Iron Crowned Chapter 6

I glanced most uneasily. I knew there had to be guards on watch in the garden and wondered what it would take for them to deduct tackle a crazy doddery cleaning lady. Unless she openly jumped me or something, I had a feeling I was on my own.Unless your power extends to some kind of mentality controller over Katrice, I dont see how thats going to happen, I said finally.She crooked me a grin. No, thats not a gift the gods take chosen to award on any of the shining singles. Even they know the limits of mortals.I pulled the robe more tightly around me. Seeing as I couldnt sleep, I expertness as well humor her. Then whats your plan?You need to find the contract Crown.The what?The Iron Crown.She said it in a grand, ominous way one that really deserved an echo chamber to give it its full effect.Okay, I said. Ill bite. Whats the Iron Crown?An ancient artifact. One worn by the greatest, most sizable leaders in the shining ones history. Leaders misgivinged by all, who ruled many ki ngdoms.I confine a top unwrap. A few of them. Only one was my authorized crown of state, hardly de narrowers had crafted me separates to coordinate with my emergefits.Not like this one, she said.Let me guess. Its made of iron.She nodded and looked like she was waiting for me to be impress.Sorry. Like I said, short of mind control power, Im not going on some magic object quest. My life is already like a Dungeons and Dragons campaign.Masthera frowned. Dragons havent lived in the Otherworld in centuries.For discover it. Thanks for the, er, advice, but Im not interest. I shifted uncomfortably. I should really gravel to bed.Masthera leaned forward, undaunted. You dont understand, Thorn Queen, she hissed. Only a few are capable of completing the tasks required to gain the crown. most would not withal be able to put one over it.That was easy to figure bring out. Right. Because its made of iron. I dont think an ability e actuallyone already knows I have from world human would be that impressive.Queen Katrice would think so. Many of her people would too. Her armies might revolt. She herself would be afraid and back off.All because of the reputation of a crown that doesnt have any power? I asked skeptically. Where is it?Far away, in a place unknown.Oh good grief. If no one knows where it is, whence how am I supposed to get it?Thats part of the challenge. Find it, and you end the war.I eyed her carefully. If this is such a great idea, why not bring it to Dorian? Your king?He knows of it, she agreed. Hes old enough to remember the legends. But he couldnt wear it. Only you. Now she eyed me carefully. Your father sought it and failed.I stiffened, my voice turning to ice. Is this part of the vaticination? Some way of marking me as the conquerors mother? Is it something Im supposed to give to my hypothetical son?No, she said. Her demeanor turned humble, but those eyes lull looked shrewd. It is notwithstanding a means to help you end your war.Ive heard enough of this ridiculousness. I stood up. Im going to bed.Masthera started to call after me as I strode away but then bit off her words. I wondered if she had accepted my refusal or simply feared the guards responding to continual harassment of me.I returned to Dorians room and slipped back into bed with him. His arm unconsciously wrap up around me, and although it took a while, my stir upd mind finally calmed enough to allow me some brief sleep. It was his movements that woke me a few hours later. I sat up in bed, watching as he refined. Through the windows, the sky was barely a pinkish purple.Youre going to meet the armies already? I asked quietly.From a chaise, he raise a breast household made of fine copper chain. Normally, he had attendants dressing him, and I knew he was doing it alone so that a group of people traipsing through with(predicate) his room wouldnt wake me. Watching him fumble at fastening it, I hurried over to help.Katrices describes will attack as soon as they h ave enough light. They may have already. Its only the unfamiliar terrain that stopped them from doing it overnight.I finished hooking the chainmail, trying not to think about how rare it was for him to wear any sort of armor. It was a sign of the danger he walked into, even if he avoided the front lines.I wish you werent going.He gave me that easy smile and rested his hands on my bare hips. Me too. Id much rather be back in bed with you. Stay a couple hours. Im confident(predicate) Ill be dependable back.That brought a smile to my lips, though I felt no humor. Yes, Im sure thats all itll take.He released me and turned to a cabinet on the wall. Opening it, he revealed a number of weapons. One of them was an exquisitely made copper sword, crafted by a metalsmith in my employ named Girard. Dorian touched it reverently, then slipped it into a scabbard he fastened around his waist. While dangerous in and of itself, the sword possessed an extra threat because of Dorians connection to th e earth and its elements. He could infuse it with power.Dorian I hesitated, afraid to ask my next question. Have you ever heard of the Iron Crown?Of course. He finished fastening the scabbard and glanced back up at me. wherefore?I ran into a woman named Masthera determination night, who told me about it.Ah, Masthera, he said fondly. Every court should have a seeress. Her predictions are right about half the time which is quite remarkable. You should see the farce of a seer theyve got over in the Maple Land. Id be humiliated to keep someone like that around.Hey, focus, I chastised. This Iron Crown. Masthera claims it could end the war. That by winning it and proving our er, my power, I could make Katrice back down.The smile faded as Dorian frowned, looking deep in concept. Thats a very real possibility. And you could wear it, couldnt you? A sense of wonder lit his words. The iron wouldnt bother you. In legends, some shining ones could wear it through strength and force of wil l. But youd need none of that. Itd just be in your nature.I could hardly believe he was speaking about this seriously. And you think shes right? This crown with no power except a reputation could end the war?Well, its not the crowns reputation, exactly, he said. Its the reputation you gain by fighting the many obstacles to get it. Show you can do it, and you show your power. It was similar to what Masthera had said.If others have possessed it Not for ages, he interrupted.Okay, even if it hasnt been for ages why would I have to quest for it? Wouldnt the last owner have just kept it around? Passed it through the family?His smile came back. It doesnt work that way. The crown wont stay with anyone unworthy. Once its owner passes, it returns to its berth a home that kills many who seek it.You didnt answer the earlier question, I pointed out. Could it end the war? Peacefully?He sighed. I dont know. Maybe. But as much as you fear me going out today Id worry more about you going afte r this trinket.I caught hold of his hand. You wouldnt help? I teased, though I still wasnt buying any of it.His free hand cupped my face. I would if I could. And maybe I could. If the legends are true, you pass through iron fields to get to it. only any of the shining ones could do that. I might be able to, with my abilities. Id stand a playter chance than most.I didnt like the tonus of his voice. It sounded as though he was actually considering this. He might connect with the elements of the earth, but iron was still beyond him.I could bring Volusian, I said, wanting to put off him. If something happens to him, no harm done, eh?Dorians face stayed serious. No, the legends are quite clear. The Iron Crowns lair is blocked to the dead.Well, none of it matters, I said. The whole idea is ridiculous.His face lightened, and he pressed a soft kiss to my lips. Which is why I leave now.My heart sank, knowing the inevitable had arrived. I hurriedly put on my jeans and shirt so that I coul d see him and the accompanying soldiers off. I knew the armies they would join were massive, but as he rode off toward the rising sun, his group seemed so frighteningly small. When he was out of my sight, I went to summon the rest of my own party. It was time for us to go home.Most had enjoyed their night out, but my mood that morning soon restrict the tone for our journey back. The one small comfort to my dark morning was that Jasmine hadnt gotten impregnated. Shaya assured me that my sister had never left her sight throughout the night and that Jasmine hadnt actually even tried anything sinister. She had simply been content to be away from my castle. Eyeing her tight iron cuffs and the chains that connected them, I felt a small pang of guilt. I quickly banished it. Those constraints had to stay. After that, it was time for another Tucson jump. I first summoned Volusian and sent him to Dorians side, both for backup and later reports. I knew Dorian wouldnt welcome my minion, but hi s having a fighter that couldnt be killed would certainly make me feel better. Once that and other sign of the zodiachold affairs were settled, I went back to join humanity.The scene at my house was nearly the same as yesterday. A quiet morning, with Tim cooking in the kitchen. Only, today he was dolled up in full costume.Youre Lakota, I said, once hed cured from the shock of my abrupt arrival. What happened to Tlingit?He shrugged. The Tlingit are cool, but your average stereotype-loving tourist expects this. He wore tassled buckskin pants and a long feathered headdress. His bare tanned federal agency looked like it had been oiled, and it had beaded necklaces hanging on it. Studying him, I reconsidered. He wasnt true Lakota either. Just some amalgamation of stereotypes, like hed said.why are you dressed up so early? Morning commuters arent going to stop for poetry slams.Its Saturday, Eug.Is it? I asked, startled. My timing was all awry with my double life.Theres a heathenish fes t out by the university, just begging to hear my beautiful insights on nature. He flipped some sunny-side up eggs onto a shell with a flourish.A cultural ? I groaned. Tim, the local tribes will be there. You know theyll try to beat you up again.He flashed me a grin. Be a pal. Come protect me.Cant. alike much stuff to do.A knock at the back door astonished us both. We didnt get a lot of visitors. Hoping it wasnt a missionary, I subject the door and gaped at what I found. I couldnt have been more surprised if Katrice had come calling. It was Lara. She smiled at my shock. I almost never saw her in the flesh. She worked out of a home office, most of our correspondence being handled by phone and e-mail.Come in, I said, still amazed. She stepped into the kitchen, just as tiny, blond, and cute as I remembered. A big stack of papers was in her arms. I dont like the looks of that.Its your Lara came to a halt when she saw Tim. Her eyes widened. He flipped his last egg onto a plate and gl anced up at her. His eyes registered equal amazement. And in that charming, con-artist way of his, he instantly slipped into character.A beautiful blossom has joined us, her petals brilliant and unfurled in the morning sun. He was using his awful How, white man voice. Hastily, he pulled out a chair at the kitchen table. Join us. Well feast and enjoy Mother Earths almsgiving together.Dazed, Lara walked over to the table and sat down, unable to take her eyes off of him his chest in particular. Thank you.It is my honor to shit The cinnamon rollsTim dove backward, grabbing a mitt and opening the oven, from which smoke was pouring out. Lara turned to me conspiratorially as he groaned about the state of his baked goods.Eugenie, why is there a hot inbred American chief cooking in your kitchen? she whispered.Well, I said, suddenly realizing the two had never actually met. Hes neither a chief nor Native American. Thats Tim.Thats what ? Her baby down(p) eyes opened even wider. Are you s ure?Positive.Tim meanwhile was scraping blackened bottoms off of his cinnamon rolls. He held one up for my inspection.Its fine, I said.He turned to Lara, putting his smile back on. I beg your pardon a thousand times for this unworthy feast I must set before you. Such a delicate, beautiful creature like you deserves Oh for Gods sake, I exclaimed. Will you cut the bullshit, Tim? This is Lara.This is The cinnamon roll dropped off his spatula, back onto the pan. Are you sure?I sighed.Both seemed at a loss for what to say. Laras mouth moved, no words coming out for several moments. Finally, she blurted out, I brought tax paperwork.Tim swallowed. I Thats beauteous cool.I moved past sighing or groaning. Now, I was fighting hitting my head against the table. No, its not. Can we get on with breakfast?I Tim finally recover himself. Sure. Of course. He looked at Lara. Do you like eggs and cinnamon rolls?I love eggs and cinnamon rolls.He promptly built her a plate and handed it over.Hey I said.He shot me a glare. Be patient a sec. We have a guest. You should be more polite especially since she went to the trouble of doing your taxes.I pay her to do my taxes.Lara bit into a cinnamon roll. In his daze, Tim had forgotten to cut off the bottom. This is the best thing Ive ever tasted. How is this even executable? She gave him a shy smile. Good looks and cooking skills.He smiled back, nearly dropping the plate he handed to me. I have all sorts of skills.Oh my God, I said. Until this moment, Id thought nothing was more annoying than their phone bickering. I suddenly wished theyd get into an argument now.Besides, he added, joining us with his own food. Youve got mad tax skills. I could never do that.Thats because you dont have an income or actually file taxes, I said.Hey, he shot back. Dont judge. You obviously cant do your own.I dont have to Thats why I pay someone.With great effort, Lara managed to drag her eyes over to me and remember her job. Theyre all done. I just n eed you to sign them. I wasnt sure youd get around to it if I mailed them.I nodded. As far as the federal government and state of Arizona were concerned, I was a self-employed contractor who did sundry(a) home repairs. Which wasnt that far from the truth.That was really nice of you, said Tim. Taking time out of your Saturday for that.I take my job seriously, she replied. Besides, I didnt have any other plans.Really? He leaned forward. Do you want to go over to the universitys cultural festival with me? Ill be reading poetry there.She gasped. I would love that. I bet your people have some really amazing insights on the world.Hes not I began.Lara turned back to me, her business face on. Make sure you sign these while were gone. And you know your schedule today, right? Three jobs?Yes, yes. While you guys are out slumming with college kids, Ill be fighting for my life.Tim stood up and set his barely touched plate on the counter. We can go whenever youre ready.She handed him her equal ly untouched plate. Im ready now. Just let me run to the bathroom first.The instant she was gone, Tim turned on me. Why didnt you tell me she was so nice? All this time, youve let me think she was a total bitch.Ive told you a hundred times she wasnt a bitch Youre the one who dogged that, after talking to her on the phone. You only think shes nice now because youve seen her and want to get her into bedTim gave me a grave look. Eugenie, that is not the kind of woman you have a one-night stand with. Shes a goddess among women.Unbelievable, I said.When Lara returned, I noticed she was wearing lipstick and had neatened her hair. All set.I scowled at the dirty plates Tim had left on the counter. Dont forget to do the dishes when you get back I called as they headed out the door.Dont forget to earn a living while were gone he called back. This owe doesnt pay itself.Neither do you, I muttered. But they were already gone, lost in the throes of infatuation. Considering all the things that h ad happened in my life, youd think nothing could surprise me anymore. Clearly, I was wrong. good turn around, I set to washing the dishes myself, deciding that kicking some supernatural ass was exactly what I needed.