Page 69 of Obsidian Prince

Doctor Nudd joined them in a few long strides. “I’ve seen it done only twice in the millennia of my lifetime. A land ruler can awaken all sleeping Fae in an area at once and speak to them. They’ll all hear what he says.”

Pete blinked. “A land ruler. Like a king or a queen?”

“Any Fae that is land bonded.” Nudd nodded to the tall obsidian figure. “Our prince should theoretically be able to do it.”

“Theoretically,” Alexander stated drily.

“What do you want us to do, sir?” Lieutenant Runningwolf gestured at the double line of mismatched Others all in demi-form, standing at parade rest with automatic rifles, customized to the unusual size and shape of each, held with butt resting on the ground at their sides. Each wore a military uniform that was apparently made like Pete’s clothes, with stretching or loose sections to allow shifting from human form to demi. Some had slits in the back to allow wings or extra limbs to protrude like Siobhan’s jackets.

“You’re my backup.” Alexander gestured to the double line of soldiers. “I’m hoping this will go peacefully, but at least one of the creatures in this forest is a serial killer. If some of the beings awakened are not happy about me giving them orders, it may come down to a show of force.”

“Yes, sir.” Lieutenant Runningwolf’s long striped badger muzzle dipped in a nod. He turned to face the squad of twenty Others in two neat rows of ten each, all in demi form. “You heard the Colonel.” His deep, growly voice snapped. “Shoulder arms.”

The men and women, beast-kin and Fae, seelie and unseelie, moved as one to lift their weapons so they leaned against their shoulders, in a stance that looked precise despite their varied heights and shapes. It was a position that would make it easy for them to stand for long periods, while keeping the weapons at the ready.

“You may need to fight instantly, when given the order,” the badger-kin continued, speaking with authority to creatures twice his size or more in some cases. “However, you will do nothing unless attacked or given the order. Until then, hold steady and strong. No sign of fear or any other emotion. You are statues until you hear an order otherwise. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.” The SET squad chorused.

Lieutenant Runningwolf nodded in acknowledgement. He did a neat about face, his own weapon held across his body, at the ready. “We’re ready when you are, Colonel.”

A nod of the great crowned head looked majestic, but the dimple and familiar tiny quirk at the corner of the Fae prince’s lips made Lilly smile.

Chapter18

Awakening The Forest

Alexander steppedin front of the two rows of men, with John Runningwolf just to the right and slightly behind him, guarding one flank. Liliana stepped up to the same position on his left. Being in front of so many strangers was uncomfortable, but no amount of discomfort could induce her to leave Alexander’s flank unguarded.

Detective Jackson chose to stand beside Liliana, unintentionally perhaps, also taking a protective position.

The small figure of Siobhan in human form, all three foot ten of her, stood in her leather jacket with her machine pistol in hand, directly in front of Alexander.

It was an odd position for a court guardian. Normally, they stood behind the one they guarded, far too large to stand in front of their charges. Siobhan was small enough that she could stand directly between her prince and danger, without obscuring more than his knees.

Doctor Nudd was still walking all around them, halting occasionally and touching a leaf or the bark of a tree. His craggy face was even more wrinkled than usual as he studied the birds and squirrels as if they held some secret he needed to know.

Alexander called to him, “Merlin.”

The Merlin of the court was the wisest advisor to the ruler. His position was usually right at the ruler’s side, close enough to whisper important information in his ear. At some point in history, the Merlin also became expected to be the most powerful wizard of the court.

Dr. Nudd dropped to one knee in front of the silver-crowned obsidian statue in camo pants. Siobhan stepped to one side to make room, watching the forest warily with her machine pistol in hand, unconcerned about Nudd being near the prince she guarded.

Alexander put a living black stone hand on his shoulder. “I am uncertain how this is done. Is there some information you could give me?”

Nudd ran a hand through his curly hair, making it even more messy than usual. “I don’t think you’ll have any trouble waking this forest up. It already feels like it’s watching us.”

Liliana nodded. “The Green here is rich and strong.” Her third eyes saw the pulsing flow just beneath the grass being pulled into every tree, especially the big cyprus that shaded them. Green men only made their homes in the most magical of forests. The longer they stayed in a forest, the more magical it became. The fact that one slept here with his family made her wonder if once it had been a place of power. And if the trees here would like it to be so again.

Nudd scratched his bristly cheek in need of a shave. “My concern is that this forest, when awake, may be more than we bargained for.”

Outwardly, the living statue of oily black stone seemed regal and still, but Liliana could see ripples of unease, shivers of beige uncertainty on the edges of Alexander’s aura. “You and the land are one, my prince.” Liliana touched his smooth stone arm and squeezed. “Call the Green. For you, it will come joyously, like a hound eager for the hunt.”

He took hold of the hand on his arm to draw her to his side, from the position of a flanking guard to the position of a queen or …a consort.Oh. Right.She hadn’t considered the implications of becoming a landed prince’s lover.

His stone hand was oddly warm in hers. “This is the first time I’ve done anything like this. My court has been largely theoretical until now. Nudd has been giving me guidance about how it is normally done, but this. This will begin it. After this…”

Liliana looked up high to his eyes, a deep shimmering green. “Nudd has taught you how to be a king. Now you must choose what kind of king you will become,” Liliana said.

---