The Consort
The Consort
~*~*~
Once upon a time King Finvarra was childless and he searched through all the land for a potion that would grant him and his Queen an heir. For at that time he loved his Queen deeply and longed to be bound to her by a child. So the Sidhe King searched the lands of men and the lands of the Underground for an aid in their quest. Every witch and every wizard who wanted glory offered a potion or a bobble that should cure.
With each failure the King grew more and more furious. He began to punish those that did not bring him an heir, some escaped with just scars but others, their bones littered the darkness of the Sidhe Court. Eventually a goblin witch came forward; her only request was to marry a Sidhe noble and to escape the Goblin Court. It was agreed.
Months later the Queen was with child but the King conveniently forgot about the goblin witch who brought about that miracle. As so often in the Faerie world, the King forgot his promise but the goblin witch did not. She was to return to a family of stronger and more abusive family who would kill her for her aid of the Sidhe King and Queen. The scorned witch made sure to leave a parting gift for the King’s heir in the form of the curse.
A son was born, Leofwin, the first born Prince, eldest child of Finvarra. As the boy grew he was the epitome of the Sidhe Court until he became a man. Once Leofwin was grown it was discovered that his lusts were not for the soft skin of Sidhe women but for the rough skin and dark hides of the Goblin women. It was the shame of the Sidhe Court. For a long time the nobles were able to turn a blind eye to the Prince’s actions until the day he fell in love.
Prince Leofwin fell in love with a half-Human, half-Spider Goblin named Nesta when he was still under a century of age. This may not have been a great issue, King Finvarra could ignore a goblin mistress, but Nesta was married to a Goblin Lord. The affair between the Sidhe Prince and the Lady was quickly discovered and the Goblin Lord demanded a duel. The terms were drawn and the Prince quickly slew his romantic competition, sadly before he could claim Nesta as his own she was slain by her husband’s kin.
King Finvarra was which to pull his son from the field before he could start war. The Prince was exiled from the Sidhe Court as punishment. For two thousand years Prince Leofwin would be banned from all Faerie courts, once that time passed he would be welcomed back into his court as Prince again.
~*~*~
The reason I told you that story was because I wanted to tell you my story. I am the Sidhe Blooded named Ash the daughter of Fanged-doll and Star-child. My father is the son of a human hero and a Spider Goblin Duchess named The Great Eight Soul Eater. My mother is the child of a human fisherman and a Sidhe Lady named Solianna. I am the older sister to the Sidhe Blooded named Cinder.
Cinder and I were the opposing sides of the same coin. Cinder was all that was great in our Goblin blood while I was all that was great in our Sidhe blood. Cinder was gifted with the skin, hair, fangs, talons, strength, and durability of the Goblins while I was graced with Goblin coloring. I was gifted with the skin, hair, face, and magics of the Sidhe while Cinder was graced with the Sidhe coloring.
Cinder had eight eyes the color of the hottest fire with six on her face and two in the back of her head, hair like copper in color and consistency, pearlescent skin the texture of sharkskin, and four sets of fangs with caustic poison that was acid in the air but could render a creatures internal organs to soup while keeping the skin like a leather canteen. She is a master of only one form of magic, fire, but she was so powerful that even I had to be impressed and few magics impressed me. My sister was a sculptor of anything that could be melted or overpowered by heat. Her long, black talons were her best artistic tool. While she had six eyes on her face, they were lovely, even thought they were four across and two upon her forehead. I love my sister and I see her beauty.
I bear only two eyes containing no white with only the color matching Cinder’s, my hair is soft as silk but black as the darkest night, my skin is blue-grey velvet, my magic is of the highest power in all the Sidhe court, and my face is high cheek-boned with sculpted features of the Sidhe. My own fangs are only four in number, all so small that most are unaware that they exist but all have heard of my powerful neurotoxin venom. I bear two sets of nails, one as humans and as both my human grandfathers’ were, the other talons that slip into the tips of my fingers when not needed, both sets are black as my hair. I am more spider in my art for I can weave and sew better than any other member of the Sidhe nobility.
My sister and I were separated as children and raised by very different guardians and teachers. I was given to the magical tricksters Lord Puck and Lord Anansi, our father’s half-brother. Cinder was given to the Slaugh where it was assumed she would be killed. Fortunately for my sister, she was not a meal for the Slaugh but one of their best students.
My family has been brought together for the first time that I can remember and neither Cinder nor I were thrilled about it. Mostly because everyone knows that the King’s Goblin-loving son is returning to court after two thousand years of exile.
~*~*~
I stared at my family as we filled in the small meeting hall of Solianna’s house. From the expression on my grandmother’s face she was not happy. My father and mother were still embracing, they did not get to see each other often, my Uncle Anansi looked nervous, and my sister looked suspicious.
“Grandmother, a pleasure to see you,” I said as I bowed before Solianna, she returned the gesture, bowing slightly lower since I was a Lady of my own power while she was a Lady of birth. “Since everyone seems content to keep their thoughts to themselves, I shall ask, why for have you called our family together, it must be important since you included my father’s brother.” Solianna sighed as she reached out to grasp my hand and then Cinders. Our hands seemed monstrous when compared to hers, Cinder’s because of her talons and mine because of my coloring.
“Prince Leofwin is to return home,” my grandmother said and I blinked, I could remember the story easily, all the Goblin-blooded Sidhe found humor in the fact the King’s heir was a Goblin lover.
“What? Two thousand years already, time does fly,” Cinder said in a snide tone and I gave her a look, locking our minds with the scent of danger. “What have I not thought of, Dearest Sister?”
“The Ball, the Royal Ball that all unwed Ladies must attend tomorrow night,” I whispered and Cinder’s eyes all widened before narrowing. “It may be a Consort Ball.”
“It can’t be, there hasn’t been a Consort Ball in the last eight hundred years!” she hissed and we both looked to Solianna. Our grandmother’s face was haunted, making her look older.
Anansi began to squeak and chirp in the language of the Spider Goblins and I was glad my mother and grandmother didn’t know what he was saying. It was very unflattering to the King and his line. My father moved to Anansi to pat his back, I watched as my father unwound his extra four arms from his torso to wrap around his brother, gently tapping Anansi on the back and sides.
“I am afraid the King as ordered the ball to be a Consort Ball for Prince Leofwin. King Finvarra in his wisdom has decided that should Prince Leofwin choose a consort she should at least be a Lady of the Sidhe,” Solianna sighed and I looked at Cinder and we stared at each other.
“Pus eating son of a diseased bladder snake!” Cinder cried and I wondered if such a thing existed.
“What does one do to get thrown out of a Ball?” I wondered and Solianna shook her head.
“Whispers have reached my ears, Granddaughters, Prince Leofwin has been in the court for months already, very few remember the actual day he was exiled and the King is only now holding the Ball for his homecoming,” she said and I blinked, trying to desperately remember any new faces in the court, but I paid such little attention to those that sat at the tables for the Nobility by blood.
“Trice damned be the King and his line,” I muttered as I looked to Cinder. “He’s already aware of the Lady he wishes to claim as Consort, this ball is just to make it official.” Cinder’s eyes glowed with the star-fire in her blood.
“By the layers of Hell I will not be the concubine of some spoiled Goblin-loving Prince!” she roared and I looked at Solianna.
“Who does he wish?” I asked and she shook her head.
“I do not know, but the whispers have indicated the Goblin-blooded granddaughters of my line,” she said with a heavy sigh and I placed a hand over my grandmother’s.
“It will be fine, Grandmother, Cinder and I can be very good and making men change their minds about us,” I grinned and she smiled slightly.
“Just remember, you can’t hurt the Prince,” with that said, Cinder and I had permission to make the Prince regret trying to make one of us his consort.
~*~*~
The Ball was lavish and the ballroom was filled with Sidhe, some of whom I did not even know. It would make picking out the Prince even harder and I shook my head as I entered by Cinder’s side. I work a gown of black, my pitch black locks were lost against the fabric. It clung to my body like a second skin, showing off that I appeared Sidhe in body. I felt bad since Cinder had more physical extras, but I was going to play to win. Cinder wore her copper armor, making it obvious that she preferred to be pointy and draw blood. I noticed that the armor still had some blood on it from her last use of it.
“Welcome to Prince Leofwin’s Homecoming Ball,” a young man said at the door as we entered and I didn’t recognize him. I snorted as I walked past.
“You mean Consort Ball, of all the old traditions to be remembered, why such a ceremony as to choose a whore for the Prince from amongst the Ladies of the court,” I said in a snide tone.
“Worthless practice if you ask me, Dear Sister, we should just do as the Spider Goblins do, let him breed and then kill him at climax,” Cinder laughed and I chuckled.
“Well it would have to be in his bed since I don’t want to bloody my sheets,” I laughed as we walked on.
Most of the party goers were reveling but I noted that many of the Goblin-blooded were clinging to the walls or in groups. Cinder and I were travelling through the room together when I saw a familiar form in the shadows. I smiled as I brought Cinder with me as I approached the Slaugh in the corner.
“Lord Riordan, good evening to you,” I said as I saw the Slaugh Lord who had my favor. I was pleased to see he still wore the lock of my hair around his wrist. His eyes flashed as he looked over me.
“Lady Ash, always a pleasure,” he captured my hand and brought it to his lips. I felt electric sparks fly down my spine from my scalp. For a moment we were the only two beings in the ballroom but the spell ended and we pulled apart as I greeted his companions and he greeted Cinder. I could feel her irritation. Cinder cared little for the Slaugh even though they raised her.
“Riordan, I’m shocked you are here, why would the Slaugh come to this event?” Cinder asked and I wanted to laugh at her hostility.
“The Sidhe King requested the presence of the Slaugh and our King sent us to represent him,” Riordan stated as he looked beyond us. A man was approaching us, tall, eyes the green of rich grass, hair the color of gold, and skin with a light dusting of sunlight. I had never seen him before but I could feel the power of the magic in him, he could be powerful or he could have been made using powerful magics. My eyes widened as I recognized the taste of Spider Goblin magic on him and I knew who he was. Riordan and Cinder followed my gaze and I knew they we not aware of him.
“Welcome to my Ball Lady Ash, Lady Cinder, Lords of the Slaugh,” he said in a rich voice, if sound could have taste his would be the most sinful chocolate. Chocolate being the aphrodisiac of choice for the Fey for those that don’t know. While he spoke to all of us he kept his green eyes on me and I could sense Riordan’s anger growing behind me.
“Prince Leofwin,” I bowed deeply in respect and I felt those around me follow my lead and a hand caught my chin bringing my face back up to his.
“You are quite lovely,” he said and I was forced to respond.
“Thank you, my Prince,” I managed without growling. He looked pleased as he offered his arm and I stared at him. “How may I help you?” He laughed and the sound was like a lover’s caress over my body and I wondered what glamour he was trying on me.
“You amuse me, Lady Ash, you know why you all are here, you are my chosen,” he said and I sensed Cinder grabbing Riordan’s wrist behind me, blocking his rage with her own body. Rage burned inside of me, but I could not attack the King’s heir.
“I assume to mean you have chosen me as your dance partner, my Prince,” I hissed and his smile grew more.
“You are truly more Goblin than you look,” he whispered as he leaned close. “Guess again what I chose you for. I already heard you call it.”
“You wish me for you consort,” I stated slowly growing aware of the crowd of Nobles around us.
“Yes, you Sidhe-Blooded Ash, Goblin-Blooded Ninth Soul, are the woman I have chosen as my Royal Consort, you shall move into the palace after the Ball,” Leofwin said and I wanted to scream in rage but I smiled instead.
“You may have chosen me to be yours, but I will not give you my body so easily,” I smiled. It was an ancient practice, choosing a consort, but I had learned my history well. “I will be your consort only in duty, not in pleasure.” I took his arm and I could see Leofwin was not deterred, if anything I could see the challenge making him more interested and I cursed my luck. I could not refuse the duty of consort: escorting the prince, spending time with him, and being his companion, but I could refuse him my body, my blood, and my magic. He had hoped I was too young to know the practice.
“I hadn’t counted on you being so well read, Lady Ash,” he whispered as he held out his hand for the waltz. I took the offered hand and he pulled me close to his body so I could feel how excited he was by this game.
“You only know that I am the child of a half-Spider Goblin,” I whispered as we began to dance and I thanked Anansi and Puck for teaching me according to the old school, I would need to use all of my trickery and sly to keep Leofwin from claiming my body.
I caught Riordan’s eye as I danced with the Prince and he kissed his favor, before nodding at me. At least the one I had thought to choose as a lover knew I was not happy with my forced position as consort.
~*~*~*~
Ash demanded some attention so I gave it to her, this is the main issue she will have to deal with. The prince with a Goblin fetish trying to trick her into his bed. Not that great a main story line but it does make a good side story line. Especially with Riordan off on the sidelines. I don't know who to root for because you don't know just how bad the prince can be. After all it was Mae West who said "When I'm good, I'm very very good, and when I'm bad, I'm better."