Page 48 of Queens Will Play

Smoky immediately carried me out to the car.

Vanzir came with us to the curb. He looked at me and smiled. “I guess it’s a good thing to know we can play telephone out on the astral,” he said.

“I guess you’re right. I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” I added, as Smoky tucked me in the backseat with Morio. Before I could say another word, we were on our way back to the Barrow. I knew my advisors were panting at the thought of chewing me out, but I didn’t care. Marion had her house back, and Wilbur got his grisly bag o’ goodies. All in all, a good day’s work.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

My advisors tried to storm my chambers, but Smoky refused to let them in as the healers attended to my wounds. I was exhausted. Being out on the astral was tiring in itself, but along with the venom from the shandigoes, it had wiped me out.

“Tell them I’ll talk to them tomorrow,” I said. “Final order.”

Smoky nodded. “Oh, I will.” The way he said it made me think that he was going to turn into his dragon self and threaten to eat them if they didn’t leave us alone. Which wouldn’t be a bad thing, if I had to admit to my inner feelings. I was getting really tired of their efforts to thwart my plans.

The healers—their names were Merik and Amrey—examined the puncture wounds, and did all the usual tests: temperature, heart rate, and so on. Amrey had brought one of the new scanners in that had been developed for the Fae. Even half-Fae couldn’t handle most X-ray machines or a number of other modern human medical devices.

“Well, you’re in relatively good condition for being smacked around and envenomated in general, but…” Amrey said, setting the scanner aside.

“But what?” I asked.

She frowned. “Your Majesty, I hate to ask this but were you examined before you took the throne?”

I shook my head. “No, there was a rush about it. We were about to go into a battle against Shadow Wing so they expedited my rise to the throne. Why?”

She looked uncomfortable. “I used the new scanner on your midriff area, given you were pierced by the shandigoes around your waist.”

I sat up, eying her carefully. She looked nervous. I glanced over at Trillian, who was waiting with me. Cadence was there, also, and Morio had stayed. Smoky was still dealing with my advisors. “What’s wrong? What did you find?”

Amrey glanced at Merik, then took a deep breath. “We’ll need more tests to verify this, but…Your Majesty…did you know there’s been extensive damage to your uterus? Serious damage? It’s from some time ago—it’s healed up, but there’s a lot of scar tissue in there. During your cycles, what level of pain are you having?”

I shook my head. “I use the Alethas tincture. I haven’t had a normal bloodmoon since…for years.” I’d been on birth control since before I came over Earthside. Alethas shut down the system until usage was stopped, and supposedly, had no side effects. It could be used for decades by anyone who had at least part Fae blood.

“Oh dear…” Amrey held up her hand. “One moment, please.” She motioned for Merik to follow her to the side. They began talking in low tones. I wanted to order them to speak up, but decided to wait. A moment later, they returned.

Merik cleared his throat. “Your Majesty, do you know what caused the damage?”

“I can guess,” I said, thinking back to Hyto’s torture. He’d not only brutally raped me, but he’d kicked me in the stomach, beat me, knocked me off my feet…I tried to keep the memories at bay. I’d worked through the trauma, but those days would be forever burned into my soul.

“Will you tell us?” Amrey asked.

I took a deep breath. “Some years back, I was captured and tortured. That has to be the cause. I took repeated blows to my stomach, and I was…” I took a deep breath and came out with it. “I was raped by a savage dragon-shifter. In a number of ways.”

Merik winced, looking like he’d been hit. Amrey caught her breath and her eyes softened. After a moment, Merik spoke.

“Your Majesty, I don’t know how to tell you this, but there’s so much scar tissue surrounding your uterus that you’ll never be able to get pregnant. You’re sterile. If you go off the Alethas plant, your blood cycles will be intensely painful. I don’t think this damage can be repaired. I’d suggest you get a hysterectomy.” He sighed, holding my gaze. “I’m so sorry.”

I frowned. I’d taken damage from Hyto, but I’d never bothered having it checked out. The bruises had healed, and since I wasn’t having cycles anyway, it never occurred to me. “Okay…so…I have a hysterectomy. That’s not so bad.”

Amrey cleared her throat, looking extremely uncomfortable. “Your Majesty…you must produce an heir. That’s a given for anyone on the throne. You can’t rule the Barrow without an heir. A proper heir that comes from your body.”

It took a moment, but the ramifications of what she was saying hit. If my advisors found out that I couldn’t have an heir, they’d have good reason to depose me. I might be Queen of the Keraastar Knights, but that didn’t automatically come with the title of Queen of Shadow and Dusk.

I glanced over at Trillian and he gave me an almost imperceptible shake of the head, warning me not to react.

“As you said, we’ll have to confirm the tests,” I said. “Tell me, are you required to report this to my advisory board?”

Again, Amrey shifted from foot to foot. She turned to Merik, who tugged at his collar.

“Yes,” Merik finally said. “I can wait until we confirm matters, but I’m required to tell them if the queen becomes unfit to hold the throne. And infertility, before having an heir, is considered a liability. You’ll be fine, I’ve given you a tincture to clear the venom out of your system. But…I have to insist that we re-test you tomorrow, in the medic chambers, under supervision of the Royal Healer. And she’ll be required to report to your advisors once we confirm that there’s no way to return your fertility.”