Chapter Text
It all started with Jude being what she was best: incredibly stubborn. In retrospect, she should have known that what she needed after her and Cardan’s misadventures in the Undersea was some quiet time and a lot of rest. What she ended up doing was anything but that. The mortal High Queen had a reputation to uphold, and brushing with death and crossing foes was not a reason to lay low. On the contrary, they had triumphed and survived. Provocation was also a big part of Jude's arsenal, and they needed to rub it in their enemies’ faces. Hence the endless revels and celebrations, which in turn led to sleepless nights; the High King and Queen also quite enjoyed celebrating each other with passion.
Paradoxically, Jude's other mistake was to finally allow herself a bit of reprieve before this night’s revel. Mortals medicine books often described one's body crashing once their adrenaline rush ended, and the High Queen was convinced this was exactly what was happening to her right now as she forced herself to not sag onto her throne. She'd woken up feeling nauseous and chilly, and not even a self-imposed rest period could restore her usual level of energy. She’d just need to quietly slip away lest her dear husband started to fuss over her.
“Jude?” Cardan reached an arm out from his own throne and squeezed her hand with his. She winced. There was no way to hide her current weakness from him anymore. The king was always more perceptive than anyone gives him credit for. Her husband was just as cunning as she was, and he had perfected the art of hiding behind his insouciant mask over the years.
She forced a tired smile and squeezed his hand back in reassurance. “I think that I will retire for the night. No one throws celebrations as wild as your new master of revels, but I’m afraid I’m not seventeen anymore. All the noise is grating on my nerves, and if someone tests me right now, there might be some necks breaking. That would be terrible for diplomacy.”
Cardan rose with her, still holding onto her hand. Worry etched on his beautiful face. “It is unlike you to pass up an occasion to break undeserving necks. Are you feeling quite alright?”
Jude whirled around to face away from the crowd. She would not lie to her husband, but she would not let other people know about any weakness of her, no matter how minor they might be. “I think that these last weeks’ events are finally catching up on me. All I want right now is to lie down in bed and sleep the day away.”
Cardan frowned. “I do not like it when you are unwell. Let us retire for the night and ring for some tea to soothe you.”
“Nonsense. I am perfectly capable of resting on my own. Besides, if you follow me, people will gossip again about the High King being so ensorcelled by his mortal wife that he would leave the revels he loved so much to be in her skirts.”
“I am ensorcelled by you, my bewitching Jude.” He made a point of bringing her hand to his mouth and kissing her knuckles. Charming bastard. “And I love nothing more than to be surrounded by your skirts.” He grazed her skin with his teeth, humming contentedly.
Jude could feel him smile against her skin. She knew her husband well, and if she allowed him to continue his ministrations, he would sweet talk her into following her back to their rooms. Snatching her hand away, she tipped his chin up. “Precisely, Cardan. I know you love to be surrounded by my skirts, or to peel them off. I would not get any rest if you come back with me right now.”
He had the audacity to look affronted. “Jude! You are sick. I am not an animal. I can control myself.”
“Alright, my most valiant husband. I should not have jested with your self-control.” Over the years, Jude has learned that one of the things that irked Cardan most was when anyone, her included, doubted his intentions towards her. She ran a hand in his hair to soothe him. “But I mean it when I said that you would have to stay a bit longer. We threw this party in honor of our new allies. It would look poorly on Elfhame if we both disappear for no apparent reason, and I’d rather not have anyone know I’m not feeling quite well. You know how those vultures are.”
He grumbled, but eventually nodded. Their early reign had been tumultuous, and while things have calmed down in the decade since their ascension, there would always be members of the Court questioning the legitimacy of a mortal on the throne. Any missteps on her part could fuel the rumor mills. Heck, one time, there were talks of her imminent demise over a simple bout of flu that went on for a bit too long. Cardan rested the back of his hand on Jude’s forehand for a moment, his brow furrowing in concentration. “Very well. You don’t seem to have a fever, so I will at least be reassured. I shall join you as soon as it is politically acceptable, and no later than that.”
“And I don’t expect anything less from my devoted husband.” She lifted herself on her toes to kiss him goodbye, and turned away before he could reciprocate.
As soon as Jude managed to escape to her inner chambers, she let herself fall on a chair, the heels of her palms pressing into her closed eyes. Her head was truly going to kill her. She’d have to grill Cardan later on; whatever wine concoction he created was truly doing a number on her. As if her body had heard her thoughts, another bout of nausea hit her, and Jude ran for their bathing chamber, retching the basin just in time to empty the meagre content of her stomach.
Groaning, she rang for a servant to draw her a bath. She couldn’t wait to wash out the filth and the weakness from her body. She would soak her tender muscles, get a restful sleep, and wake up tomorrow night as the queen in control that she was.
Thankfully, it was Tatterfell who arrived to tend to her. Jude was grateful that it was her old attendant and not anyone else who bore witness to her vulnerable state. This was not even close to the worst state she’d found Jude in. The imp quickly prepared the bath, adding various scented oils to the steaming water. The eucalyptus scent was pleasant and soothing, and Jude breathed it in, humming to herself. Tatterfell kept her gaze on her as she undressed, scrutinizing her intensely.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Oh, don’t play modesty with me, Your Majesty. I’ve dressed you and your sisters since you were children.” With that, she took out a flask from her pocket and emptied the clear liquid in the bath.
“What’s that?”
“Healing water from Insear. Orders from the king himself.”
“Cardan sent you? I thought you came when I rang.”
“Yes, and yes. I came when you called for an attendant, but the king had already sent for me as soon as you left the throne room. I must admit that I had my reservations about him as a boy, but he’d proven himself an attentive husband and useful king.”
“In that order?” Jude snickered.
Tatterfell gave her one of her rare toothy smiles. “Yes, in that order, my queen. Now get in before you catch a cold.”
Jude laughed, always grateful to have people who respected and knew her enough to not layer on flourished flatteries around her. She obeyed and slipped in the bath, letting the warm water envelop her body. “Now, will you please let me stew in my misery alone? I’d rather keep the sliver of pride I have left.”
Satisfied, Tatterfell discretely took her leave, not without making sure to bring the soiled basin with her. Jude let the warm water and soothing oil engulf her body. She closed her eyes, finally feeling a little better. I’ll just rest my eyes until the headache goes away.
Jude jerked awake. She had clearly rested longer than she intended, the water having gone cold. She shivered and lifted herself out of the bath, only to find Cardan lounging on a chair, smiling lazily at her. “The fearful High Queen of Elfhame, lulled to sleep by a bubble bath. Who would have thought?” He got up and grabbed a big towel, wrapping her with it as soon as she stepped out of the water.
“Covering me up today? That is unlike you. Are you unwell?” Jude asked softly, without any of her usual bite. The combination of the soft towel and her husband’s arm was heavenly, and she was ready to bask in them and fall asleep again. She rested her head on his chest and hummed contentedly, not caring that she’d probably wet his clothes.
“I had time to enjoy the view while making sure you don’t drown in that bath. Now let’s finally get you to bed before you fall asleep right here. I’d gladly carry you, but you’d make me pay for that impertinence in the morrow.” Jude let Cardan tuck her in, and before he returned to bed after washing up, she’d fallen back into a deep slumber.
The next evening, Jude woke up feeling pleasantly trapped in their bed. Cardan's body was flushed behind her, his tail wrapped around one of her legs and one arm flung across her hip, with his hand splayed on her belly. She could feel his even breaths on her neck, as he’d also buried his head in the crook of her shoulder. She tried to extricate herself from his arms, but was met with a tightening of the embrace.
“No.” He grumbled sleepily against her skin.
“No?”
“No court. No getting out of bed. No revels. No diplomatic meetings. You will rest today. No discussion.”
“Oh? And who will enforce that?”
“Everyone. On the order of the king. And fortunately, that happens to be me.” She could feel Cardan grin against her neck.
Jude had to admit that the prospect of an uneventful day to laze around sounded like heaven, but she wouldn’t be Jude Duarte if she didn’t put up one last fight. “One day. And not one more.”
“One day, and we will reassess.”
Jude could fight and negotiate more, but truthfully, she could still feel the exhaustion and didn’t have the strength and patience to do so. “Fine, but you won’t be holding court either. It will be suspicious if you go alone.”
“My dear, you won’t have to ask twice for me to stay clear of court.” He chucked, tickling her neck with his puff of air.
The tickling continued when she felt Cardan’s nose and lips roaming up her neck up to the back of her ears.
“What are you doing? You urged me to rest.”
“Hmmm. Did you change your perfume? You smell good, it’s distracting me.”
“It must be all the oils you sent yesterday for the bath. You would be a sensation if you were working at Lush.”
“I’m always a sensation, but what's a lush?”
Jude laughed, always amused at Cardan's confusion over mortal world things, although she was almost as bad as him now, having spent most of her life in Faerie. His own laughter rumbled against her chest, and Jude's heart still hurts a little whenever life grants them a mundane display of happiness such as this.
Cardan unlatched his lips from her skin, triggering a whine of protest from Jude, and turned her around so that she was lying on her back. He stayed on his side, propped on one elbow, and scrutinized her with focused concentration.
“You still look a little pale. How do you feel today, truly?”
Jude hesitated a moment, then relented on being truthful. “Like I've been run over by a truck.” At his furrowed brows, she added: “You know those iron carriages.”
Cardan gasped in horror at that. She guessed that her brain felt fuzzy too, because she knew full well that it was one thing not to tell her husband unless she wanted that dramatic reaction and the worry that would inevitably ensue. “It's nothing I haven't endured, and a common cold symptom. But I will heed your words for today and be a useless slug.”
“I'd wager that being a slug is better than being a terrible snake. How I envy you, my dear. Now slug away, while I ring for tea and cakes. You will need energy to get better, and I insist that you do.” There was a finality to his words, a commanding tone that came so naturally to him as the king. Jude would never admit it out loud, but she sometimes envied Cardan's ability to balance nonchalance with imperious commands, while she'd still have to glare and scare most people into listening to her orders.
Her husband got out of bed, taking all the warmth with him. Jude shivered, and she realized that it was not only his absence that brought the cold, but also the chills that she still felt within her bones. Nonetheless, Jude Duarte was still the High Queen of Elfhame, and she would not let a simple cold get the better of her. She forced herself out of bed, cursing the room that was still slightly spinning, and headed to the bathing chamber to ready herself for the day. Another wave of nausea hit her, sending her to the basin to dry heave again. She was glad that Cardan didn't witness that, or she'd be on house arrest for the foreseeable future.
When she finally felt stable enough and not too queasy, Jude carefully padded to their private sitting room, where Cardan was already lounging on the couch with a book. He'd kept his attire simple, or as simple as he could stomach, which told her that he had every intention of staying in with her, most probably to ensure that she didn't run off to work behind his back. A tray with steaming mugs and an assortment of food was waiting for her arrival. She was staring at all of her favorite snacks, so why did her stomach decide to do more somersaults? Jude sat down and carefully reached for a mug, sipping on the hot tea to quell her urge to be sick again.
Cardan watched all of her movements like a hawk. Finally, he put his book down. “You need to eat something, Jude.”
She wrinkled her nose and put her cup down. Shaking her head, she reached for a dried biscuit with nuts and preserved fruits, deciding that its smell was the least offensive of all. She nibbled slowly on it as Cardan continued his surveillance.
“Stop gawking at me, this is all your fault.” She poked at his chest with finger. “Whatever you put in the drinks yesterday did a number on me. I've been feeling nauseous ever since. Just the sight of food is making me gag.” She pushed the tray away.
Cardan frowned and grabbed for the hand that was poking him, feeling for her pulse at her wrist. “This is unlike you. Besides, the wine was nothing out of the ordinary.”
“What are you doing? Are you a healer now?”
The king chuckled. “Far from it, but one does not hang out with the Bomb without learning a trick or two. Surely I can feel if something is seriously amiss. Now shush and let me concentrate.”
Jude didn't think much of it, until Cardan suddenly jerked his head up, looking at her as if searching for something. His mouth hung open, almost as if he were shocked. An emotion she couldn't place welled up in his eyes. Leave it to her husband to be overly dramatic over a simple cold. She'd be touched if she were not so grumpy.
“Cardan, I swear I'm not dying.”
“Jude, you–” he studied her like he does whenever trying to detect her lies. Finally, he schooled his expression to something akin to feigned neutrality. “No, I suppose you're not dying. You're right, I'm afraid this is indeed all my fault. I'll make it right.”
Jude didn't have time to question those words when Cardan got up, barking orders for the offending tray of food to be taken away and for something else to be brought in for her. Jude was not one to let herself be fussed over, but in the sanctuary of their private rooms, she'd sometimes let him get away with it. As she sank into her plushy robe, she told herself that a cold December day when she wasn't feeling well was one of those days.
Jude dreamed of Insear, of the evenings under the stars with Cardan as the melodious waves lulled her to sleep. She opened her eyes, blinking in confusion as her surroundings came back into focus. She was not on the small Elfhame Island, but still in her room at the palace. The melody she heard was not a dream, but her husband humming softly. She'd fallen asleep while reading a book, trapping Cardan on the sofa as her head was pillowed in his laps. He didn't seem to mind at all, his hand resting on her waist rubbing lazy patterns on her belly.
He looked down at her, smiling softly. “It seems that you were in dire need of a nap, my sweet. You'll need to rest a bit more often now.”
Rubbing sleep from her eyes, Jude sat up. At least the room has stopped spinning for now. She decided that ignoring his request for more rest would do for now. He'll let it go once she feels better, she was sure of it.
“What time is it?”
“It's almost dinner time, and Taryn and Leander have invited themselves over.”
“What? Why didn't you wake me up?” Jude sat up and hurried toward her dresser.
Cardan shrugged, still perfectly content to remain on the sofa, as if guests weren't waiting for them since God knew when. “I may have quips with Taryn, but your sister can be more reasonable than you regarding courtly manners. I informed her that you weren't feeling well, and she insisted that I do not wake you. They are being entertained by the Court of Shadows as we speak. I'm sure Leander is having the time of his life.”
“What courtly manners? I am the Queen, and I say that my manners are perfectly acceptable.” She snapped as she swapped her mortal loungewear for a silk dress.
“Precisely.” Cardan hummed and approached her, sitting on a chair to help her button her dress up. He stopped for a long moment when he reached her waist, and for a moment Jude thought that he would pull her back between his legs and forget about Taryn and Leander altogether, but he finally snapped out of his trance. “You are the queen, and it is perfectly acceptable to make people wait when you are busy with royal convalescence. Now, can you stomach dinner, or should I ask the servants to prepare for evening tea instead?”
“Dinner is fine, I'm not a toddler, I can control myself.”
“Very well, then. Dinner it is. I'll call for Taryn and Leander and inform the servants of the Queen's orders.”
With a kiss on her forehead, Cardan let her finish dressing up and headed out.
Dinner was in fact not fine. The banquet, while very small and humble for Elfhame standard, still contained one too many varieties of food. The whiffs of different aroma mingled together into a sickening smell, churning Jude's stomach once again. She sipped on a few spoonfuls of broth, finding the saltiness of it soothing.
On the other side of the table, Taryn was observing her curiously, not unlike Cardan earlier that day. Her husband, in turn, was indulging Leander who chatted excitedly about a trick he’d seen while with the Court of Shadows.
“Jude, you look a little green. Are you quite alright?” Her sister asked, concern etching on her features. Great. Now even Taryn was worried. For two people who openly disliked each other, her twin and her husband were surprisingly alike when it came to Jude's stupid cold.
“I’ve been feeling a bit queasy, that's all.”
Absentmindedly, Jude reached for her goblet of wine, but before she could grab it, Cardan took it and downed it in one big gulp.
“Seriously? You have your own!”
“It's for your own good, my oblivious queen.”
“That's rich coming from you.”
His hand absentmindedly went up to her hair, caressing it lightly before settling on her back, rubbing small circles. She hated that she loved it. “You’ve been out of sorts. Take it from me, wine won't help with the nausea.”
He had the audacity to wink at her, and Jude huffed. She admittedly did not really want to drink the wine anymore, now that she thought about the day she’d had thanks to Cardan's previous concoction.
Taryn looked between the two of them, her mouth slightly hung open, her eyes round like saucers. Jude wasn't sure why her twin was so surprised; her and Cardan's open quips were hardly a secret. She didn't have the time to clap back at them when the servants brought in trays of grilled meat. Instantaneously, her nausea rose again, making Jude forget about anything else.
“Excuse me.” She shot up from her chair and quickly ran for the nearest bath chamber.
Distantly, she could hear Cardan's steps behind her, but she couldn't stop him as she flew toward the basin, retching. She registered his presence when her hair was pulled back.
“This is embarrassing. What's wrong with me?” Tears of frustration were welling in Jude's eyes. She hated being weak.
“Nothing is wrong with you, Jude.” She knew that he couldn't lie, but he surely couldn't believe that?
Cardan handed her a goblet of water, and she took it gratefully, slipping to sit on the cold tiles. “Can you go back to dinner with Taryn and Leander? I feel terrible about making them wait and then bolting out like this, but I have to admit I’m not sure I can sit in front of the food right now. I can see her in the sitting room after, once I make myself presentable again.”
Cardan looked unsure, but the High King knew when to concede when the battle was lost, and so he nodded reluctantly. “Very well, but I'll send Tatterfell for you.”
He did insist on seeing her back to their rooms before going back to her sister and nephew. Jude too knew when to save her energy and not fight back, and so she let herself be escorted like a damsel.
A little while later, Jude was surprised to find Cardan walking into the sitting room without her twin in tow.
“Taryn left for the mortal world to stay with Vivi for the night. She offered to get you some medication and other necessities from the drug store. They will come back tomorrow.”
Jude groaned. She wasn't sure her sanity would remain intact if Vivi were added to the fussing party. At least she escaped Taryn and her scrutinizing eyes tonight.
Sleep evaded her that morning, adding to Jude piling list of frustration. She tossed and turned, willing her body to relax. She needed the rest if she wanted to get better. She couldn't afford another day without attending to all her duties.
“Jude, go to sleep.” Cardan pulled her towards his body, limiting her tossing and turning. “You've been dozing off everywhere all day, your body needs rest. I already know for a fact that you won't let me sequestrate you tomorrow, and I also know that you would hate to fall asleep in the throne room while we hold court. So you need to sleep now, before you're too tired to wake up.”
Jude sighed in frustration, turning to nuzzle her head on her husband's chest. “It's precisely because I've been falling asleep all day long that slumber now evades me.”
They stayed intertwined in silence for a while, when Jude remembered something. “Earlier today, when I was asleep in your laps, you were singing something.”
Cardan tensed at that. “I was n–” He stopped, and she smiled. He couldn't lie. “I didn't think you heard that.”
“I would not have thought you a shy man, High King.”
“I'm afraid my signing is another weakness of mine, one you'd probably take pleasure jesting about later on.”
She shook her head against his chest, dropping a kiss on his bare skin. Jude was not a natural at reassuring people, but she wouldn't let Cardan's old habit of self-depreciation take hold of him if she could help it. “If I promise to not tell anyone, would you sing to me?”
“You want me to sing to you?” He repeated.
Jude nodded. “Earlier, when I woke up and heard you hum, a forgotten piece of my childhood resurfaced. I was reminded that our mother used to sing us to sleep, my sisters and I, back in the mortal world.” Jude stopped talking, her heart heavy with emotions she didn't realize she still felt.
"Your mother?" Jude acquiesced silently, Cardan cleared his throat. “What a coincidence, then, as the song I sang is also one from that world. I listened to it once, on Oak's talking phone.”
Jude chucked against his skin. “It's just called a phone, Cardan.”
“What a nonsensical name, then. Now close your eyes and hush, Jude. I'll sing you to sleep.”
For once, Jude obeyed. She was rewarded by the rarest experience in the realm: the High King himself lulling her to sleep.
Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby
Back to the years of loo-li lai-lay
And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow
Bless you with love for the road that you go
May you sail far to the far fields of fortune
With diamonds and pearls at your head and your feet
And may you need never to banish misfortune
May you find kindness in all that you meet
May there always be angels to watch over you
To guide you each step of the way
To guard you and keep you safe from all harm
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay
Finally, with her husband soothing words, Jude finally drifted off to sleep.