The Snow Queen's Shadow

Allesandria. The demon which has now taken King Laurence.” As quickly as she could, she summarized what they knew of the demon.
    “Find your son and stop a demon,” Bellum muttered. “That’s two favors. Large favors. Humans are fools. Conjuring demons, then running around like children when their plans sour. A true demon, from the sound of things. You might as well burn your kingdom now and save yourselves the time.”
    “I’m afraid I must agree,” said Veleris. “Your people are impulsive and quick to act. It can be a strength, but you neglect to think beyond your short lives to the consequences of your actions.”
    “We didn’t crawl through miles of dirt and rock for a lecture,” Talia said. “This demon has already burned the palace.”
    “Let them burn!” Bellum snatched the headband from Veleris and placed it on her own brow. “Let them know what it feels like to be hunted down, to be driven from their homes and destroyed. The more of you the demon kills, the safer this world becomes for our people.”
    The other fairies at the table slunk away, escaping Bellum’s anger.
    “Safer?” Talia repeated. “This thing has already murdered the dryad who brought us to Allesandria.”
    Bellum slammed her hand on the table. “That’s what happens to our kind when we help humans.”
    Danielle tried again, speaking as calmly as she could. “The Duchess—”
    “The Duchess does not speak for Speas Elan,” snapped Bellum. “What goes on in your world is of no concern to us. Your people summoned this thing. You deal with it.”
    “So you’ll do nothing?” demanded Talia.
    Veleris whispered to Bellum, who rolled her eyes. “No,” Bellum said, not bothering to conceal her disgust. “We will help you. You may stay here. This place is safer than any in Allesandria. Whatever hell this demon creates, it won’t last forever. One day both you and we shall return to the surface. If not you, then your children, or theirs.”
    “My child is a prisoner,” said Danielle. “I will get him back.”
    “Then go,” said Bellum. “None here will stop you.”
    Danielle glanced at her companions. Talia appeared ready to attack the giant barehanded. The darkling waited silently in the shadows, as did Gerta.
    Danielle studied the giant more closely. Bellum glared right back, her yellow eyes daring Danielle to argue. Veleris, on the other hand, simply stared into the distance, her expression one of weary sadness.
    “You’ve lived down here a long time,” said Danielle.
    “More than a century.”
    Well before the laws of Allesandria were changed. Rose Curtana had been but one in a long line of ambitious rulers who feared or hated fairykind. “I’m sorry.”
    “Sorry?” yelled Bellum. Veleris’ eyes fixed on Danielle.
    “And how long have you ruled Speas Elan?” asked Danielle.
    “Ever since the day we fled underground,” Bellum said. “By then we were hiding in small bands. Always moving. Always hiding. Your people hunted us for sport, did you know that?”
    Danielle thought back to what Tommy had said about castes. Giants were servant caste, not royal. “You weren’t expecting to rule when you fled underground, were you? You weren’t trained for this. I know what it’s like to be thrust into leadership.”
    “The royal caste ordered us to fight,” said Bellum, her tone wary. “They tried to rally a fairy army against your witches and wizards. Most of my kin joined them. They fell.”
    “The demon will hunt humans and fairies both.” Danielle beckoned Gerta forward. “This woman is kin to King Laurence. If you choose to help us, both Lorindar and Allesandria would be in your debt.”
    Veleris smiled. Without a word, she reached over to take the headband from Bellum. The headband marked which head was in charge at any given moment, Danielle realized, though she wasn’t entirely sure how they decided when it should be passed. She thought back to Tommy’s warning. Try not to make them angry. Perhaps Bellum dominated in matters of anger and conflict, while Veleris ruled for more peaceful topics.
    Both of the giant’s heads turned toward Gerta. “What are you?” asked Veleris. “There’s an aura to you that reminds me of a fairy changeling, but your magic is human.”
    “She’s like a changeling, only fresher,” said Bellum. “She stinks like a newborn.”
    “A conjuration, to be certain,” Veleris said. “Hastily constructed, a painting not yet dried.”
    Gerta sniffed. “I