Short chapter!
They stopped at a door, six times the size of all the others, embellished with thousands upon thousands of precious metals and jewels. Grah nodded and four of his team moved to push them open. Bibi was marched in, given barely seconds to register the vast expanse of this mountainous room, as richly decorated as everything else. She saw two thrones at the top, only one occupied. The woman sat there, ethereal in her beauty, sharp in her attitude, but in extreme contrast to the room. Her dress was a simple gown, laced bodice and sleeves, softly glimmering like freshly fallen snow. Her eyes were just as cold, silvery blonde hair pulled taut in a twist of braids and pins, converging into an impossible combination reaching the floor.
"Queen Atala, forgive our intrusions." Grah dropped to one knee, clamping his fist over his heart and bowing. The others copied, two forcing Bibi into the same position.
"It is with due cause. Imp, why do you feel you can come here?"
"I… I had…"
"Speak up, you vile creature." Bibi had to clamp her hands together, struggling to contain the reactive energy, her temper bubbling. Gritting her teeth, she shook her head, pushing away whoever's hand was there.
"I followed a mark."
"So it says." Grah retorted under his breath. He informed his queen, Angea summoned upon to verify the details. The Queen said nothing when he finished, running a contemplative finger over pale lips. She lounged on her throne, one leg folded neatly over the other, free arm draped over the arm, fingers spiralling with an unseen force.
"Show me." She eventually called. Bibi stood before the Guards could react, ripping her gauntlet off and thrusting her arm out. The Queen tipped her head up a fraction, quirking a brow. "As you said, Grah. Incomplete and incompetent."
"What do you wish for us to do, Your Majesty? Should we summon the Council?"
"No need."
"I thought it was your Law?" Bibi inquired immediately. A blow to the back of her leg dropped her to one knee. "Grah said that's what you did." She growled, clenching his fist.
"You come here, trespassing and frightening my people and have the bare-faced gall to question our methods?" The Queen rose, her mass of her braided hair falling behind her shoulder. Sparks crackled from her skin, fury an inferno behind the previous mask. "I should have your head for that."
"My Queen?" Grah seemed to enjoy that idea. Bibi cricked her neck, glaring up at him. "Should we-?"
"No. Not yet." She swept towards them, bringing with her the sweet scents of summer days and a cool breeze. Grabbing at Bibi's wrist, she began humming to herself, her fingertip tracing her lower lip once more. "The fairy you saw at the lake that day? What was he like?"
"Female." Bibi remarked hotly. A collective hiss rose, the Queen's expression mirroring their disgust.
"That is-"
"Perfectly normal." Bibi shot across, snatching her hand away. "I've come here to learn what this means and find the fairy to figure out our next move."
"You will do no such thing!" The Queen rose to her full height, pink splodges angrily shading her cheekbones. "Remove its tongue, that should teach it to mind its manners."
"Yes, my Queen."
"No!" Angea flew up until she was eye to eye with the royal. "Your Majesty, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but would peace not be better? For thousands of winters, the Fae and the Imps have collided countless times. The consequences, bloody, the loss, beyond words. If this Imp is destined for a fairy, surely it is proof the two of you can live harmoniously?"
"Dryad, you speak whimsical dreams of nonsense. I will not burden any of my people with such a creature, especially one consider an exile amongst its own kind. Do not look so surprised, beast. Nothing happens in this kingdom without my hearing about it."
"Wouldn't happen to know anyone with an Imp mark, would you?" Bibi tried. Atala's eyes flashed dangerously and her hand lashed out, striking Bibi across the cheek. A stunned silence blotted the room.
"Take its hands too."
"Yes, your Majesty." Grah bowed again. Angea tried to protest.
"Do not seal your fate too, dryad."
"Don't." Bibi said, sensing Angea's frustration as two guards pinned her arms. "I'm sorry I dragged you into this, go home and forget this ever happened."
"But-"
"Please, Angea. I appreciate your help, but we knew this before we left." Tears welled in the dryad's eyes. She squeaked a sob, floating forward to rest her tiny forehead on Bibi's. "Tell my family." Bibi breathed, feeling Angea nod. "Go." She urged. Angea hiccuped and zipped from the room.
Looking up, Bibi met the Queen's gaze defiantly. For a moment, Atala was stunned, but another look swam over her features before quickly being replaced with her earlier rage.
"Release her."
"My… my Queen?" Grah stammered, lowering his sword defeatedly.
"Your family."
"Leave them alone."
"Your mother, a water imp too? By the name of Isa?"
"You… know-?" Bibi stumbled. "How-?" She cut off. The Guards were speaking in their own tongue, but she understood the panic in their tone. Atala raised her hand and they fell silent, tense.
"Take her back to her side of the border. Rest assured, I will not be so lenient if you were to return, imp." She turned away. Bibi, stunned beyond belief, was dragged from the room. The walk back did not take so long as she did not recognise any of it, remembering nothing of the return until she reached the lake.
"Go and never come back." Grah warned, he and the others levelling their swords at her.
"How does your queen know my mother?" They stayed quiet. "Do you know her?" The blades pinched in closer. Bibi glowered, turning to the water. Angea blasted into her face, sobbing hysterical and clinging to her hair. Bibi walked across the lake with the dryad nesting miserably in her hair, the Fae boring holes in the back of her head. Crossing the magic border, feeling the return of Imp energy, she sighed. Her head instantly felt clearer, the ache between her shoulders starting to dissipate.
"I thought you were- Bibi, I'm sorry, I-" Angea wailed. Bibi reached up and carefully picked her up, holding her gently in her hands.
"You were great back there, hermana. I owe you a favour now. Please stop crying, we're safe this side."
"Y-you-you ar-are ne-never allo-allowed to c-c-cross a-a-again!" She demanded, hiccupping. Bibi smiled softly.
"Yes ma'am."
"Excuse me?" The pair shrieked and scrambled away. Whirling round, any curses they had ready were dropped in disbelief.
The other side of the border, as close to the crossing as she dared, was the singing fairy.