Copper Ravens(39)

Unperturbed, Micah bowed. “My lady,” he intoned, then he drew me beside him. “I have brought my consort for you to meet. Allow me to present my beloved, Sara Elizabeth Corbeau.”

“My lady,” I said as I curtsied, rather elegantly if I must say so myself. Sadie and I had been practicing.

“Consort?” Oriana repeated, her head cocked to the side in an avian manner. “And a Raven fledgling, at that. Micah, when did this happen?” Huh. Were consorts supposed to be cleared with the queen? Oops.

“Shortly before your rescue,” Micah said smoothly. “Sara and her family were instrumental in Ferra’s demise.” Oriana’s gold brows peaked; I hoped Micah had just won me some points. “Are you ready to dine, or would you care to walk first?”

“Walk. Let’s.” With that, the Gold Queen turned on her heel, leaving Micah and me to follow. She led us on a meandering path throughout her estate, passing through the same rooms two and sometimes three times. The floor in her throne room was gold, as were the floors adjacent to it. After a few twists and turns, the floor took on a pinkish hue, then it deepened to crimson. Oriana seemed unperturbed by this, but when a black floor loomed ahead she cried out, then scurried in the opposite direction. She’d learned a thing or two from the rodents.

The queen visibly relaxed once we reached a blue floor and sighed with relief once the floor had lightened to green. Before I could ask Micah if this was a newly built castle, or if our queen had a terrible sense of direction, Oriana led us to a courtyard.

“That was the strangest half-hour of my life,” I muttered. Micah squeezed my hand, and we stepped into the sunshine.

“Now, tell me,” Oriana said, once we were out in the open air, “where did you find your consort?”

“The Mundane realm, my lady,” Micah replied. “Sara has since consented to share my home in the Whispering Dell.”

“How nice,” Oriana muttered. “And why does she not wear her element?” It took me a moment to realize that the last question was directed at me, and I looked down at my dress.

“I thought others could tell that I am of copper by my hair,” I said. “I didn’t know I was supposed to wear it.”

“It is not that you have to,” Oriana clarified, “it is a matter of pride. Micah, I’m surprised you didn’t inform your lady.” I looked at Oriana’s clothing, which was a white toga-like garment that draped from a heavy gold collar, leaving her arms and shoulders bare. The cloth was bound about her narrow hips with several lengths of fine gold chain, and gold sandals wrapped around her feet. Oriana must be very, very proud of her element.

“I…I forgot,” Micah murmured, his silver brows furrowed. I looked closely at Micah’s clothing; his white shirt was edged in silver, and silver buttons graced his coat. “My Sara, please forgive me.”

“It’s fine,” I said. “After all, I’m only copper.” Not an important metal or anything.

“Never see yourself as ‘only’ copper,” Oriana said, rounding to face me. She stroked my hair, then her golden fingers travelled to my shoulder and danced down my arm, finally alighting on the small of my back. Even though my clothing separated our skin, I was acutely aware of her fingers as they pressed my mark. Being that Oriana was nuts, I decided to forgive her the personal trespass. “Copper is strong and beautiful, one of the most noble metals in existence.”

“Is it?” I murmured. “But I’m not precious, not like gold or silver.” Hell, where I come from, they make sewage pipes out of my metal.

“Does it matter if others see you as precious? Only you can truly assess your worth.” Oriana smiled, her eyes shining like the sun reflecting across a lake in summer. “Always be proud of who you are, my non-precious friend, and show the world your best side. Others cannot judge you by your weaknesses if you only show them your strengths.”

I opened my mouth, only to shut it with a clack. For the first time, I felt like I had an ally in the Otherworld. I mean, Micah was on my side, but that was different. Other than the pixie, Oriana was the first non-relation who had offered me any guidance in this strange land that was now my home. And having an ally in the Gold Queen must be a good sign.

“Thank you, my lady,” I said. “I will do my best to follow your advice.”

Oriana smiled at that, then she applied a bit more pressure to my mark. A sudden jolt, like lightning, shot to my core, while Oriana’s eyelids fluttered and her cheeks flushed.

“See that you do,” she murmured, caressing my cheek. “Come, let us enjoy our meal.” With that, Oriana wandered off; luckily, Micah took my arm and helped me along.