay between Joshua and the edge of the cliff as the group made their way toward and into the cave.
Joshua was focusing on watching the statue trying to see it move, which was why he and Joshua were the last to step into the cave, he could just see Jason and Claude beyond the others. the two were looking at something on the cave walls giving them time to catch up.
“Come on, Joshua let’s not fall behind I’m sure you can watch…Carn later,” Hoyt said trying to remember the name as he gently pushed Joshua toward the door.
“I’m holding you to that,” Joshua shot back as he let himself be pushed towards the cave mouth.
The moment the two crossed the threshold Carn showed Joshua just how much he wasn’t a statue. With a sudden burst of speed he was standing before Hoyt with his stone sword mere inches from the man’s chest.
“Be gone mortal this is no place for the likes of you,” the stone fae said as he glared down at Hoyt.
“Fuckin hell,” Hoyt yelled as he stumbled back away from the sword only for the fae to walk toward him keeping the stone blade just over his chest.
“Whoa, man, uncool!” Joshua yelled as well as he tried to push between the two but a single push from the Carn’s large stone hand sent him to the ground just as the tip touched Hoyt’s t-shirt.
“Back the fuck up,” Jason ordered as he shoved Carn’s sword arm up and away from Hoyt as he took over the now empty space between them with his fist raised.
Hoyt watched as Carn didn’t respond with words but just brought his empty arm across to push Jason side like he had Joshua only Jason didn’t move. He lashed out smashing into Carn’s arm with his own fist sending it back before Jason punched forward hitting the stone fae square in the chest forcing it backwards and farther from Hoyt.
“Away Wyld one,” Carn demanded as he brought his sword arm toward Jason so fast it whistled.
“No,” Jason only said the one word as he caught Carn’s hand in his own and stopped it cold and twisted with little more than a grunt.
Even from behind Hoyt could see Jason change. Again it was like two of him in the same spot, normal Jason, his Jason, and the other one. He could see the golden hair, the bronze skin, but it was more this time. The other Jason didn’t just look different he even felt different, scarier, and Hoyt didn’t know why he knew it was the other Jason and not his but he did. It was all he could do not to back away.
“You ever try and hurt what’s mine again and he’ll be using you to sand Old River Road,” Jason promised as his grip tightened and Hoyt could hear the stone under it beginning to crack.
“Enough!”
The yell echoed through the cave and mountain top as Hoyt watched Carn fall back into the rock wall behind him as he felt Jason, and only his Jason, being shoved into him.
“Enough,” Claude repeated again as he seemed to fade into view between Carn and Jason his arms outstretched making it clear he was the one that had done the shoving.
“There is no law that says a mortal may not enter the Citadel and the Thrones decide who enter their presence,” Claudine said as she offered a hand to Joshua to help him up.
“The Queens wait for us and this distraction has wasted our, and their, time,” Claude added as he looked at Carn who had righted itself and was now glaring at him.
“In all my time as guard no mortal has ever-” Carn began until he was cut off.
“The Queens wish to see the Wyld one, he will not come without the mortal. Will you tell our Queens why their request has been denied, Carn?” Claude questioned as he fully turned to face the stone fae.
“We should continue on,” Claudine said after a silence that made it clear Carn wasn’t going to answer.
***
“They are not returning,” Diana said as she watched Kenya leave Jason’s and Hoyt’s home a second time just as dawn was breaking from her perch.
“No it would seem they have chosen to hide from us,” Korrigan answered as he dropped from his own tree and marched to the door, anger rippling off him. This time he didn’t use his magic to open the lock but just ripped the screen door from its hinges.
“Father!” Diana shouted as she rushed to his side, “they will know someone was here.”
“Yes they shall,” was all Korrigan said as he sent the wooden door flying backwards.
Diana watched as her father wasted no time trashing the home. With a single swipe of his hand he cleared the table sending the dishes, cups and papers crashing to the floor as he kicked over chairs.
“Don’t just stay in the doorway girl. I want them to know they are safe nowhere, not even in their home. They will know the pain of loss,” Korrigan yelled while he, with a wave of his hand and a burst of green light, upended the armchair into the coffee table smiling at the loud ‘crack’ that filled the home.
“Yes father,” Diana whispered as she took a step across the doorway.
***
“Still nothing?” Andy asked his deputies as he poured himself another cup of coffee from the police station’s kitchen.
“Both Stackhouse places are empty and nothing I could find even suggested that anyone had been at either since we checked earlier,” Kenya explained as she drank the last of her own cup.
“So far nothing at the scene points to foul play. No blood, no signs of a fight, the grass around the road doesn’t even seem trampled, not until we did it anyways,” Kevin added as he looked down at his notepad.
“Damn. Okay, it’s daylight now, let’s go back and take another look maybe we missed something in the dark, Kenya you’re going to go home. Get some sleep and I don’t want to see you before 2, Kevin-” Andy ordered until Kenya cut him off.
“You had better not just be getting me out of the way because I’m a woman, I’m the best deputy you got,” Kenya half ranted as she glared at Andy, dropping her mug to the counter, hard.
“Which is why you’re going to be in charge when I need to sleep later,” Andy snapped back, “and I don’t need to clean up the mess you’d make acting like that to everyone you talk to. Sleep. Now. And just in case it’s not clear. That’s an order,” Andy finished all but yelling the last part as he returned Kenya’s glare.
“Yes sir,” Kenya said sullenly as she dropped her cup, coffee and all, into the sink before heading for the door.
“Okay now, Kevin, we’re going to cover it all over again and maybe we’ll find something we missed the first time,” Andy went on as he turned to Kevin who had been glancing between the two.
***
***
It was massive.
That’s what crossed all their minds when they stepped out of the small cave and into a great hall that it emptyed into.
“Check out the ceiling,” Joshua said in amazement as he looked up above them.
The walls went up dozens of feet before arching into a painted peak. Even from the great distance the fresco looked as if they were right in front of you, painted images of summer days, fall harvests, winter storms and spring flowers seemed so life like and close you could almost touch them.
“Forget the ceiling, check out the windows…is each one different?” Sookie asked as she looked out of two of the nearby windows. One overlooked a spring garden playing host to a picnic while looking out the other was like watching the slopes of an alpine resort. From windows that were less than ten feet apart.
“Yes each window overlooks a different rath Sookie,” Claudine explained as she joined Sookie watching the skier.
“Are they made of snow?” Sookie asked as she kept watching.
“You mean like the…people behind you?” Hoyt asked with a stunned voice as he looked at everyone already in the hall, many of whom were now looking their way.
The people, creatures, and beings in the hall were as varied as nature itself. There were more that looked like stone, like Carn, some of ice and snow like those Sookie had been watching and many more, some like flowers or trees, others of water and even one human shape made of light. And mixed among them all were those that looked mostly human save for small things like eyes of purple or too blue, skin too light and flawless, almost human but not.
“Yes, it is a rather full court isn’t it,” Claude said before looking over at a large gong hanging from the back wall and nodded before calling to the others, “Line up with me, lets not keep them waiting.”
“You said that it would be, brother,” Claudine reminded him as she stood next to him, gesturing for Sookie to follow and join her.
“The Queens right? Someone’s going to explain what they want at some point, right?” Jason asked as he glanced at Hoyt and Joshua who had both moved closer to him.
“Shortly I expect,” Claude said just moments before the gong sounded and the crowd parted giving them a clear view of the other side of the hall.
“Oh, High Queens of the Sidhe, as requested, the Wyldfae known as Jason Stackhouse,” Kinrowan announced in a loud voice as he faded into view next to the gong.
“It’s not known as, I am, Jason how many time am I’m going to-" Jason started ranting as he turned toward Kinrowan only for Sookie to stop him when she grabbed his hand.
“Jason, do us all a favor and shut up,” Sookie ordered with a glare as she pointed forward.
“Fine, I’ll deal with him later,” Jason muttered as he crossed his arms and looked back toward the front where the other side of the hall seemed to have moved closer.
“Kinrowan you have done more than we asked,” Mab announced raising from her frosted white Throne.
“We ask for a single Wyldfae and you bring us four Sidhe…and is that a mortal as well?” Tatiana asked as she stepped closer to the edge of the raised platform that held the Thrones.
“I do believe it is,” Mab added as her eyes drifted over the others and focused on Hoyt. “It has been a very long time since I saw my last mortal. Tell me ,Kinrowan ,is he a gift?”
“Gift,” Jason growled as he pressed himself even closer to Hoyt glaring toward the Royal Queens. “I’ll sho-“
“Jason,” Sookie hissed cutting off anything else he may have tired to say, “be quite.”
Jason just rolled his eyes and looked toward Hoyt. The other man swallowed hard and slipped his hand into Jason’s and held on hard while he glanced around the hall.
“Sadly no, my Queens. The Wyldfae would not be parted from the mortal. Even to the point of challenging Carn over his presence,” Kinrowan informed them after he marched right up to the Thrones with steady measured strides and knelt before them.
“I see,” Mab said as she looked them over, “Tatiana, are they?”
“Yes they are. Poor mortal,” Tatiana whispered as she gazed at Hoyt before turning her eyes to Claudine and Claude, “But none of that explains you two. Claudine, why have you involved yourself in this matter? I gave you no leave to do so.”
“My Queen,” Claudine started as she stepped forward. “My charge, Sookie, is the sister of the Wyldfae. I am here in my role as her godmother. If you wish it, I will leave her in your care, you Majesty,” Claudine offered as she curtsied before the Queens.
“There will be no need of that; I will leave her under your care,” Tatiana answered as she looked from Claudine to Sookie, who did her own curtsy.
“And what of you, Claude? You have no charge. No reason to be here,” Mab asked looking at her subject.
“I was with the Wyldfae and his family when Kinrowan arrived with your request for Jason to come before the Thrones, your majesty,” Claude explained with a bow.
“You were with them? Do you spend much time in the mortal world now? I seem to recall you not being fond of it not long ago,” Mab asked as she narrowed her eyes at him.
“It is true I am not overly fond of the other realm, but I do not wish to see my family harmed, and I feared, rightfully so, that harm is what the dark ones had in mind, My Queen,” Claude answered not looking up until the last few words were spoken.
“The dark ones? The laws on them are clear. There is no aid you may offer,” Mab reminded him.
“Dark ones? Are those the green boney things that keep fucking with us?” Jason asked cutting into the conversation.
“Jason,” Sookie hissed again as she punched him in the shoulder.
“Ouch, it’s a fair question,” Jason defended as he rubbed his shoulder.
“Yes Wyld one. It is a question that should be answered, one of many,” Tatiana said as she walked forward and down the steps, “Come forward, child of change, and mayhap they can be answered,” she offered.
“Okay, then answer it. Are the green freaks these Dark one or not, lady? And why do y’ll keep calling me Wyld one, I have a name you know, it’s Jason. Not hard to remember,” Jason ranted as he pushed his way to the front of the group dragging Hoyt with him, Joshua right on his heels.
All eyes turned toward Jason, most in pure disbelief but some, like Claude and Claudine in worry as Mab stepped forward her eyes fixed on Jason, “The way you speak presumes much Wyld one. Do you know to whom you are addressing?” she questioned her voice as cold and sharp as ice.
“My Queen,” Claude started as he rushed forward until Mab’s voice stopped him cold.
“I did not ask you,” she said as she kept her eyes on Jason. “Well, what is your answer,” she asked drawing closer.
“Well, I think…well, I don’t think much, but,” Jason started as he glanced around finally starting to get worried, “Well I’d guess you two are the Queens everyone keeps talking about Mayb and Tati…something,” he answered. “Not that anyone has really told me what you’re the Queens of because everyone keeps not answering my questions,” he finished glaring back at Claude and Sookie.
“I am Mab Queen of Winter,” Mab said stressing the right way to pronounce it before holding her hand out toward Tatiana, “and this is my equal Tatiana Queen of Summer.”
“Together we rule the Sidhe,” Tatiana added as she studied Jason. “And you should show us respect or you will leave, forcible if need be,” Tatiana added.
“Look, how about you respect me back. You seem to want me here more then I want to be here. And explain a few things, like what do you mean Queen of Winter, do you run the weather? And who are the Sidhe? And why do you want to see me?” Jason just kept going on. “You’re using all these words and I don’t understand what the fuck you're saying or talking about. Damn it all, you said this would stop when I went back to college,” Jason added as he turned to Hoyt with a glare.
“Jason you are getting better but I don’t think anyone at your school would be able to understand what they’re saying with a lot of explanation. Which I’m thinking Sookie could give us,” Hoyt said as she turned to look at Sookie who was looking guiltier by the moment. “But,” he added turning back toward Jason with a disappointed look, “that doesn’t excuse you not being respectful.”
“Yeah, I know I should have explained before but….” Sookie started before trailing off.
“You’ve been here before. Met these people and you didn’t tell me?” Jason demanded as he just glared at Sookie.
“Your sister has been in my realms before. And though she chose the mortal realm as her home she is always welcome anywhere my court holds power. As are all Sidhe, Wyle one,” Tatiana answered in Sookie’s place.
“And there’s that word again, Sidhe? What does that mean, if you don’t mind telling me,” he added glancing at Hoyt before going on, “is it your species or something?” Jason asked as he turned from Sookie toward the Queens.
“Yeah, I want to know too. I’ve been called that a couple times. And what’s with the Wyld one thing? Why is he different?” Joshua asked from his spot behind his guardians.
“It seems we have much to explain and the hour does grow late,” Tatiana said as she turned toward Mab.
“They will join us as we feast and we will see to their education then,” Mab nodded to Tatiana before looking back at the court as a whole. “Well…your Queens are waiting.”
Suddenly the room was a flurry of activity.
***
“Thanks Arlene.”
“No problem Andy. Still no sign of them?” Arlene asked as she finished serving Andy and his two remaining deputies.
“No, nothing. And the FBI won’t even take my call because I’ve got nothing to show that Stackhouse isn’t just playin’ hooky with his boyfriend,” Andy said sullenly as he added ketchups to his hamburger.
“What about the attack on him earlier?” Kevin asked as he mixed up his soup some more.
“And just what do I tell them, weird green things that do magic may have done something? They’d laugh then hang up,” Andy grumbled.
“Well if there’s anything I can do to help you just let me know,” Arlene told them firmly.
“Thanks Arlene but…”
“Since when do you care about anyone but your family,” Kenya bluntly said what everyone in earshot was thinking.
“Well damn Kenya I’m not heartless,” Arlene answered before letting out a huff, “And do you know how much time I’ve put into the damn wedding. A wedding that is in two days. A wedding for which both damn grooms are missing. Find me my grooms, Andy Bellefleur, or you and one of these two are going to replace them,” she ordered with a glare.
“Yeah, that’s about right,” Andy said as he bit into his meal.
***
“So everyone here is a fae and there are two kinds of fae. Sidhe and Wyld fae and you two are the Queens of the Sidhe and you watch over nature,” Joshua summed up between bites of the bread he was dipping in some kind of thick cream soup.
“Hoyt’s mortal; otherwise, yes, Joshua,” Claude explained from his seat across from Joshua at the long table.
The feast table stretched the length of the hall from the Thrones, which somehow shared one end of the table without looking crowded, to the back wall. The Stackhouses, and those with them, were seated right next to the Queens and they, along with Claudine and Claude, were slowly answering, and then explaining the answers, their questions.
“And those Dark Ones use to be fae but then they changed?” Hoyt asked to clarify what Mab had said a few moments before.
“Dark One’s ex-fae?” Jason repeated as he had for most of the dinner, other than Sookie’s godmother and her brother no one responded to Hoyt, most wouldn’t even look at him and it was starting to bug Jason more and more.
“Yes, they were once fae but they went to the mortal realm long ago and it has changed them, they are no longer fae. They are the Dark Ones now and forever,” Tatiana answered Jason while taking a spoonful of her soup.
“Why is Jason a Wyld Fae if I’m Sidhe? Shouldn’t we be the same bein’ family and all?” Sookie asked after taking a sip of her own soup.
“Full Fae do not…breed the same way mortals do so when mortals and fae do have a child the child is not always predictable. And fae blood lingers in a family’s line for many generations, most born to the family will be mortal but some will not, some will become fae. Most will become Sidhe fae but some will be born with the possibility of becoming Wyld fae,” Tatiana explained to her subject.
“Possibility? So you mean I didn’t have to become a Wyld fae?” Jason asked swallowing the large piece of roll he’s just bit off.
“If you had gone your life without invoking your nature then you would have lived and died as a mortal. But you have invoked your true nature. You are a now Wyld fae,” Mab told him.
“Damn, okay well one last question I guess. What’s with the third Throne?” Jason asked as he looked at the empty oak throne that sat between Tatiana and Mab.
“What third one, Jas,” Hoyt asked as he looked up the two Queens and the two thrones.
“Yeah, Jason, I know this is overwhelming but please don’t lose it. I don’t have it in me to have to worry about you losing it,” Sookie said worriedly as she watched her brother.
“Do not fear for him, his eyes do not deceive him any more than yours deceive you. There are more Fae Thrones than most can see. Of those here today only my equal and I can see them all,” Tatiana said with a smile.
“Your brother however can see one more than all the rest of you that sits at this table,” Mab added as she looked over at Jason again.
“What? Why can he see them if no one else can?” Hoyt asked then sighed and looked over at Jason, but it was Joshua that spoke first.
“What he said,” Joshua asked the Queens.
“The Thrones are unseen if its monarch is not at Court young one, but they also never hide from their own,” Tatiana answered Joshua.
“Wait…you can’t mean…Jason isn’t a Fairy King or something,” Sookie asked in horror looking at her brother.
“Huh? Am I?” Jason asked looking confused, “I can’t be.” He added looking at the Queens.
“No child,” Mab said laughing as she looked down the table, “You are no King, Wyld one.”
“Thank god for that.” Sookie said with a sigh of relief.
“Hey, I’m sure I could be an okay king” Jason looked slightly offended.
“I’m sure you could, Jas, but would you want to be?” Hoyt asked as he bumped Jason’s shoulder with his.
“Nah, guess not, bubba,” Jason answered with a smile as he bumped Hoyt back.
“But why can he see it then?” Joshua asked still unsure.
“The center throne belongs to your guardian’s King and will always show itself to any of his subjects,” Tatiana explained.
“My King?”
“His King?” Hoyt said looking at Jason.
“I have a King? Where is he?” Jason asked as he looked up and down the table. “Wait, if you’re Queens of winter and summer does that mean he’s a king of spring or fall? And can he help with the ones that are bothering us?” Jason added as he looked up back up at the head of the table.
“This is not the time nor the place to speak of-” Mab started answering before she abruptly stopped and looked toward a doorway in the side of the Hall, a doorway that Jason was sure wasn’t there before.
“You are right in that this is not the place for his questions but it is the time for them, Oh Lady of the Snows,” Finvarra said as he stepped into the hall giving Mab, and Tatiana nothing more than a token nod before looking at Jason. “Youngling.”
***
“Now it is time to summon the others,” Korrigan said as he threw another knife at the wall sinking it in deep.
“Which of them should I summon, father?” Diana asked as she looked around the home. Glass and ceramic shards were scattered everywhere, no single piece of furniture was intact. No photo was left whole.
“All of them. It’s time the Fae learned to fear us again. It is time for the Fae to be reminded whose world this is,” Korrigan informed her as he sent a green bolt through the front window, bursting it. “It is the time of death of kings.”
Next Part