Popping an eye open, I immediately squinted against the dim light that caused my head to feel like it was splitting wide open. Laying still, I watched as Dougal, Erick, and Puck scattered around my little living room area with trays in hand. Each of them grabbed something to sit on before dragging it over to the side of my bed. With both eyes open now, I looked over the trays filled with food and drink they placed in front of them. The smell of fried potato patties and veggie pot pie caused my stomach to roll in the most unpleasant of ways. 

Swallowing around a dry throat, I groaned loudly, “Get ouuuut.” 

“Respectfully, My Queen. No.” 

Snorting at Erick’s sassy response, I pulled the furs over my head and tried to block them out enough to fall back asleep. 

“Up, up, Fabht Sicura. You’ve been asleep long enough and we have plans to make.”

“Already?” I groaned out from beneath the furs, “We just landed five thousand Banchees last night. I think we can take a couple of hours to sleep in.” 

“Um, that was actually two days ago.”

My eyes snapped wide open as my body went taught. “What?”

“That was two days ago,” Puck repeated. “You’ve been asleep for two days.” 

Shoving the furs away, I shot up into a seated position to stare at the men calmly eating beside me. Or at least they had been. Puck was now choking, Erick was blushing with his eyes firmly on his plate and Dougal had his head turned away with a grimace. 

“I was asleep for two days and nobody woke me? We don’t have time to waste.” 

My mind raced at the possible problems that came along with me being out for two days. If I was in a dreamless sleep for two days, did that mean my nightmares were going to be worse when I had to sleep again? Oh, I was so not looking forward to that. However with all the sleep I got, I bet I could go a few days without. I honestly doubt anyone at the camp would notice...Fuck. What did these Fae think of me now? I went out to recruit an ally and came back drunk before knocking out for two days. Not exactly Queenly. 

Rubbing at my throbbing temples, I tried to calm my spiraling thoughts. Great fucking going Macha. They probably think you’re a sugarholic now.

“Please cover yourself!” 

Confused at Puck’s sudden shout, I looked down and then rolled my eyes at his dramatics. Tucking a fur under my armpits to cover up, I snarked, “Happy, Lord Prude? They’re just tits. Haven’t you seen Bria’s?” That little comment bought me an evil eye from Dougal that had a laugh tumbling from my lips. But at the painful pulse in my head I stopped the laugh almost as soon as it started.

“Of course not. That would be highly improper. We’re just good friends.” Puck replied, keeping those golden eyes on mine to avoid Dougals piercing gaze.

I went to say something to Puck when I noticed the General still hadn’t looked up from his plate. Shifting into a criss cross position, I held the fur tightly against my chest and said, “You can look now, Erick.” 

His brown hair swayed lightly as he peeked up at me and then straightened up when he saw that I was telling the truth. The blush coloring his cheeks went down as he got back to eating his meal without making eye contact. Who knew the General was so easily ruffled?

“So, how’d we get back here? Because I don’t remember anything after they brought out the human soda.” 

At the mention of said soda, Erick’s face scrunched up and he pressed a hand to his stomach. “I can’t believe I drank that shit. I know you said it was safe for us to drink since they were sealed but I don’t think my liver will ever be the same.” 

“Me and a few of the soldiers, who don’t drink, brought you guys back. And before you ask again, you’ve been having trouble sleeping so I thought you could use the rest.” 

I bristled slightly at what he was implying, my nightmares are none of your fucking business. Smiling to hide my annoyance, I replied, “You should have woken me up. Now, since we’ve wasted two days. What’s next on the agenda?” 

Instead of answering, Dougal pushed his untouched tray to me and stated, “Eat.” 

Moving a frizzy chunk of blue hair back over my bare shoulder, I nudged the tray towards him. “Not hungry. I think I have a good idea on who to collect on next. She won’t have as many men as Afric but they’ll be big and strong.” 

Slate gray eyes narrowed in on me, “As the Commander of your Elite Guard, it is my job to make sure you stay healthy and capable of ruling. You haven’t eaten in two days. No one is going to take stock in your decisions unless we know your judgement is sound.” 

For a long moment, we were locked in an intense staring contest to see who’d flinch first. What he was saying was correct and under different circumstances I’d listen to him. But I really didn’t want to touch that food. I knew at the first bite I was going to spew it all back up in a nasty mess of tan and green. However, Dougal wasn’t going to back down if his lifted chin was anything to go by. 

I waited a moment more before lifting my upper lip to flash pointed teeth. I wasn’t stupid. Dougal would definitely hand me my ass. The silver tattoos on my arm glinted in the dim light as I reached out to grasp a fried potato patty. Bringing the food to my lips, I opened my mouth and sunk my teeth-

“Stop! Drink this first!” 

Son of aaaaa...“Lower your fucking voice, Petal Head.” I hissed, pulling the patty away from my mouth and pressing a hand to the side of my throbbing temple. 

“You’re kind of rude but that’ll serve you well in the courts. Only goes to show that father was right in his choice.” A bright smile stretched Pucks golden face as he held the cup out for me to take. Not once did a single negative emotion flicker over his features at the insult I had hurled his way.

Disgusted by his lack of anger and annoyance, I snatched the cup from his hand with a little snarl. Always so Divines damned chipper.