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Chapter Text

I strode briskly through the long,empty halls of the palace. The breaking dawn shimmered through the stained glass window at the end of the hall and onto the emerald green, velvet doublet that once belonged to Cardan but I had now commandeered. The stained glass window depicted a portrait of myself slaying the large black snake that Cardan had once become. It had become an evening routine for myself, I would situate myself in front of the window for a while, admiring the craftsmanship, as well as pondering the moment it showed me. I was certain I had killed him. I was certain my life had ended. I had sobbed uncontrollably. And then he emerged and I sobbed harder into him. 

When the piece was installed he had laughed to me softly and grimly,

“You are a stained glass widow here.“

He had said, he was trying to lighten the mood. Since the window was a gift from one of the lower courts and could not be refused for fear of a curse we had to put it somewhere and be present for its installation. I had glared at him, hard, for a moment, until a smirk forced its way to my lips and we both laughed softly.

Cardan disliked reminding himself, the court but especially me of those three days he was a serpent. I agreed with the sentiment, I also disliked reminding himself or myself of my time spent the undersea. Thus, this hallway was practically abandoned, it was just about the only place in the entire palace that was entirely unguarded and almost completely untouched. So it was just about the only place I could find solitude. I craved solitude often, time alone with nothing but my own thoughts, schemes, and plots. So I would come here, and focus my eyes on the window and and allow my mind to drift away from all the paperwork and meetings and dull courtly gossip. 

As my mind started to wander, I began to think of Cardan at yesterday’s  or rather (as the folk are nocturnal creatures ) last night’s revel. His raven hair had shone in the moonlight as he gazed at me through his thick lashes, his pale skin glowing in the moonlight. Looking at him for too long had felt almost painful, he was so beautiful it was unfair. He had never lost sight of me throughout every song I danced. I could always feel his gaze on the back of my neck, however it was not unwelcome, I was safe. How do we take off our armor? One piece at a time.

Suddenly I heard a soft thump behind me and I whirled around, ducking swiftly, leaving roughly zero room for error as I felt the long, sharp dagger whizz over my head and shatter the large stained glass window now behind me. In front of me a tall, blonde, wisp of a woman stood in front of me, her long pointed ears marking her as one of the folk. She wore a short, thin, white dress and her black eyes were filled with cold anger. I quickly drew Nightfell from its holster at my hip. In a moment she drew back her bow and fired, the arrow soared towards me and scraped along my leg as I jumped out of its path. I had barely had even a moment to react. I felt warmth slowly being to spread from the wound, as I ran towards the assassin unfazed. I sliced her bow in two in an instant, leaving a decently sized gash across her shoulder, standing her white dress with a spot of red and sending her toppling over. She kicked me in the shin from the ground slightly setting me off balance. This gave her just enough time to rise from her former position and try to strike me. I turned swiftly sending her flying forward and exposing her to an attack. I then, finally, landed a real blow to her back and she fell to the ground with another soft thud. I held Nightfell to her throat as she panted beneath me. I watched the blood pool beneath her.

”You have not won.” She panted.

I felt my eyes widen imperceptibly.

”Do you feel the poison spreading from my arrow? It is a sleeping draught and soon it shall take effect.” 

The poison finally took effect as she said this, the warmth now enveloping both of my legs and in a moment I felt them go limp. I had only been lying on the ground for a moment before the wisp woman had stood and put me at sword-point. I breathed in sharply. She crouched down to my level and produced ropes from her satchel. Then she flipped me over quickly pressing me into the dirt floor, and tied my wrists and ankles together.

”Mortal concubine.” She snarled in my ear.

Suddenly the wisp woman’s blood splattered across my back and she gasped in pain and rolled over next to me onto her back. She gagged on her own blood over and over again.

Cardan glared down at her, his gold rimmed onyx eyes cold and unforgiving, “Do not lay your unworthy fingers upon my wife.” He snarled at her.

He swiftly buried his sword in the wisp woman’s throat , further staining her white dress a deep red, and tore the seal of The Court of Glass from her satchel.

”I suppose we’ll be paying them a visit.” he muttered grimly, tearing the embroidered cloth, and shoving it into the wisp woman’s mouth as she continued to choke on her own blood. Then he turned his eyes to me and quickly untied my bonds. Then he turned me back over and pulled me to him for a moment, “Can you stand?” 

“Yes…” I mumbled, the toxin slurring my voice slightly. In an instant Cardan lifted me into his arms and stood.

”Do not lie to me wife.” He spoke this softly, tucking a fallen tendril of hair behind my ear, tracing the curve as he did so. 

Cardan swiftly retrieved Nightfell and then began the walk to our chambers.

”What happened?” He asked, softly staring into my eyes, worry now filling his.

”I was standing, admiring the stained glass, when she appeared behind me and then we fought and her arrow has some sort of poison in it and…” My voice trailed off against my will as the toxin began to pull me into its syrupy depths.

”My Sharpest Blade, stay awake, why were you alone? How were you alone? How did she get in?” His voice rose in panic as he spoke, his pace turning near sprint as he tried to get us to our chambers.

I groaned softly, attempting to answer his questions as my vision blurred, and the edges of it darkened. The last thing I managed a glimpse of were Cardan’s eyes, now filled with worry, fear and anger. Then I was dragged down, deep into the dark waters of the toxin, and everything went black.

Chapter Text

I woke in the spider silk sheets of our bed, it was dark outside, I had slept through the night or perhaps multiple nights, impossible to know. I propped myself up on my elbows, my head promptly spinning at the stress. I groaned, my head throbbed everything felt as though there was a thick fog around it. I desperately tried to cling to what I could remember, What had happened? Where was Cardan? What is going on!?

It all rushed back in an instant. 

The wisp woman, the poison tipped arrow, losing the fight, then Cardan and then nothing. 

My eyes popped open the fog clearing in an instant. I jumped from the bed and stood, half my weight rested on the nightstand. Nightfell rested on its display across the room. My head still throbbed as I assessed myself. I wore one of Cardan‘s nightshirts that stopped just above my knees. My leg was wrapped lightly in bandages and appeared to have stopped bleeding.

I decided the best course of action was to find Cardan. So I took my weight from the nightstand and took a step. Upon this my legs promptly gave way and I fell to the floor. Clearly still affected by the toxin I leaned my back against the wall and began taking slow, deep breaths.

 Whilst I still sat on the floor my legs warm from the toxin, the door swung open, revealing Cardan. He wore a grim look on his face, his hair mussed. He carried a book, a blanket and a pillow. His eyes darted to the bed as he entered, then around the room until finally settling on me. He quickly settled beside me, and held me for a moment then he pulled away just for a moment.

“Jude you need to rest,“ he paused for a moment searching my eyes desperately, “…please.“

Cardan rarely begged for anything, I nodded once, firmly and Cardan swiftly brought the blanket around me and wedged the pillow between my head and the wall.

“How do you feel?“ he asked grasping my hand with his.

“Okay.“ I rasped.

Cardan let go of my hand, rose, and handed me a glass of water from the nightstand. I hadn’t noticed it a moment ago. I took it, my two hands shaking as I guzzled it greedily.

“Better?“ He asked, his voice slightly cold.

“A bit.“ I said softly.

Cardan took my hand in his again and stared into my eyes searching them wildly, “What happened?“

“I woke up, I tried to get up, I failed.“ I delivered it dryly, matter of factly.

“Not just now, Yesterday!“

So I wasn’t unconscious for too long, I thought before responding, “I was admiring the stained glass, thinking, when I heard a soft thud behind me, so I whirled around and fought her, I would have won too if it weren’t for her and her arrows.“ I explained as I had yesterday.

I saw the fire ignite in his eyes at this.

“That’s what you’re thinking of!? How you could have won!? She almost kidnapped you! Why were you alone in the first place? What happened!?“ His voice grew more panicked with each syllable.

“So it’s my fault she attacked me?“ I shot back.

“No, of course not Jude that’s not what I‘m saying… you were alone on purpose?“ His eyes glistened with betrayal.

“Yes! I was! I don’t care if it was stupid I wanted time alone!“ I tore my hand away from his.

“You don’t care? You have to stop being so, so… reckless!“ He sputtered.

“Reckless!? So it’s reckless to want alone time now?“ I shot back.

“First of all you know that’s not what I’m saying and if you want alone time Jude you can have it! But,  STOP PUTTING YOURSELF IN DANGER!“ At this, a single blossom fell from the vines covering the ceiling of our chambers onto the floor.

I turned away from him, refusing to meet his gaze and instead looking watching the blossoms on the vines that were wilting as the silence grew louder. I heard him take a breath beside me and I stiffened.

“Do not continue to lecture me husband, I do not wish to hea-“

Suddenly I was overwhelmed by a coughing fit, strong, deep chest coughs wracking my body and shaking me with each one.

I promptly felt an arm around me as I continued to convulse. He pulled me upright and began rubbing small circles on my back.

“Breathe, Jude darling, breathe, you‘re ok, you’re ok.“ Cardan cooed, his voice now heavy with panic.

Try as I might I couldn’t breathe without coughing, or believe the words Cardan was desperately trying to morph into reality. Nothing stopped the coughing. My throat ached and my chest heaved as I desperately tried to take a real breath in.

I felt vomit rising in my throat. In response, I began dry heaving between coughs and continued to struggle to breathe. Cardan already had a bucket in front of me when I finally hurled purple liquid in to it, the remnants of the toxin finally leaving my body. Cardan held my hair back and I began to sob as I continued vomiting.

Cardan pulled me to him when I finally finished hurling. I continued to cry, shaking uncontrollably while he cradled me to his chest. He began to take long, deep breaths, I followed suit. His heartbeat was slow as I listened to it. I felt my tears dry up, but I still shook like a leaf in the wind. Cardan positioned us so my back was to him.

He began to slowly, expertly work the knots from my hair and gently rub circles on my back again. Once he had finished detangling my hair he braided my hair quickly and pressed a kiss to my hairline.

“I dislike when we fight.“ He whispered in my ear as he rested his chin on my shoulder.

I nodded noncommittally in response and relaxed into him.

“Once you regain your strength, we must visit the living council, they wish to discuss the current… situation.“ He spoke this last part with contempt and snaked his arms around my waist, pulling my closer to him, possessive and protective at once.

“I expect I have expelled the toxin from my system now, I will likely regain my strength within the day.“I rasped, my throat injured from the coughing and hurling.

Cardan nodded against my shoulder, “Shall I call a servant for cold and hot tea?“

“Yes.“ I rasped again, coughing lightly.

Cardan gently maneuvered me off his lap and then walked to the door, and pulled it open slightly, whispering something to the guard outside. 

As he did this I managed to keep myself upright unaided and then stealthily crept behind my husband, dagger I had grabbed from beneath my pillow in hand.

As he closed the door I sun him around, pinned him against the wall, and held the dagger to his throat,“I believe I am feeling a good deal better, and we may meet the council after the tea improves my voice.“

Cardan‘s eyes were half lidded as he made a contented hum,“I do so love the feeling of your dagger against my throat wife, the way it glimmers in the moonlight, it is utterly beguiling.“

“I know,“ I spoke slightly more clearly this time, my voice still gravely,“ I adore watching you fawn at my touch husband.“

Swiftly, he pushed me from him and I stumbled backward until I landed, seated on the chaise, “And I dear, wife adore watching you recuperate, I would appreciate it greatly if you would rest while we have tea, you‘ll need your voice, and energy for this particular meeting.“

He walked over to the chaise and sat beside me and then he rested me upon his shoulder.

“What is it that you know which I don’t husband?“ I asked warily.

He combed his fingers through my hair as he spoke, “They wish to do nothing, they believe war is not worth it and we should settle this matter purely diplomatically, I believe they are incorrect.“

“Well then,“ I respond, my voice now nearly perfect,“I suppose I will in fact need my voice and energy.“

As I finished speaking the door swung open and two maids came in, one carrying a pitcher of cold tea, the other a still screeching kettle. The two set them on the small table, I had narrowly avoided just a moment ago. 

As Cardan poured me two cups of tea I stared at the door, it had been a while since I had gotten to truly debate with the living council, and I was ready.

Chapter Text

I walked into the council room on Cardan‘s arm, and as the doors swung open and the guards announced us the room went silent. Cardan squeezed my hand, offering reassurance he knew I had no need for, before we parted and took our seats on opposite ends of the long table.

As usual, I began the meeting, my voice now strong and commanding, “Let us get to the point, we must respond in force to the threat.“

Grima Mog and Cardan nodded in agreement, and the rest of the council grumbled beneath their breath.

Nihuar, The Seelie Minister spoke up, “We cannot respond to every threat with force, it sets a bad precedent.“

The rest of the council nodded in response as I clasped my hands together, my knuckles whitening, Cardan bristled across from me. 

“This is not your average threat Minister. This was an attack on a royal family member!“ Cardan rose from his seat as he spat at the minister.

At this, Fala, The Grand Fool piped up, “Mortals are fragile an attack on the queen cannot truly be considered an attack, we wouldn’t attack a ledge had she fallen, we do not need to attack the Court of Glass now.”

The room was silent for a moment. I felt Val Moren stiffen beside me as the two of us turned our gaze to Cardan, whose tail now lashed back and forth, he looked as though he would leap across the table at Fala.

” I suggest you cease with your insolent comments Fala, before I make you into a grander fool than you already are.”

The jester shrunk back in his seat and nodded his head, “Apologies High King,” he paused for a moment as Cardan stared daggers at him, “and Queen.” Fala finished quickly.

After the tension died and Cardan once again took his seat, now looking quite kingly as he adjusted the circlet atop his head, I rose from my seat and my head throbbed as I did so, “I say we declare war and gather intel on their plans and then based on those plans we strike first.”

Grima Mog smiled at this, “Espionage and fighting outright, what a dynamic duo.”

I nodded to her as Cardan smirked at me his heavily bejeweled fingers now drumming on the table as he watched me command the room.

I nodded towards Nihuar, “The Court of Glass is a Seelie court so I expect you to speak with their ambassador in the palace and do your best to reach a diplomatic solution before things get overly bloody.”

My head continued to ache, and I gripped the table with one hand, my knuckles whitening as I did so.

Then I gestured to Fala and Val Moren, “The two of you will stir the court with war ballads as a show of strength.”

I gripped the table with both hands now, I gestured to Mikkel, Baphen, Randalin, and Grima Mog using my head, “The four of you will come up with battle strategies and report back to me.”

Finally I turned my gaze to Cardan, who’s eyes stared into mine, “And you and I dear husband will meet with the shadows and then confer with Grima Mog.” 

Cardan nodded, his eyes searching mine intently, “Is that all wife?”

”Yes.” I replied, did he see how I gripped the table for support, my legs still slightly warm and sore, could he see how my jaw clenched at my throbbing headache?

“Meeting dismissed.” He said softly, as he rose and walked towards me.

Once the council had left Cardan laid a hand on mine, “Sit, we can leave in a moment.”

I nodded quickly, and slumped down into the chair, resting my head in one hand, the other still on the table, gripping it more gently now, Cardan’s hand still resting atop it.

He crouched to my level gently removing the circlet atop my head, “Headache?” He asked, gently pulling my hand from the table.

”Yeah,” I whispered, my throat tightening as  my head continued to throb.

In an instant the candles in the room were extinguished and Cardan began to rub my hand near where the scar on it was. I relaxed into his touch as the pain in my head dissolved. 

Once I relaxed, Cardan stood abruptly, and took the hand he had just been massaging in his, “We should meet The Shadows wife, unless you require more rest?” 

I stood, bracing myself heavily on his arm, “No, I am fine.”

Cardan guided me out of the now pitch-black room, and once we reached the stairs, he released my hand, and wrapped one arm around me, further supporting my weight as I carefully walked down the stairs, when we reached the bottom and the subsequent darkness he quickly gathered my form into his arms and speed walked to the Shadow Lair, upon reaching the the threshold he promptly set me down, and snaked one arm around my waist, then we entered. 

The door swung open to reveal The Roach and The Ghost hunched over a map of the Court of Glass’ palace, marking exits, dungeons and labeling each room. Across the small room The Bomb was mixing up explosives in round bottles and storing them in her satchel at her feet. Cardan guided me to a small sofa in the corner and then retrieved a glass of water for me. I took it gratefully.

”How ya feeling Queen? The Roach asked from across the room.

”Fine.” I replied.

Cardan flashed a glare to The Roach, signaling I was lying.

I rolled my eyes.

“So,” I began, “what’s the plan?”

”The three of us, King and yourself not included enter the castle as servants while the two of you fight outright, and then if troops and talking cannot produce a viable solution we kidnap their queen for as long as needed.” The bomb responds.

I nodded curtly, “And if that fails?”

”It won’t.” The Ghost answers flatly cutting a glare at me.

Cardan sat beside me on the couch now, his tail wrapped around the long plait dangling behind my head. I could feel his tenseness, the pent up tiger pacing in him. He untwisted his tail from my hair and then wrapped it around my waist as we stood in sync.

“Well that was quick,” He said to no one in particular, “The Queen and I will take our leave now.”

The Shadows all nodded, and the two of us left the room as quickly as we had come.

Chapter Text

We went to bed early that night, Cardan had swept me into his arms the moment we left the shadows meeting and had carried me all the way back to our chambers. 

Sleep my ever-bleeding heart, he had said, for I cannot truly rest until you are well.

Whether he had intended for me to hear those words was a question to which only he and the lands knew the answer, nonetheless when I awoke I pulled myself closer to him, the two of us wrapped in the warmth of the comforter as last light of dusk seeped through our window. Cardan groaned as he pulled me to him and pressed my head against his chest.

“We should return to slumbering.” Cardan mumbled against my ear his fluttering eyelashes dusting just behind it.

”For a moment,” I grumbled in return, “however we must eventually get up.”

”No.” Cardan said this rather loudly like a school hating child.

I promptly burst out in laughter at this, “We have family dinner tonight so we do have to get up.”

Cardan grumbled as he released me and rolled out of bed with a certain effortlessness only the folk possess. I then, rolled from the bed in the opposite direction thudding with much less elegance as I stood. I walked over to the bathroom and washed my face with some vigor, my eyeliner from the day be running down my face, the rest of it stubborn. I scrubbed until my face was clean, and when I looked into the mirror Cardan had appeared behind me, already dressed entirely in all of his finery. I rolled my eyes. He swiftly took my hand in his, kissed it and then pulled me back into the other room where he sat me down on the poofy stool that sat at my vanity. Cardan delighted in dressing me and Tatterfell delighted in having many, many days off. 
Cardan pulled one dress from the closet, a tightly fitting green dress, low cut, slight ruffles starting at the base and trailing to the train and set it on the bed. He then pulled a few doublets and pants from his much larger wardrobe and put them next to the dress.

”Pick.” He said his fingers drumming on one of the four posts on the bed as his tail swept back and forth over the green dress, practically caressing it. 

“Dress.” I replied.

Cardan’s eyes lit with childlike whimsy his tail wagging behind him as he brought the dress over. I stood slowly, my leg still ever so slightly shakey, I quickly pulled Cardan’s mortal nightshirt he bought in the human realm with glamoured gold, over my head. Cardan held the dress open beneath me while I stepped into it slowly. He pulled it up swiftly and then spun me around and tied the corset in one movement. He grabbed a dagger from the nightstand and slid it into it’s pocket in my skirt, hidden by the ruffles. Next, he pulled me back into the bathroom and lifted me onto the counter and revealed his large and extensive make drawer with a grin. He must’ve spent a year and a day on my makeup. Which was still relatively minimal compared to his own, while I had golden brown lips and gold eyeshadow his cheekbones were dusted with gold and had golden vine-like swirls across them, and a light brown on his eyes. He pulled me down from the countertop deftly.

I sighed languorously as I appraised the two of us in the mirror, ”We needn’t look quite so extravagant husband, it’s just my sisters, their significant others and Oak.”

”So you’re saying you don’t adore the way we look together, “ He paused as he trailed his fingers down my arms from my shoulders until he wrapped one arm around my waist and the other deftly interlaced our fingers, “That it isn’t positively intoxicating?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying, “ I returned with mock fire.

”You dirty mortal liar,” he said softly as he rested his chin on my shoulder and gazed at us in the mirror.

I unraveled my hand from his grasp and began playing with his hair, “Where should we meet our guests?”

I asked this question as though it were trivial, frivolous, I needed an answer because I needed something certain.

“Perhaps the drawing room?” Cardan said his eyes blinking slowly like a relaxed cat as I worked my fingers through his hair.

It was nye impossible to tell if he was ignorant to or simply was unfazed by what I’m about to do, what we have to tell our family.

I nodded and kissed him on the head.

*~{•}~*

The two of us were sat beside one another in the drawing room, sipping at our lemongrass tea, when Oak, Vivi and Heather walked in. Heather wore a rowan berry necklace and otherwise entirely human clothing. Vivi wore similar clothes excluding the protective measures. Oak on the other hand was dressed to the nines, a dark green tailcoat with golden swirling embellishments throughout the trim.

They both curtsied, Heather holding out the hoodie tied around her waist as though it were a skirt. Then as the doors swung shut they stood up and regained their natural posture. In contrast Oak bowed properly and rose up straight, begrudgingly keeping himself composed.

“Hello, everyone!” Heather announced as though Cardan and I were a group of small human children.

The silence in response was deafening. 

“Hello,” Cardan returned.

I waved a small wave ,and then beckoned my siblings (Heather included) to the sofas surrounding the coffee table.

We all sat around the squat yet elegant table, quietly drinking our tea as Heather desperately scrambled to fill the silence until Vivi gently rested one hand on her shoulder and she quieted.

In a few minutes Taryn (heavily pregnant) entered with assistance from The Ghost, or as we called him, Garret.

Taryn attempted a curtsy as I waved her off, “You’re fine, Taryn, sit.”

 Taryn took a seat with Garret.

“Well then,” I began, “let us finish our tea and appetizers and then we shall discuss everything over dinner.

*~{•}~*

I sat across from Cardan at the long banquet table. Just moments ago he had finished with his retelling of recent events to our family. The tension in the room was palpable, I could slice it with a sword with little effort.

The Ghost broke the silence first and addressed me directly, “What are you suggesting we do to keep Oak, your sisters and Heather safe?”

”The most logical move would be to send everyone to the Court of Termites, Lord Roiben will harbor you, but let me make this very clear, none of you shall set foot in the halls except for Vivi or The Ghost while under disguise, the rest of you are far too recognizable.10 knights will be here to collect you all at dusk, you will arrive around early morning, keep your faces hidden,the guards know to respond to the code. Once you have reached your chambers, The Ghost is in charge, the guards will not respond to commanding them to leave.” I replied, my tone even.

I saw most of the table stiffen, Taryn and Heather reaching for The Ghost and Vivi’s hands respectively. Oak turned his eyes to Cardan, worry filling them, Cardan’s gaze was soft as he returned the stare.

Nobody broke the silence. Not for hours, Heather and Vivi had migrated to the floor, where Heather quietly whimpered in Vivi’s arms. Taryn and The Ghost had not moved an inch, instead the two of them sat beside eachother, fingers intertwined. Cardan was playing cards with Oak. I still sat in my dining chair, unmoving, simply observing. Finally it came, two knocks and not one more, I rose and opened the door.

Beyond it stood 10 knights, arranged in two lines. Each wore the same silver armor with dark green shields and gold embellishments. They entered at the moment I nodded and each pair of knights walked to their respective person and handed them green velvet cloaks. Each cloak concealed the person’s identity and I stood still as the group of 10 filed out, becoming 15. 

The door slammed loudly behind the familiar group, who I couldn’t quite place. And I promptly returned to my dining chair sinking into it, my head resting on my fist. Cardan no longer sat across from me, rather he was now beside me. He gently pulled my free hand to his and kissed my wedding 

“Jude dearest,” I couldn’t stand the flutter in my chest every time he said that, “you’re keeping them safe, it may seem cruel, but it’s the best option right now, and one day they’ll see that.”

Suddenly a tear escaped my eye, it trailed down my cheek, and at the release loud sobs wracked my body, I found myself standing in an instant, attempting to escape. Cardan released my hand, but followed me to where I stood in front of the fireplace. I composed myself quickly and Cardan placed his hand on my shoulder. He squeezed my shoulder once and the two of us left through the secret door behind the fireplace.

Chapter Text

*~< 3 weeks later >~*

I stood at the war table on a dusty evening, the sun just peeking over the horizon. Grima Mog was moving my little figurine around, Cardan’s stood beside one the soldier figurine representing an army. Our two little dolls were separated only by three inches, a league when properly scaled.

“The High King will control the weather and ensure nature is on our side,” Grima Mog said quickly, “The High Queen will be on the front lines, and I will take up the rear with backup, this is how we’ll take their lands and ,eventually, castle. Then the Shadows’ plans will come into effect.”

I was just about to give the go ahead. However, the real Cardan who stood three inches to my right was tense, he despised war, even the idea of simply controlling the weather to affect a war was nearly nightmarish to him. I felt his tail smack my leg repeatedly as it swished back and forth nervously. I gently placed a hand on his arm and dug in with my nails. I felt him jump and I met his gaze with ice when he looked it me.

“Cardan,” I started, my voice low, “ we have to do this, “ he shook his head briefly, in turn I stilled his head with my hands,” we have to! Or else, we could lose everything.”

He stared at me, the panic in his eyes obvious. It felt like an eternity and every eye in the room was on us, the likelihood that they had heard my words was low, but still they watched us like hawks. Each member of the living council, all the Shadows (except the Ghost of course), every soldier, and yet, I couldn’t have cared less. Right now, all I needed was for boy whose stressed face I held in my hands  to nod. As I thought this, he did so.

I released Cardan completely and nodded curtly to Grima Mog. Cardan’s hand slid into mine in an instant and I squeezed it gently as we left the room briskly, Shadows in tow.

The trip to The Court of Shadows was quick and silent. I could hear Cardan’s quick and labored breathing as we walked. As we entered the room he broke free of my grasp and made a beeline for the liquor cabinet, grabbed a bottle of wine, leaving behind the glasses, slammed the cabinet shut and slumped into and ornate chair which once belonged to Prince Dain. The Bomb and Roach took their seats at the table and I took mine.

”So…” The Bomb began tentatively, “the plan is that I stay with The High Queen’s Camp while The Roach stays with The High King’s Camp.”

I nodded slowly while Cardan continued to guzzle wine from the bottle. The Roach looked at Cardan sympathetically, and gently took the bottle from him.

”Kid…” He said softly, “you gotta breathe, drowning yourself in wine won’t do any of us good.”

I stared at Cardan softly, until finally his eyes hit mine, they were slightly reddened, about the closest Cardan had come to tears in a long while. 

“Ever since… “ Cardan began quietly, speaking only to me although everything could hear, “ The Serpent Incident… I came so close to it, and the idea of not even feeling anger or pain, but rather simply nothing… it terrifies me Jude, shakes me to my very core.”

I rose from the table at once and crossed the floor to Cardan in five strides. I lifted him from Dain’s chair and pulled him into my chest. I heard the two Shadows leave the room quietly and quickly. Once again, Cardan held me as though I were the only solid thing in the world and he sobbed into me quietly. 

Eventually Cardan ceased crying and promptly, released me. He walked past Dain’s chair, pushing it aside, his disgust thinly veiled, and grabbed his own chair, setting it where Dain’s had previously stood, then he fetched my chair from the other end of the table and set it beside his own. Then he grabbed two glasses, and some Fae champagne from the liquor cabinet. Finally, he beckoned me to sit.

“Let us not dwell on past sorrows or the pain of the future, instead we shall drink ourselves into oblivion until the only visible thing is our victory.” Cardan toasted.

I raised my glass as well and began to drink the first of many glasses of champagne.

Over the night each glass turned to an equally intoxicating kiss until I found myself on top of Cardan on the chaise, kissing him languorously and rather unbothered by the fact everything was rather foggy. 

Suddenly and harshly Cardan broke the kiss and started at me, breathing hard.

”Don’t die Jude,” He said softly, before his mouth twisted into a mischievous grin, “it would be quite boring indeed to be sitting around controlling the weather for nothing.”

I laughed, a short laugh and wiped the smile from his lips with mine.

Chapter Text

Cardan and I’s armies split at the hill and waited for the Court of Glass to attack, I watched the sky as Cardan pushed clouds and summoned rain ahead of us where the other army was. I simply stared at the sky from atop my toad until finally I heard distant drums. So I ordered the army to advance. Finally we reached the Glass Army and the fighting began.

I sliced the head off of a wisp man and watched as his glass helmet shattered against the ground. Quickly I turned and stabbed a woman with Nightfell, and watched the blood sputter out of her mouth. I kept doing this, over and over. It was almost calming, to watch each foe fall before me, until I was surrounded by a ring of bodies that few dared to cross, I climbed to the top of the pile and looked across the battle field, I was not the only one who was lucky today, it was easy, every soldier dispatched without any difficulty. It was almost too easy.

I watched in silence as a young messenger sprinted towards me, his leather bag, covered in blood that was not his own.

“High Queen!” He said, in his high pitched, but loud voice, “The High King’s forces are being attacked, they can’t hold out much longer you must come at once!”

I jumped down from my pile of victory onto another glass soldier with a tinksquelch and ran towards the hill which separated Cardan and I’s troops. I could see it distantly, each step felt like walking on knives as the idea of Cardan’s death sunk in. Finally I reached the top of the hill Below was a visually similar scene. However, the piles of bodies wore silver and green with gold filigree, and atop them were glass soldiers. I picked Cardan’s figure out in an instant, he stood atop a parapet hands raised to the sky. Below him were his guard and the Roach, as well as many glass soldiers closing in. I sprinted down the hill, every glass soldier I encountered met a swift end, although it was much more difficult to do compared to  what I had been dealing with. I was about 50 yards from Cardan’s parapet when I heard his scream. I looked up from the glass soldier whose throat I had finally managed to slit. 

I could only watch as Cardan was dragged by the ankles from his parapet by two glass soldiers. I sprinted to him, each soldier who stood before me, died swiftly, I never once stopped, every movement was fluid. Finally I reached the carnage at the base of the parapet. 

Blood. Everywhere, nothing but blood and bodies, I hadn’t even noticed that The Bomb had followed me all the way here until now. I heard her shrill scream and watched in horror as she sprinted to The Roach’s form, the goblin choked on his own blood as he tried to breathe until the pixie lifted him to a seated position and he  vomited blood. I tore my eyes from the scene and resumed searching for Cardan. Finally I found him, he was being dragged by the ankles by the two glass soldiers, and he was unconscious, and blood dripped from his head. I calculated an attack in an inhale and with an exhale I executed it. I sprang up onto the parapet and scaled it swiftly. Then I jumped from it and landed directly behind the two glass soldiers who were dragging Cardan. As they both turned to me I slit each of their throats in one swing. The two fell to the ground and released Cardan’s ankles as they went limp.

I quickly knelt beside Cardan and listened to his chest.

………………Thump ……Thump …Wheeze Thump …Thump Shudder 

I nearly collapsed onto him from joy, but I couldn’t, the anguish on his sleeping face remained and so I lifted him from the ground with some difficulty and then carried him to the nearest tent. 

I threw open the flap, my sword drawn, and Cardan slung over my shoulder

“I want shelter and medical supplies or I kill every last man, woman and child in here.” I said with the most strength I could muster.

However, I was rather shaken when I was met with a very worried Grima Mog and four cots, one of which was filled with The Roach who was shaking in the Bomb’s arms as he continued to cough blood into a pail. 

Grima Mog turned to me and audibly gasped before rushing towards us, “Thank Mab you’re both alive, I’ll get you bandages and medicine, is he awake?”

I shook my head as I laid Cardan onto a bed beside the Roach’s and Grima Mog promptly delivered the requested items.

I tenderly cleaned and wrapped Cardan’s head wound and popped each ankle back into place as they had been dislocated by the glass soldiers. Then I wiped all of the dirt from him with a wet rag, and finally dressed him in a loose nightgown.

Finally, I pushed my cot as close to his as I could without them touching so I couldn’t hurt him by accident in my sleep, and then I laid in my cot, my eyes never shut that night, all I could do was stare at the boy beside me and watch him breathe. I wasn’t going to let him die.

In the morning Grima Mog informed me we had driven off the Court of Glass’ forces and I needed to make a statement to the troops, and also tell them that Cardan was hurt.

I stepped out of the tent, and climbed to the top of the parapet, before finally I allowed my voice to carry over the crowd below.

”ATTENTION,” I shouted, and every soldier turned and stood stock still and silent facing me, “troops of Elfhame, we have won this battle!” The soldiers all seemed to lighten, “However that does not mean we will win the war, do not get sloppy. This was a close call. In fact, your High King is lying in bed, injured and as of yet has not awoken. We will continue moving in two weeks time. DISMISSED.”

I climbed down from the parapet and sprinted back into the tent and fell to my knees at Cardan’s side and held his hand against my face, it was still warm and I felt his pulse in his wrist and I sobbed into the bedding.