Midlife Blues - Victoria Danann Page 0,32
Lungs, legs, land. Gills, fins, sea.”
“Convertible. Nice. Like those duckmobiles on Lake Union in Seattle.”
“Indeed.”
“But better, of course.”
“Of course.”
“So, what time do you suggest? For the gargoyle?”
“Five thirty.”
“That’s what? An hour or so after sunset?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve never been here at night. Does the room have adequate lighting?” I knew it was a dumb thing to say the moment it left my mouth. The room had whatever the fae wanted it to have. Seven queens together could probably rearrange stars in the Milky Way. I briefly wondered if they’d ever attempted something magically outrageous, but decided that was a discussion for another time. “Never mind. So, you’re saying adjourn after this case and reconvene at five thirty. When it’s fully dark.”
“Just a suggestion. The decision is yours, of course.”
My eyes wandered to the small bedroom of their own accord thinking there must have been other magistrates who indulged in naps between cases. I acquiesced with a shrug.
“I see no reason why not. You’ll make sure the, um, gargoyle and the lady know they’re up next.”
I finished lunch leisurely, making peace with the fact that a glass of black blend wine would still be waiting after the sunset trial.
With just two minutes to go, Keir wasn’t back yet, but I trusted his instincts regarding whether he’d be needed to wind up this particular case.
When everyone was in place, I said, “Before rendering my decision, I have a few more questions. Queen Enya.” I looked at the defendant while Mr. Bogdan reminded her to rise when being directly addressed by the court. “How old were you when you had an affair with the plaintiff? In human years.”
“Not yet four hundred, Your Honor.”
I quickly programmed my trusty new fae age converting formula into the calculator on my phone, which estimated that Enya would have been under twenty years old.
“And how old do you believe the count was at the time?”
“Over six hundred.”
Again, I did calculations that placed the man in his thirties. I set my calculating phone aside and stared at the count for a few seconds before turning back to the queen.
“The plaintiff believes he suffered damages at the hands of your curse. So far as I can see, the referenced damages are purely emotional in nature. If you’d be so kind as to think back to when you were not yet four hundred, would you say that you suffered damages, of an emotional nature?”
I saw that Bogdan was beaming. He knew that I was leading the witness, but mine was not a human court of law and Nightingale’s hubris became an element of the proceeding the moment he showed up without a professional to represent him.
Wondering if Nightingale would object to anything, I skirted closer to the edge of bias.
“Would you go so far as to say that the count took advantage of your young age, innocence, and inexperience?”
“Wait a minute!” Nightingale sputtered as he stood quickly, having apparently just realized that my questions were aimed in a particular direction. My eyes slid to the plaintiff. “Your Honor, that is not a fair question.”
I nodded. “Very well. I withdraw the question. Sit down.”
To Enya, I said, “Do you have something to say on the matter of damages?”
“I do, Magistrate,” she replied. “It was a painful way to learn that there are those who are unscrupulous with the hearts of others. Because of that incident, it was some time before I was willing to accept courtship.” She looked at someone in the Scotia gallery briefly and smiled in acknowledgement.
It seemed clear that prolonging the scene was pointless.
“The court finds for the plaintiff.” The room gasped, apparently not expecting that. “Defendant is instructed to return half the plaintiff’s fee for updates to his property. Additionally, she is ordered to pay a verbal fine. Mr. Bogdan, please ask your client to remain standing and repeat after me.” Enya drew herself up to full height and dignity, consummate pride on display. “Repeat after me. The next time I’m tempted to even a score with a lout, I will drink wine with my friends instead.”
Wearing a heavenly grin on her face and an aura that glowed all around, the queen repeated my words with relish.
When I banged the gavel, and said, “Dismissed,” she caught my eye and sent a message that I read as, “If ever you need a favor, sister…”
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Keir was slipping in to retake his post. He signaled with a subtle thumbs up that made me