voidstilesgf

Since Jude insisted on staying at Madoc’s Stronghold at Imsmire to keep a low profile, Madoc had ordered Tatterfell to attend to her and had sent plenty of beautiful dresses, no doubt Oriana's. They were beautiful but the small windows meant to show a glimpse of skin on Oriana's slim figure, it would be a whole display on Jude.

Despite her exile, Jude hadn't skipped out on her drills. Waking every morning and staying up late at night just to maintain the fit physique that would be almost effortless at Elfhame where she would constantly be on her sword. It was a curse cloaked under the illusions of a blessing when it hadn't been quite so essential for Jude to maintain her way with a sword in the mortal world. Now although she was fit she was desperately out of practice.

"How  exactly do you intend to piece back shards of glass?" The imp asked Jude one morning as she braided Jude's hair into two horns, a style Jude had rather grew fond of. "Especially when you have pieces missing, you are not the same girl you were five years ago. The High King must know that—"

"And yet, he'd be too heartbroken to see clearly, he would see what he wants to!"

"Are you not seeing clearly yourself, child? The High King is not the same boy either, twisted with guilt and even more evidence that he is a boy not made for love. What makes you think you would manage to heal him so? And wouldn't you be just as cruel to use his already shattered heart in your own gain as he had been when he exiled you?"

It was almost comforting to have Tatterfell scolding her as if Jude was a child again. But she was not, and she did not like what Tatterfell said, especially when she made such a valid point.

"He deserves to feel the same pain as I when he viciously had me thrown out of Elfhame, out of my own home."

"For all your slightly worn edges that shows yourself to be a grown woman, you still grumble like a child." Once again, Jude was eerily reminded by herself that faerie can't lie and that Tatterfell can only say what she believes to be the truth. It did not stop Jude from grumbling even more, no matter how childish.

"I must pick the better of my enemies to make allies, mustn't I? Still, it is quite an overwhelming feat to think of someone whom I call an enemy and yet have no desire to kill me." At Tatterfell's pursed lips, a word already poised to slip out, Jude added, "Or someone who I call an enemy but have no desire to kill."

Tatterfell tugs painfully at a strand of hair, before pinning it back to complete the look. "She is your sister after all, the opposite side of the same coin, although you may have wishes to never speak a word to her, Taryn may wish otherwise." It would make sense to ask Taryn for her help, especially since she was married to Locke, the Master of Revels. Jude mentions this to Tatterfell but the imp merely let out a small giggle. "Oh do not depend on your sister for her husband for a corpse could do not much more than rot!"

That alarmed Jude, "Locke is dead?"

"Oh yes! Your sister killed him for reasons I will not disclose. But since we are on the topic of your sister, I find it important to mention that you also have a nephew running around in Faerie. Named Justin, after your father, the boy has walnut eyes and strands of russet hair that makes him look like a rounder version of his father. Cardan and Nicasia are quite fond of him, they were after all Locke's friends. Once they recovered from the news of his death, they visited the child and have doted on him since. Justin calls Cardan uncle, something no one had bothered to encourage or do otherwise. For it is quite accurate." Jude ignored the imp's last comment

"So I have a little nephew! Vivi never mentioned anything to me," Jude murmured sulkily. "But I suppose getting on Taryn's good graces would be beneficial despite Locke's death. She can get me an audience with the High King, bring me to a revel!"

Jude watched as Tatterfell nodded, no doubt glad that Jude had finally decided on making up with her sister, no matter Jude's true intentions.

"Very well, I've strung you some rowan berries, don't forget to turn your socks inside out as well," Tatterfell reminded. Jude listened as the imp continued, her beady black eyes trained on Jude, as if waiting. Jude didn't meet her eyes, she dreaded what was to come next.

It wasn’t just the churning hatred that had stopped Jude from talking to her twin sister, that had faded a long time ago. Jude was simply too prideful to accept Taryn's apology. She had betrayed Jude's trust, time and time again, couldn't she betray Jude just as easily this time? What stopped Taryn from doing it again? Jude didn't want to think about it, especially not as she stepped onto the doorstep of a familiar estate. Madoc had told her Taryn still lived in her husband's home, Jude had prepared herself for it but it was still eerie, despite the long years since the affair.

Before she'd chicken out and forgo her whole intricate plan just because she was too afraid to speak to her own twin sister, Jude knocked on the door, once, then twice. She had expected a servant, surely Taryn wouldn't be the one waiting at the door. Jude would have more time to mentally prepare herself, or so she thought. It was her twin sister that greeted her at the door, a familiar pleasant smile that turned into a look of horrified yet delighted surprise as she registered who was before her.

"Jude? Oh, um, do come in." Taryn opened the door wider, welcoming Jude in. The old house had turned into a lavish home under Taryn's care, decorated with things that were no doubt hand picked by Taryn herself. But there were a few things misplaced, and a trail of mud across the floor. Taryn noticed Jude's staring, "Justin was just out, he likes playing in the gardens, you see."

But Jude did not see, she didn't want to. How was it fair that Taryn got to live a wonderful carefree life at Faerie, unburdened by anything but her little child while Jude failed at even maintaining a healthy relationship with a boy she had been seeing for three years? Jude wanted to scream at her sister  wanted to yell and strangle her but the urges were overwhelmed by the suppressed love that Jude had tried so hard to quench.

Jude wrapped her arms around her twin sister, feeling tears slip down her cheek as she tightened her grip. At first Taryn simply stood there, stunned at her actions but then her arms returned the embrace, her grip hesitant at first, then strong as she sobbed. For the first time in so long, Jude felt anchored, as if finally she had found what her soul had been yearning for.

"Mummy, why are you crying?" a voice wondered. Jude dimly registered the small child, tugging at Taryn's dress. Slowly, as if she didn't want to let go, Taryn returned her arms to her side, stepping back as she wiped her tear streaked face. "Dear, have you changed? I wouldn't want you to trail more mud than you already did!"

Taryn used the chiding tone Jude faintly remembered her own mother using. A strict voice with a caring undertone as she commented on something naughty her child had done. Jude's already aching heart ached some more, once again she found herself wondering what the piece of history Madoc mentioned must be.

"I have," Justin told her mother, groaning as if he found Taryn's question annoying. Jude found her own mother’s questions annoying too but that was before. "And Aunt Nicasia is asking about who knocked the door, she's still in the parlour having tea."

Taryn perked up as if she just remembered. "Tell her it's just some lost faerie who needs directions," She said, ushering her child away. Technically, since Justin was part faerie he couldn't lie, but that didn't mean he can't say the untruth. He believed his mother’s words to be true, that was good enough. Taryn turned back at Jude, cast her a frantic glance and lowered her tone as she murmured, "You can join me and Nicasia or I can simply request she go home early so we can talk."

There were many people Jude didn't want to see right now, Nicasia was one of them. She is the daughter of Orlagh, Queen of the Undersea which makes her the Princess of the Undersea. Nicasia is cruel and was apart of Cardan's group of friends. Jude didn't see how the princess could change such drastically over the course of five years in favour of being nicer.

"Tell her to retire home early, what I have to say is urgent." Taryn nodded and headed back to the parlour, Jude watched as she go.

"Curious, some lost faerie who needs directions? Faerie do not get lost, nor did we need directions? Who is it, Taryn?" Jude recognised the familiar haughty voice of Nicasia. The princess walked out the room, her face twisted in annoyance. "Justin, darling, I'll see you tomorrow? Uncle Cardan will tag along next—," Nicasia called. Jude forgot to stay hidden, she had only realised she hadn't until she felt a pair of eyes on her. "Oh it makes sense now," the princess murmured, staring Jude up and down and leaving out the door before Jude could say a thing.

"Jude?" Taryn asked, gesturing for Jude to follow her to the parlour. Justin trailed behind her mother, casting occasional glances at Jude, his mouth opening then closing as if he wanted to ask a question but was too nervous to do so. Perhaps Jude was keeping her features schooled into the one she often wore at court, intimidating and cool. It was possible, especially with how comfortably Jude had eased back to the role of constant scheming.

"Why does she look like you, mummy?" Justin whispered to Taryn, casting another curious at Jude. Taryn picked her son up into his arms, whispering back a reply Jude didn't hear. Taryn gestured for Jude to sit on the cushioned armchair.

"I was there when Cardan announced your pardon, he was most obviously drunk and even more obviously crying, his eyes were glistening with tears. It rained," Taryn murmured, eyeing Jude with a raised eyebrow. "You hate Cardan, then you made him King. After that, you were kidnapped to the Undersea and Cardan exiled you. Excuse me if I am thoroughly confused!" Taryn exclaimed, exasperated.

"He was under my command when I made him king," Jude told her. "And I agreed to release him from that command by..."

"By?" Taryn asked, sipping a cup of tea. Justin sat atop her lap, face hidden in the crook of Taryn's neck. It looked terribly uncomfortable but Jude was too busy preparing herself for what she was about to say.

"I married him, I'm the High Queen of Elfhame," Jude added the last part quietly but Taryn caught it. Jude can tell by her widened eyes and little surprised gasp. She put her tea cup down, ever so graceful.

"How did-" Taryn blinked. "Right, so if you are Queen, why have you come to make amends with your widowed sister? I doubt I'd have much to offer," Taryn said skeptically, her hand reaching for Justin's head, fussing up the russet hair. It was the same shade as Locke's, Jude thought.

"You are close to Cardan. You're not the only one I have to make amends with."

"I'm assuming Madoc put you up to this? What did he promise? Power? A place to belong?" Taryn stared wistfully out the window, at the garden that must've been filled with flowers not quite so long ago. "Cardan visits, I see the longing in his eye that he masks with nothing but a thin veil lame humour. The one time I told a tale of you, how you used to scrape your knees, refusing to give up on your attempt of riding a bike, Cardan had laughed. Then the flowers had bloomed, it was the first flowers I've seen in so long."

Jude refused herself to feel touched. Where was he throughout the five years when Jude was dying inside? Where was he when Jude couldn't even look at Nightfell without wanting to put in through someone. She had considered going back, to hell with the consequences, had considered marching straight into the Palace to slice Cardan's throat. She had turned his words over and over in her head, searching eagerly for a loophole, constantly disbelieving that Cardan would betray her so severely.

"I need to get him under my control again. First, healing the land then..." Jude watched Taryn's dissatisfied expression. "Madoc promised me something really valuable. You can choose to not help me at all if you want but I'd share the prize either way."

"I want no prize, I am content here in this manor with my child. Despite being a disgraced general's Foster daughter, I am accepted."

"He's offering me a piece of information, about our past. He swore it'll be worthy of my part in the grand scheme of things."

"A memory? For playing your lover like the strings of a lyre. You didn't like it when Locke did it to you, now you're doing it to Cardan."

"Do not remind me of Locke! I'm grateful you managed to kill him though, I would've loved to preform the act myself but alas you beat me to it." Jude paused as a servant placed a plate of pastries and faerie fruit. She wat he'd as Taryn murmured her thanks, waiting until the faerie was out of eavesdropping distance. "Get me an audience with the High King, you confirmed my suspicions, he is inexplicably in love with me, his judgement no doubt clouded with heartbreak."

Taryn bit her lip, she had been the one warning Jude against fighting back, against threatening the prince, always afraid of the consequences. Now she was the one defending him, Jude didn't think she could forgive Taryn if she denied Jude her help.

"Very well." Jude was grateful. "There's a revel tonight, some Lady from court will be leaving Elfhame to head for the mortal lands." Taryn spoke mortal lands as if she wasn't a mortal herself, but Jude supposed she wasn't, neither of them were truly human, couldn't leave Elfhame even if they tried their best.

"Madoc brought some of Oriana's dresses but I don't think..." Jude gestured to the blue dress she was wearing, the flowy fabric clinging to her figure. "I suspect we are still the same size?"

Actually, Jude was slightly bigger with her muscles compared to Taryn's delicate limbs but Jude supposed it was the better of the two. She'd ask Madoc for a seamstress but he had told her that her being here was going to be a secret until I make some grand appearance at a revel.

"How grand?" Taryn asked conspicuously, releasing Justin so he could go to play outside. "Set the tone for your arrival, I'll move pieces around it."

They talked for hours, until the sun had rose and Justin had crept back in, placing his head on Taryn's lap and falling soundly asleep. They talked as if they were little children, planning their fantasy wedding to a prince of a faraway kingdom. Flower petals that turned to butterflies, a scandalous dress, a flirtatious dance with a faerie just to make Cardan jealous.

But in the end they settled on a yellow dress with skirts like petals of a sunflower. The sleeves draped across Jude's shoulders,  the bodice a dark brown. Beads were sewn in to replicate the seeds. Jude would've preferred something blue but Taryn had nothing of that colour that quite caught Jude’s eye like the sunflower dress did.

"Also, I sent a messenger to the palace, a discreet one. Cardan would be wearing a golden doublet, I think the both of you would suit each other quite well."

Jude knew it was what she asked for but she couldn’t helped but feel uncomfortable. It wasn’t that she didn't want the revenge, it simply felt wrong to touch something so sacred. But there was no time to change her mind for they were already mere steps from the field where faeries were dancing in the fading sunlight. Jude was tempted to turn around anyways but some faeries had already caught sight of her, unabshedly pointing and loudly whispering, not even bothering to be subtle.

But Jude kept her eyes on a figure waltzing with a leafy-haired faerie, never missing a step though his eyes met Jude's gaze. Jude refused to look away, letting her fury burn, letting the determination show. The trees around the field turned green, blossoms starting to bloom. Distantly, Jude heard the crowd gasp, the music pause but she didn’t look at them, she needed to see Cardan's reaction when she took her next move.

"I am the High Queen of Elfhame," Jude announced, not even wavering. More flowers bloomed as the crowd grew louder, shouting for Cardan to address me. His dancing partner froze and stepped away, further displeasing the High King. Jude knew that  scowl all too well.

Cardan walked towards Jude, his scowl turning into a broken smile as he walked closer. The music had continued, the folk of the air returning to their dancing. Only Jude caught the tears Cardan blinked away.