“No, it’s really not. This is a kind of a big life change.”

“And yet, you knew you’d be taking this on when you defeated Aeson.”

I hesitated. Both Shaya and Rurik had hinted to me on a number of occasions that I really shouldn’t elaborate on the totally unexpected-and unwanted-nature of my queen-ship. Even if I hadn’t fought Aeson with the specific intent of supplanting him, the point remained now that I was stuck with this. Coming across as weak and whiny to those outside my inner circle could create more problems.

“Well, yeah,” I said brightly. “We just didn’t anticipate this many problems when the land changed.”

“But this is how your world is?”

“The part I live in. But we’ve had a long time to get used to it and figure out ways to survive and get water in. I gave Shaya books on how to construct some of that stuff, so hopefully she’ll find someone to do it.”

His brow furrowed. “Is there any way I could take a look? I might able to help.”

For a moment, I wondered if this was his new ploy to schmooze me-until I recalled what Shaya had said about him having a brilliant mind for technology, inasmuch as the gentry could. If he could parse diagrams and whatnot, it might be worth getting closer to him.

“Sure,” I said. “We could certainly use it.”

He smiled again, and as it lit up his face, even I could acknowledge he was pretty good-looking. Not like Kiyo, of course. Or even…well, like Dorian. But pretty cute.

“I’ll set to it as soon as I can. If there’s anything else I can do to make this easier for you, I’ll do it.” There was an enraptured look on his face. Yeah, he definitely had a crush, but he didn’t irritate me in the way so many other more obnoxious suitors did. An odd thought occurred to me.

“Leith…here’s something you might be able to help with. Have you ever heard of girls disappearing from the Rowan Land? In the areas that border my land?”

The look on his face showed that this was the last question he’d expected from me. “I…beg your pardon?”

“Girls have been disappearing from my land, right near your borders.” What were those names? “Skye and Ley. But the people I talked to say nothing’s happening to your girls. Do you know anything about this?”

He shook his head, utterly confused. “No…I’m afraid I don’t know very much about the lives of those people.”

Leith’s words weren’t contemptuous by any means, but there was an implication that villagers and peasants just weren’t people he associated with. It reminded me of Rurik’s comments about how Aeson would have never troubled himself to investigate bandits or missing girls unless they directly affected him. Leith wasn’t as much of an asshole as Aeson, but he and his mother were likely just as out of touch as any other noble.

I think a fair amount of disappointment must have shown on my face because he suddenly grew eager to make me feel better. “But I swear, I’ll look into this when I return. I’ll ask Mother, and we’ll send messengers out to report back. I’ll find out everything I can for you.”

I smiled at his enthusiasm. “Thanks, Leith. It’s really great of you to help.”

“Helping a pretty queen is no trouble at all. By the way, have you ever thought about getting a crown?”

We talked a little longer, and I found he actually was a really nice guy, given to moments of humor and intelligence. It wasn’t enough for me to jump into bed with him, but I appreciated finding someone else to connect with in the Otherworld. Shaya returned at last with the paperwork-hand-printed on scrolls, of course-and while Leith signed, we got a hold of the engineering books for him. His eyes widened with delight, and I swear, he probably could have sat down and started reading then and there on the floor. Instead, he took the hint that I had other things to do, and after many more compliments and hand kisses, he took his leave.

“You’ve given him another open invitation,” Shaya pointed out.

“Yeah, I know. But he’s harmless. I like him.”

“None of them are harmless, your majesty.” I couldn’t entirely tell if she was joking or not.

“Well, it’ll be worth the hassle if he can solve our water problem and help with the girls.”

“The girls?”

I gave her a quick recap of my interrogation with the prisoners. Her face turned thoughtful as she processed my words.

“Skye and Ley…”

“Do you know those towns?”

She nodded. “They and Westoria are configured in a way that places them equidistant from a gateway. A crossroads.”

“What, to my world?” She nodded again. “Huh. I wonder if that’s a coincidence. I wonder…I wonder if it’s possible that…” One of my crazier ideas came to me. “Do you think those girls could be leaving and going to my world?”

“I don’t know. Shining ones do often cross over. It’s not unheard of.”

“Yeah, I know. To cause trouble. Or to steal women.” I had to fight a scowl on that one. My own mother had been one such woman, abducted and forced to be my father’s mistress. “You think these girls are going to go kidnap guys so they can have kids?” The easy ability to conceive was why so many humans got kidnapped. Usually, it was gentry men taking human women.

Shaya’s smile turned wry. “I somehow doubt it would come to that. Women have been known to cross over, spend time in your world, and return pregnant. They don’t need to bring the men back.”

Fair point. Well, this was certainly a weird development. I’d have to wait and see what Leith reported back, but I supposed if these girls weren’t actually being abducted…well, there was little for me to do. Admittedly, I’d always fought adamantly against gentry sneaking to the human world, but I wasn’t sure where the right and wrong of this situation lay.

“I guess that’d be easier to deal with than a monster taking them. Still leaves that stupid demon problem.” I sighed. “Well, one issue at a time, I guess.”

“Are you leaving now?”

“Yes. Finally. Thanks for handling this today.”

“Of course,” she said. She actually sounded like she meant it. Her pleased expression turned momentarily hesitant. “Although…there’s something you should know. Someone else responded right away to the trade offer.”

“That’s good news.”

“It’s Dorian.”

“Oh.” Of course Dorian would respond. How could he stay away from an opportunity to put me at his mercy? “You can deal with it, though, right?”

“Well, that’s just it. He’s specifically requested that you talk to him. At his home.”

“What?” I stared. “He…he can’t do that.”

That wry smile of hers returned. “He’s a king. He can do anything he wishes.”

“Yeah, but Leith came here! Dorian just wants me to go to him so that he can taunt me.” And no doubt flaunt Ysabel in front of me.

“Leith’s kingdom needs copper more than Dorian’s. I suspect Dorian is doing this as a personal favor to you.”

“That’s not exactly how I’d put it.”

She shook her head, the amusement now warring with exasperation. “I know there’s tension between you, but I suspect if you could be nice to King Dorian, he might make us a very generous deal. One that could help us immensely.”

A generous deal. The Oak Land was flourishing. I didn’t doubt they had all sorts of food and other items we could use. I thought about those poor people in Westoria and even about my prisoners who’d spoken of having too many mouths to feed. I sighed.

“Fine. I’ll talk to him. And I’ll even be nice.” I started to turn away, needing more than ever to get back to my own home. Then I glanced back behind me. “But Shaya? Just to be safe, you might want to keep looking for more trade partners.”