On Tinsel Wings by Li Augusta

Author:Li, Augusta [Li, Augusta]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2013-07-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

PATRICK thoroughly enjoyed the final day of the Freebooter’s Retreat. He and Jen spent the time between their performances happily wandering the grounds, joining in every errant performance they happened upon. Practice had made Patrick competent enough on the lute to accompany most of the musicians, and Jen’s gorgeous singing voice was never unwelcome.

Some remnant of his Titania persona stayed with Patrick, lending him the confidence to banter flirtatiously with women and even willing men. Of course, his allegiance to the queen always gave him a convenient escape if things progressed too far. Their matching red hair led many to ask if the queen’s minstrel might be an unacknowledged brother.

“Acknowledged or not, this is our sweet little brother,” Jen said before one crowd after a pirate quartet performed. “We cherish him as dearly as the roses do the sun, rain, and soil. We could not do without him, and value him above all others.”

“Your Majesty?” Patrick asked, shocked.

“Peace, troubadour,” Jen said, squeezing Patrick’s arm. “’Tis all true. To the last word.” Then she addressed the crowd. “And before tongues begin to wag, we tell you all, on our honor, this is our brother and nothing more.”

“Can I have ’im, then, Queen Bess?” shouted a member of the Wench’s Guild.

“Nay, my dove,” Jen said, “for we cannot do without him.”

At the back of the crowd, Taylor stood with his arms crossed, scowling at both of them. When the audience dispersed in search of other amusements, he came up to Patrick and said, “So, you think you’re an actor now?”

“I’m in the cast,” Patrick answered. “So, yeah.”

“Just putting on a costume doesn’t make you an actor,” Taylor said.

Jen looked around to make sure none of the Faire’s visitors heard her. “Fuck you. I never took an acting class either.”

“Obviously,” Taylor said.

“Just what’s your problem?” Patrick asked, stepping in front of his queen. “What did we ever do to you?”

“I saw you having lunch with your little boyfriend,” Taylor said. “I saw you two queers holding hands and sniffing each other’s hair like a couple of dogs. I almost puked. There are kids at this Faire, for God’s sake.”

“You’re such a douchebag, Taylor,” Jen said. “What, are you jealous that Patrick has a boyfriend when no one here will give you the time of day?”

“At least I’m not a faggot.”

Jen took a step closer to him, her chin lifted. “No. You’re just a loser who thinks you can get ahead by bragging without the talent to back it up. Everyone here thinks you’re an asshole. Go ahead and ask them if you don’t believe me. Ask anyone.”

“You cocktease bitch,” Taylor snarled. “One of these days you’re going to find out what you passed up, whether you like it or not.”

“Over my dead body,” Patrick said, getting between them.

“Fine by me.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. What are you going to do about it, you little fag?”

“Try me,” Patrick said, his fists balled and adrenaline coursing through his veins. “Go on. Let’s see you do something besides run your mouth.

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