Such an act took guts, Roan had to give her that.
Her action also meant that the girl was aware of the power inherent in giving one’s true name – that she was knowledgeable and presumably grasped much of the Fae’s ways, even if she wrongly believed true names were the same as the real names of the humans.
Someone well versed in Fae culture must have taught her well, since for years now, most of his kind had only been in direct contact with humans who were already enslaved and couldn’t divulge what they learned about their masters to their free brethren, and this girl hadn’t been a slave long enough to discern much about them. She was also quite young, so the probability of her retaining much firsthand knowledge, based on useful memories of her own experiences in the olden times, was low, too. Or at least, Roan thought the girl was young. She definitely looked young ...
With a start, Roan realized he didn’t even know the girl’s age. He knew next to nothing about who she was – who she used to be … He was only aware that she came from a conquered kingdom. Though not knowing more was probably for the best. That was the way he wanted it to be, anyway, Roan told himself. However, he still had to find her.
High above, beyond the canopy of the trees, the sky was already beginning to darken by the time Roan caught up to his wayward slave. For a second, he debated what he should do – whether he should reveal himself to her right away. As he took her in, he opted to remain hidden for the time being, though, because what he was seeing was … incredible.
Without following a trail, the human had found her way to a little glade teeming with wildflowers and long blades of grass swaying gently in the wind. Leaning back on her elbows and tilting her head up to the skies, she perched upon a great flat rock, looking completely at ease. Not far from her spot, a doe grazed leisurely, not disturbed by her presence in the least.
On the contrary.
The brown-coated animal meandered right over to the girl, and – as if sensing her approach – the slave lifted a hand in offering. The doe still didn’t shy away, not even when that hand came into contact with her head and stroked down her graceful neck, the long, elegant fingers burrowing into the soft fur between her shoulder blades. Then a white-speckled fawn walked over to the pair and butted his tiny head into the girl’s middle, impatiently demanding his share of petting and attention.
A tentative smile spread over the human’s face as she obliged with her eyes still closed, as if she didn’t want sight to get in the way of tactile sensation. Then she began to hum, just as a playful gust of air fluttered over the clearing, tugging at her long, fair hair and rustling the bright green leaves overhead, as though joining in on the song. As the wind whispered through the swishing, dancing green blades, Roan even glimpsed a multitude of tiny orbs of near-translucent light swirling and moving about.
He sucked in a breath in wonder.
They were such elusive, fleeting creatures, and yet the air sprites had come out to play. Flitting this way and that, they rode upon the currents of the gentle wind, circling around and backflipping in time to the music floating on the air, but always, always they circled back to the rock, as if drawn to the quietly humming young woman upon it.
They’re drawn to Amelia, Roan reminded himself. That’s the name she wanted to be called by.
What happened at that clearing – the mystical dance and the wordless song … It was miraculous. Enchanting. Hers wasn’t a sad tune, wasn’t truly sorrowful, but it seemed to tell of haunting secrets and long-forgotten verities. And her voice … It chilled his very blood, shivered over his skin. The combination savaged Roan, yet left him feeling strangely peaceful, at ease with life as it was.
Perplexed, Roan shook his head.
How was any of this possible? Why would mystical creatures who rarely showed themselves at all flock around a human girl? Why did the barely-there song she was singing resonate so strongly with him?
He ran a hand through his hair, mussing up the strands.
Why did the girl try to leave – or, rather, why now? And why ever did she stop here?
Was she even aware of the wondrous creatures surrounding her?
None of this made any sense.
With a heart-rending crescendo, the melody finally came to a stop, and for a second, time seemed to stand still. Then the girl moved, breaking the spell. Stroking the backs of the deer, she sent them both on their way. The fairies spun around the human one last time as if in farewell, then they vanished, too.
Roan just stood there, flabbergasted, staring and staring at a girl who suddenly seemed so much more than a simple slave.
~ *** ~
Amelia
Lying on her back with her eyes still closed, Amelia breathed in the evening air, then allowed it to leave her lungs, rushing back out. She made no move to get up and tried to appear as relaxed as she’d been a short while ago. Nothing was farther from the truth, though, so it took effort.
Amelia knew she wasn’t alone. She’d felt it, heard the approach. A Fae lurked nearby, standing motionless right at the edge of the clearing. Exactly where he’d been when she’d started her wordless song – a lament she’d heard many a times over the past years, struck up by a multitude of tongues. One that conjured up better times when human and Fae had been equals, even friends. It bespoke an era of peace and freedoms, not the war or restrictions her generation knew so well.
She didn’t care what her observer made of the tune, nor what he thought of her perched upon this rock, so far from the mansion. She didn’t concern herself with that at all.
The past minutes hadn’t been about him.
Now, though, that the music was gone, and her surprise guests had departed … Now it was time.
Now, she’d learn of the collar’s might and what it felt like to gasp for breath, completely at the mercy of another.
She’d experience Roan’s wrath firsthand.
Amelia lay upon the rock, with her eyes still closed and her hands at her sides, the bound one throbbing in time with her frantic heartbeat. She waited and waited as minutes ticked by. As the shadows lengthened and night fell.
She’d sent the doe and her fawn away so they wouldn’t have to witness what was about to happen, but though she waited, nothing happened.
The pain never came. Instead, after at least an hour must’ve passed, the powerful Fae who hated humans passionately and owned his own personal slave, who had murdered an innocent eleven-year-old girl in cold blood without compunction and done Gods knew what else … That very same male simply turned on his heels and walked away, leaving Amelia at the glade without even making sure that she would return to the mansion.
Aroan departed without so much as a word of reprimand.
Chapter Eleven
For days, Amelia waited for the other shoe to drop.
She expected to see Aroan rushing in at any moment, to deliver her punishment at last. Or to be sent for, maybe – that was more like it. Though maybe the lordling had lost the taste for getting his own hands dirty, in which case it would fall upon a servant or possibly a guard to teach her the error of her ways.
Anyway, Amelia didn’t believe for one second that there wouldn’t be consequences. She reckoned Aroan was simply taking his time, intending to lull her into a false sense of security while he found the most effective or the most humiliating punishment. It had been three days already since she’d snuck back onto the grounds and then into the mansion itself in the middle of the night, though, which made Amelia wonder.
At first, she’d thought that Aroan hadn’t really returned home, that he would be lying in wait somewhere along the way so he could still catch her in the act – but only after having led her to believe she’d gotten away with her little unsanctioned trip. So she’d remained at the clearing, gazing up at the brilliant, faraway stars and taking in the waning moon. Despite herself, she’d even dozed a bit under the dark sky. When she’d finally awoken with a start, she’d even risked letting her senses free to scan her surroundings, but s
he hadn’t been able to detect any Fae nearby.
It hadn’t made sense, and Aroan’s complete lack of retaliation in the face of her disobedience was even more confusing. Amelia frowned as she continued scrubbing the tiles with vehemence, even though her good had was already aching.
Aroan had clearly sensed her leaving the mansion. His being at the edge of that glade was evidence enough of that. So, that cursed collar of fire and darkness was functioning as it was meant to – it kept track of her movements and wasn’t just for show.
Why hadn’t Aroan stolen her breath with it, then, at least after he’d found her? Or if he hadn’t wished to incapacitate her so that she’d have to be carried back, why hadn’t he delivered a punishment of another kind? He had threatened her with pain, too, after all. That would’ve been the logical step to take, but he’d remained there instead, simply staring at her, then left without a word.
Amelia shook her head. She didn’t know why, and it was driving her crazy. She couldn’t stop speculating, trying to figure out the Fae’s motivation. The thoughts wouldn’t leave her alone, even as her right hand became raw and red from too much scrubbing.
~ *** ~
Late that evening, Amelia was getting ready for bed when there was a soft knock on her door.
Not expecting any visitors, she startled.
They’d finally come for her, Amelia immediately thought, becoming panicky – but then, why in the world would a Fae who was about to mete out punishment to a slave bother to knock on her door? That couldn’t be it, then. Who else would ever seek her company in this household, though?
As the question arose in her mind, the answer popped into her head, as well.
Of course.
Opening up, she indeed came face to face with Evana. Holding a finger to her lips to silence Amelia, the little elf slipped into her room and plopped down onto her bed.
“You said I could come back,” she told Amelia in way of an explanation as soon as the door was safely closed.
That was true, and honestly, Amelia was grateful for the company, though after so many days had gone by without a visit, she’d started to think the younger girl had changed her mind about her and wouldn’t be back, after all.
“Of course,” she responded, giving her visitor a heartfelt smile. “It’s good to have you here.”
At her words, the elfling’s cheeks flushed with happiness. She must’ve felt lonely, too, if such a simple statement caused her so much joy, and Amelia again wondered why an elf was living at Lord Bryon’s instead of with her own kind.
So much questions, but tonight, maybe she’d also manage to get some answers.
“I would’ve come sooner,” the girl offered as Amelia crossed over to the bed as well and sat with her legs stretched out across from her guest. “Damian had taken ill, though, and I didn’t want to leave him alone at night until he felt better.”
“Damian?” Amelia lifted an eyebrow in query. “I don’t think I’ve met him.”
“No, you wouldn’t have. Damian works in the stables.” Evana smoothed down her dress, then looked up at Amelia. “He is my little brother.”
“And you’re taking care of him?” Amelia ventured carefully.
“Of course I am,” Evana stated matter-of-factly. “It’s up to me. After all, I’m her big sister.” Her dark eyes clouded over as she whispered, “I’m all he has left.”
Oh, Gods.
Amelia heaved a sigh. So much responsibility. Such a heavy weight to bear for someone so young.
“What about your parents?”
Chewing on her lips, the girl didn’t immediately answer, and as Amelia looked at her, she realized the elfling was fighting back tears.
Here was the opening Amelia had been hoping for. Evana had offered up personal information of her own volition, so it wouldn’t be prying exactly if she voiced her questions now. And yet …
It wasn’t worth it. Not if it caused this generous and warm-hearted girl so much distress.
“Evana,” she said gently, and that glistening gaze met hers questioningly. “I’m sorry. We don’t have to talk about this if you don’t want to.”
The elfling kept looking at her, considering.
“Do you have a family? Somewhere?”
Aaand this was where things got complicated.
Amelia couldn’t reveal too much about herself. For both of their sakes. Knowing too much about her would only put Evana in danger. That was a good enough reason to stay quiet. In all honesty, there was more to it, though. Amelia didn’t want to talk about this.
She didn’t want to remember.
Still, if the girl trusted her enough to confide in her, she deserved to get something in return, so Amelia told her, “No.”
She swallowed the lump in her throat.
“I used to have one, but they’re all gone.” She paused, then added, trying to create a safe distance between herself and her past, “It was a long time ago.”
Evana just looked at her, and her gaze said it all. She wasn’t fooled by Amelia’s pretenses. She understood how much the loss still hurt.
Smart girl.
“Our parents passed away, too,” Evana said, sharing more about her own story with Amelia. “I barely remember them. I was only four when they died.” She frowned, then shifted on the bed. “I still miss them, though, but I never tell Damian that.”
“Your secret is safe with me,” Amelia promised her, pretending to lock her lips and throw away the key, both to reassure Evana and to lift the mood a bit. “I won’t tell anyone.”
Evana’s own lips curved upward.
“I know.” Glancing at the door, Evana continued in a more subdued tone. “They were killed. In one of the skirmishes.”
So they were casualties of a war that had never truly been fought at all, too.
“I’m sorry, Evana,” she said, and she was, even though she believed humans had had every right to defend themselves against the Fae and strike back. “Mine died around that time, too.” Still honest, but also vague enough. Then Amelia finally asked, “How come you and your brother live here, Evana? Why are you two working for the Fae?”
The elfling’s eyes became as big as saucers. Astonished, she asked, “You know what I am?”
Amelia inclined her head in answer but didn’t explain further.
“Well … We don’t have anywhere else to go,” Evana responded after some time, then she trailed off.
Amelia frowned. How was that possible? Surely, their clan would’ve taken care of the young, even if Evana and Damian didn’t have any blood relatives left.
Evana scooted over, sitting right next to Amelia. When she spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper.
“The Council didn’t like what my parents had done. The Fae Council, that is,” she clarified, making it clear she wasn’t referring to the erstwhile Council of the Fairykind, the other former advising body of the eradicated Fae royal family.
Amelia’s frown grew. She couldn’t have heard that right. Why wouldn’t the Fae Council be happy about the elves fighting the humans? She didn’t interrupt Evana, though, letting the girl go on.
“Roan– Lord Aroan, that is … He convinced his father to spare us. So we came here.” The elfling glanced at Amelia. “It’s a lot better than our fate would’ve been in Cerridwen.”
What kind of fate, and why in Cerridwen? And why did two elven children need sparing from anything, anyway? Amelia didn’t comprehend it, so she finally asked, “Couldn’t someone from your clan have taken you in?”
Evana hung her head.
“They were gone, too,” she mumbled, her words barely intelligible.
Goodness.
Amelia wanted to hug the girl, to give Evana a measure of comfort. After what she’d just revealed, though, that was likely the last thing she’d ever want.
“How come you don’t hate me?” Amelia asked instead, her voice hoarse with emotion.
At that, Evana looked up at Amelia. She blinked.
; “Why would I hate you?”
Why wouldn’t she?
“Because I’m one of them?” At Evana’s blank look, she stated her question more precisely, “How can you not detest me when it was humans who took your parents from you?” In spite of Evana energetically shaking her head, she went on, “You have a lot more reason not to like me than most Fae.”
“No, I don’t,” Evana shot back energetically and without hesitation. “It’s the Fae I should hate.”
Uh, what?
The elf’s cheeks heated anew, this time with an anger so strong that it set her eyes ablaze, too.
“They’re the ones who killed them. Most elves wouldn’t fight, but my parents and some others did. They fought the Fae, because what they were doing was wrong. So the Fae retaliated. They eradicated my whole clan, along with my home.” Her voice broke. “It’s gone, Amelia. They’re all dead. Males, females, younglings. Even the elderly.” Evana’s gaze was still lit it up as she looked Amelia in the face. “A whole clan of the elven race. Gone forever.”
Amelia couldn’t believe her ears. To go to such lengths… To punish a whole clan for the perceived crimes of a few- Even she wouldn’t have believed the Fae capable of such monstrosity. Not against another mystical species, and definitely not against the elves who were practically their cousins. Yet according to Evana, they had committed the heinous act, and the girl’s presence at the mansion was proof of that fact. Amelia unwittingly clenched her fists – and yelped from the pain.
She’d forgotten about her healing injury and her aching other hand.
This was more than tragic – and another evidence of the Fae Council’s depravity. Yet it also meant that not all mystical races had wished to relegate humans to nothing. In spite of the Fae’s disapproval, at least some of the elves had sided with them.
Amelia never would’ve thought this possible, but Evana had no reason to lie. The scheming, cunning Fae had simply concealed this vital information, and they had kept this secret well-guarded, indeed. Even though it was common knowledge in the Lower Kingdom that the Fae hadn’t just murdered humans but also turned on those of their own kind who were sympathetic to mortals or loyal to the throne, none of this truth had found its way across the border.
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