Page 41 of The Changeling

‘Rue,’ she said softly. ‘Why do you seek to hide from me? You are my heir; one day you will be queen of the hollow hills. You should not demean yourself by being a handmaid to that mortal woman, she who calls herself queen.’

‘She is the queen,’ I managed to say.

‘Seven hundred years ago her ancestors stole the land and the throne from ours. We have waited and remembered and plotted, and soon we shall win back the throne. I will call on you then, Rue. Know you cannot fail me.’

Every time she spoke that name, I felt a painful jerk in my chest. Speaking was too difficult, but I shook my head vehemently.

My mother turned her head, looking towards the inn across the road where Nan had gone. ‘She is a fool. She thinks rowan berries and red thread fill me with dread? I could crush her between my fingernails like a flea.’

‘Nay!’

The faery queen returned her attention to me. ‘I will not need to if you obey me.’

‘What … what is it you want me to do?’

‘You will know when the time is right.’

Again, I shook my head, but it was an empty gesture of defiance. It hurt even to do so.

‘I must go,’ the faery queen said. ‘I have a long way to run tonight. I will say your Nan speaks true about one thing.’

‘What?’

‘Mortal life is short, Rue, you should seize love whenever you can.’

For just a moment our eyes met, and I thought I read understanding in hers. Then, without any warning, she dropped down into the shape of a white hare. I started back in surprise. The hare leapt out of the hedge and raced away across the lawn, white tail flashing.

I turned and stumbled back towards the palace.

Only one light shone out golden now. I glanced up. A man stood watching me. From his height and dark, jutting beard, I knew it was Lord James, the earl of Moray.

IV

Bewitching the Queen

‘Who was that woman you spoke to last night?’ Lord James asked next morning, as I came down from the queen’s chamber with my basket of dirty dishes.

‘My great-aunt, my lord.’

‘Why did she not come to the door, instead of skulking outside the gate?’

‘She’s a humble woman, my lord, she wouldna think it fitting.’

‘She gave you something. What was it?’

‘Some herbs, sir.’

‘What for?’ His voice was hard and suspicious.

‘For … for my monthly courses, my lord.’ I could not look at him.

‘After your great-aunt left, you did not come back inside. You stood a long time, staring into the shadows of the hedge. Were you talking to someone else?’

‘I saw something move. It must’ve been some kind of wild creature. If you’ll excuse me, my lord, I must take these to the scullery.’

Lord James scowled, as if he did not believe a word I said.

The rest of the day was spent daydreaming about Robbie, imagining lying with him and wondering what would happen if we were caught. A reprimand was the worst that would happen to him. I would be made to stand barefoot in the kirk, wearing nothing but my shift and a paper hat inscribed with the word fornicator. I would lose my position with the queen, I’d be banished from court, sent back to the shadow of the Knock where the faery queen waited.