Fantasyland: Midnight Soul Part 29

I didn't even attempt to keep the snap out of my, "It's not foolhardy."

"It is," Kristian returned heatedly. "Sheer folly. And reckless. And, frankly, absurd."

It was me who rudely dropped my spoon in my consomme as my voice rose when I demanded, "How dare you!"

"I dare very easily when I've finally gotten my sister back only for her to decide to do something rash and idiotic that might make me lose her again," he replied.

I snapped my mouth shut as my throat completely closed at his words in a way it was a miracle I didn't immediately start gasping for air.

"You're going to come home with us," Kristian decided. "You're going to get to know my wife and my son and the child my wife now carries once he or she comes," he went on and my gaze flew to Brikitta who was now blus.h.i.+ng.

But my brother had not finished.

"And if you don't, you'll be somewhere near, the furthest away Fleuridia, so you can visit us or we can visit you. I'll hear no more talk about your ridiculous impulses. In fact, I'm determined you return with us. It's clear with all you've endured recently your mind isn't right and you need time to get it right again."

I had many cutting retorts on the tip of my tongue.

But the new Franka turned her gaze to her sister-in-law and inquired, "You're with child?"

"I..." more blus.h.i.+ng from Brikitta, "yes."

"I'm pleased for you, sister. Very."

Her eyes grew large.

"As for you," I looked back to my brother, "we'll finish this discussion later."

"We won't, for the discussion is already finished," he decreed.

"It is not."

"It is."

"It is not."

"It is so."

"Not!" I cried.

"So!" he shot back.

I heard laughter erupt all around us but through it I also heard Queen Aurora's shuddering with amus.e.m.e.nt (shuddering!) command of, "Franka, no more talk of this nonsense. Kristian is right. Your plans are far too risky and you've decided them at a time when you're vulnerable to making poor decisions. I forbid you to cross the Green Sea. At least for a year. Should you continue to wish to do so, perhaps it can be discussed again after that time."

I stared at my sovereign, speechless.

The Queen of Lunwyn was not speechless.

She carried on.

"Your choices are to return to your brother's home with your family or journey with me to Rimee Keep. With Frey, my Finnie and my wee Viktor off to Bellebryn, I'll be quite alone and you'll be lovely company."

I would be lovely company?

Me?

I remained speechless.

Aurora did not.

"You have until Kristian and Brikitta depart five days hence to make your decision. Now," she looked around the table, "that's done. Allow us to toast Kristian and Brikitta's lovely news and move on from sibling squabbles."

She picked up her winegla.s.s and all followed, including me. When a queen toasted, you didn't demur.

But I was fuming because, apparently, the unexpected end to my parents' years of torment caused me to be uncertain of my feelings and my future and my entire b.l.o.o.d.y nature and grow soft. However it caused my brother to grow a backbone. Not to mention an open willingness to engage in inappropriateness by drawing me into what could be described as none other than what the queen had deemed it.

A sibling b.l.o.o.d.y squabble.

At the royal b.l.o.o.d.y dinner table.

I sipped my wine, ignoring the smiles all around that I was sure had something to do with the fact my brother's family was growing, but more to do with mirth at my brother and my antics.

Thus I did this frowning.

However, I noted the only one not seeming to have enjoyed our display was Noc. He was not smiling. He was regarding me intently.

When I caught his eyes, he mouthed, "All right?"

"Fine," I mouthed back.

He continued studying me before he nodded.

"I do hope," Aurora called out as everyone resumed eating, and I looked to her to see her attention set on Brikitta, "that your wee Timofei was able to get a good nap in this afternoon. Prior to Franka taking her maid shopping, she was quite thorough in addressing the servants to request that they practice quiet around your rooms as your wee one has been having trouble sleeping recently."

By the G.o.ddess Adele, were my cheeks flaming?

Brikitta's eyes darted to me and they were again large.

Yes, my cheeks were flaming.

Blast!

"A phase, I'm sure," Aurora went on. "He'll stop fretting and return to good sleep soon, mark my words."

"I say, Franka," Kristian began after the queen finished, speaking in my ear. "It's too strange, gazing upon this gentleman who's the vision of Prince Noctorno. Uncanny. I'm glad the prince has a scar or I wouldn't be able to tell them apart."

I turned my head and blasted my brother with an icy glare, stating without words I, unlike he, was not over our very recent spat.

He grinned at my glare and asked in a teasing tone, "Did you enjoy shopping with your maid?"

My glare intensified.

My brother took it in and did not cower.

He started chuckling and returned to his consomme.

With no other choice open to me, I also turned to my place setting, thinking I was not losing my touch.

It was gone.

And I had no choice as to what to think of that.

Except, so be it.

Chapter Eight.

My Valiant Valentine Valentine stood at the window of her lovely little house in the countryside outside of Fyngaard and looked to the shadowed frosty wonderland of snow and ice sparkling in the moonlight.

Frey Drakkar stood in the middle of the room behind her and he did this speaking.

As he spoke, Valentine fought the urge to smile.

"We're willing to make it worth your time" Drakkar declared as he concluded stating what he wished to request from Valentine.

She'd do what he requested for free.

However, he didn't need to know that.

"I'm sure your wife has shared much, though you cannot understand the extent of it, Drakkar," she said to the window. "But suffice it to say that it's an understatement when I note that my world is much different than this one."

"I do get this impression, Valentine, and thus that world holds no interest to me outside those things I pay you to bring for my wee one that she misses," Frey replied. "It sounds busy and crowded, overcomplicated, and from what I've heard from Finnie, the majority of those who inhabit it live lives mistaken as to what's important."

Valentine turned toward the man. "And yet you wish to send Franka there?"

"She needs to be rid of bad memories. She also needs a challenge," he responded. "But I sense she'll be seeking ones much different than what she's sought in the past. And with you and Noc and perhaps Circe to guide her way, she'll not get lost again, even in that world."

"I see your point," Valentine murmured.

Frey gave her a short nod. "And her riches, you've mentioned they'd be considerable there as well, but they'd also be suspect if discovered by those in positions of authority. Franka is accustomed to a certain standard of living and will expect that in any land she inhabits. She also has lived a life of independence, outside the threat of her parents' actions. I can't imagine that'd change, and with that threat eradicated, I can only imagine her desire for autonomy will increase. She'll not like her standard of living lowered or her new liberty threatened with, for example, the need to seek employment or the like. Both would most a.s.suredly sway her decision in the wrong direction about whether or not to go."

Valentine's lips curled. "I've ways to a.s.sist her in converting her parallel universe resources to my-world currency, not to mention other issues she may have, such as finding and paying for appropriately appointed accommodation. She'll live very well, Drakkar, and do it not having to ask if someone wishes 'fries with that.'"

"Good," he murmured then asked, "Fries with that?"

Valentine lifted a hand and flipped it languidly, "The explanation to that is truly beneath your notice, Frey."

The Drakkar didn't reply.

Valentine tilted her head, querying, "And this was Noc's idea?"

Frey gave another short nod. "Yes, and I believe a good one." At that point his lips twitched. "We discovered at dinner tonight that she intends to cross the Green Sea. The queen forbade it, of course, but it indicates Franka is up for an adventure, the bolder the better."

"And would it be me or Noc that will suggest this to her?" Valentine went on.

"It's my understanding that Noc's speaking to her this evening."

Valentine's smiled a small smile. "Excellent. Well, do keep me informed, Frey. When she's agreed to leave this world for mine, I'll be certain to put all the pieces in place for her to do so and enjoy her position when she arrives."

His brows rose. "There's the matter of payment, Valentine."

"Of course," she said quietly. "And you'll be seeing to this? Or will Franka be expected to compensate me for my services? Perhaps Noc?"

"This is a gift from Finnie and I," Frey answered.

That was what Valentine hoped he'd say.

"If that's the case, I request an audience with the elves in their realm under the ice," she shared and watched his mouth grow tight.

"This is a grand request," he stated shortly.

"Even I don't have the power to visit the elves and I've a feeling it would be most interesting."

"You would be right, Valentine, but they hold their realm dear and may not grant this request."

"You rule them, Frey," Valentine reminded him.

"I do, but I do not do it through tyranny as one of my predecessors did, resulting in losing them for centuries," he returned. "I take their desires and concerns into account, and if something is important to them, I consider it gravely."

He lowered his voice and his gaze never left hers as he continued.

"You know I appreciate all you've done for my Finnie, myself and my country, even if, for most of it, you were paid handsomely. Your life as well was often in danger and you showed courage and loyalty, which I admire. You also know because of this I hold a fondness for you as does my wife. But even so, the elves have free will and can retreat to their underground dominion, not to return until there's a new Frey who does not rule them with an oppressive hand. If they refuse your visit, Valentine, I can offer you time speaking with Nillen and his council by calling them up to the ice. This would cause no umbrage and it, too, I would hope would be interesting."

"I would prefer my own adventure in the elfin realm, Drakkar, but if I must accept the alternative, I would do that as well," she granted.

"My thanks."

Valentine looked to the door then back to Frey. "I don't wish to be rude, and you know I always enjoy your company, but even if the hour grows late, I have things to see to."

"Of course," he murmured, moving her way.

Valentine stayed where she was.