“Indeed,” Arach murmured.
I smacked him in the belly, but he only grinned wider.
Then I saw Queen Bronagh heading for the drinks, and it occurred to me that maybe I should use more than my instincts to put my suspicions to bed.
“I'm going to talk to Queen Bronagh,” I whispered to Arach.
He nodded and veered to intercept Azrael. “I don't know about you, but I need more than a drink.”
Az agreed, and they headed off toward the food with Prince Lugh.
“Hey,” I said to Bronagh as I stepped up beside her.
Queen Bronagh looked over at me with lifted brows.
“Oh, sorry. I mean, greetings, Queen Bronagh. How do you fare this fine day?”
She laughed brightly. “I didn't mean to look disapproving. I was just startled. You'd think after all these years, I'd be used to your way of speaking.” She lifted the carafe she was holding. “Hot chocolate?”
“Yes, please.” I grabbed a mug and held it out to her.
“I'm glad I don't have to travel to Earth,” she said. “I wouldn't do well there.” After filling my mug, she put the carafe down, then looked up and giggled. “And I'm the Earth Queen! That's funny, right?”
“Yes, it is.” I laughed with her. Then I used the opening. “Have you never visited Earth?”
“Oh, I've gone a few times,” Queen Bronagh said as we left the beverage table. “But that was thousands of years ago. Well, thousands of years in fey time.”
“Oh, yes. I'm aware of the time difference.”
She laughed again. “I suppose you would be. You are the one who aligned our realms.” She waved at her fur cloak to add, “And brought the seasons back to us.”
“Some might not think that's a good thing.”
“They'd be wrong.” She cocked her head at me. “Do you feel guilty because of the way some of us struggled in the beginning, Queen Vervain?”
“No, not really. It's not as if I cast a spell to bring back the seasons.” I shrugged. “And yes, it was rough at first, but I think it's good to have the Faerie Realm back to the way it was originally.”
“I do as well.” She laid her hand on my upper arm. “I'm glad you don't have regrets.”
“Not about that, no.”
Bronagh lifted her brows. “You have other regrets?”
“Well, maybe not regrets exactly. I've made some huge mistakes, but they've all led me to where I needed to be.”
She nodded. “Even the Fey believe in fate.”
I stared at her for a second. If I had gone back to save Rivella, Bronagh wouldn't be on the throne. Aalish wouldn't have been Queen either. That was the main reason I couldn't risk going back. As horrible as my interactions with the last Earth Queen had been, if I undid her rule, my history would change drastically. It would save Aalish's life, most likely. And that of her husband's. And my sweet Breck. She'd be alive as well. But in saving them, who would I lose? It was just too risky. Staringat the current Earth Queen, I couldn't help but feel that fate was strong in her life as well.
But I had to be sure.
“So, you've been to Earth in the past,” I said, trying to keep my tone light. “Have you ever been to the God Realm?”
“The God Realm?” King Ruari, Bronagh's husband asked as he joined us. “Why would she go there?”
“No reason I can think of,” I said. “Just making conversation.”
Queen Bronagh grinned. “You are such an interesting woman, Queen Vervain.”
