“It's another long story.” I waved it away. “But yes. Some of my family members are gods.”
“Because you are a goddess?” Rory asked.
“Yes! Ding-ding! Points for paying attention.”
Rory gaped at me.
A Spriggan came into the corridor just then and asked the King something.
Rory shook his head and waved the man away. Then he spread his arms and ushered Rivella and me down the hallway. “Come. Let us take this conversation somewhere more private.”
“Oh, okay. Sure,” I said.
He frowned at me.
“She employs many strange words and phrases, King Rory,” Rivella said.
“So I've gathered.” He nodded at a few faeries as we passed them and then turned a corner.
Rivella and I went silent—her because she was staring at the King, I because I was trying to memorize the path. I didn't want to get lost down there.
I totally got lost down there.
Grimacing, I followed Rory into a room at last. Two walls were covered in vines while blooming plants hung from the ceiling, light emanating from them. The other walls, and there were several since it was an oddly shaped room, were paneled in wood and hung with tapestries. Furniture grew from the ground but was surprisingly sturdy. I know because I plopped onto a leafy couch and it barely rustled.
“Nice place you got here,” I said as I looked over the sideboard, its woven top raised in places to hold crystal decanters.
Under my feet, fine rugs lay, their jewel colors and silken pile looking especially opulent against the “natural” furniture. In one of the plant-free walls, a fireplace parted the wood as if it had grown there like the furniture, a cheery fire burning in it. There was a dining set in one corner, and through an open doorway, I saw the edge of a bed.
“Thank you,” King Rory said. “I'm still getting settled.” He waved a hand and some of the plants rearranged themselves. “Still figuring out where to put things.”
“Yeah, sorry to interrupt such a momentous day. And congratulations on your win.”
“I'm quite thrilled with your interruption.” He kept staring at me, inspecting every detail. “So, your husband doesn't believe you?”
“I think he does now, but instead of helping me get back to him and our children, he wants to barter with me.” I grimaced. “That's Arach for you. At least, this Arach.”
“Barter with you? What have you got to give him?”
I widened my eyes at him.
“Oh. Sex. Of course. King Arach is known for his passions.”
Rivella cleared her throat and looked away.
Rory didn't notice.
“Yes and no,” I said. “If it was just sex, I wouldn't have a problem with it. He's my husband after all. But he wants a child.”
“A child?!” Rory looked horrified.
“Thank you!” I waved a hand at him. “Exactly! I'm not about to give birth, then leave the baby here. What kind of woman would do that?”
“He is the last of his kind,” Rivella said gravely. “Our King has no hope of ever continuing his race. Until today. But if he lets you go, he will have to wait for however long it is until he meets you.”
“How long is it?” Rory asked.
“Thousands of years,” I admitted.
