Chapter 21

“You have been lying to me, son. I don’t appreciate lies.”

“Mother, please spare me the speech about right and wrong. You know how much it affects me; I just break down and do whatever you say, so spare me the pain this once, please.”

“I don’t appreciate sarcasm either, Prince Taliesin. You are being such a pill.”

“Oh, and you are being the Queen of graciousness and understanding. Please accept my deepest apology, Mother.” Taliesin tugged at the small pendant hanging around his neck. “Your hospitality leaves a bit to be desired. Like the desire to leave when I see fit, not when you choose to let me go.”

“You are staying here as long as I want you to. And I want you to stay here until you forget that chit of a mortal girl that is taking up your mind.” Titania grinned and her pointed teeth showed through her glamour, as she intended.

“Mother, this isn’t funny. I have a life to return to.”

“You have returned to the life you left a century ago. And you are going to marry your fiancé, just as you were supposed to.”

“Mother, I have told you repeatedly, I am already married; truly bound to Cassiopeia Vega Morgan Huntington. She is my one true love and I have committed to her fully.” He held out his left hand with the ring on it. “Test it, I have begged you to for months now. It is a true binding, and her ring has the same magic on it. You taught me well the ways of spells and glamour.” He waved the hand in front of her, but she retreated a step or two.

“You cannot force me to believe something that is so blatently wrong. I am saddened that you have avoided your destiny for so long, but you are now here to pick it up where you left off.”

“No, Mother, no matter what you ask, what you desire, or what you think, I am not here for that. I want you to leave us alone. At best I want you to give your blessing and be part of our lives. At the very least I want your promise of non-interference. We intend to have a family, and I would love you to be part of their lives, but don’t think for a minute I won’t escape and hide us even further away from your prying eyes if you force me to.”

Taliesin pulled at the pendant he wore around his neck. Three beads hung from a leather string, two large blocky crystals of pyrite with drill holes through the center surrounded a large chunk of hematite. Taliesin’s normally golden skin appeared red and inflamed beneath the hematite. He shoved the pendant over the shirt he wore and rubbed the reddened skin.

His beloved mother had placed the pendant on him while he had been sleeping. A charm on the leather kept it in place over his head, when he tried to remove it, his throat constricted as if it were choking him until he stopped. He had the run of the palace and could go anywhere in the Faerie Realm, so long as he did not try to do magic. Without the magic, he could not shift between the mortal realm and his home realm, which was Titania’s plan. No one would touch the pendant or the leather string, everyone could see he wore iron, and he had quickly become a pariah. No one would help him get it off, or leave, and he felt he was running out of time.

“Why do you think I’m lying to you, Mother?”

“You never told me about a child. Did you impregnate this poor mortal wench and then marry her to cover up your hideous mistake? Is that what happened, my poor sweet son?”

“What child?” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Taliesin wished fervently he could call them back. A light of sadistic glee came into Her Royal Majesty’s eyes.

“You mean to tell me she didn’t tell you? Oh that is rich! She probably doesn’t want you to know that she carries your bastard. She rightfully wants to dispose of it as she sees fit. It is their right, you know, to kill the children in their culture. Women can do whatever they want to the unborn. Isn’t that just nauseating?” Titania pressed the back of her hand to her forehead in mock horror. Taliesin rolled his eyes.

“Mother, you took me from her before she could tell me, I’m sure. She wants my children, our children. She must be terrified all alone.”

“Hardly alone, Robin Goodfellow is with her, keeping her warm and safe, I’m sure. You know how much he loves the mortal world; he is sure to keep an eye on the little tyke as he grows up. Besides, you came to me, don’t you remember anything? Poor boy, you are so confused about everything. Here, let me help you.” She reached out a hand cupped full of faerie dust. He ducked in time and the dust floated over his head instead of full in the face. “You really must stop being so childish, Taliesin. You are getting married tomorrow, and then I might let you out of your prison. Only if you are good, though.” She wagged her finger at him and turned to leave the room. “Perhaps your son will not be as ungrateful for your help as mine is. I can only hope you have better luck as a parent than I have obviously had.” She sniffed and trailed out of the room, her scent lingering in the air, spicy and flowery all at once. Taliesin waited until she had left before he let out a pent up scream of frustration.