Goblin Ball by L. K. Rigel Page B

belched.
    VI. Cissa
    Warily, Cissa watched Aubrey steady himself against Lexi’s cot. He was cleaned up and dressed in his favorite garb: white linen artist’s blouse open to his navel, skintight black satin trousers, black boots with silver buckles. His hair was wild as always, but held to a kind of spiky coherence. Still, she didn’t trust him.
    She scanned the enraptured crowd, all gathered close. There was no one at the temple, no one at the sacred lake. Sacred Lake. That’s what Dandelion called it these days. No doubt he’d learned the name from Beverly. Through the millennia, the lake had gone by several names.
    Sacred Lake.
    Nine Hazel Lake.
    Lake of the Lady.
    Cissa liked Lake of the Lady best. Sacred Lake sounded silly. Something a human would call it, born of some sad longing for the divine. Why could they not see? The divine was everywhere. Everything was sacred.
    Even Aubrey, the treesap.
    She played with her necklace, more depressed than she cared to admit. Her plan had worked, but it hadn’t succeeded. All the courts had sent delegations, but her prince was nowhere among them. It felt like her spell had worked, but he wasn’t here. She caught Max glancing her way, and they shared a look of commiseration as Aubrey launched into his act.
    The rogue fairy turned slowly and dramatically surveyed the guests. His violet eyes glistened with Aubrey-style mischief. Dangerous mischief.
    Cissa stomped her foot at his even being here. Horrified, she watched as the Edmos fae pointed and laughed and poked each other’s ribs. The London fae watched in stony, superior silence. If they weren’t still waiting to deliver their gift, she was sure they’d leave now in disgust.
    The humans gasped in wonder and admiration. It was true, Cissa had to admit. Even in his reduced state, Aubrey exuded an irresistible magnetic sensuality.
    What is he doing here? Scandalized whispers rippled over the lawns among the Dumnos fae. Idris’s lapdog; has he no shame?
    He reached again for the cot’s side, unsteady on his feet. He winked at Max, but the gob would have none of it. Under his breath Max muttered, “Treesap.” The oath warmed Cissa’s heart.
    Everyone was on their toes, leaning forward, a little afraid and a lot curious. Aubrey gave the child an elaborate bow but seemed to get stuck in the bent-over position. Cissa nearly started forward to deal with him when he managed to right himself again.
    “Li’ Lady Lethie.” His tongue seemed too big for his mouth. “Ev’body’s bes’ bluv’d.”
    “He’s drunk!” A sprite popped in and perched on Max’s other shoulder. “Queen Narcissus is going to be so mad!” The sprite clapped his hands with glee.
    Cissa was mad. Furious. Why hadn’t Dandelion come? She squeezed Max’s shoulder, grateful that he was there. He’d handle Aubrey if the fairy went too far.
    “Ev’body gave you some swell stuff, eh, Lethie?” Aubrey said to the baby. “I have a gif’ too. ’smuch… so much better. You’re gonna lof it.”
    Uh-oh.
    Lexi was spellbound. Not literally—it was highly unlikely Aubrey had the wherewithal in his state to accomplish that. But she was fascinated by him, no denying it. Her eyes were bright with interest, and she giggled one of those darling baby chortles that delighted Cissa’s fae heart. As if they were kindred spirits, the child locked gazes with the drunken treesap, as Max would say.
    “I give you… freedom,” Aubrey said. “Wonder! A sense of adventure. Curiosity. Joie de vivre! ”
    Well. Cissa let out a sigh of relief and heard it echoed by Max—and Goldy, who had come to stand on her other side, and Morning Glory beside Goldy.
    “That wasn’t so bad, now, was it?” Goldy said. “Wonder, curiosity?”
    “Curiosity.” Cissa fingered the emeralds at her throat. She pictured her prince charming and remembered the sizzle of his kiss. “Not so bad.”
    Lexi held on to the side of her cot and bounced, gazing adoringly at the very bad