A/N: For Mother's day.

Chapter VI

The Unseelie Court was not usually a quiet place. It was commonly alive with laughter, and, more often than not, sex. Queen Mab had partaken in the amusements of her people until she decided to rid herself of her Sidhe sexual companions. She had, since then, become somewhat sullen at the nightly Court affair.

This night was no different. Mab sat on her throne, almost slouching, her chin in one hand and the other hand drumming on the arm of the stone chair. Then, the Unseelie people began slowly to hush. Mab frowned, sitting up to see what news awaited her.

He had come. He was dressed in black and deep purple, favorites of the Unseelie, but unusual for a Christmas elf. He was so uncomfortable that he was scowling at everyone, until his eyes met hers.

Then he walked up to her and gave a small bow.

"Bernard." She paused, biting her lip. "Welcome."

Whispers broke out and, here and there, he heard the word, "love," and often, "He came!" in conjunction with his name and the Queen's.

He shifted uncomfortably.

"Your majesty, might I request a private conference?"

The Courtiers erupted in whispers and giggles. The Queen ignored them and stood, holding out a hand so Bernard would help her down the steps of the dais.

They went silently to her private room, the door to which was very near because that was convenient for the moment. The room itself was deep in the heart of the compound (and, after they passed through it, so was the door).

After locking and warding the room, Mab and Bernard looked at each other.

"Bernard, is everything all right? Has the boy made a decision?"

"Not that I'm aware of, your majesty. Everything is all right. I merely wished to see you away from . . . them."

She nodded, but sent him a half-smile.

"You know you may call me by name when we're alone, Bernard."

Even while he smiled, his eyes darkened.

"Of course . . . Mab."

She shivered. He stepped closer to her and slowly, so she'd have a chance to protest, wrapped his arms around her. She looked up at him with wide eyes, but her smile widened.

When he kissed her, she wrapped her arms around his neck and took another step so that no space was left between them, and she could feel the The hard length of him pressing into her.

"Oh, it's been such a long time . . ." she whispered breathily, already lifting the hem of her top.

"I hope it's worth the wait."

And when she finally got him naked, and again when he was finally inside of her, she knew that it had definitely been worth the wait.