by KB Anne
If I followed their rules, my grandparents wouldn’t send me to the Island. If I remained at the Silverlain estate, I could bide my time, find another entrance to the tunnels and slip away without anyone being the wiser.
What could I ask for that would allow me access to the entire estate including the grounds? I loved to swim, but I couldn’t sneak away while I was doing laps in a pool.
But running would… especially if I asked to train for a marathon. I’d need to run far distances, which would allow me to examine the lands surrounding the estate—as in discover an escape route.
And if I picked the right marathon, say one with more than 10,000 people, it would be easy to get lost in the crowd. Even if a herd of bodyguards followed me, I could lose them amongst the other runners, ducking and dipping my way through the crowds and onto freedom.
I chugged the rest of my orange juice with gusto and slammed it down on the table. Pulp remnants splashed across the place setting, but since only Team Asshole remained, no one corrected my non-Silver Fae manners. I sprang from my seat and sprinted up to my room. There were grumbles and scraping chairs behind me. I even heard what sounded like pushing, shoving, and mumbled cursing. I grinned to myself. Evil laughter filled my mind. If I had to be followed around, I wasn’t going to make it easy for anyone.
Thomas and Jude caught up to me, Sami and Jovie filled in close behind. I didn’t acknowledge their presence. I refused to let Team Asshole think they held power over me. After all, I was the princess. It was me who held power over them.
I went straight into my bathroom when I got to my room. Only Jovie followed me in there. Though I wished Jude or Thomas did—I’d smack a sexual harassment charge against them faster than I could kick them in the balls. As
I showered, I tried not to think about the iron cross across my shoulder blades and down my spine. Today was about possibility and not even an iron cross would get me down. I toweled off and slipped into my robe. I wrapped a towel around my head out of habit and to ready my nerves before venturing into my closet. I’d take a training session with Treadwell over what hung in there.
“You could wear this cute pink pant suit?” Jovie said holding up an outfit right out of Dolores Umbridge’s closet.
“Thou shall not tell lies. That shade is disgusting, and there’s nothing cute about a pant suit.”
She held up another one. “What about this smart purple blouse with black dress slacks?”
I scowled at her. “Are you actually trying to torture me? I’m not ninety. I’ll find my own.”
She ducked out of my way.
I flipped through the blouses, slacks, and dresses. Red, orange, blue, silver, silk, satin, leather...too many freaking choices. I didn’t know where to start or finish, especially when there weren’t any oversized sweatshirts or yoga pant options. Huffs and puffs starting coming out of my mouth. Steam billowed out my ears. I was about to go all Big Bad Wolf on the entire closet situation.
Jovie gently placed her hand on my shoulder. “Please, allow me. I’ll find something you’ll like and will impress your grandparents.”
I stepped away from the scary closet monsters and plopped down on the chaise lounge to watch her. She plucked a blue shirt off one rack and matching pants from another one, along with shoes and a belt.
She presented them to me. “Better?”
“Better,” I agreed.
“I’ll give you a minute,” she said and closed the closet door behind her. She broke protocol by leaving me alone. I appreciated the privacy, but it wasn’t like I could go anywhere anyway. I couldn’t apparate or portal or anything extraordinarily magical—at least as far as I knew.
“Hey Jovie,” I called out after I was dressed.
“Yes,” Jovie said, hurrying back in.
“Would you mind doing my makeup and my hair? You know how terrible I am at those things.”
“Sure,” she blinked, smoothing out her shirt to hide her surprise. Of course, Grandmother elected her as my personal assistant yesterday, but she doubted I’d take her up on the offer.
She added layers of makeup, plucked, teased, and brightened. I used to watch her when she did her own face, but I always got lost sometime after foundation and long before sealer. There weren’t any breadcrumbs or at least M&Ms to follow. Not even a connect the numbers guide. Today, I tried to pay attention to the complicated procedure especially since it was my own face, but I had too much on my mind.
She put on my wig, added bobby pins to lock it in place, then brushed and fluffed my fake hair so it hung in long, flowing soft curls—just the way I used to like it when I would take the time to do my own hair.
“Perfect,” she said.
I swallowed to ready myself. After the Naomi-Makeover-Buzz-Cut incident at the ranch, I didn’t relish staring at myself in the mirror once makeup was applied—I didn’t want to see the person looking back at me. That was until now.
Starr Bishop and not Jessalyn Silverlain smiled back at me. Tears pricked the corner of my eyes. I blinked at the unexpected emotion. I didn’t realize how much I missed Starr or how Jovie’s honoring of her would affect me in such a profound way. I was still hurt by Jovie’s betrayal of our friendship, but her effort softened that pain.
“Thank you Jovie.”
She patted my shoulders before stepping back. “You’re welcome.”
“Her name is Jovie Lynn,” Sami growled as she stalked in. “Are you finally ready to go now Princess?”
Sami and I would never be remotely friendly ever again. As I stood up, I raised my chin to look down on her. “I will decide when I’m ready to go and not before. Do you understand?”
She glared at me, refusing to answer.
“Do you understand?”
I hovered over her, waiting for her to back down. Finally, she mumbled. “Yes, Jessalyn.”
“Good, now let’s go.” I walked down the hallway to my main room.
Jude’s jaw dropped when he saw me. “That’s much better.”
His reaction further fueled my rage.
Why did he think it was okay to acknowledge his approval of my appearance as if I needed his assurance? If he wasn’t careful, he’d trip over his own puddle of drool. My claws pricked at my fingertips. If I jabbed him right in the throat, he’d never be able to stop me before he bled out. Unfortunately, I’d get shipped off to the Island, and my chances of escape would shrink to zero, and that just wouldn’t do. Above all else, I was a survivalist. I would survive this.
I lifted my chin and stalked past Jude and out the bedroom door. Yesterday, it depressed me when I had to leave my room for afternoon tea with the Whites. Today, the bloom of possibility filled me. My meeting with my grandparents might be the beginning of something rather than the end.
Chapter Four
Starr
* * *
My guards closed in ranks around me and followed me down the long hallway to Grandfather’s study. The double wide carved wood doors stood as a reminder of my childhood. Under no circumstances was I to venture down the hallway that led to his study or knock upon the doors. Grandfather didn’t like children bothering him. Grandfather didn’t like children period.
“Are you going to knock or stand here all day and stare?” Sami said in a low mocking tone.
I swallowed hard before knocking.
“Come in,” he commanded. I took a deep breath to settle my nerves before entering the study. Grandfather sat in a small silver throne behind a giant mahogany desk. Did he buy his thrones in bulk so he’d never be forced to sit in a non-silver chair?
I wanted to ask him, but thought better of it. Sarcasm was not the way to begin this conversation unless of course, I wanted to end it before it started—which I didn’t.
I think.
He took in my appearance. I tried not to shift uncomfortably or pull at my collar the way I used to when my mother forced me into a fancy dress when I was little in order to impress my grandparents.
“Much better,” he s
aid. “Now sit. Let me call your grandmother. She wants to be a part of this discussion.”
I took a seat in the leather chair he gestured too. He pressed a large shiny blue rock on his wrist before resting his hands on the arms of his throne.
“What’s the gemstone? It’s beautiful.”
“Lapis Lazuli,” he said.
My grandfather was quite the conversationalist.
“Is that how you called Grandmother?”
The stone flashed twice. “Yes, she will arrive shortly.”
He studied me.
Okay… this wasn’t weird or anything. Him and I looking at each other. Neither of us talking. I didn’t know how to start a conversation with him. I never spent time with him when I came to visit. He was too busy with Kingly obligations and not interested in talking to his granddaughter. Plus, there was the whole not liking children thing.
As we waited, I took in my surroundings. Tall bookshelves rimmed the entire room, but it was the small vent to the right of his desk tucked between two long bookshelves that I was interested in. It was the only indication that an elaborate tunnel system existed behind its walls. I tried to not pay attention to it, but my eyes had a mind of their own. They longed for freedom as much as the rest of me did.
Grandfather pulled his fingers together, steepling them against his chin. “Before Lady Silverlain gets here, there are a few items I want to go over with you.”
I nodded. I needed to agree or go along with most of Grandfather’s terms to get what I wanted.
“First, I expect you to listen to me, not talk back, and follow the rules we establish today. If you act up for any reason, I will ship you out to Treadwell. Is that clear?”
Buckle up Buttercup because the bullshit was about to get deep in here.
“Yes sir,” I replied without hesitation.
“Second, when we take you to Court, you will act in a manner befitting your position or there will be far more severe consequences than Treadwell’s training. Do you understand?”
His silver-blue eyes delivered threats like razor sharp daggers to the chest.
“Yes, sir.”
“And third, you will indulge your grandmother in whatever whim she desires or the consequences will be severe.”
Yep, got it. Act out of line? Your ass will be punished.
I felt Sami’s satisfied gloat beating into my brain. She’d get hers too. Eventually, she’d get hers.
“Yes, sir.”
Grandmother glided into the room. I saw her for the elegant queen she was. The one who charmed all the courts. The one who negotiated with thinly veiled threats of violence. The one really behind my imprisonment. “Why Jessalyn, you look beautiful. You are dressed as a proper lady. Soon we will introduce you to our court.”
I swallowed back several sarcastic retorts that bubbled up to the surface. None of which would gain me points with my grandparents. “Thank you.”
She took her place in her mini silver throne beside Grandfather’s and tapped her own matching lapis lazuli bracelet.
“Now,” Grandfather cleared his throat, “we are creating a contract today. An agreement we will develop together and follow. Is that understood Jessalyn?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Very well. You alluded to the notion you are being held against your will. What freedoms do you have in mind?”
I alluded to the notion? They locked me in the library on my first visit. The four guards of Team Asshole didn’t leave me with the impression I could come and go as I pleased. I couldn’t even use the bathroom without an escort. But instead of mentioning the obvious, I drew upon the patience I learned back in Contemporary Issues with Mr. Tetor, during those times that Christian provoked me.
“Well sir, I enjoy running. I excelled in track and cross country in school. I’d like to participate in an organized marathon.”
His silver-blue eyes widened in surprise. “I expect you excelled in all your activities in school. Silver Fae are exceptional in everything we do but isn’t running rather mundane?”
How do I approach his question without indicating I had no idea I was a Silver Fae and knew nothing about the Fae period. I had the sinking suspicion that the wrong answer would put my mother’s life at risk. After all, she was the one who took me away from my grandparents.
I had never bragged about my accomplishments. I always attributed my success to hard work and determination and nothing more. I considered those who talked about themselves, cocky and conceited, but I had the distinct impression that my grandparents liked it when people gloated.
If one’s grandparents wanted her to play the role of Silver Fae Royalty, sometimes one must play the spoiled princess.
“I far surpassed my classmates, both in the classroom and on the field. I was also a star swimmer. I find that physical exertion of running enhances my Silver Fae nature.”
Grandmother’s chest swelled with pride. Grandfather nodded, far less impressed because I was only fulfilling the family Silver Fae legacy. How would he have reacted if I failed out of school and was only a member of an athletic team to fill a roster? Would he have punished me for my sub-Silver Fae performance?
“You led me to believe you had several requests.”
“Yes, sir. Since you’re permitting me to sign up for a marathon, I need a computer to research running events.”
He cracked a small smile. “No. Perhaps in the future with strict monitoring.”
Student Government prepared me for this negotiation. The basic rules? Start off with an easy yes, get a couple no’s, then go for the jugular.
“Of course.”
“Do you have any other requests?”
“Do my guards need to sleep in my room? I can’t go anywhere.”
Except rappel off the portico to the ground level and scale the front gate.
For the first time since my arrival in his study, he pursed his lips as he took in my guards tucked into the corners of the room each prepared to subdue me if warranted. “For the time being, they stay. However, if you can prove your trustworthiness, we can renegotiate the terms of our agreement. I would like to add a request of my own. The Silver Fae Court convenes on the Summer Solstice. Prior to it, you will need to attend OneTruth with us each Sunday beginning tomorrow.”
“Quid pro quo?” This was how a negotiation worked. He was allowing me to run but didn’t give into my long shot asks. Now, I had to give him something to show good faith.
Grandmother answered for him. “In exchange, we will permit you to leave the premises to go on dates with Jerry Jr and for your marathon with complete supervision, of course.”
“Of course,” I agreed. Every time I left the property gave me another opportunity of escape, but really, running should be all I needed.
Grandfather glanced over in the far corner. “Did you get everything, Kenneth?”
I hadn’t noticed Kenneth aka Brawny when I entered the study. Not sure what that said about me. Was I the non-observant assassin Treadwell wanted me to be, or the noise stuck in the air Silver Fae princess who didn't notice those who were below her status?
“Yes, sir.”
Grandfather raised his eyebrows as he watched me. “Anything else?”
“I’ll need running shoes and athletic apparel.”
I could hear Jovie groan. The new clothes would mar my fashionable wardrobe. Such a tragedy.
“Willingsbee will take care of whatever you need.”
“Thank you. Is there a room I could use for exercise equipment?”
He pursed his lips as he tapped his chin. His eyes brightened. My stomach roiled. Anything that made my grandfather excited didn’t bode well for me. “There is plenty of space for an indoor gym in the basement.”
“Horace?” Grandmother exclaimed.
He waved off her concerns. “On the first level of the basement.”
“Very well, Jessalyn,” Grandmother said, laying her hand over mine. My skin pulsed with her power. “I’d also like you to recei
ve instruction in matters of the Silver Fae Court and proper etiquette in the ways of the Silver Fae in preparation for our time at court. Do you agree?”
When I didn’t answer at once, her claws dug into my skin. It was so subtle and exacting an outsider wouldn’t know what she was doing.
Again I realized Grandfather might be the king, but the Queen ruled.
“Yes, ma’am. I agree.”
Grandfather tapped the top of his desk with his hand. Kenneth slipped a contract onto it and handed us pens. “This contract will ensure that both of us meet our commitments.”
Grandfather signed it and pushed the contract over to me. I rolled the pen around in my fingers as I read through it. The wording appeared ordinary enough. I’d read a lot of them through the years for prom commitments and school events. Heck, even the car my parents co-signed with me. I lifted the pen to the paper. The pen wasn’t a cheap disposable one. It was heavy and very expensive. The kind locked in the glass case at the office supply store, but nevertheless, an ordinary pen.
As soon as the dark red ink hit the thick parchment, it felt like magic slipped through my fingertips and onto the paper. I stopped and licked my lips. My eyes slid over to my grandfather. His face didn’t hint that anything magical was occurring. I glanced over at my grandmother. She was leaning forward to watch me sign, but I felt nothing out of the ordinary with her either.
I brushed off the feeling, too many supernatural shows in my subconscious, and returned to my signature. The faster I got this done, the faster I could move forward with my life. As I finished signing my name, energy shot up my fingers to my hand and up my arm. I had the sinking suspicion that if I broke one aspect of the contract, the consequences would be severe. Not exactly like the unbreakable vow between Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy’s mum, but pretty intense.
My grandparents sank back into their silver thrones and smiled. It was then I realized I’d been duped. That didn’t sit well with me.