Thorn Queen Chapter Twelve

Kiyo took off as soon as we got back to Tucson, saying he had to go to work. He also added that I shouldnt expect him subsequent that night since hed promised Maiwenn hed come visit. Normally, that would nurse set my mood plummeting-and I wont lie, I wasnt thrilled as it was- only if after pass night, I felt superior and confident in my position with him at the moment. Somehow, I doubted hed be looking at Maiwenn with the same fright he kept regarding me after Id ridden him to exhaustion last night. If the crossroads in Yellow River-which wed visited before heading go forth of town-had only yielded some answers this morning, I would deport considered the trip a resounding success.Nice of you to spend some time well-nigh here, Tim told me when I emerged from the shower. As usual, he appe atomic number 18d to be cooking something.Whats that? I asked, reflection him roll step up gelt.Cinnamon rolls, he replied. The second batch Ive had to make, thanks to someone raiding the ki tchen while they cooled. He shot a glare all over in the direction of one of the dogs-Yang, I perspective-lying under the table. Yang looked extremely pleased with himself.Sorry, I utter, even though it wasnt exactly my fault.Tim finished rolling out the dough and sprinkled the surface with a mixture of cinnamon and brown sugar. And dont venture youre going to change the subject some never being around.I found a Coke in the refrigerator and sit down, a little irritated over the scolding. Well, sorry you miss my company, but I dont solidly see how it matters. Our have it off is you live here rent-free in exchange for cooking and cleaning. Me non being here misbegots you have less work. Besides, Ive had things to do.He scowled. Yeah, I suppose. notwith stand up do your things actually involve your job-the one that shoots the mortgage paid? Your secretary called last night and state you missed an ap headspringment. And you know, dealing with her isnt part of my rental agree ment. disrespect having never met, Tim and my receptionist, Lara, had an antagonistic relationship over the phone. I had no time to give to their drama today, though. The other news was too startling. I did what?I took out my phone, which also doubled as my planner. In addition to two missed calls from Lara, I discovered I had indeed missed an appointment for a banishing last night. Id been so fixated on my quest in Yellow River that Id totally forgotten I had it.Shit, I muttered, dialing Laras number. As keen as I was on these scatty girls, Tim had a point-my human jobs paid the bills. Not the gentry ones.What happened? demanded Lara as soon as she answered. No hello.I got distracted by something else, I said. Im really sorry. You think we post reschedule? Give them a discount or something?Probably, she conceded. I mean, its not same theyve got many other options to get rid of a ghost. In the meantime, though, Ive got some other pending clients.I hesitated. Normally, I wouldnt t hink twice about accepting as many jobs as I could. It was good for my coin bank account and a good deed for the world. With as much as the Otherworld was preoccupying me, however, I couldnt afford losing the time right now-or possibly missing another appointment.reschedule the one I missed and book only one of the others. Tell the rest we have to wait-list them.Lara was silent for several seconds. Are you serious?Afraid so.She sighed. Okay. You send packing salve pay my salary, though, right?Yes, I laughed. I havent gone bankrupt yet.Okay then. She sounded only moderately pacified. But for the record? Your roommate needs to teach some manners. He was a total asshole when I called last night.Before we disconnected, Lara made sure to remind me about two jobs I had later that day. She wouldnt get off the phone until I repeated the times and places back to her. I was exclusively as eager to take care of them as she was, as sort of a mental retribution for the missed one from last n ight. Id never forgotten a job before. My career might be an extraordinary one, but I still considered myself a professional and didnt want to start falling into bad habits as a result of all this Thorn puff business.And yetas soon as I finished those jobs, I had to send myself back to the Otherworld. I only intended it to be a officious visit, though. I simply needed to check Shayas progress and find out if the runaway girl had been located. Questioning her would make this whole search and rescue a isthmus easier and let me get on with my human life.The news wasnt good, however.No sign, said Rurik, once I hunted him down in the castle. Id found him in a compromising position with one of the cooks. Weve got people scouring the area but havent had any luck. We did, however, find where those bandits have relocated. Do you want us to go after them?I hesitated. I did want to round them up, both(prenominal)(prenominal) to take the pressure off the villages and see if they knew anyt hing about the girls that my prisoners hadnt. In the end, I shook my head. If they still had that fire demon summoner, I didnt want to go after them until we had an overwhelming show of strength.No. Not yet. Just keep looking for the runaway. I gave a sidelong glance toward the kitchen, into which the woman whose skirt hed just had his hand up had disappeared. You know, if its not too much of an inconvenience.At least the news from Shaya was good. The supplies Dorian had displace me home with had been shipped out, and apparently Leith had contacted her to say that after going through the irrigation book, he had some ideas for us. Naturally, he wanted to meet with me again. I suspected an ulterior motive, but it was something Id happily endure to keep the food coming. I at least felt similar Leiths intentions were easier to understand than Dorians-and that I was a lot less in all likelihood to yield to temptation along the way. I sent the young prince a message back, saying Id lov e to meet with him. On impulse, I also asked if he had anyone who might be capable of summoning peeing demons. Once that chore was done, I made motions to go back to Tucson.Well? Are we going to get this done with or not?I turned around, surprised to see Ysabel standing there in the hallway, hands on her hips. Id been heading out toward the motor lodge to do a little communion with the land before returning home. The heat was sweltering, as usual, and most of the women around here had taken to wearing light, comminuted gowns, often with short or no sleeves-not unlike the dress Id worn to Maiwenns party. Ysabel had made no such concessions and stood clothed in a green velvet gown, complete with long bell sleeves. The color looked stunning with her h job, but I knew she had to be miserable.Get what done with?She threw up her hands in exasperation. Thistutorial. Or some(prenominal) it is my manufacturer sent me here to do.Oh, right. I hadnt forgotten Ysabel, exactly. Id just kind of act to pretend she didnt exist, in a feeble (and futile) hope that she might just disappear. No such luck.Sorry, I said, returning her hard look. I dont really have time.You promised Dorian, warned Ysabel. And until you do this, I cant leave this godsforsaken place. I want to go home.I shrugged and turned away. We cant always get what we want. Kind of like that song. God knows I havent.Id barely taken one step when a huge gust of annul shot toward my back, whipping my hair in front of me and rustling the tapestries on the wall. I immediately came to a halt and looked back at her. Her expression was both smug and hostile.Whats the matter? Afraid you cant keep up with me?Charming. The old baiting tactic. She was hoping to get her way by playing on my pride. It was like the lamest trick in the bookexcept, well, it was kind of working. Okay, it was more than just my pride here. I was succumbing to temptation. With hardly any effort, Ysabel had just nearlyly knocked me over. It wa s more than I could do-much more-and her exponent nowhere near matched mine. If I had that kind of mastery, I could create hurricanes and blow apart buildings. Being in full possession of my magic would make me a god.That shouldnt have mattered. I shouldnt have wanted thatbut some secret part of me did. Well, not the god part. But certainly the rest. Power like that could help my people, I tried to convince myself.Okay. Lets get this over with then. I acted like getting rid of her was my only concern-not that that wasnt a huge motivating factor.This castle, I was finding, was filled with rooms-most of which didnt seem to have much use. Most of the servants and guards had their own quarters, still leaving a ton of rooms unoccupied and gathering dust. I really only had need of my collision room and parlor when I was there, and the rest had thus far stayed un apply.The parlor was apparently being cleaned, so on impulse, I led Ysabel to one of the delinquent rooms. It had a river-roc k fireplace that wasnt going to see use anytime soon, but the striped brocade furniture hadnt accrued too much dust. I flounced down onto a chair, arms crossed and posture defensive.Okay. Make this fast.Ysabel examined her sofa carefully before easing down and spreading her voluminous skirts around her. She crossed her hands on her lap, and if not for the expression on her face that said she wanted to rip me apart, I would have said she looked dainty and ladylike.Dorian says Im to teach you to improve your power with air.Something like that.She eyed me critically. Before we begin, I want it made abundantly clear that I am not doing this by choice.Really? I hadnt noticed.Her lips curve into a sneer at my sarcasm. I dont know what Dorian sees in you. You think youre so clever and witty when really, youre just a plain, uncouth human.Half-human, I corrected. And plain or not, your boyfriend-and, like, every other guy around here-would give up his right arm to get me into bed. I really shouldnt have raise her like that. Not only was it mean, it was also going to make this whole magic lesson probably even more unbearable.Believe me, its through no enamour of your own. Its only the prophecy and your alleged breeding ability, and once thats run its course, well She demurely smoothed the wrinkles out of her skirt, not that there really were any. Its only your electric shaver anyone will have interest in, not you.Sorry to disappoint you, but there isnt going to be a squirt. Not as long as my doctor kept prescribing me birth take pills.Ysabel looked up, face filled with skepticism. Oh? Then why are you with thekitsune? She said kitsune like it was a dirty word. Dorian often did too, though he did it mostly to irritate me. I think Ysabel legitimately looked down on Kiyo. If you really are a queen She looked skeptical over this as well. then why lower yourself by taking him as a consort? The only reason you would have is in the hopes of him fathering a child on you, just as he did Maiwenn. Clearly, hes proven his virilitywhich might be of particular concern to you. You claim youre trying not to conceive, but possibly thats a lie to hide the fact that you cant.What? Thats insaneWhereas I She ran her hands proudly along the sides of her hips. have already bore two children.Whoa. That was startling-and a point of pride for her, no doubt, considering the gentry fertility issue. To whom? For some reason, the thought that it might be Dorian bothered me.My husband. He was killed years ago in battle. She frowned slightly, the inaugural sign of soft emotion Id seen on her. In a flash, her normal bitchy expression returned. They live with my parents right now and are healthy and strong. My lord Dorian knows I can undoubtedly have more. Thats why he cast you aside for me, forcing you to turn to the kitsune for your fleeting chances of offspring.Thats not what Dorian and I-never mind. Look, for the last time, Im not with Kiyo to get pregnant, okay? Im wi th him because I love him.She sniffed. I find that unlikely. If you just wanted a lover for pleasure, you would pine for my lord. No other man can match his skills in the bedroom. When he binds my hands in ropes or paints my flesh, I find no greater ecstasy than-Whoa, just stop, I said, holding up both hands. This entire conversation was grating on my last nerve. I do not want to hear any details about your call down life with Dorian, okay? That is not part of this deal. No part at all. I dont want to-wait. Did you say something about painting?A sly grin lit her features. My lord has a great appreciation for art. Often, before we make love, Ill lie naked before him and let him use my body as a canvas. He will spend hours adorning my flesh with color and design, often using the paintbrush as a means to pleasure me and-Okay, okay. Im sorry I asked.As the voice communication left my lips, though, it shocked me that I could envision what she was describing perfectly. Dorians magic le ssons had often involved tying me up-the necessity of which I was never 100 percent certain of-and he would spend a large amount of that time weaving the silken cords that bound me. Hed arrange them in interesting patterns and color formations, consumed by the mental process itself. Somehow, I imagined him being the same with paint. I could see his face lost in thought as he painted flowers or suns or whatever, his clever, animal hands taking their time as they lightly touched my body.No, not my body. Ysabels. I had no part of this.Lets get this done with, I said gruffly, hoping she wouldnt guess my thoughts. Then we can both go home.Very well then. So, you need my help because youre weak.Thats not entirely true. Jesus Christ. It was all going to be like this, wasnt it? I have a lot of power. I know how to control and use body of water magic-though I guess I could be better. Everyone assumes I must have inherited wind magic too, but so farwell, Ive only been able to use it once.Y ou may simply be deficient, she said lightly. Her eyes flicked to my chest. Like in so many other ways. But we shall see.It kind of went on like that for a while. Every other sentence of hers was a barb. Yet, a lot of what she explained to me sounded similar to what Dorian had said, which at least gave me some confidence that she wasnt bullshitting me. In particular, she kept trying to describe how I could reach out and feel different types of air-just as Dorian used to encourage me to do with water. Unfortunately, it had taken a very long time to do that with water, and I felt a little pessimistic about history repeating itself.There are different types, she kept saying. Dont try to sense them all. Focus small.What do you mean different types of air? About an hour had gone by at that point, and I was growing weary and longing for Tucson. Air is air, I argued.Spoken like a savage, she remarked. Perhaps we should just end this and tell my lord we fulfilled our promise to try.I gritte d my teeth. Just explain it one more time.She shrugged. There are different types of air.When she offered no more, I began to agree with her. It might be best to abandon this after all. A few moments later, though, she elaborated.There is different air around plants. Different air after we exhale. Different air when the land is foggy. Not that youd understand that in this wretched place.My eyes widened. Gas. Molecules. Thats what you mean.Now she was the one wearing the staccato expression.The different types of air, I continued, excited in spite of myself. Youre saying the magic depends on feeling each kindoxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide.I was speaking a foreign language. Ysabel seemed as confused as ever, but by this point, I was running away without her. It made sense. Dorians entire teaching method had been built on baby steps. It had started with me sensing a bucket of water and culminated in me using the water in Aesons body to blow him apart. Starting at the molecular take with air seemed daunting, but the human in me clung to the science.And as I sat there, I began to expand my mind out, much as I did when preparing to use water magic. Air had always remained blank and untouchable, yet as I began to simply focus on a tiny part of it, it became more manageable. I thought about Ysabels breathing-oxygen in, carbon dioxide out. The world slowed down to a heartbeat, one breath at a time.Im not sure how long I sat like that. I lost track of where I was or even if she said anything else to me. Only her breathing mattered. At last, I could sense the differences, the changes in the air coming in and coming out. As she exhaled, my mind scooped up the air-the carbon dioxide-leaving her lips and flung it as I would a ball. My control was imprecise I had no real target. The air brushed past her shoulder, ruffling her hair.Youyou touched it, she said grudgingly, clearly surprised.I was alive and burning with energy now, too consumed by what I was doing to answer her. apply magic always set my senses ablaze, made the world seem more vibrant and real. I wanted to do the trick again but persistent to see if I could work it the opposite way and exert control over a different type of air-oxygen. I waited again to get a feel for her breathing, letting my mind actually sense the different particles in the air. When I felt certain I could grasp the oxygen, I did-just as she was about to inhale.Ysabel began to cough, her hands going to her throat as she tried to draw breath. Sucking the oxygen away meant, well, that she couldnt inhale it. I froze in my surprise at the self-explanatory yet not entirely unreasonable consequences-so much so that I couldnt stop what I did. I was juststunned. I was controlling air. The magic burn through me, and her oxygen just kept flowing away and away. It obeyed my commands, and I didnt have the coherent reasoning to cut it off.After several seconds that felt like years, the realization of what I was doing suddenl y penetrated my higher reasoning. I finally cut off the magic, letting go of my hold on her oxygen. By then, Ysabel had fallen to her knees in a desperate attempt to get air-and probably because she was starting to lose consciousness too. At last, free of the magic, she drew a large, shaking breath, face wan and terrified. A few moments later, when shed recovered herself, she looked at me accusingly.You-you tried to suffocate meNo I exclaimed, aghast. II didnt. Im sorry. I wasnt thinking. I was just trying to control the air.She stood up, and where once her face had been pale, it was now flushed with anger. She was shaking. You deceived Dorian. You already know how to use this kind of magic. This is all part of some elaborate plot.No, no, I said, standing as well. Ive never used it before-except once and only for a few seconds.I dont believe you. What you just didyou couldnt have done that if you were as inexperienced as you pretended to beWhat Id done-aside from the fact it could have killed her-didnt seem like it was that big a deal. Id sensed air and moved it. It was hardly a hurricane, and it had taken a lot of concentration-so much so that I didnt think I could repeat it anytime soon. I hardly had the effortless control she exerted over the wind.Im sorryI really am. I didnt mean to hurt you. It was an accident.Ysabels only answer was a scowl, just before she stormed out of the room. As she passed me, I thought I dictum both fear and tears in her eyes. Despite her bravado, I realized that what had seemed more like anger in her was actually terror. She was in the home of someone she saw as a rival, someone with a reputation as a warrior and a tyrant-and someone who had just tried to kill her. She was trapped here by Dorians orders.A terrifying feat, your majesty, a voice near the doorway said.I took a few steps forward and saw Shaya standing just extraneous in the hall, her pretty face grim.It was an accident, I said, surprised at the trembling in my voi ce. I dont like her, but I dont want to hurt her.I know. Shayas expression turned both gentle and sad. But her fear isnt unfounded. You learned that too quickly and too well.It was easy Its the same as moving water around or any other type of air.From what I understand, stealing someones breath-denying them air-is harder than simply creating breezes. Youre fighting against life itself. Those who suffocate others in this way usually beg great strength and stamina. For you to be able to do it alreadywell, its a testament to your power-and thats nearly as frightening as the act itself.The full shock hit me. Waitthere are people who do that on purpose? Steal someones air so they cant breathe?She shrugged. Well, to those with the skill, suffocations an effective weapon.Its sickits an cold way to die.I agree. And most people dont have that kind of strength, so its not an issue. Among those who do have the strength, most would never consider doing it to another person, opposition or no.I groaned. Well, if thats true, then she has to understand that I wouldnt purposely do it to her either. She has to believe that it was an accident.I dont think youre going to have a lot of luck with that.Why not?Because while most consider such torture unusually cruel, there was one person who enjoyed denying someone their breath-and who frequently used it as a form of execution and entertainment. Shayas look was meaningful. Tirigan Storm King.