Chapter III
When they reached the guest room Queen Mab had been given, she stood back and Bernard opened the door for her. She waltzed in, head high, and he followed, shaking his head slightly, and then closing and locking the door behind him.
As soon as he shut the door, the queen sat down on the bed and sighed, her face finally betraying her weariness.
"Do you think the boy will agree, Bernard?"
He thought for a moment. Charlie was rebellious, and stubborn, like his father. However, he had also always been more in tune with the magical community.
Bernard also knew that Mab's daughter, Fia, was ill, and if she did not find a husband soon to awaken the rest of her Sidhe magic, she may die. Mab had left out this information not because Charlie could catch the illness (he couldn't), but because she didn't want Charlie to feel obligation. It wouldn't help Fia if he didn't really love her, and besides, Sidhe hated feeling as though they owed anyone anything.
Still, Bernard knew about Fia's illness, and he knew Charlie. He could probably persuade the boy to at least meet her, and the rest would likely follow.
"I think he will agree to meet her."
"I see," said Mab, coming to the same conclusion Bernard had. "After which, he will agree."
He didn't bother to reply; she'd made up her mind and the point had become moot.
"Thank you for your counsel. You are always insightful."
"Thank you, your majesty."
"You know you do not have to call me that when we're alone, Bernard," she said, standing and reaching behind herself to untie her dress.
He ducked his head, blushing slightly. He'd had the feeling the time had come when she would ask him for this. The Sidhe were so . . .
The Sidhe Queen paused, watching him critically.
"You needn't look so ashamed. I would not ask you to do something you want so badly not to do," she said, turning away. He almost missed the hurt look on her still very young-looking face.
"I- It isn't that you aren't beautiful, your maje- er . . ."
"I see . . ." she answered, still facing the window.
"You are. Very beautiful. It's just . . ." What could he say that wouldn't hurt her further? "You have so many other *Sidhe* companions, I . . . I couldn't possibly compare-"
"I no longer keep such companions, Bernard. You would know this if you ever visited your Court."
He ducked his head further. She was right; it was shameful how long it had been since he had attended Court.
She turned back to him, her face softened.
"I do not mean to reprimand you harshly; I understand that you have many important responsibilities here, and you have obviously done an excellent job. I only mean to tell you that you are missed, and you have missed the new rumors."
He looked up, startled. Why would she want him to have heard the new rumors? She saw this look and sent him a half-smile.
"They say that your Queen has become . . . *aloof.*"
He chuckled aloud with her at the absurdity of this; her aloofness was nothing new, or unknown. However, that this was "news" to the Unseelie community meant that she really must have turned away her other companions.
"But . . . why would you go without companionship? Sidhe live on that kind of . . . contact."
Mab smiled sadly and sighed.
"2000 years is a very long time to go without a true partner."
"Then . . . you are also looking for a husband?"
"I am not actively seeking a husband . . . But I do hope to find one."
"I see," he said, averting his eyes. But he didn't see. If she was hoping to find a husband, and had turned away her companions, why would she seek his company in her bedroom? Unless . . . His eyes widened slightly, and he looked at her questioningly.
She blushed, something he'd never seen her do - nor had anyone else probably ever seen her do.
"I spoke without understanding of my daughter's wish to seek only Charlie's company, in hopes that he would be hers. That she wouldn't want anyone else. But I understand more than I would like to admit."
The elf looked at her for a moment, puzzled. Cryptic as she'd been, her meaning was clear.
"But . . . why me?"
She looked away for a moment, then looked him in the eyes, her own silver eyes wide.
"Why not you?"
"I . . . I'm just a Christmas Elf."
His Queen laughed.
"You are that, Bernard, but you are so much more than that inside. And since you have reached physical maturity . . . We have known each other for centuries, Bernard. Yet, I will never understand how you do not see all that I see in you."