Rise of the Seven (5 page)

A muffled click came from the door but I
didn’t bother looking. “Ruby, get your fairy ass out of my wash
room.”

She huffed. “How do you always know it’s
me?”

I turned to glare at her over the rim of the
tub. “Because no one else would hassle me when I’m naked and
meditating.”

“
Hmm.” She dropped something
on the counter and turned to go. “I was simply bringing some things
you’ll need for this evening. I have to prepare myself as it
is.”

When the door shut behind her, I tilted my
head back again, contemplating a display of power that would cement
my place. I recalled a few of Asher’s triumphs, but most of those
disgusted me. He considered his banquets a success if each of his
guests left in fear, or some form of it. He used his power as a
threat, constantly reminding those around him of the damage he
could do. He’d explained to me privately that he had to, it was the
only way to secure our rule. But I knew better. I knew because he
used it against me, and I’d had no desire for reign.

Asher had known me better than I’d known
myself. No matter how I played along with his games, he’d kept me
under his power, showed me what he could do. When I’d strayed, he’d
found ways to remind me. I could see Chevelle again, his tortured
form writhing in pain. At the hand of his own father. No matter his
end, I still hated Rune. He had smiled as Chevelle lay before him.
Chevelle had refused to call out, but his body reacted against his
will, his jaw clamped tight, muscles bucking against the stone
floor.

Anvil had stepped in to save us that day, but
I vowed it would happen no more. I made a show of my own. But Asher
was always one step ahead of me. What happened to Sapphire wasn’t
punishment for my defiance, it was a device to keep me. And it had
worked. When I saw her lifeless body, getting out was no longer an
option. I had to stay and overcome him, I could not have done
otherwise.

My mother had known that. She had seen, even
from her prison, that it was reaching a boiling point. She had
thought to save me. And she had burned for it.

I sighed and rose from the tub. A trail of
water ran from my feet, tracing the seams of the stone floor. I
pushed it with magic, testing the new powers once more. It moved as
if a gentle wind blew. I was pleased, but not quite confident
enough to dry myself, so I used a towel, just in case.

Since returning to the castle, I’d moved into
one of the suites. From the washroom, there was a wardrobe closet
through the first door, and a bedchamber beyond the second. As I
walked through, I picked up the small bag of items Ruby had left me
and glanced inside. She was incorrigible. I sat it aside and sifted
through the various costumes hung along the back wall. I pushed
aside a dark cloak and faltered when the long white gown came into
view. My mother’s wedding dress. I ran a hand over the beading,
exploring the fabric, the detail.

But, no, this wasn’t the dress. It had burned
when she had burned. This gown had been created by Junnie. It was a
symbol. A warning to council.

Because of my mother, that white dress had
become legend among the light elves. It had given the stories that
indefinable something, had even made them appealing enough for the
fairies to repeat. Not that I’d ever heard them. Bound as I was,
the villagers would never have dared reveal anything of my past.
But I had heard since I’d been back. And I understood.

Junnie had left me that dress when Council
had decided to try me. They intended to imprison me, and Junnie had
sent them a grave reminder.

And the crystal necklace. It had no real
power, but it had frightened the council leaders unreasonably. I
guessed that was a kind of power of its own. Just a token, that was
all it took.

An idea for the banquet was finally forming.
I nodded as I slid into a pair of black leather pants, adjusted my
top to cover the wound on my arm, and laced up my boots. I would
not wear the armor over my injured shoulder, so I opted for wrist
cuffs and seated a light cape into the shoulder clasps fashioned
after hawks. I would be a warrior this evening, and I would look
the part.

I began to step into the next chamber, but
stopped. I hadn’t wanted most of what Ruby had left for me, but
there was one thing that might prove useful.

I slid a small canister from
the bag, lining my eyes with gloss black, nearly the exact shade as
my hair and lashes. It highlighted the green perfectly.
One of a kind
, I thought.
And then smirked, as Ruby sported her own set as well. Let them
think of that.

I strapped on my sword and headed for the
study to meet the others.

Grey, Anvil, and Steed were waiting for me,
each decked out in their castle finery. Steed and Grey had yet to
get used to the formal gatherings, but they definitely looked the
part. Leather and silver adorned their upper bodies, weapons at hip
and back. They were strong, and though Grey appeared lean next to
Anvil’s mass, the group somehow managed to give off a unified feel.
Steed wiggled his eyebrows at my appearance. I ignored him.

“
What news?”

“
The witnesses have
confirmed the identity of the intruder,” Grey reported. “Due to the
banquet, we have been unable to gather more information regarding
his route to the castle, but once here, he’d not been linked to
anyone.”

“
Has anyone of note refused
the invitation?”

“
No,” Anvil answered. “All
are anxious to bear witness to the new power they have heard of, or
to see you fall.” He smiled.

“
I would imagine,” I said.
“No change, then. We will proceed as planned.”

Steed and Grey did a little salute of sorts
at my command, the shuffle of their boots on stone bringing my
attention to their straightened posture. I shook my head absently
at their dutifulness.

“
To the hall.”

As with the throne room, there was a private
entrance to the hall, designed to allow direct access to the
designated position without having to navigate the crowds. Asher
didn’t like to be touched. Still, it was a good idea and also handy
for a grand entrance.

Chevelle was waiting for me there. I had the
pleasure of seeing his jaw go tight at my arrival, but was quickly
distracted by his own getup. He had been raised wearing the garb of
a warrior and it fit him well. It had been a very long time since I
had seen him so, and I’d forgotten exactly how well. I cleared my
throat.

“
Elfreda.” He nodded
formally.

“
Vattier,” I threw back, and
irritation took over as his chief emotion. I could deal with that.
The other was too distracting.

He quickly reviewed the arrangements for the
evening before asking, “Have you made your decision on the
demonstration, or do you merely plan to wing it?”

I didn’t bite. “I have a fully choreographed
performance. Not to worry.”

He looked dubious. We stood there for a
moment, knowing a full hall awaited us, but neither eager to
proceed. He would not be at my side through the evening, as Asher
had spent many years planting seeds of distrust and prejudice
against Chevelle to prevent any alliance on my part. My public
denial of him had done nothing to help, either. As it was, the
position he held as my guard was generating plenty of whispers.

Chevelle stepped forward, his hand
unexpectedly on my waist, and my pulse stuttered for an instant.
But he spun me around, speaking low as he did so, explaining,
“Checking your wound. No one must see this.” He adjusted the
material, verifying everything was still in place, and spun me once
more to face the door as he stood behind me. His hands ran the edge
of my cape to settle on the bare skin of my upper arms and he
leaned in to murmur, “Show them who you are.”

Damn him
. His breath on my ear caused a shiver and then his hand found
my lower back and gave a little push toward the door. I didn’t look
back when I heard a low chuckle.

I was glad we’d called “even” earlier,
because I was about to tip the scales.

The hall fell silent the moment I entered.
They had been waiting on my arrival, but no doubt the synchronized
“stop everything you’re doing and turn to the dais” action of all
the servers and related castle personnel didn’t hurt. I stopped for
a moment, found each of my guard (excepting Ruby) scattered about
the room, purposefully not acknowledging the presence of any
leaders. I’d had a gathering previously, but not of this magnitude,
and many were left out intentionally, so I continued as if no other
had occurred.

“
As the former guard is
disbanded,” a reminder that we’d killed them, “I have invited the
clans to gather,” a reminder they were here upon invitation, “to
honor the seven of my new guard.”

These men were no fools. They had watched my
eyes fall upon only six men. The guard was unmistakable in dress
and stature, so there would be no question as to who stood among
them. However, there would be a building curiosity to the identity
of the seventh. I nodded toward the steward and service began. It
was an incredibly brief speech, but there was more to come.

I stepped from the dais and took my seat at
the head of the table to feast among the leaders of the north. The
room was situated not as the dining area with its long, narrow
tables, but with many short tables, arranged so that my slightly
elevated position became the focus of the room, as well as the dais
behind me.

Anvil had positioned the attendees in order
of preference; two elderly men who had supported me throughout sat
on either side, progressively going to less supportive, more
troublesome, and downright dangerous from there. That meant most of
the rogue clan leaders were across the room, and I avoided their
stares as I was served. I raised my glass to the air and toasted,
“The Seven,” before bringing it to my lips, the scent of oak and
spiceberry hanging in wait. Rhys and Rider’s gazes took in those
who did not join in.

A feast was served, and as instructed, the
wine flowed at an increasing rate. Soon, the hall was loud with
conversation, banter, and debate. Those near me, thanks to Anvil’s
design, did not speak of much, so I was able to catch bits of
various discussions throughout the room. In an attempt to disguise
my focus, I let my eyes fall on the immense tapestries insulating
the cool stone walls, most adorned with images of my crest and a
variety of innocuous scenes, as Ruby had removed any in tribute to
Asher. In truth, she had any evidence of him that could feasibly be
removed taken from the grounds and burned. The largest part of the
castle was pretty bare at the moment. But torches, candles,
ridiculous centerpieces, and elaborate dishes seemed to be more
than adequate cover, in this room at least.

The clansmen were more at ease, loosing their
armor, shedding cloaks, leaning back in their chairs, sated with
food, wine, and talk.

Sudden warmth against my palm stole my focus,
the signal from Ruby. I looked down to find the napkin under my
hand had caught fire, but I was able to snuff it out before anyone
noticed. I would have to be more specific with the details next
time.

I straightened in my chair just in time to
see her enter. I gasped, but the slip went unnoticed in the noise.
It was fortunate, as an instant later the hall fell silent. I’d
nearly given myself away, but I’d not expected her to follow
through so absolutely.

I gave them a moment to take in what I’d
seen. A petite fairy, covered from chest to toe in slim black
leather, arms bare but for wrist cuffs, belted with short, shiny
knives, and donning the crest of the guard at her collar. The brown
leather whip at her hip had been exchanged for polished black, with
what appeared to be silver spikes at the tip. Her heeled boots were
gone, as she’d laced into the flat guard issue. Her face was
unpainted and impassive. All that remained of the familiar Ruby was
the blazing red hair that curled feral around her, proclaiming her
fey.

Before anyone had a chance to regain
themselves, I stood, raising my glass to Ruby. “Now that we are all
present, let the festivities begin.”

One more breath of stunned silence was all
that remained before the hall erupted into anger, protest, and an
assortment of exclamations of disbelief. I drank the toast, but
didn’t see whether any of my guard partook, because my eyes were
still on the fairy guard. She watched only me, not the crowd, and I
smiled at her. I couldn’t help it.

So far, I thought I was off to a pretty good
start.

Chapter Seven

Inferno

The room was near chaos. I had a feeling Ruby
was happy.

I wasn’t sure how long to give the disorder
before proceeding to the next step, but the display received a
stronger reaction than I’d planned, and it was gaining momentum.
Maybe we’d served too much wine. I sat, contemplating my next move,
and the crowd seemed to settle a bit. One of the guests stood, and
I realized they’d only quieted to hear his confrontation. With
me.

I leaned forward in waiting, not surprised to
find it was Rothus.

He was tall and broad, nearly as large as
Anvil. His black hair was long, slicked back into a braid. He wore
a cape of fur and a pegged mallet hung at his waist. He had plenty
of magic, but he preferred blunt force. I nearly winced at the
thought of what he’d likely done to the animal whose pelt covered
his shoulders.

“
You dishonor these grounds
with a fey whore.”

Ooh, that would do it. I stood to meet his
gaze. “You challenge my decision?”