Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter either. It belongs to its creator J.K. Rowling and probably Warner Bros. too. I'm not too sure about that. This piece of literature is simply the work of a humble fan. I also credit Jim Butcher for various themes, subjects, or references that I may use.
Author Notes: This is a Harry Potter crossover with the Dresden Files the book series. All my knowledge of the Dresden Files comes from the books. I've never seen the TV series. For the timeline that will be stated later. Thanks to the folks at DLP for help with editing.
Awaken Sleeper.
Chapter Thirteen: Poker Face
by: Water Mage
Damn Elaine, damn Ronald Reuel for getting himself killed, and damn whoever murdered the knight. He cursed quite a few more names and a deity or two, as Aurora watched him with those piercing eyes that might as well be looking through him, with how intently they pierced him.
Aurora cocked her head. "What, you've forgotten me?"
"Aurora," Harry greeted her with a clipped nod.
He stiffened as she swept him up in a hug. Her skin pressed against his, and he almost gasped at the heat that radiated from her touch like liquid fire and contained energy. Her body molded against his and he was hit by the smell of lilacs, vanilla, and the summer sky after fresh rain. Aurora released him and stepped back.
Harry frowned. "What was that for?"
"You've returned to me like I knew you eventually would."
Elaine stepped forward. "He's with me, Aurora. Harry's helping to find Ronald's killer."
The Summer Lady waved her hand and Elaine's mouth snapped shut, as Aurora effectively dismissed her rebuttal. She padded in a circle around the wizard, taking in every part of him like a vulture about to descend on its prey. Harry swallowed, fingers twitching to reach for the wand in his back pocket. Sweat trickled at his neckline as her stare pressed against him like sunbeams. He was hot and more uncomfortable than he could ever recall being in recent years.
Harry met her stare as she completed her circle, standing before him with an unreadable expression. "I didn't come here for a reunion, Aurora."
"Yet we're having one anyway," she countered smoothly, plucking one thin eyebrow.
Touché. He rolled his eyes. "How about you and I do this song and dance after you and Elaine get all caught up?" He raised his chin and said boldly, "I'm done running. It's been two years and we have unfinished business."
Something like triumph briefly flashed in her eyes. "My pleasure." She turned around and walked back to her wooden throne. Aurora took her seat, and folded her dainty looking hands in her lap. Finally she took those inhuman eyes off Harry, and turned her attention on Elaine. "What news do you have for me, Elaine?"
"We searched Ronald's home and found a lot of it destroyed. Someone beat us there to get rid of incriminating evidence. We did manage to find a note that could lead to a potential friend of Ronald's who may know something. I need to put together a tracking spell to find them."
Aurora leaned back in her throne, digesting the information. "Did you meet with Winter's Emissary in this matter? I was told Mab had appointed one."
"We've met," said Elaine, her tone lacking emotion.
No doubt she was bitter that the Courts were pitting two childhood friends together. Harry would have masked his true feelings too, since he would have been tempted to sling magic as well as a few choice words on the subject.
"Were they competent?" asked Aurora.
Elaine nodded, traces of vulnerability finally showing through the cracks in her mask. "Yes… he is. We've come to an understanding. He's a wizard, like me."
"Of course," replied Aurora with a half smile. "Winter and Summer are two sides of the same coin. There must always be balance in our affairs." Her smile slipped away, gone with the swiftest speed. "Ronald Reuel was a fine knight, and he'll be missed, but there's something that comes before seeking his murderer."
"His mantle of power," concluded Harry.
Aurora pursed her lips, regarding them both with a grim frown. "A missing portion of Summer's power cannot go overlooked for much longer. Already a council of war is being called."
"How long do I have before a full-scale war?" asked Elaine.
The Summer Lady gazed up at the fading twilight as if the darkening sky held the answers. Aurora shrugged one shoulder and answered, "Days, I imagine. Three days at the most." She gestured and Talos stepped forward from the crowd of gathered nobles. "Talos will help you with your tracking spell. I don't have to tell you that the upmost speed is needed."
Elaine bowed her head respectfully. "With the Lord Marshall's help it'll be done in half the time it would normally take."
She turned to leave and Harry stepped to follow her. He turned around and came face to face with a pair of armored sidhe carrying long spears with wicked sharp tips. He glared into feline eyes framed by intricately crafted helms. A growl left his lips as the two opposing sides eyed each other. Elaine stiffened beside him. He caught sight of the throng of fae eyeing the scene with open interest.
Harry glared at the guards. "Can I help you guys?"
Aurora cleared her throat, bringing Harry's attention to her. "You're not going anywhere until we're done. We have much to discuss."
Harry glared at her. "That sounds suspiciously like an order."
"Call it what you will."
"I don't take orders from you Aurora," said Harry coldly. He prepared himself for an unexpected attack. "I said we'll talk but I'm not your prisoner. I'll fight you and whoever stands in front of the exit."
Harry reached to his back pocket for his wand and came up empty. Panic exploded in his chest, and Aurora met his eyes. The Summer Lady held up her hand and between her fingers was his wand. She twirled the stick, smiling at his shock. He groaned as realization set in. Of course that hug earlier hadn't been just an affectionate gesture. She pick pocketed him like a Bangkok hooker. Merlin's might, he hated faeries.
"You really should be more careful, dear husband," she chided, still twirling his wand like a toy.
Instead of letting the panic consume him, Harry adopted a smirk. He reached deep down for that power allowing him minor control over his body's position in local time and space. Right as he was about to apparate from here to there and snatch his wand, Harry stilled. He swore inwardly, scowling, as he recognized the telltale feeling of anti-apparation wards. Whatever hid this place from prying eyes also had the side effect of preventing apparation. Well wasn't this just his unlucky day.
The fight left him and he sighed, resigned. "Fine. Let's go have that chat. Looks like I don't have much a choice, do I?"
Aurora nodded her head. "I'm glad you've come to your senses."
Riight. He rolled his eyes at her pleased smile. Elaine gave him a look, and he shook his head. He would be alright, he hoped. It was with heavy footsteps that he followed the guards down the path to the elevator. Aurora entered into the lift behind him, biding the guards to leave as the doors closed.
"So can I have my wand back?" asked Harry. He sighed as Aurora raised her eyebrow. "I won't skip out. You want to talk, well so do I. But I won't be held like some prisoner."
"You're not my prisoner," Aurora stated, frowning. She met his eyes. "You have no idea what it means to be a prisoner of Summer. To imply you're one is ignorance of how Summer truly treats its enemies."
The way she said it made him pause. Harry stared at her for a long time. It was considered the Summer Court was more benevolent and kind than that of Winter, but it was understood they were both equally dangerous. Winter just happened to show their true colors up front. Summer hid their soulless nature behind smiles and soft words. Because of that it was easy to forget just how traitorous and inhuman the Seelie really were. She just reminded him.
"Do you fear me, Harry?" asked Aurora, tilting her head curiously.
He wondered just how long it took her to perfect the human action. The question itself was one he hadn't been asked in a long time. After walking to his death and sacrificing himself all those years ago, Harry had long given up on being afraid of the boogeyman. He knew what came after death and he wasn't afraid. His goal was to take as many bastards out with him. Rule three in Auror basic training, derived from Mad Eye Moody of course.
Aurora nodded at his silence. "Your silence is answer enough. Good choice."
He held out his hand and they eyed each other as she passed the wand back to its rightful owner. Harry slipped it back into his pocket. He wasn't going to hex her. At least not at this point in time.
"In the future if I say I'm going to do something, I'll do it," advised Harry. "There's no need to have your guards flex their muscles at me."
Her face twisted in wry amusement. "That's funny. From what I remember you were the one who ran from me two minutes after the Vow of Clasped Hands."
"I reacted that way for damn good reason. You didn't just heal me, Aurora. You pumped me full of Summer fire and joined our spirits," he said, anger rising quick in his voice. "That's some dark shit where I'm from. Very dark." Memories flashed across his mind, fleeting and swift. "You messed with my soul. I'm surprised it's still intact with the way inconsiderate bastards keep on fiddling with it."
"I saved your life. How I did it is a mere technicality."
"Technicality," Harry deadpanned.
"Aren't you tired of being angry?" she asked softly, her voice smooth like velvet. "Let it go. Carrying all that rage inside is weighing you down. You live so cherish that."
Harry snorted. "Too bad the cost of living is so steep." He made a show of tapping his chin with an exaggerated thoughtfulness. "The thing that gets me is I don't see how you benefit from this. I've been thinking over that little question for two years."
"I get you."
Harry froze, his heart beating loudly in his throat. "What?"
"I get you," she repeated, and a slow smile spread across her lips. "All of you."
Why did that sound the least bit positive? From the lips of a prostitute sure it could have sounded endearing. But the sidhe before him played for keeps, and he had a feeling she was trying to keep him. The elevator came to a sudden stop and the soft chime of the doors opening broke the moment.
They stepped out into a foyer that had white marble floors and abstract paintings covering the cream painted walls. Harry took a step forward and the lights above flickered. At the same time there was a whooshing noise, and the air in front of him wavered. He took a step back as four people appeared out of nowhere. The three men and woman were dressed in identical cat suits of black that molded to their bodies like a second skin. They were all Asian. And pissed. Their stone cold expressions were the only hint he needed to determine that.
The shortest man stepped forward. He looked like he could be Cho Chang's brother. Except Cho's eyes never looked so eerily detached, almost dead. He bowed shortly before Aurora.
"The Jade Court means no ill will to come to you and yours, Summer Lady," Not Cho's brother said in a clipped English accent. "We come for the man who has wronged us, nothing more and nothing less."
A bomb of emotions exploded in Harry's chest. How had they found him, and here of all places? His thoughts flashed quickly as he processed a plan. He glanced at Aurora to see how she was taking the vampire's whole speech. Surely, this didn't factor in whatever plan she had for Harry. No way was she going to let some vampires come and whisk him away—
"The dealings of human and anthrophage do not concern the Summer Court."
Bitch. Harry sent her glare that she merely blinked innocently at.
Not Cho's brother slid his gaze to Harry. "You took something that belongs to Lord Zhu, and he would like to have a talk with you."
"Oh, really," drawled Harry, looking like he didn't have a care in the world. "Well you'll have to forgive me if I don't come quietly." He moved suddenly, wand slicing through the air with determination. "Avada Kedavra!"
The vampires moved as the green light flashed. It struck Not Cho's brother head on and he fell over, dead. As the dead body touched the floor, the vampires attacked. They lunged at him with a frightening speed that caught him off guard. A kick to the chin sent him staggering back, followed by a blow to the gut which put him on his ass.
The female vampire dove at his fallen form, nails lengthened into terrible claws. Surprise flashed across her face as her claws encountered no resistance. His body rippled and vanished with a poof of misty air. Harry apparated behind her as the illusion fell. Her surprised expression was etched forever across her face as a Sectumsempra cleaved the head clean from her shoulders.
A cry of pain left him as he felt his back explode in agony. Harry stumbled and didn't see the vampire in front till a fist connected with his face. The hit drew a surprising amount of blood and knocked at least several of his teeth loose. A ruby-like shield appeared blocking the next punch aimed for his head. Spots swam in his vision, but Harry pushed himself to keep going. Adrenaline pumped in his veins and he flicked his wand sharply.
Slashes of blue light cut through the air. They were agile and nimble enough to dodge the attack. One streak of light however hit true and pale pink blood arced through the air, as the spell seared open flesh. Another curse picked the wounded vampire up and slammed him into the wall, and he crumpled into it hard.
Harry quickly cast an endurance charm on himself. It was temporary but it provided a boost of duly needed stamina. The wounded vampire was still down for the count, but his twin surveyed him like a last meal. His skin stretched tightly over his face, bones protruding through the thin scrap of flesh. Unnatural gold eyes blazing with hunger watched Harry closely.
"There's no more running," stated the vampire. "No mortal has ever escaped the Jade King."
Panting, tired, and hurt. Fuck, did he hurt. Harry rolled his shoulders and smirked, blood dripping from his split bottom lip and cut under his eye. "I already escaped. You have to catch me, and good luck with that by the way."
The vampire sneered and picked up a table that was as long as he was tall, sending the antiqued ivory dishes shattering against the floor. He then hefted it one handed like a spear and then proceeded to use it as such. It hurtled through the air toward the wizard. Harry cast a propulsion charm and the concussive force of the spell met the table and it exploded in a shower of wood.
Harry was ready for the vampire to come rushing out of the rain of wood. A torrent of fire blasted from his wand, lashing through the space between them. The funnel of fire died as the wounded vampire unknowingly recovered, and coming from Harry's blindside, slammed into him with a shoulder check. The other vampire jumped forward through the flame free air, and grabbed Harry by the throat. His momentum carried them back into a wall and Harry hit so hard, he could have sworn his spine turned into silly putty as his already injured back blazed with white hot pain.
"Aurora…" he croaked out, dizzily looking into the monstrous faces that clawed at his skin.
Fingers pressed against his cheekbones, and he felt exhaustion race along his veins like ice till it became painful. The vampire holding his throat moaned as Harry's life-force left his lips in a silvery vapor, winding its way into the creature's greedy mouth.
Vision dimming, Harry managed a desperate whisper, "…Help."
There was a burst of golden light that shined in the room like a captive star. The hand holding Harry's throat released him and he fell on the flood with great heaving breaths, as his energy and body tried to recover from the assault. Aurora stepped forward. An aura of warm light shined around her. She looked like the powerful faerie queen she really was.
"You lied," hissed the vampire that once held Harry. His comrade stood at his side, body tense and ready. "You said our affairs with the human didn't concern you."
Aurora shook her head. "The fae don't lie. Human and vampire matters hold no interest to Summer, but that man isn't wholly human and his value to Summer is more than you know."
Her voice rang with a note of finality that they didn't miss. The vampires leaped toward her and the aura around Aura shined brighter. The rays of light stabbed the vampires through chest. Screams filled the air as the fury of Summer burned them from existence. Ash fell to the ground where they once stood, as the light consumed every bit of their being. The light faded as it sucked back in on itself.
Aurora took a deep breath and closed her eyes as the manifestation of her powers dissipated. The last thing Harry saw was her face hovering close to his. Warm lips touched his own, and a surge of heat flooded his body and chased him into unconsciousness.
Harry snapped awake with a gasp of air. His hands flew to his face, and shock hit him at feeling smooth skin and not an ounce of pain. He did a quick inventory, moving his arms and legs experimentally. He was healed. There was a scratch here and there, but they were faded pink lines that would disappear in time. He took stock of his surroundings. He was lying in a huge bed centered in a room that looked like it had been plucked from Buckingham Palace. Aurora sat next to him on the grand bed.
"I healed you and once again saved your life."
Aurora sat on the bed, gentle fingers twisting his wand in her grip. He eyed the stick and dipped his head. "I was unprepared for how fast they were. I appreciate the help."
He frowned, replaying the fight in his head. He wouldn't go down so hard next time. Now that he knew they were on his trail he would be ready. Harry looked up when he noticed Aurora watching him.
"What?"
Aurora lifted an eyebrow. "If you hadn't run from me two years ago, then you would've known that my help was always available to you."
Harry shrugged. It looked like it was time for that chat. "Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't just have your men drag me back. I didn't reckon you would let me go for this long."
"Then it would get out that my husband is rogue," she said, coolly. "A stigma I will not be branded with— although the nobles are beginning to gossip on your whereabouts."
So she was trying to save face. Fair enough. The Sidhe loved their games and politics. "If you care about what they think so much then why did you bind us? Why do I have Summer power beating deep in my chest like a second heart?"
Her eyes lit up. "You can feel it then?"
She reached out and Harry gasped as her fingers touched his forearm. Her touch was the same heat he felt earlier when their flesh connected, but this time the well of power within him jumped. It recognized the echoing power within her and it danced under her fingertips. He shuddered as energy jumped just under his skin. It was like his magic, but hot like basking in the noontime sun. Heat poured in his veins and left him recharged. Her eyes met his and Harry snatched his arm from her reach, panting.
"What the hell was that?" he demanded, reining in his deep breathing.
Aurora gave a chuckle and said gently, "The bit of Summer in you knows where it comes from, and it was saying hello."
"Power isn't sentient," responded Harry automatically. "It simply is."
"You've never really beheld all of nature then," she said as if that was answer enough. Her lips formed into a pretty little frown. "All this time and you've never used the power bestowed from our union."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Cut the crap. You and I both know that you can track Summer power like a dog sniffing out a bone. I wasn't out to get found." With a sigh he ran a hand through his hair. "Since some of us were near dead when it was formed what exactly is this thing or whatever that jump started my life."
"You were in death's chains when I grabbed you tight and ripped you away with all that I am," said Aurora, moving further on the bed so she was closer. He didn't miss the action. "My essence merged with yours and shared its life-force and power with you till you were whole. Your essence clung to my mine, so that when it withdrew back it took a piece of me with it. The Vow of Clasped Hands creates the link for such an occurrence and –"
"Has a side effect of marrying us," he interjected, a touch of scorn in his voice. "Not that I'm not grateful for the get out of dying free ticket. I am."
It's just that something was missing from her story. He was sure of it. She wasn't lying. Faeries couldn't freely lie, but there was just too much benevolence in her actions that made him squirm. No matter how much the Seelie portrayed the niceness it was just that, a portrayal. He was still uncertain how any of her actions benefited her. There had to be a catch.
Harry narrowed his eyes. "You're hiding something."
"What makes you so sure," she replied with a little smile.
"Because nothing is free with you people," he said, frustration riding high on his nerves. "Tell me what you're getting out of this."
Aurora licked her lips, her eyes trained on the wand in her fingers. She turned it over and over, seemingly entranced by the stick of wood. "The spell you used earlier, the green light that killed that vampire. What was it?"
Wow. Way to change the subject. He decided to humor her. The faster he indulged her, the quicker he could get back on topic, and it's not like she hadn't already seen the spell in effect before.
"It's called the Killing Curse. It's pretty much unstoppable." Except for me, he didn't say. "Two words and anything hit by it falls dead. Anything."
Her eyes gleamed and her earnest appreciation of the wand increased. "Interesting. How did that spell go again?"
Wariness didn't creep up on him. It slammed into him like a brick wall. He reached for the wand as she nodded decisively, "….Oh yes." Her arm whipped through the air, and she pointed the wand directly behind her at the empty air. "Avada Kedavra!"
The customary green light blazed through the room in a rush of wind and light. A thud followed a heartbeat later. A body materialized at the foot of the bed and fell over, dead. Harry rolled off the bed, and almost tripped as the sheets tangled around his legs.
"You—you—" Impossible was on the tip of his tongue, but he had just bloody seen that it was very well possible. Something like disbelief and confusion swelled in his lungs, catching his breath and confounding his thoughts. Realization hit him a moment later filling him with a rage that made him see red. "You bitch!"
Aurora slid off the bed in one fluid motion and walked over to the body. She barely spared Harry a glance as she surveyed the dead man.
"Look at me," demanded Harry, stalking to her. She lazily looked up, meeting his eyes with a bored gaze. "That's what you got out of it, huh? A piece of Summer clung to me and a portion of my wizardry clung to you. You knew that would happen!"
"It's an unprecedented event, but I speculated it was a possibility."
He didn't believe that no more than he believed she knew what it really felt like to love. Aurora turned her stare back to the body, and he got his first good look at the dead man. No it wasn't a man. It was a Sidhe. Long white hair in a thick braid fell over his tunic that opened to reveal bulging pectorals. A heavy looking sword lay fallen at his feet. Aurora kicked at the sheathed blade, her lip curled up in a disdainful sneer as she studied the dead fae.
"You know him?" asked Harry.
She nodded silently, staring at the body with contempt. "This is Yahkphrust. If the Winter Queen needs someone spied upon or killed, he's the one to do it. He's her personal assassin. She calls him her Final Frost."
"And you killed him," he bluntly stated.
"He was a bane to the Summer Court for over a millennium. Like all fae he gains power from influence in the mortal world. Human minds gave him strength by remembering him in their tales. Jokul Frosti, Father Frost, Jack Frost." She sneered at the fallen sidhe. "He deserved worst for his actions while in servitude to the dark court."
While she was too busy waxing hate for the assassin, Harry snatched his wand from her grip. "I'm done. I'm going to find Elaine and solve this thing before your folk doom the world. After that you'll never have to see—"
"Oh, we're not done yet," Aurora murmured, facing him. "Our business is hardly concluded, husband."
He eyed her cautiously, wondering if the other shoe finally dropped. "What do you want?"
"I helped you with the vampires and I healed your body, and now," she said, stepping forward. Aurora grabbed his wrist in a deceptively loose grip. "Now its payback time. The Summer Queen has called a meeting of the high court. Attendance is mandatory." She showed teeth when she smiled this time and he shivered. "That means you too, dear husband."
Harry frowned, weighing his options. He could apparate now and be free of her, but that would probably piss her off and he didn't fancy running into a faerie queen with a grudge in the future. He knew why she wanted his cooperation. She didn't want the court to know he was 'rogue'. Whatever that meant. Harry must have taken too long to answer because her grip tightened.
"Fine. I'll go and play nice," said Harry begrudgingly, wondering if he had sentenced himself to death row.
Aurora's lips quirked and before he could utter a protest his clothes shifted. Dark breeches of an unfamiliar cloth covered his lower half with tall black boots that ended at his knees. A heavily embroidered tunic of soft gold and white piping covered his upper body.
Certain parts of him felt a bit cramped in the breeches. He groaned at her approving smirk. "Is the wardrobe change necessary?"
"Very."
Harry stared at her hard. "You knew the Jade Court had made it inside the hotel didn't you? You knew they were outside the elevator the whole time." He shook his head as it all became clear. "You were counting on my asking for help so you could call in this favor, and make me go with you."
Aurora pouted cutely. "Would I really do something like that?"
"Yes."
"What's done is done," she said dismissively, gesturing at the air. "Let's be off."
At her wordless command the air parted. It simply fell away as the natural walls between worlds fled before Summer power. A rectangular portal appeared before them that led into a corridor on its other side. It was a well lit hallway, and the walls had a golden shimmer to them that matched the polished stone floor. Aurora stepped through first and with a firm grip on Harry's wrist he was tugged along behind her.
The portal closed once they were through, and he hardly noticed as he took in the sights around them. The corridor had opened into an atrium that was just as grand if not more so than the one in the Ministry of Magic. Sidhe and lesser fae walked amongst each other, dipping their head when they caught sight of Aurora, then continued about their business. An impressive fountain made of precious stones was positioned in the center throwing crystalline water into the air.
Three huge statues towered up to the domed ceiling. Two of the statues rested adjacent to each other and represented an elderly faerie queen, her stern gaze trained on the entrance where they stood. The neighboring statue was of a younger sidhe and her youth showed in the polished full lips and high cheekbones made of shining alabaster. The third statue stood directly between the others, and it was same height as the other towering statues. Whether because of its position or the light that fell directly on it, the figure glowed like a beacon, radiating a warm golden light that was impossible to look away from.
"The three Queens of Summer," murmured Harry aloud. "What is this place?"
"Lux Sanctum. Stronghold and home to Queen Titania." Aurora took a step forward, and seeing Harry didn't move she turned a teasing grin on him. "Come. Nothing will bite you…unless you ask first."
Harry followed her keeping silent as other fae nodded to him like they did to Aurora. It was oddly reminiscent of his days in the wizarding world. He swallowed heavily once they came to their end of walking through a maze of corridors. Aurora knocked on a heavy looking oak door. They entered into a parlor that was done in shades of cream, rose, and white. Queen Titania stood over a table intently studying a map that covered its entire surface.
"Mother," Aurora greeted with a short bow.
The last time Harry saw Titania she had been destroying an Outsider that he managed to bring into her territory. He gained his first good look of her this time, and he found his breath escape him. Her green eyes were the brightest green he had ever seen, brighter than his or his mother's eyes. A triple ring of green, each of a different hue, went around her pupil. Where Aurora's hair was straight, Titania's long hair fell down her back in a waterfall of soft waves. The bodice of her butter cream colored gown hugged her tight and showed a tantalizing bit of cleavage, before it flared out into a full and thick skirt. Her skin shone like polished ivory and her lips were the color of fresh roses. Seeing his stare those lips turned up at the corner.
Her voice was a low, rich contralto. "Hello, daughter. I'm glad to see your husband before me once again." She turned those startling eyes on Harry. "Greetings, my daughter's husband."
Harry wasn't a manner-less idiot. Hogwarts had an optional etiquette class that was taught twice a month on Sunday afternoons. Hermione had dragged Ron and Harry to classes during the times surrounding her birthday. She claimed it was their gift to her if they could have a little more class.
"Greetings, Queen Titania, Ruler of all Seelie, Monarch of the Summer Court, mother of my wife."
The title was a mouthful but if there was one thing he learned in those classes it was flattery goes a long way. That's exactly what he planned to do. Mind his manners, smile till his face cracked and flatter everyone until someone's head blew up. He had done the same thing she had during the greeting. He acknowledged their kinship, but not their familial relationship to one another. Until she named him son, he couldn't call her mother. Honestly he really didn't want to, but he had to play the game. Even if he did find it all terribly tiresome.
Titania stared him down and then nodded at Aurora. "He's had some training. Good." She looked at Harry again with an expression he couldn't decipher. "You'll need that training for our meeting with the high court."
He didn't know if he should say thanks, so he just stayed silent.
"War with Winter looms on the horizon." Queen Titania walked across the room, and they followed behind her as she went to a door. "The high court has assembled in the chamber beyond this door." She looked directly at Harry and said, "We must present a unified front. To do anything else would sow the seeds of discontent."
Go against us and see what happens went unsaid, but he could hear it nonetheless in the silence that followed.
"Those are wise words, my queen," he said smoothly.
She smiled. "See to it that you don't forget them."
The door opened and there wasn't a trumpeter or much fanfare as they entered. The chamber was dominated by a long rectangular pool of clear blue water. U shaped chairs made of polished stone went around the pool. At the top of the pool stood a golden throne, with two smaller ivory thrones to its right. As one the nobles in the room rose from their chairs, keeping their backs bowed until those entering took their seats on the thrones.
The nobles sat once they did, and Harry gazed around at the faces that casually studied him in return. He was beginning to feel a bit like the ugly cousin in the room. They were the court of beauty for a reason. They wore elaborate clothes of bright colors, and so much jewelry that it should be illegal. There wasn't an ugly or average looking one in the bunch. They radiated perfection.
"Its no surprise that war is upon us," began Titania immediately. "The Summer Knight was murdered in his own home, and his mantle of power has been stolen. It reeks of Winter's treachery. We will not let this go unpunished."
There were nods of agreement and claps as Harry surveyed the court. A slim sidhe female with hair the color of the setting sun spoke over the noise. "My lands border Winter, and Mab's forces have been seen across the border more and more these days. Earlier this day, my army slaughtered a raiding party attacking one of the smaller settlements near my own home."
"Winter filth," spat a green haired woman next to her. "It cannot be borne!"
Aurora pursed her lips. "I have news as well of Winter's foulness. Yahkphrust was caught spying on me today in my domain in the mortal realm."
Anger clouded Titania's face. "What of him?"
"I killed him," she said, simply.
The reply left the people in the room shocked. From what Aurora said Jack Frost was a force to be reckoned with. A clear fact if that someone was the killing hand to the Queen of Air and Darkness herself. Harry saw the satisfaction at the announcement written all over Titania's face.
A sidhe lord with fire engine red hair spoke over the silence, "You killed the Final Frost?"
"You said that with the right tone and words, yet at the same time you still managed to sound extremely skeptical. Would you like a demonstration, Alastar?" said Aurora, studying him with a fixed smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Alastar lowered his eyes, and said sweet as honey, "My apologies if I offended you, my lady. "
If Alastar would have looked at the queen he would have noticed her expression was not amused. Harry didn't know her at all and even he could tell she was not happy with him, not happy at all.
Harry watched as the pool started to shimmer. In the waves images flickered to life. Trolls and ogres with fairies swirling around their heads gathered in force, as they mustered at the edge of a dense, wicked looking forest. Their numbers grew more and more as they readied crossbows and heavy looking clubs. Forges worked in overtime churning out weapons with speedy efficiency.
"They're stacking their numbers at the border as the day grows long," said Titania, watching the pool closely. "We need to reinforce the border."
"I can send three squadrons to the border by dusk," said a sidhe lady with emerald hair that matched Harry's eyes. "I can have more soldiers tomorrow once the call is sent out."
"In three days time Midsummer will be upon us and our strength will be at its peak," said Titania. "Then we will strike and lay waste to Winter. Mab will rue the day she hatched this evil plan."
"Will the Lord Consort be leading troops into battle like the Queens?" asked Alastar.
Harry studied the man's smiling face, and tried to decide if the man was sincere or was it an opening for a trap. He was betting it was the second one. The honest curiosity was a little too open for one of the court of illusion, and his body language was just as telling.
Harry kept his face perfectly blank. "I'll do the part my lady asked of me."
"And what part is that?"
"My duty is to find the culprit behind the Knight's death, and locate the missing mantle of Summer power."
Alastar stared at Harry, a small frown forming between his brows. "A lofty task for one who has been missing from Faerie for two years."
Irritation started to bubble in his gut and Harry beat back a sigh. His expression didn't betray him. The polite blank expression still held. As long as he didn't think of ways he wanted to curse the sidhe lord's face off, then he wouldn't have an outburst.
"Don't mistake my absence for a weakness or fault," said Harry. "I'm perfectly capable of this task." He trained cool eyes on the lord, staring him down. "I'll conquer all challenges aimed at me."
Queen Titania nodded at Harry, and he noticed the amusement playing across her face. "My son's absence is not the purpose of this council."
Harry kept his surprise from showing. She called him son. He must have pleased her with that little tete-a-tete. Hell, he pleased himself. He was beyond annoyed and bored with this whole thing.
Alastar wasn't done yet. "Will we not acknowledge the Lord Consort's two year absence? Rumor has it that he's rogue."
There were gasps and startled mutterings from the nobles. Aurora stiffened next to him, and Harry saw the way she was white knuckling the arms of her chair. Either she was scared shitless of the topic conversation, or she was a moment away from unleashing hell on the uppity lord.
"Again, the purpose of this council is about the upcoming war," said Aurora, attempting to grab the reins from the disgruntled lord.
He continued as if he didn't hear. "I do not misremember the last rogue. His silver tongue and betraying eyes stay with me forever just as his name. The future is repeating the past and Oberon—"
Queen Titania lashed out with her power. It tore a gasp from all their throats followed by desperate screams. Her power filled the room and it became impossible to draw an easy breath, as fire pressed along their lungs like liquid waves. Harry grabbed at his eyes. He couldn't see or move. All he knew was light, a amber light that was everywhere.
The light cleared and Harry was almost afraid to look at the lord. He did and was surprised Alastar was still alive. Barely alive was more appropriate. Alastar's skin was burnt as if he went dancing in fire and then passed out still in it. His hair was blackened in spots, scorched red skin peeked through with bald patches, and that wasn't the worse. Alastar lay on the ground flat on his back, convulsing as if he was in the throes of a deadly seizure.
Titania rose up to her feet surveying the still room with calm eyes. "Anything related to Oberon is forbidden, and if someone brings it up again I will demonstrate why I rule these lands. I open the floor to any other questions."
Of course no one spoke up.
Harry shuddered at the opaque and serene smile Titania blinded them with. "Meeting adjourned."
The nobles made no move to help Alastar. They stepped either over or around his shaking body, leaving the room without a sound. Harry swallowed, rubbing his forearms to fight the chills crawling along his skin. No mortal should be so close to such power. And it was only a fraction of what she was capable of. He would be an idiot to not be terrified of Titania. He schooled his face into that crafted blank expression as Titania faced him, souless eyes empty of anything human.
"You and my emissary have three days to find the missing mantle. Fail me, fail the people of your world. The effects of our battle will kill them all."
Harry bowed his head, partially in respect and also to look away from the fire swirling in those green eyes. "I will see your will done, my queen."
Merlin's might. Welcome to the family.