The Anxiety of Kalix the Werewolf (44 page)

It was an awkward moment, as Verasa had known it would be. The Mistress of the Werewolves had not visited Colburn Woods for a long
time. She knew the Fairy Queen would be offended.

“You exaggerate, Dithean. It's not
hundreds
of years.”

“It's a very long time.”

“It is. I apologize.” The Mistress of the Werewolves was finding the conversation with the small fairy difficult. “Could you make us the same size?”

“Of course,” said Dithean. “Big or small?”

“Big, if you don't mind. I don't think I could cope with small any more.”

Queen Dithean laughed again, quite mockingly. “What happened to you, Verasa MacRinnalch? You used to love coming here and playing as a fairy.”

The Fairy Queen made a slight movement with her hand and immediately became the same size as Verasa. They stood facing each other on the path. The Fairy Queen's long golden hair swayed gently in the breeze.

“So,” said Dithean. “Here we are. One human-sized fairy and one werewolf in human shape. And what does the werewolf want from the fairies, after neglecting us for so long?”

“Could we go somewhere a bit less thorny? With somewhere to sit?”

“Are you tired?”

“Yes. I'm not the same young werewolf that used to play with the fairies, Dithean.”

“I'd say you were still quite vigorous,” said Queen Dithean, leading Verasa along the path. “Vigorous enough not to have ignored me for so long.”

Verasa realized that the Fairy Queen was not going to drop the subject easily. She understood why. The MacRinnalch werewolves were friends and allies of the fairies of Colburn Woods. They had a shared history, and their roots extended far back in time. They had many connections. It was from the pure water of the burn running through the wood that the MacRinnalchs obtained the water to distil their whisky. The fairies had assisted the MacRinnalchs in difficult times. Their Queen did not like to be taken for granted.

“Not all the MacRinnalchs ignore us, of course,” said Dithean. “Why, not long ago we were honored by a visit from many of your clan, and the MacAllisters too.”

The Fairy Queen halted and turned to look accusingly at the Mistress of the Werewolves. “They fought, and there was death and bloodshed in my forest.”

“Yes . . . we're very sorry about that. The feud, you know. Many
regrettable incidents occurred.”

“I do not expect the MacRinnalchs to spread fear and destruction in my land.”

“I'm sorry. I understood Clan Secretary Rainal sent you reparations.”

“MacRinnalch gold is not as welcome as MacRinnalch respect. Why has the new Thane not been to visit me?”

Again, it was a difficult topic. Verasa knew that Markus should have visited Queen Dithean. Markus was aware of it too. But somehow, other things kept getting in the way.

“I'm sorry, Dithean, it's remiss of us. But life outside, it's different these days. There's so much to take care of.”

The Fairy Queen sniffed. “I am aware of life outside the woods. And I know more about Markus than you might suppose. He could have made time to visit me.”

“I promise he'll come soon.”

The Fairy Queen did not look assuaged. She tossed her long blonde hair as she turned and led Verasa on. They emerged into a clearing. Whether it was the Queen's Dell or another space, Verasa couldn't tell. A young fox was drinking from a small pond, and glanced up as they arrived. Verasa and Dithean sat on a natural shelf on the grass. The fox ignored them and carried on drinking. The glade was sheltered from the wind, and warm in the sun. Verasa caught glimpses of a few other fairies in the trees. She wondered if she might know any of them. She had once been a frequent visitor.

“That was a long time ago,” said the Fairy Queen, reading her thoughts.

The Mistress of the Werewolves felt a tinge of annoyance. “Dithean, are you going to spend my whole visit lecturing me? I'm sorry I've ignored you. I can't do anything to change that now. And if I haven't visited, I haven't let the clan forget you either. We keep up our payments for your water.”

“True. Though you are not the only ones willing to pay for the pure water that flows through my woods.”

Verasa felt herself bridling, though she controlled it. In recent times the Hiyasta Fire Queen had also paid in gold for the water from the woods, using it in her potions of youth and regeneration. The Fire Queen regarded it as the purest liquid in any dimension. The Mistress of the Werewolves did not like the arrangement, though she knew it was entirely up to the Fairy Queen whom she did business with.

“The Hiyasta take only tiny amounts,” said Dithean. “It doesn't interfere with the flow of the stream. Or your whisky production.”

The fox trotted off into the trees. The glade was silent.

“I'm worried about Markus,” said Verasa abruptly.

“Markus? Why? I understood that he was now secure as Thane.”

“He is. But . . .” Verasa paused, and an expression of unbearable sadness settled on her features. She stared into the pool and shook her head.

“He's going to go and fight in London. He'll be killed, I know it. I can't bear to lose him.”

CHAPTER 82

The Empress Kabachetka was leading her entourage along the corridor toward the west reception room when she was intercepted by Adviser Bakmer.

“Empress! Queen Malveria is here!”

“Malveria? Ridiculous. Have you been drinking already?”

“She is here, Great Empress. I saw her, in the company of a blonde-haired woman with a strange aura.”

“How strange?”

“Very strange. Not human.”

“Thrix MacRinnalch!” cried the Empress. “Thrix and Malveria have dared to invade my ball! I will soon put a stop to this.”

A flame shot from the Empress's hand as she prepared to confront her enemies. She found herself halted by Distikka, who dragged her back.

“What is this, Distikka? You put your hand on the Empress?”

“We're in a hotel in London where people don't normally shoot flames at each other. Your new friends at
Vogue
are going to find it strange if they see it, which they will.”

The Empress considered this. “You are right. I must control my mighty flame. But what is the meaning of this, Distikka? Why have these people come? Are they here to sabotage my event?”

“I doubt it,” said Distikka. “I'd say it was more likely they're here to spy on us.”

“To spy? Yes, sneaking and spying is quite in character for the appalling Fire Queen and her unspeakable werewolf companion. Well, they shall get no information from me.”

The young Empress addressed her followers. “Everyone is to remain calm. Do not shoot flames in public.” She composed herself, and continued along the corridor. “But I will kill them in private if they do try any sabotage,” she muttered to Distikka. “I'm more powerful now than the last time I encountered Malveria. I have my mother's spells, and the power of the volcano. Malveria may find herself burned to a cinder, and the world would thank me for getting rid of her.”

In a small dressing room beside the west reception room, Kalix sat quite passively while Thrix applied the finishing touches to her makeup. It was an unwelcome experience, but Kalix had made up her mind to accept the inevitable indignities of the evening as calmly as she could. Aiding her in this was a large dose of laudanum.

I really hate my sister, she thought. But I don't care at the moment.

Kalix was extremely pale. There were traces of dark shadows beneath her eyes; less than before, though still noticeable. The scars on her arms and legs were also noticeable. Thrix was aware of this. Rather to her shame, she didn't mind.

“So I'm sending out a model who's underweight, scarred and probably drugged. It's not like it's the first time. And she does look good.”

Thrix's professional interest had begun to outweigh her personal feelings. Kalix looked quite special. With her wild beauty, her wide mouth, her perfect cheekbones, her scars, her scrawny frame, her deathly pallor, her long hair tousled like a river in flood, she was certainly going to stand out from the crowd. Most of the other models, amateurs helping out for the night, had the wholesome look of well-fed and wealthy young women. Kalix was nothing like them. And while St. Amelia's Ball, as a friendly charity function, was not really the place for causing outrage, Thrix never minded drawing attention to her clothes.

If I get lucky, some rich sponsor will object to Kalix and make a fuss. There's nothing like a bit of scandal for getting your clothes in magazines
.

Daniel stood at the door, peering out of the dressing room into the main hall outside.

“What are you looking at?” asked Vex.

“The other male models. I'm checking how good-looking they are. There's one over there who's quite good-looking. I don't like him.”

Vex squeezed herself into the doorway. “He's not that good-looking. His nose is funny.”

“Is it? You're right. What a weird nose. I feel better now. And look, that guy next to him is fat. I've got a much better body than him.”

Vex grinned. “You'll be fine.”

Daniel stared at her. “Right about now you'd normally say something tactless and make me feel bad.”

“That's so unfair! I'm never tactless. You look fine, Daniel; you'll be a good model.”

The Fire Queen, resplendent in her evening dress, approached the doorway.

“What are you whispering about, dismal niece?”

“Daniel's worried in case the other models are more handsome than him. But they're not. Apart from the boy in the black jacket, he's really handsome.”

Malveria peered out the door. “He is, isn't he? Very striking. And his companion is rather good-looking too.”

“You're right,” agreed Agrivex. “He's really attractive. But if Daniel just stays away from them he'll be fine.”

Vex turned to Daniel. “Try to stand next to the fat one.”

But Daniel had gone, retreating to the back of the room. He was already intimidated by the opulence of his surroundings, and had been since walking in through the entrance of the Lancaster Hotel, with its liveried doormen and rows of carefully cultivated bushes sheltering it from the main road. The room assigned to them for their preparations was more luxurious than anything Daniel had ever encountered, though it was a very minor room in the hotel. It had a gray marble floor, paintings on the walls, some highly polished furniture and elegant flower arrangements. Daniel feared that he might break something, and attempted not to look intimidated. No one else seemed to be affected. The Fire Queen was used to luxury, and Vex had been raised in a palace. As for Thrix, she'd been to this hotel in the Strand before. Dominil wasn't used to luxurious surroundings, he supposed, though she might have frequented some wealthy establishments as a student at Oxford. But he didn't suppose she would be intimidated by anything anyway. She was sitting quietly, reading a book. She looked up as Thrix spoke to her.

“It's time for your makeup.”

Dominil remained silent as Thrix descended on her with her extensive array of cosmetics. Thrix seemed enlivened by the task. “I've been wanting to do this for a long time.”

“As have I!” cried the Fire Queen, rushing to join them. “Dominil's lack of makeup is quite terrifying. It is high time it was rectified.”

“I'm glad you've decided to assist with something,” said Dominil dryly.

“Empress Kabachetka is here,” said Vex. “She just came in.”

Dominil looked up. “Please hurry, Thrix. I want to examine our enemies.”

“Plenty of time for that,” said Thrix. “We've got a whole fashion show and a ball to get through. Just keep still while I do your eyes.”

There was a sudden crash as a jar of flowers fell from a table onto the floor.

“I didn't do it!” said Daniel immediately.

“Agrivex!” cried the Fire Queen. “Control yourself!”

“Sorry, Aunty.”

“You are not in my palace now, vile girl. Sit down and attempt not to break things. Really, it will be a miracle if we escape this establishment before my niece burns it to the ground.”

Far too quickly for Daniel's liking, they were ready for the fashion show. Daniel didn't feel ready. “I can't do it. I feel sick. It's this hotel, it's too rich. Everything's all . . .” Daniel struggled for the word.

“Opulent,” said Dominil. “It's an interesting mix of Edwardian and art deco. But I see no reason to be intimidated.”

“Isn't it a bit intimidating when you know you're surrounded by people who're all rich and you're not?”

“Not unless you allow it to be,” said Dominil.

Daniel wasn't reassured. “I can't help it. I've got this feeling the minute I walk out there everyone will point and laugh.”