by Rebecca Grey
“Make yourself at home.” Daethian gestured to his ridiculous mess.
“It’s a dump in here,” I turned up my nose, unsure of exactly which corner the stink was coming from.
Randsin set down his book and looked up at me with a frown. One hand gripped the arm of the chair and his irises drained of color as his voice carried through the chair, then the floorboards, and up through my feet until it rang in my head.
“Try living with it,” he rasped.
Daethian snorted and closed himself in the bathroom. Turning about, I looked for a spot to sit, but nearly everything was covered with something. Daethian sure was cute, but damn, he did not know how to pick up after himself.
“So how are you feeling?” I asked Randsin, whose irises remained drained as he anticipated our conversation. Last I had seen of him, he was being dragged away to this room, his head lolled to the side and his body unable to hold itself up. Blood had dripped from long, terrifying cuts over his torso and his face was beat up well enough that he was barely recognizable.
“I’ve always hated Ganglin for what he turned me into, almost as much as I loved him for acting like a father to me.” His full lips turned down. “But I don’t think a father would do what he did to me. Not that I have much of a reference.”
One hand lifted and pulled at the collar of his shirt. Dark tattoos were broken by pink and white scars. The images that had been in his skin were not distinguishable through the long jagged cuts.
“No, you’re right, fathers don’t do that. Not if they love you. But I don’t think Ganglin knows how to love.” I thought back to my own father. It was like I had only had him for a second of my life. Twelve years with him hadn’t been enough. But I knew my father had been good to me and Hattie. Many memories of him letting us braid his hair, or him dancing with us when mother had bid us good night came to mind. He had always fiercely protected us. Until him and mother got sick. They both passed away in the night, leaving me and Hattie to learn how to live in a world that didn’t include them.
Resigning myself to gathering Daethian’s laundry into a heap, I started picking up the clothes that littered the floor. “You should try and get out of this room and get some fresh air. This stink will poison you.”
“These nymphs don’t want to see me,” his voice nearly quivered inside my head. “I’m a bad memory of the orders Ganglin had me carry out. I did everything he asked and it was never enough.”
I glanced at the door where the water ran and Daethian cleaned himself, wondering if Randsin had shared any of this with him. Randsin looked more exhausted than sad, like all his years of effort had finally caught up to him. His normally perfect posture sagged against the chair.
Sometimes when I looked at him, all I saw was his whip. All I felt was the sting of the scars along my back. In a way he was right, Randsin was an open wound to nearly everyone here. He may have saved my life from the gallows, he may have owed Windre a favor, but in the beginning he had been on the wrong side of this war. At least it looked like he regretted that decision now.
“At least,” I lifted the heaping pile of laundry I’d gathered and dropped it into one pile near the door. “Let me clean this place up a little for you.”
“Daethian will just ruin it tomorrow,” he sighed. “Kid is a tornado of disaster, leaving a mess wherever he goes.”
The bathroom door swung open, steam rolling out from the heat. Daethian leaned against the door frame in brown leather pants, a white button up, and a yellow embroidered brown jacket. His hair was still wet and dangled into his eyes, water dripping to his cheeks.
“How do I look?” He opened his hands and did a small spin.
I wanted to say he almost looked like Dace, if only he had a sheer shirt on to reveal his toned abs. Daethian, though, was a bit more modest than Dace. But I wouldn’t dare say any of those thoughts that came to mind.
“Should I go change? You look absolutely dashing and suddenly what I’m wearing is not enough.” I gave him my full attention, letting him bask in the way I looked him up and down. Damn, it was hard to not appreciate what he was building here. But I only wanted to look and congratulate him on his hard work. I did not want to touch. That was the difference.
“You look perfect. Come on,” he darted forward, grabbing my hand as he went. His steps stopped before the door as he pointed to the gathered laundry. “Did you pick up?”
“I couldn’t look at this disaster any longer and just stand by and let it continue to be how it was.” I gave Randsin a small smile as Daethian pulled open the door and led me out.
In the hall, I slipped my hand out of Daethian’s and let my arms hang at my sides. Nervous butterflies tickled my stomach as I thought about how I was going to tell Daethian about Dace’s proposition. He wasn’t going to like the news. I could already picture his face dropping. The thought of making him feel that way really twisted my gut. But if I knew Daethian like I thought I did from our five years together, he would tell me that it was my choice how to live my life now that I was free. Just like the picture he used to always paint me in the stables about what our lives would be like after all this was done. Because we both knew one day it would be.
“Where are we going?” I glanced down the hall, pointing out that the dining hall was the opposite direction.
“It didn’t sound like you wanted to eat with everyone last time we talked. So I thought maybe a little bit of alone time would do us some good. Just you, me, and some food that isn’t cabbage fucking soup. Almost like old times.”
But those old times were tainted with pain and misery. These would be new memories, happy memories.
“And where might we be eating then?”
“In here.” He stopped and pushed open the door to yet another room wrecked by our rampage. It had been a bedroom, one it looked like someone was currently using. But all the furniture had been pushed aside so a spot was cleared for a small table and chairs. The curtains were open, with a view of the sun that was beginning to set in the clouds of pink and orange. Candles glowed from many surfaces, including one candle on the table that was already filled with steaming food.
“Daethian,” I warned, “Why does this look like a date?”
“It’s not, I just thought that maybe it would be more relaxing with the candles.” He pulled me forward, even as part of me was screaming to run out of the room. The legs of the chair he pulled out for me scraped noisily against the floor. His large hands gently pushed my shoulders down into the seat. I shot him a warning glare, but he only smiled in return.
“Don’t look at me like that,” I warned again. “I’ve told you we are just friends.”
“And this is just a friendly dinner. Though,” he picked up a wine bottle and poured some into the glass in front of me. “I’ve been thinking.”
“It’s never good when you do that.”
Daethian chuckled, handing me my glass, and began filling his own. “Don’t you think we work so well together?”
“As friends, yes.” I took a sip of the sweet red wine.
“Everyone already sees us together and thinks we’re an item. And damn, if we wouldn’t make the cutest fucking babies.”
I nearly spat my wine across the table. Babies? Who was thinking about babies at a time like this? I already had a hell of enough trouble dealing with being attracted to someone, let alone wanting to get myself impregnated! Damn.
“But friends don’t have babies together,” I muttered after I swallowed the mouthful of wine and wiped the bit that had dripped out of my mouth in shock with the back of my hand.
“I’m just saying, I think I could change your mind if you gave me a shot.” He leaned back in his chair, holding his wine glass like this was a casual conversation everybody had. “I’ve loved you for five years and I want to show how much more I can love you than anybody else could.”
“And if it didn’t work? You don’t think it would ruin our friendship? Things wouldn’t just return to normal,” I stuttered.
My hands shook as I set down my glass and wiped my sweaty palms over my thighs.
“Who says it isn’t going to work?” he laughed.
“Dace wants me to go to the Twinity Court with him,” I blurted, my cheeks flaming red.
Daethian jutted his chin forward, his eyes narrowing. “What?”
“His parents are offering him his heir rights back if he soothes the riots in the Twinity court.”
“Not to sound like I’m raining on your parade.” He drug his hand over his face and looked down at the table for a minute before he brought his gaze back up, “But what does that have to do with you?”
And here was the part I was dreading. What was I supposed to say? ‘I lost a bet.’ ‘I’ve been training with Dace and I’m trying to motivate him.’ I couldn’t tell Daethian how embarrassed Dace was about not being so great at travel manipulation. But not telling him also felt like a lie.
“It could be a great alliance to have another fae who backs our revolution,” I stuttered.
“Yeah, I mean an alliance with someone of power would be good. So the fact that he has his crown back does work in our favor.” His eyes squeezed shut. His eyebrows created deep wrinkles between them as they scrunched together. One hand rose and rubbed at his temple.
“It’s good for us.” I smiled gently. I knew this would upset him, but in the end he would be a good friend.
His eyes snapped back open, his pupils dark in the shadow of his downcast face. The hand that rubbed his temples slammed against the table, rattling the plates. “Who is us, Ryker?” he growled. “Because it sure as hell isn’t you and me.”
My smile fell as I leaned away from him. “It’s good for nymphs. It’s good for everyone fighting this revolution, Daethian. I don’t understand why you’re getting so upset.”
“Upset?” he cackled, his lips spreading in a long, dark sneer. “I’m fucking outraged, Ryker. Are you blind?”
“I’m not blind.”
“It would take nothing. Nothing. For Dace to slap some shackles on you and throw you into slavery again in his court. You can’t leave this place. It’s safe for you here, it isn’t safe there.”
“I get why you would be concerned for me, really. But I can take care of myself,” I snapped, my hands gripped my wine glass as I took a long sip.
“You said that before. Remember? Then you and Graceson were taken hostage and you were nearly taken advantage of. You gave your word then that you could take care of yourself. How am I supposed to trust you now? I made a mistake when I told you to trust the fae, Ryker. This is different then you trying to give them a chance when we were in the Acture Court because they helped us get started. But now it’s time for us to take control.” His hands gripped the table, wood groaning at the pressure. “I told you to trust the fae. Not fuck them.”
Anger flashed through me, but I didn’t lash out. No, this was a much more dangerous rage. It calmed me. It stilled my entire body. I pushed myself out of my chair, knocking it to the floor behind me.
“That’s not true, and you know it. Don’t you dare speak to me like I’m some common tart. Why are you being so cruel?” I hissed.
His head bobbed in a funny small smile for a moment. Then his eyes pressed shut once more, and he brought both hands up to hold his head. A growl passed over his lips. I was sure he would stand up and scream back. I’d never seen him this mad before.
He let go of his head and let out a long breath. “I, uh,” the red glow of anger in his face faded. He stood up out of his chair. “I have to go. I can’t. I’m sorry, Ryker. I’m sorry,” he muttered under his breath as he dashed out the door, slamming it shut behind him.
By the Mother. That didn’t go well. I inhaled long and slow, setting the chair back as it was. Slowly, I walked around the room blowing out the candles. Maybe me and Daethian’s friendship wasn’t meant to work outside of enslavement. Maybe we couldn’t exist as friends in a world such as this. Maybe we just needed a break from each other, and if I went with Dace it would make him realize that it was better to be friends than nothing at all.
FOURTEEN
Dace
My excitement to share my news with Shavarra had me practically skipping down the ruined hallways. It was a shame that a castle such as this one had to be destroyed. But I understood why it had to happen. Sometimes you had to take something that had caused you so much distress and make it into something of your very own. That’s what I intended to do with the power I would have back in the Twinity Court. This time I would do it right.
I skittered into the infirmary, rushing right in the door and to Shavarra’s bed. A curtain had been pulled around the bed, but I flung it open. A fluffed pillow and neatly tucked sheet met my elation, my mouth already opening to share the news. No Shavarra.
Twisting, my leather pants creaked. As I slowed myself to actually take in my surroundings, I realized many of the nymphs that had been here had been released. Suzetta, the healer, poked her head out from the bunk at the back of the room where she helped a patient. “You just missed her. I released her maybe five minutes ago. Healthy as a horse. Kinda. Don’t let her start messing around in those training rings they have out there just yet.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said as I started out the door. Taking a few steps back into the doorway, I leaned back and tried, “Would you happen to know where she might have run off to?”
“She said something about being curious how the kitchen was being operated at this time. She wanted to thank the chefs for the meals they brought in for her and the others.”
Classic Shavarra. Always going out of her way to make others feel appreciated. I didn’t deserve her as a friend. I couldn’t hide my smile as I weaved through the halls. It clearly startled a few nymphs from the refuge who had known me for a while, as their conversations fell quiet as I passed with a wave.
The doors to the kitchen were propped open. I noticed the windows were opened as well, letting in a nice morning breeze. Knives sliced through vegetables and bounced off the cutting board in the hands of the skilled nymphs who had been forced to do it for far too long. It seemed now that they had some control; it was something they didn't entirely loathe.
I spotted Shavarra with her back to me, talking enthusiastically to a few nymphs while they worked whisks through whatever it was they were baking today. As quietly as I could manage, with my heart trying to rattle right out of my rib cage, I snaked between a large table and snuck behind her, wrapping my arms over her shoulders. Pulling her into me, I swayed back and forth as she gasped.
“Trying to sneak away without letting me know they finally set you free?” I whispered in her ear.
Her shoulders shook with a laugh as she untangled herself from my hug. “I was getting around to that. I didn’t think you’d be looking for me so early in the morning.”
“But you see, I have news.” I perched my hands on her shoulders and steered her away from her conversation.
“Uh,” she waved quickly as the nymphs giggled. Knowingly, her feet carried her out of the kitchen and into the hall where she turned to look at me. “What’s the news?”
I could hardly stand to keep it in much longer. I felt like somebody again. Both of my hands gripped the sides of her face as I lowered myself to her height. Oh, I could just kiss her right now. But.. I wouldn't. Because that’s leading her on and we aren’t doing that anymore, I reminded myself.
“I’m getting my crown back.”
“I’m sorry, what?” She pulled my hands off her ears. “I’m certain I heard that wrong.”
“If you heard that I’m going to be prince of the Twinity Court once more, then you heard me right.” I pointed at her.
Shavarra gave me a nervous smile. “This feels like a trick. How? Like, how can you even get that back?”
“The people love me!” I spun around with my arms held out. “I don’t fucking know how, because I’m a total dick, and I’ve only been nice to like three fae and one hundred nymphs in my entire lifetime, but he
re we are.” I placed a pretend crown on my head. “The people's king.”
“Don’t your parents hate you? Don’t you hate your parents?”
“Details. I negotiated. I return, thus settling the riots within our court, and I get my heir rights back, with a little more say in the running of our kingdom. Now, for the good or bad news first?” My arm fell over her shoulders as I steered her down the hallway.
“Oh gods, the bad news.”
“Okay, bad news is that I agreed to take a bride.”
“Who?” Shavarra said in surprise.
I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly feeling like maybe I had jumped into this a little fast. “I don’t actually know, yet. I’m assuming I’ll have a say in it.”
“You’re assuming? Gods above, what’s the good news?”
“I want to put you in my court, as a spokesperson for the people.” The sounds of the kitchen finally faded completely away, leaving us in Shavarra’s stunned silence.
“Dace, I-” she shook her head, “I don’t have any money. I’m literally the most common commoner you’ll find. There is absolutely nothing special about me that would make sense for me to be in your court.”
I grabbed both her hands and made her stop and look me in the eye, “Everything about you is special, Shavarra. You deserve to be in the court more than half of the people who are currently in those positions. I don’t care how common you think you are. Your voice, your opinions need to be heard. You can keep me on the straight and narrow better than almost anyone else.”
Shavarra brought her hand up to her mouth and began chewing on her nails. “I don’t know Dace,” she mumbled.
“I’m the prince,” I tutted. “Doesn’t that mean you have to do as I say?”
She dropped her hand and gave me a pointed look. “When are you leaving?”
“Soonish. I asked for enough time to finish up my affairs here. Will you come with me then? I’ve asked Ryker to come along, too.”