I woke to a dog giving my face an unneeded bath. I slowly got up, saying,
"Ugh, Hell's bells, Mouse, can't a Winter Knight get any sleep?" I then jumped up, remembering an important piece of information about the massive dog.
Mouse, aren't you supposed to be with...Maggie?" I said my daughter's name slowly, casting out my senses to check for unwanted spying spells. Finding none, I started asking questions with an intensity that bordered on hysteria.
"Is she ok? Is she hurt!? Does she need me? Where is she, what's wrong?" I started to take a breath to ask more questions, but was interrupted by an ice-cold voice coming from the main room of my suite in Arctis Tor, the capital of the Winter Court. The voice was familiar, and not in a good "oh hello, it's me, your favorite relative". This voice more said " hi it's me, the guy who killed your puppy. The voice said, "Your spawn is fine for now, my Knight, but for how long remains to be seen." It was the voice of Mab, the Winter Queen, and, for now at least, my boss. I got up and walked into the room, giving Mab a not-quite glare. "What has happened to my daughter, Mab?" I made sure to keep my voice almost hostile without being outright rude. It was a skill I had mastered after a few months in Arctis Tor. The Queen of Air and Darkness just smiled, an expression that put me on edge. If Mab was happy, someone else was about to be not happy. "You shall address me as Queen Mab when in my presence, my Knight. If you humble yourself, perhaps I shall share some information about your spawn."
I briefly wondered if Mab had done something to Maggie herself, but discarded it after deciding it was too blunt for Mab. I considered smart-assing Mab til she coughed it up, but decided to hold it in, for now(shocking, I know). I was not, however, going to beg for this.
"Mab," I said, stressing the name, "tell me where my daughter is right now."
She gave me another smile. I knew she didn't want me for obedience, but the smiles were starting to creep me out. "But of course, my Knight. Your spawn is in the hands of the naagloshii you faced but three years ago."
Sorry about the short chapter, the others will be longer. Please review. constructive criticism is welcomed. I want to know what all of you think is best. next chapter after ten reviews. The action doesn't pick up til chapter four. hang in there!
