bloodsong1 | Hoping Zahde enjoys this...

Three dozen snickerdoodles, two days of freaking out and one forced shopping trip had led to this. This being me sitting in my parked Saturn half a block from Kev's house, eyeballing the open rear door and wondering where the heck my courage had gone off to.

Speaking of courage, where IS your fearless cosplayer self?

Hiding in the closet.

And Super Happy Girlfriend?

Having a panic attack, AS YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE!

You really need to get laid.

Great. Even my inner voice is ganging up on me.

Shall we break out Poe?

No, no, I don't need a theme song.

I think you do. "Don't you mess/with a little girl's dream..."

SHUT UP!

Snatching my keys out of the ignition, I stuffed them into the dinky little purse Macy's had insisted was necessary with my ivy dress. I took two deep breaths, grabbed my box of cookies and the stupid little purse and shoved my scaredy-cat self out of the car, checking for traffic first. Tugging the purse strap over my shoulder, I took another two deep breaths and moved my reluctant feet up onto the sidewalk and towards the big green Victorian house. It took me entirely too quickly to get up on the wrap around porch and toward the open back door.

"KEV, WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!?" A loud, angry male voice thundered. I froze in the doorway, leaning slightly toward the frame.

"This, Gene, is my grill," Kev's calm voice responded. I swallowed hard.

"There's no fucking way I'm cooking on THAT. You're trying to kill me, aren't you?"

"Nonsense! Lou would have my head, you know that. Don't worry, I'll cook and you can go sit on the porch and relax." A tall, thin man wearing a Giant's cap, shorts and a T-shirt stormed toward me, pulling a cigarette out of a pack. He drew up short when he saw me cowering by the frame without trying to LOOK like I was cowering by the frame.

"Oh, hey! You must be Sari. Sorry about that. Hey, Kev! Come rescue your girlfriend!" My spine took offense and shoved me up straight.

"You must be Gene. How's the jaw?"

"Huh?" Kev came out and grabbed my hand.

"Hi, love. Don't mind Gene. He's used to cooking at these family gatherings and I've stolen his thunder."

"Clobbered it is more like. Only a freak like you would want to cook on THAT set up," Gene lit his cigarette, nodded to me and walked away. I blinked a few times as Kev tugged me into the kitchen. A woman in a green batik print blouse was sitting at a table under the windows, prepping vegetables for a tray. I glanced around, clutching my cookie tin tightly. All the windows were open and a fire was blazing in a large fireplace to my right. A large cast iron grill had been set up on the half-moon hearth in front of the fire.

"You're using cast iron to barbecue?" I managed to ask. Kev released my hand and grabbed me around the waist, giving me a bear hug. I buried my face in his chest, using his smoky scent to calm me.

"I've been wanting to try this rig out for weeks. Gene just doesn't know what to do with himself when he can't hide behind a gas grill and chain smoke," Kev explained, letting me go and taking the cookies. I turned back to the vegetable woman, who had stopped cutting and was wiping her hands. She rose and I admired the beadwork on her broomstick skirt. She came forward, holding out her hands.

"Hello! I'm Eva and I'm so pleased to finally meet you!"

"Sari, and the pleasure is mine," I replied, catching her hands with mine and giving them a friendly squeeze. She pulled me into a quick hug, then stepped back, holding my shoulders. I blinked at her once over, wondering when her gaze rested on my Green Man pendant, worn in the failed hope that I wouldn't freak out. Eva glanced at Kev.

"I approve!" Kev laughed.

"Eva is our resident Priestess."

"Priestess?"

"I am the High Priestess of the Temple of the Earth out near Ithaca," Eva explained. My eyes got wide.

"You're THAT Eva!?" I whirled on Kev and punched him on the arm. "You didn't tell me SHE was coming!" Kev backed off, rubbing his arm.

"Owww. I wanted it to be a surprise!" I huffed at him, turned back to Eva and bowed properly.

"It is a great honor to meet you and I apologize for not bringing you a proper gift. May I offer you a shoulder rub later?" She beamed and stroked my arm.

"Aren't you sweet! Patrick! Come meet Kev's lady!" Eva moved back to the table as a tall, thin blond man walked in, holding a highball glass full of ice and clear liquid. He put it down in front of Eva.

"Your gin and tonic, my love," He gave her a firm kiss, then moved in front of me. I blinked up at him, fighting a losing battle with my mouth wanting to fall open. In leather pants and a poet's shirt, all Patrick needed was an amulet, big hair and a vest. He took my limp hand, brought it up and bowed over it, lips hovering just above my skin.

"It is an honor to meet the fair lady that has so cleverly captured Lord Kev's heart" He said, clicking his heels. My Inner Queen surged to the front.

"We accept your gracious words, good sir. Would we be correct in surmising that you are the one to speak to regarding the procurement of beverages?" Patrick jolted to his full height, still holding my hand, and shot Kev a look.

"Sari is the Queen of Mercia. Her royal name is Bloodsong," He said, shrugging slightly. Eva clapped.

"Another Royal! This is wonderful!" Patrick glanced at her, then smiled at me.

"I would be, Your Majesty. How may I quench your thirst?" I took my hand back.

"A mimosa would be acceptable, provided your lady partakes of it first." I glanced at Eva, who looked surprised, then clapped again.

"A wise Queen, indeed. Go, Patrick. Make her drink and I will prove your innocence." She shooed him out the door. I whirled on her.

"How did you score the American equivalent of David Bowie!?!"