The ballroom sprung alive with chaos as hordes of people from the court squeezed into the room, finding places at one of the long, wooden benches around the tables below me. Laughter and cheers filled the air as mugs of ale were sloshed together, spilling all over the floor. I almost forgot where I was for a second, lost in listening to the joyous chatter around me, until the chair next to me squeaked.
Brought out of my daze, I looked over to see my mother leaning into whisper something in my father’s ears. Their heads were brushed close together, their voices hushed and soft. My eyebrows knit together as I tried to hear what they were saying, but I had no luck, and eventually gave up.
Sighing, I let my gaze fall to the man that sat at the center of our table instead. His dark wings were poised in confidence behind him as he stared smugly at those below us. He was the reason we were all here in this noisy ballroom in the Fae Court. He was also the reason my parents were whispering to each other now. King Sebastian Silverthorne, King of the Fae, was a pompous male and one I hated with all my heart.
The Fae, our unruly southern neighbors, had been trying to win favor with our kingdom since Sebastian had stolen the throne several hundred years ago. But beyond political niceties, the Elves had no intention of ever allying with King Sebastian. Not after what he did to the Edgewoods, our friends and allies.
I let rage boil in my heart for a moment as I thought of Nani and the family and home she’d once had, shattered at the hands of King Sebastian. I didn’t understand how the Fae could support and celebrate a usurper to their throne after what he’d done. My father, who held great hatred for the King in his heart, was always great at pretending indifference but I found myself struggling to hide my disgust of the Fae and their court.
Studying my father now, I saw the slightest hint of a scowl grow across his face, his pale eyebrows knitted in concentration. The afternoon light filtered through the windows and down on his hair, making the silver crown adorned upon his head glitter in the light. I let my feelings soften as I stared at the man who was in such contrast to the one next to him.
My father, King Fernand Thorold, first of his name and King of Elves, was an honest man and cared greatly for his kingdom. It was only out of their best interest that he had even considered this political event with King Sebastian and the alliance he would no doubt try to impose between the two kingdoms. If King Fernand didn’t feign interest now, nothing was stopping King Sebastian from marching on our borders later, causing needless bloodshed and war just as he had done to the Fae.
After recovering myself, I took a moment to wonder at all the people up on the dais surrounding the King. There was the King’s Hand, Jon Lothian, whom I vaguely remembered from the welcoming party on our arrival. Next to him was the High Acolyte of the courts, someone I had only ever heard of through story. He resided over the religious temples in the court, offering the word and prayer of the Gods, so that Fae might let themselves believe they still look over us today. Scowling in disappointment, I realized I didn’t know the two people sitting beside the High Acolyte, but they must be important if they were dining in the Kings company.
“Are you enjoying yourself, Princess?” a voice from my side shattered my thoughts. Of course, how could I forget—on the other side of me, sitting smugly in his chair with his hands neatly folded in front of his chin, elbows resting on the table as he leaned forward, was the son of the King’s Hand, Kyrion.
With a short nod and smile, I turned my attention to him. “I am. Thank you, Ser Kyrion” I replied politely.
I had heard many stories of Kyrion Lothian, both great and terrifying. He was a Dracanae Fae, a rare dragon-rider/Fae hybrid that had all the characteristics of the Fae, as well as the rare ability to bond with a dragon. His dragon, Shadowfire, was a formidable creature; the largest anyone in Trinyaddae had ever seen and a tool King Sebastian liked to use often to instill fear in friend and foe alike. Kyrion was moody, and often rude, but the King had taken a liking to his nephew and crowned him a Knight in his personal guard. It was also known that until King Sebastian produced his own heir, Kyrion is the unofficial Crowned Prince of Draoinearea.
Kyrion studied me, a gleam in his eyes. After a long moment, he whispered “This was never my idea of fun either” he ended with a small knowing wink.
Steeling myself, I tried to relax. Just because he was known to be a great swordsman, a hero of his generation, and was extremely intimidating when he swept in on his dragon, didn’t mean I’d let him rattle me.
“Who said I wasn’t having fun?” I shot back, tilting my head forward and letting the corners of my lips lift up as I studied his deep charcoal hair, the thick locks falling just over his golden eyes.
“You don’t have to pretend with me, princess. I can tell you’re uncomfortable” his voice was quiet, aware that anyone could be listening in.
How could I believe him? An untrustworthy Fae in line to take the Throne of Draoinearea; a battle-proven warrior…a dragon-rider? In the back of my head, a brief flutter of my father’s words echoed, the importance he’d stressed behind keeping our true feelings disguised while in the Fae court.
“I rather enjoy court events, Ser Kyrion” I let enthusiasm seep into my voice, plastering the best smile I could muster. It wasn’t a lie, not really. I do enjoy court events; spending time with our court and the people we serve brings me a level of happiness in life that couldn’t be replaced.
“Perhaps. But not this one…” he teased, gesturing to the Fae below. His fire eyes sparked as he let his gaze follow his hand. The court was still loudly celebrating, and voices grew as the servants began bringing out the feast.
I remained quiet, letting my gaze follow the servants, their gray dresses fitting so ill that their wings hung in an awkward droop, likely unusable for flight. I could feel the nerves boiling in my stomach knowing this was how the Fae court treated their servants.
Before I could make a face, I thought better of it. Instead, I pushed the thought out of my mind as quickly as I could. Kyrion might be able to see right through me, but that didn’t mean I would give him the satisfaction of being right.
“If it’s any consolation, I’m not too fond of this court either. Arrogant bastards, if you ask me” he whispered, a smirk still plastered on his face.
I suppressed a laugh. Perhaps, not all the Fae were as bad as I had imagined, but that didn’t mean I was going to start trusting him. I was saved from a reply when the servants arrived, carrying plates laden with food. I smiled politely as a girl with a solemn face curtseyed and left.
I pushed the food around my plate, unmotivated with what was in front of me. I had always been a picky eater, according to my parents anyways, but something about the food on my plate didn’t look good. It was only a chopped salad, an appetizer to the entree that was coming out now, but I’d lost my appetite.
I must have been making a face because my mother brushed her hand against mine under the table, squeezing it gently. “I know you don’t want to darling, but please take a couple of bites at least. We don’t want to appear rude” her voice was soft as silk, hushed so only I could hear.
The rest of the meal had gone about the same as the first course had, and I had spent a good deal of time fending off questions from Ser Kyrion. We were in mid-conversation now. He was going on about his mother’s home court, when the King clapped his hands loudly and an eerie hush fell over the room.
“We are here today to welcome King Fernand and Queen Vivianne to our courts” King Sebastian boomed, standing from the table. The golden crown sat piously atop his head, and his large black wings spread out behind him.
The King looked at my father with a flash of contempt; gone so fast I wasn’t sure I’d even truly seen it. A cool mask now sat upon his face, and he gestured for my father to stand. The chair squeaked softly as my father stood and placed a hand over his heart, bowing unto the King.
“It is a pleasure to be here, King Sebastian” his voice was unreadable. I knew that this had pained him, just as much as it did me. He was hiding it from everyone else though, not letting them see his true feelings. It eased the burden knowing that he and I shared it together.
“Tonight, in your honor, we have feasted.” King Sebastian said, taking a pause before continuing. “I think it would only be right that we let the festivities of the celebration bring forth a new alliance between our courts” he finished, not hiding his intentions in the slightest. He reached for his mug of ale with his large hands and swung it up into the air.
“King Fernand” King Sebastian said after a chug of his ale. “I believe it’s time for us to discuss what I’ve asked you here for” a pale golden liquid drop dripped off his mustache and onto his chin.
I gritted my teeth. My father was more than capable of handling this but sitting in silence waiting for the King’s reaction was much more ominous than I’d imagined it would be.
My father looked up at the Fae King, and I could tell without even looking at him that he was struggling to hold in his emotions. I caught a glimpse of movement from beside his waist, a flicker of his shaking hand, or so I thought. He stood sure faced and still as a statue now.
“The Fae and the Elves were once allied for thousands of years, and I believe the time has come to once again ally our strong kingdoms. Don’t you?” King Sebastian continued questioning, setting down his mug and clasping his hands as he stared at my father expectantly.
I felt my breath hitch in my throat, the chill of his statement settling over me. Our kingdom had only managed to avoid such an alliance for this long because it had always been hinted at, but never an outright declaration. It would be much harder for my father to turn him down now. It would be political suicide, and it would fracture the relationships with his other allies in the process.
“I suppose that can be considered, King Sebastian” my father replied, not committing to anything just yet. My heart cracked to not hear the word “no” from my father’s lips, but I also knew what was at stake if he followed his heart.
“It’s wonderful to hear that, King Fernand” the King started, lifting his mug in the air as if in cheers, before taking a large gulp. A loud cheer swept up from the court below, their anxious eyes watching the two men, the two Kings, before them.
The Fae King gestured, and Kyrion hurried to his side. Though a deep scowl crested his face, he dipped in respect toward my father before turning his attention back to his King. I was suddenly overwhelmed with the warring feelings of pity and anger for Kyrion, still on the fence about trusting him; I knew he wasn’t too thrilled about this either based on the look on his face.
“I have the perfect suggestion to forge this alliance between our realms” the King started, before pushing Kyrion slightly forward, his large hands resting on each of his shoulders. “My hand’s son, and my nephew Kyrion, is a loyal member of my courts and serves an important role in my council” he finished, smiling broadly. Kyrion only grimaced.
“And what exactly are you suggesting, your highness?” my father replied evenly, eyeing the tall boy standing in front of him.
“I am proposing an alliance with marriage” he said, before gesturing to me, and then Kyrion too. “An older tradition yes, but I feel as though it is appropriate to begin this alliance by reviving a practice lost to our people for many years. It’s only fitting, don’t you think? Considering the alliance between the Fae and Elves has also been lost for some time”.
There was a silence that fell over the court. Shocked, my brain scrambled at the fleeting thoughts running through my mind. No one in the magical world had sealed an alliance with marriage since the time of one Kingdom, when everyone, including humans, looked toward one king. That wasn’t even the worst part. He was proposing such marriage for me. How dare he!
“Might I remind you, King Sebastian, that the Elves have never married outside of our Kingdom—even when such practice was common. We don’t intend to change our beliefs now…” my father finally replied, stalling his answer. I could almost hear the anger in his voice, a ghost of himself locked inside his body, begging to be let out.
I could feel my own anger dancing up my skin, my cheeks flushing, and my nails biting into the skin on my palms as I balled up my hands. It was suddenly very hard to keep a straight face.
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“Perhaps, in order for us to grow stronger, it is time for that to change” Kind Sebastian countered, his stony gaze holding strong.
I closed my eyes, trying desperately to push the anger down inside my stomach. There was no way my father was even going to consider this—he couldn’t! He’d find some clever way out of this, maybe not the alliance, but he wouldn’t marry me off to some fire-breathing Fae-freak.
Sorry Kyrion, I thought guiltily after a moment.
My father didn’t respond right away, and instead, looked at my mother. I couldn’t see the anger in her gaze but for the reflection of her in my father’s eyes. Then, his eyes slipped up to me for a fleeting moment before he turned his back and faced the King once more. A knot began to build itself in my stomach.
“I suppose we can consider this opportunity, your highness” the words that left my father’s mouth made my heart shatter. How could he not say no? Was there truly no other way around this?
The King rejoiced, his court following. Clearly, they had taken that as a yes, and I worried my father wouldn’t have time to figure something else out. Anything else.
A wicked smile appeared on the Fae King’s face; his eyes lit with excitement. “Wonderful!” he proclaimed. His eyes met mine and he gestured me forward, trying to get me to come stand next to him and Kyrion. All I wanted to do was cringe as his horrible gaze fixated on me.
“Princess Natori, why don’t you join Ser Kyrion for a dance to celebrate this possible union” King Sebastian said when I didn’t move. Kyrion held out his arm to me with an embarrassed look across his face. Soft music was playing, I hadn’t realized when it started, but it grew louder and louder now, as if waiting for my answer.
When I still didn’t move, Sebastian tilted his head forward so only the people on the dais could hear his next words. “It would be awfully rude not to get to know your future husband, don’t you think, princess?” he sneered with venom.
I could feel my blood turning to ice as his dark eyes bore into mine relentlessly, making a shiver run down my spine. Before I could mutter a sharp remark, my father’s cool hand touched my shoulder, beckoning me to join Ser Kyrion with his other.
I shot my father a look of betrayal, but the sad eyes looking back at me shattered my heart. Steeling my resolve, I extended my hand to place it on Kyrion’s outstretched arm, curtseying politely. “It would be my pleasure”.
He took my hand gently, pressing our joined hands into his arm with light pressure. I could feel the muscles under his jacket, tense, just as mine were. He led me down the dais, and toward the open space in the room, beyond the tables.
We didn’t talk as he placed a hand on the small of my back and led me into an old dance that I knew well. I refused to look him in the eyes, afraid I would say something in anger that I’d come to later regret. As we danced in silence, I couldn’t help but notice the ease with which we danced together, moving together as if we had for many years.
I could tell Kyrion wasn’t elated with this proposal either, which made me empathetic toward him, if only for a moment. I still wasn’t sure I could trust him, yet.
The song came to an end while I was lost in thought. I finally looked up at Kyrion, and his fiery golden eyes were unreadable.
A slow song began softly, and he extended his hand in an invitation to pull me closer. I took his hand in mine, still too angry with the situation to say anything. Finally, as our bodies grew closer together, he whispered softly in my ear.
“I didn’t know he was going to do this. If I had my choice, I wouldn’t be standing here” his voice was dark and quiet, edged with tension.
“My pride is wounded, Ser Kyrion. I’ve been told I’m an excellent dancer” I responded, trying to keep my voice teasing, but it came off cold instead.
“I didn’t mean the dance, princess” Kyrion nearly hissed. After a deep breath, his tightened grip in my hands loosened, and he turned so I could see his face. “I can see how angry you are about what’s just happened. I need you to know I’m just as angry. I don’t believe in arranged marriages; what the King is proposing is absurd, even for him” he inhaled sharply.
I could suddenly see past the fire in him, and into the eyes of a Fae male in the same position as I was. Hands tied behind his back with no way out, just because the king had ordered it.
I didn’t have words to say, so I just nodded sharply, wishing I could return back to my home; be around those I actually cared about and that cared about me and my people. Nani would know what to say to make me feel better, I suddenly thought, as a new ache for her embrace echoed through my body.
The music continued to reverberate around the room, and others had begun to meander to the dance floor. Laughter filled my ears, and the whispers and soft voices of happy people surged around me. I looked over Kyrion’s shoulder and saw my parents, dancing not too far away. They were leaned in close to one another, whispering in hushed voices I couldn’t hear again. Hopefully, trying to find a way to get me out of this, to get the Elves out of this.
My heart began to beat faster as I tried to push this nightmare away from my mind. I was born to rule Aosipora in my father’s wake; the Elves had always talked about my reign leading the kingdom in prosperity, kindness and peace. How was I supposed to do that while married to a Fae? With King Sebastian Silverthorne breathing down my neck?
Never mind that, but how could I stand to marry someone so close to the person who had murdered Nani’s family, butchered them in their beds, as they would have with Nani too if she hadn’t escaped. I would always see the pain in Nani’s eyes when I looked into the eyes of the Fae.
Distracted from all that had transpired, I didn’t notice the black smoke that suddenly filled the room, separating me from all that I could once see. The music had been growing louder and louder; laughter and beer flying through the air. I don’t think anybody noticed the sudden darkness that escaped the corners of the room and devoured the ballroom. Suddenly, I was alone and all I could hear were muffled screams and voices. One moment, Kyrion was clasping my hands, and the next, there was nothing as darkness overwhelmed my entire vision.
I backed up frantically, trying to see through the darkness to find my parents, Kyrion, anyone. I called out and waved my arms around me, but nobody answered. Nobody was there. It didn’t feel real; this had to be a dream, right?
In the distance, I could hear the clamoring of swords and people screaming, but it all sounded so far away, like I was floating deep under water. I knew I should be afraid, but the longer I started into nothing, the more peaceful it started to become. Fear suddenly became nothing more than the feeling of walking into a room and forgetting why you went in there.
I shook my head, trying to clear the fog that had descended on my brain. I couldn’t let myself get distracted. I had to find a way to get out of this. I took a deep breath, summoning tendrils of magic through my veins. Bracing my hands above my head, I prepared to do what I did best; manipulate light.
I didn’t get the chance to continue. Just as my palms opened, a feeling of apprehension washed over me. In the next second, a large hand flew over my mouth from behind me and clamped down tight. The hands, I was sure now they were a male’s, pulled me into a hard body and wrapped a strong arm around me to keep me from getting free.
Despite my desperate struggle, my attacker’s grip held strong. Though I didn’t stop fighting, I felt my body begin to weaken; slowly at first, and then all at once. Just like that, and there was nothing as I lost consciousness.
***
I woke to moonlight touching my skin, and my breath coming in ragged and sharp pains, making me cough. My eyes fluttered open, slowly at first, and then with panic as I remembered what had happened. I looked around for my parents desperately. Surely, this had all been a dream, and they were with me now, waiting for me to wake.
My breath caught in my throat when instead of my parents, my eyes looked up to an unfamiliar female now leaning over me, having appeared from nowhere. That was when I noticed—wrapped around my wrists were iron bracelets that rendered my magic useless. Not a dream, then.
The woman’s long black hair fell down her body, and she looked at me with unforgiving green eyes. A sneer was plastered on her face, and her hands were planted on her hips. I couldn’t help thinking that if not for the hatred and darkness in her eyes and along her face, she would have been quite beautiful.
“It’s about time you woke up, princess” she hissed. I looked at her in confusion, and in response, she suddenly lunged down over me, stopping when she was only breaths away. Avoiding her gaze in fear, I found myself looking over her shoulder, and that was when I saw the tall man behind her. He was dressed in all black, with a deep red cape wrapped around his shoulders, and sitting atop his head was a large crown adorned with dark antlers.
I had never seen him before, but there was something about him that was familiar to me, something in the back of my head. Before I could think more about it, a cold tendril of fear iced its way down my spine as the woman in shadow inched closer, breathing down my neck.
Though it was taking everything in me not to shake, I looked up and met the woman’s cold green gaze confidently, determined not to let them think of me as scared and weak. “Where am I, and why am I here?” I asked as calmly as I could, looking between the woman and the man behind her. He was now turned toward me with his gaze already fixed on my eyes before I even looked up.
There was something dark about him, but there was nothing magic. I could feel the magic from every magical creature I was around, anyone bearing magic could. And yet, there was no power coming off of the man in front of me. The woman, sure, but not the man. I looked up to the crown of antlers upon his head, and back to his face.
Realization dawned on me then; the crown, the human features, who else could this be other than one of the human Kings? I shook my head, no, the real question was what did the King want with me?
The woman above me laughed, before she abruptly stood and stepped away from me. She looked up to the King behind her, gesturing with the smallest movement in her head toward me. I leaned up to my knees as best as I could and watched the two of them closely, trying to understand. It was as if she was asking the King for permission, though for what, I didn’t know. With a quick, short shake of the Kings head, the woman turned back to me and sneered.
“Why don’t you just stop talking, deary. The King has important work to do, and it would be most pleasurable if you just cooperate and do as your told” her voice was cold, and a fire danced in her eyes as she stepped closer and looked down on me as I sat on my scraped knees in the grass directly below her.
“Please” I began, starting to feel weaker. I looked up to her with as much steel as I could muster, “Why am I here?” My voice croaked at the end, and I held a hand up to my throbbing head. As my hand touched my face, I felt a large gash in my skin, just above my right eye. I pulled my hand back, startled. My fingers were dusted with flakes of dried blood, fortunately not still bleeding. Her laugh caused me to look up again, and I found her studying me, a cruel smile forming on her lips.
“This will only hurt a little bit, darling” she yanked me up without warning, moving faster than I could even see it coming. She pushed me down in the grass several feet away, and around me, blue light erupted from the ground, forming an unfamiliar, yet distinct pattern. My heart began to beat faster as panic settled in; whatever they were about to do, it wasn’t going to be good.
“What are you doing to me?” I asked, tears beginning to fill my eyes. I was no longer afraid of looking weak; I was weak, and there was nothing I could do to stop them. Not by myself, and certainly not without my powers.
“Princess Natori, is it?” The King finally spoke, as he looked me up and down as I cried in the grass under the harsh blue light.
I nodded softly. At first, I didn’t know if he’d seen me, as his eyes continued to stare me down, assessing me, but then he stepped closer, kneeling down at the edge of the glowing pattern, and a wicked smile grew across his face.
“I need you to be quiet now, Natori. You need to do something very important for me, and if you want to see the sun rise again, you’ll cooperate” he said so calmly, so matter of factly, it was hard to believe he had just threatened my life.
I nodded, fear making my limbs begin to shake. The green-eyed woman pulled out a large ancient looking knife and smiled at me with a wicked grin that sent a shiver down my spine.
“Now, hold your arm out so Ernaline can take what she needs” The King said, looking at my arm as it trembled in my lap. I let my gaze fall to my arm, before I let out a small, sudden whimper. What do they want with my arm? I wondered in despair.
Tears were beginning to build in my eyes when suddenly a hard object met my abdomen with great force, sending me flailing into the grass a few feet away. Landing face down, I was at the edge of the glowing pattern. Standing where I had been, the King stood, inspecting his boot as if scuffed. I pushed myself up, and noticed my hands were covered in whatever the glowing blue powder was.
The King strolled over casually and picked me up by the hair at my scalp, dangling me above the ground like a doll. My eyes widened, and my lips began to tremble. I could tell my tear-stained cheeks were wobbling, and I was doing everything I could not to whimper out loud.
“I said, hold out your arm, Princess” he spat, twisting my arm back until I heard a small snap. A great rush of pain shot up my arm, and I cried out, shutting my eyes tightly.
Ernaline snatched my extended arm as the King held it out to her, and though I couldn’t see her with my eyes closed, I could hear her menacing laugh as cold metal bit into my arm.
My eyes shot open as the blade sliced across my arm and I watched dark blood drip down my skin and into the grass. The wind was roaring now, as if brought to life through me. It rushed around me, picking up the torn skirts of the dress I had worn at the feast earlier, causing my already disheveled hair to whip around my face forcefully.
Ernaline released my arm, and I fell into a heap on the ground. No longer being painfully held up by the King, I felt the strength to stand leave my body with a woosh. I curled into myself, letting the tears fall down my cheeks. My arm throbbed, my head was pounding, and I was fairly certain I was going to die.
I could hear Ernaline chanting in a language I didn’t know, and the wind whirled around her, as if she were the center of the madness crashing around them. A pool of my blood was at her feet, and it glimmered in the moonlight.
Terrified, I tried to calm myself by searching the area around us, looking for any weapon or chance to escape. When my eyes landed on the King, I noticed he was standing to the side, anger glowing in his eyes as he watched Ernaline intently. When she stopped chanting, the King’s gaze moved up to the moon.
I followed his gaze, and as if in answer, the moon turned a shade of blood red.
I slammed my eyes closed in disbelief. I could feel my breath coming in sharp gasps, and my body growing cold. I opened my eyes again slowly, but the moon had returned to its normal color, and Ernaline was standing quietly, smiling at the King. Confused, I closed my eyes again, focusing on my breath.
I knew something was wrong when I could feel something within me flutter and slash inside my body. I choked, as if I could no longer breathe, as I was torn apart from the inside. As fast as it had come, the feeling withered up, growing smaller and smaller, until it disappeared altogether. At the same time, the wind calmed until it was gone, and the glowing pattern around me dimmed until it was dark.
Around us, the landscape seemed to change. It became duller, darker, as if the life had been sucked from it and left only a shell. I squinted my eyes as I realized that was similar to how I felt now, like a shell, unable to feel the pit in my stomach where my magic, my life, used to sit.
I looked at Ernaline in serious shock, wondering what she had done. Whatever it was, it had changed the very fabric of the earth, the land. I didn’t have a chance to ask her, though. As our eyes met, two large men wearing all black came up behind me, forced a bag over my head, lifted me off the ground, and took me away.