Page 92 of Boy of Chaotic Making

He was on a narrow bed of some sort, maybe a table. He noted absently that it was digging into his shoulder blades. So, carefully, bit by bit, he sat up. The room spun despite his slowness, sending a wave of dizziness through his skull. He cradled his head, finding hair there. Pulled his hand away.

He was . . . human.

He looked down at himself, at the simple nightgown he wore, which was almost the same off-white as the tablecloth beneath him. He had a flat chest and a stomach, hips and legs and bare feet. He stared at the feet. Wiggled his toes.

Smiled.

“I’m glad to see you awake,” said a prim British voice to his right. Owein turned to find two people seated in chairs against the wall. Blightree and ... oh yes. Queen Victoria.

“We’ve had quite the episode, haven’t we?” She tapped her hands on a small chest in her lap. The wood was painted ... red. He could see red! “But your guardian has signed the documents, and I intend to keep you both to your word.”

“Cora?” Owein asked. He didn’t have a voice—it was a rasp, the way Merritt sounded when he used too much communion. “Merritt?”

“They’re both hale enough.” Reaching over, the queen took Blightree’s hand. “And will be no worse for the wear once my dear man has recovered from his services to you. It’s a big and rare spell combination, moving spirits about.”

Blightree patted her hand. He looked a little queasy, a little sad, but well enough.

To Owein, Victoria asked, “How are you feeling?”

He blinked. Touched his chest. “Different.” There was a little more voice this time.

Victoria handed the chest to Blightree, then crossed the room, her long skirts swishing, to a pitcher of water. She poured just a little into a cup and handed it to him.

It felt strange, holding a cup. Having thumbs. Owein brought the water to his lips. The first bit drizzled down his chin, but instinct took over, and he drank. He remembered, distantly, drinking like this. Not from a cup this fine, but he’d been human before.

“I’m afraid that, while you do fascinate me,” the queen went on, “I’m not able to stay.” She retrieved the chest from Blightree and held it tightly. “This item is very powerful and is not meant to be used by young girls who have not fully harnessed their magic.” She clucked her tongue.

“What will ...” Owein coughed. “What will happen to her?”

“To Cora? She’ll be on strict probation for the next year atleast.” She sniffed with displeasure. “You should be more concerned for the guards at the tower. I’ve the mind to behead the lot of them, but then what can one do when the culprit has a luck spell that turned their heads?”

Owein jolted. Victoria offered a close-lipped smile. “Regardless, their consequences will be severe. Cora ...” She considered a moment. “Cora is young and stupid. I’ve spoken to her directly, and I do believe it is sheerstupiditythat caused all this.” She waved a hand, not caring to clarify. “It is fortunate for her that she is so high in society. Were she not, I would not be so lenient. But she is family. Of course, I will still make sure she rues this day. I’ve not yet determined the extent of my wrath.” She tapped a finger on the box. Quieter, she said, “Even I wouldn’t dare to use this artifact, or any of them, unless the situation were dire. I am a strong wizard, Mr. Mansel. But these were created for the first of us, those imbued with the fullness of magic and the abilities to control it. I think they will be taken out of the public eye indefinitely.”

He considered this. “Will you give her a chance?”

“Hm? You’ll need to clarify. More water?”

Owein shook his head. “Cora. She was so miserable. About the ... marriage.”

Victoria exhaled slowly through her nose. Tilted her head slightly to the side as she regarded him. “I am impressed that the central victim to her crimes has such mercy.”

“She didn’t mean to hurt me, I don’t think.”Crushing bones, panic, the room spinning and growing dark.Owein shook himself like he would have as a dog, and it came out as a half shudder, half convulsion in his new body. “Just ... scare me away,” he finished.

“Can you be so sure?”

Owein shrugged. The gesture felt both queer and familiar to him. “I’ve lived a long time, Your Majesty.”

She smirked at that. Took a moment to collect her thoughts. “I am not without heart. In truth, Briar had almost swayed me.” She glanced back at Blightree. “I was fortunate enough to marry someone I love. I certainly understand the appeal, though I would have entered matrimony regardless. Such is the duty of the ruling class.” She raised an eyebrow. “But I will make an amendment, for your sake. If Cora finds another suitor whowill add to the noble bloodlineby the time she is eighteen, I will disregard her obligation to you. You will, of course, keep the body.”

Owein looked down. Flexed and unflexed his fists, tightened his stomach. He was hungry. “Thank you. She’ll be happy to hear it.”

“I intend for her not to be happy for a good while. Perhaps I shall take her on as a ward.” She turned, directing the idea to Blightree. “Let her follow me around and domybidding for a year or so. Give her a true taste of responsibility. I think she’ll not complain about her duties after that.”

Blightree nodded. “It is a sound idea.”

“I am, again, terribly sorry for your loss.” Walking over, she clasped his hand.

Owein wiggled his toes again. “What was his name?”

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