Another Wednesday, more new words. Yay. And another yay because I managed to snag an Honorable Mention in last week’s Thursday Threads. The prompt is: *”I’m here to get you read.”*

Ready for what, you ask. Ariel is asking the same question because he’s now been saddled with an…apprentice? A squire? Cannon fodder? I think Druic has appeared before but I don’t currently remember the context. Here he is again–for the first time in the book, much to Ariel’s frustration.

****
Ariel exited the bedroom of his hotel suite and stopped short at the sight of the man hovering near the outer door. He glowered and the other lowered his eyes but stood frozen, a rabbit cornered by a fox. Exasperated, Ari snarled. “What’s going on, Druic?”

With his gaze still glued to the tips of Ariel’s boots, the younger Fae answered. “I’m here to get you ready.”

“Ready? For what?”

The kid shrugged. “I’ve not a clue, sir. She said go so I went.”

“She?” The panicked look on Druic’s face told the tale. What in the two realms was Titania up to now? “Does he know you’re here?” The boy all but quaked in his boots as he shook his head.

Resisting the urge to slap his palm against his forehead in a gesture of futility, Ari thought for a moment. The queen sent her errand boy to him without Oberon’s knowledge. What game was she playing now? He needed more information.

“What did she say, Druic? Her exact words.” Shuffling his feet, his eyes darting in every direction, the boy mumbled something. “Speak up, lad. I’m not a royal. I won’t throw you in the dungeons for answering my question.”

His head dancing like a bobble-head toy, Druic stuttered an explanation. “She told me to be secret. That you would need me. That I was to get you ready.”

“For what?”

“The one who is coming.”

Ariel sighed, then quoted one of Sade’s favorite expletive. “We are so fucked.”
****

There you have it. Ariel has no clue why he’s where he is, or why Titania would send this untried kid to him. Fun times ahead. Writers, there’s your prompt for the week should you wish to use it. Readers, who’s the one? *bwahaha*