by Rebecca Grey
FIVE
Ryker
The Heathern Court was never as pretty as its name. It never felt as free and beautiful as it sounded. The ruler of our little existence would never allow such a feeling of harmony linger among his constant cruelty.
I tried not to think about how many scars that man had caused my people. The thought in itself made my days unbearable, anger simmering just below the surface eager to lash out at this court. I closed my eyes tight trying to push out the painful memories of the whip tearing open my back and the keepers leaving me open and bloody for days.
Happiness, simply, could not exist here. Not for a nymph. A smile would be punished if caught by the wrong person. Any muffled laughter overheard by a keeper could get you extra chores and less food for weeks on end. Ganglin gave his orders on how we should be treated and the keepers followed it without question. Blind loyalty.
Finally, here we were, the official day of this treacherous celebration. The day that would define the lives of some of the nymph here. The week hadn’t passed fast enough and I only hoped tonight would fly by and we could put this night behind us all. I prayed to the Mother that the end of this day would be the end of Ganglin taking and raping the nymph women. Every year they had returned more bruised and broken than the next, smelling strongly of the king of death. The scent would haunt them forever.
Goosebumps trailed the length of my body, my hands shaking, and my heart rattling to be let out of its bony cage. Every step I took was forced, my limbs heavy like sandbags. Nothing had changed from yesterday until now.
Court members moseyed in finding seats amongst the waiting tables. They wore suits and their finest glittering gowns. Some fae already held their silverware, eager to be filled like pigs readied for the butcher.
Steadying the bottle in my hand, I waited to be called upon, watching for the most anticipated guests. Ganglin sat at the head table. Red wine sloshed in his nearly empty cup. He grinned. Randsin dipped his head next to him, smiling in a way that looked more sad than genuine.
Wind picked up in the grand hall, a violent gust that had me leaning forward to prevent me from stumbling backward. Daethian, just a few nymph away, closed his eyes reveling in the wind. I bet he missed it, the wind was like a fond memory of the magic he no longer had.
Silently, the great doors of the hall opened and in strolled the Acture King with a stone cold confidence. He was flanked by two guards, standing with black scaled wings tucked in at their sides. Their outfits coordinated in similar reds, browns, and golds. More complementary colors than the Heathern’s yellow, orange, and green.
One guard with a long, slim face and large bug-like eyes seemed to stare straight through everyone and everything. His dirty blonde hair was swept up in a bun placed right on top of his head. While the second guard, who was also lean, he had less of a sense of control about him. His red hair hung to his shoulders with just pieces pulled back away from his face. Even from this distance I could see mischief dance in his green eyes.
Then there was the king of the Acture Court. I could hear his name whispered throughout the hall, Windre. He stood a good head taller than the guards, much wider and more muscular than them too. Did he really need guards? Doubtful.
His face was one of cruel calculation, and his light brown hair hung longer than the sword that swung weighted at his waist. All that hair pulled back into one intimidating braid. This was the king rumored to break my people for his own amusement.
An unwanted tremble passed through me. The urge to hide my face a repeating thought. I didn't want to be seen so he wouldn’t have the chance to take me away.
Each step they took echoed as everyone in the room quieted. Ganglin and Randsin stood up, nodding in welcome, as the Acture king took his seat at the table and the guards stood at attention quietly behind him. We knew what kind of monster lurked under that dark facade of the king that ruled over us. Did something more powerful and cruel hide within the skin of the king of the Acture Court too? Was it in all the fae?
The doors remained open and the chatter remained dismal, more fae royalty bounding in to make their entrance. Couley, the queen, with her husband, though she hardly needed her him, glided into the room. Impossibly thin and long, her body was made up of stringy limbs but not in a way that seemed awkward. Her long pale hair hung straight down the length of her white fitted gown that shimmered with each graceful movement. Diamond crystals clung to her long lashes, outlining resplendent blue eyes.
Flanking her was the man I assumed to be her husband and king, Henrick, and then their son, Dace. Each with skin so white it looked frosted and hair the pale, crystal color of ice. All of them had only moments ago simply been names I had heard whispered about throughout the night. It was different finally putting their faces to their names.
Dace remained the younger image of his father, strong, confident, and unamused by our presence. His father’s hair was shaved close to his head, while Dace’s was kept long on top fading shorter down his scalp. They were beautiful.
The Twinity Court remained the only court ruled by a woman. I could see why in the fierceness of her gaze. Though the weight of the crown actually depended on which person received visions of their court. In this case it had been the queen who was blessed. Both her husband and son remained nonchalant as they found their seats next to her.
Lastly, Ottack, king of the Obtune Court with his short curly yellow hair and thick, well kept beard walked in with heavy steps. Strolling gracefully behind him was his daughter. Tumbles of blonde waves cascaded over her emerald green dress, bouncing over her chest where her cleavage peeked from under her deep neckline.
Princess Maglehmore, though her name was almost gruesome, her beauty made up for it. She wasn’t shy nor embarrassed as they marched to the front of the room and she kept her eye trained on Prince Dace. Much the same could be said for Dace as he scowled and looked away.
Ganglin greeted them with a healthy grin. “Come now, my old friend! Come, here sit.” He motioned to the free seats at the table that headed the room.
Once all royalty had seated together they chimed. “We send our blessings to your Court.”
Ganglin nodded with false humility. “Your blessings received.”
Noble fae of the court smiled politely from the tables spaced generously throughout the room. The floor space between each table allowed them to stand for socializing or, eventually, when their cups have run dry many times over, drunken dancing.
“Wine!” Ganglin snapped.
Between long blinks, I watched the way they moved. Fae look almost mechanical in their movements despite the way they try to be smooth. Rows of them sat with their perfect posture and forced expressions.
A swift kick into my calf, jolted me forward from the line of nymph who waited with heavy platters of food and excess bottles of liquor. Red liquor sloshed from the rim of the glass and onto my worn slippers.
“Nymph, are you deaf or just plain stupid?” a keeper hissed. “The king wants his wine.”
I jostled forward, careful not to spill anymore. Purposefully, I kept my gaze pointed toward the glossy, white tile flooring. Being treated as less than was almost worse than being considered as less than.
Ganglin offered his glass first without so much as a glance my way. The tart liquor was already on his lips before I moved on to the next lifted glass.
“Princess Maglehmore, here a seat next to the young prince.” With one hand he pulled the chair back for her, scooting it underneath her with his knee as she sat.
“Please, call me Maggie,” the girl cooed, batting her long eyelashes toward Prince Dace.
Dace’s features remained as they were, bored, tired, and annoyed.
“Come now, Dace, where is that princely charm?” Ganglin patted him on the back.
Anger flashed through his eyes, Dace’s shoulders tensed. “I suppose I was born without any.” He lifted his glass. “I need more wine if I’m to make it through this celebration.”
A glare from the
shining lights above made the rim of the goblet sparkle in his hand. I tried to focus on the shimmer of it rather than meet his gaze. Dace shifted in his seat so that his cup was easily accessible for me. Icy blue eyes turned to face me in a momentary glance, pulling away once the cup was in my hand before something new flashed in his eyes as he looked back toward me with a pur.
“This one is pretty for her kind.”
“And I thought you weren’t charming,” I whispered as I shoved the glass back toward him, rolling my eyes. Wine splashed over the edge, a drop a marring, threatening, and crimson spot against his pant leg.
Princess Maglehore gasped and tugged at my sleeve so hard my knees buckled to the ground. Her long boney fingers pinched at the material of my shirt using the fabric to dab at the stain. Dace cocked his head. His scowl was gone, instead replaced with a look of amusement before he swatted the Princess’s hand away as it began to climb his leg.
White as the tile with hints of pearlescent blue his skin shimmered like frost, as he took my hand and helped me back to standing. “I should take your tongue for such clumsiness and misspoken words.”
Behind me, I could hear the singing of a sword as it’s pulled from its home. Randsin, likely at the ready. Ganglin swept between us, his cheeks rosy.
“The prettier they are the worse their mouth is. I’ll send this one back for a more obedient slave.” His tongue tisked at the roof of his mouth as he motioned for a keeper.
My hands gripped the glass so hard, I had a passing thought that it might break. I could feel how tightly I had begun to purse my lips, how loudly my heart began to race.
“I could fix her for you.” Windre leaned forward with a shrug. “We all know I specialize in taking the most horrid of nymphs and making them more… pliable and suitable for our way of living.”
One of Ganglin’s clammy hands rested against my shoulder possessively. “Don’t worry, I have a few in mind for you to handle. You will not leave my court empty handed. I have plans to handle this one myself.”
A cold shiver ran down my spine. The sensation of plummeting to my death became vivid in my mind. Rough, slimy fingers wrapped around my arm, leading me away.
“Wait,” Dace stood. “If you don’t mind, I’d love to enjoy the view for a moment longer. Our nymphs are not nearly as satisfying.”
Satisfying. The word sounded like a sin on his lips.
Ganglin tutted before he sliced his hand through the air and commanded the guard to leave me be. “Fine. But if she utters another word she will lose her tongue this time. Perhaps I should have done that a long time ago. Saved myself the annoyance.” He laughed. They all laughed. Royalty and noble fae alike followed Ganglin’s lead like he was the composer of their awful symphony of cackling.
“It’s settled.” Dace nodded with one final glance at me. “Well, scurry along then. There are plenty of cups to be filled, little nymph.”
Princess Maggie laughed haughty. “I would have severed the head of one of my servants if they acted that way. Much less if they soiled my dress.”
“Your nymphs must not be very attractive. And you must not own very many dresses. I have more pairs of pants than I can count, it gives me no grievance to rid my wardrobe of this particular pair.”
“Dace Augustus,” Queen Couley snapped. “It would be wise of you not to talk to a potential bride that way. One day she may rule our court and you’ll be lucky if she lets you reside in the palace.”
“Yes, Mother, so very lucky.” The prince narrowed his gaze, watching me hover from glass to glass. Making a show of it, he unfolded his napkin, and snapped the material through the air before placing it delicately on his lap.
“I would never make your son stay outside the castle,” Princess Maggie said politely.
“Yes, well, it might do him some good to do so.” Couley crossed her legs, leaning back into the chair and watching the crowd of fae before her.
“I never said the dungeons were out of the question.” Maggie drummed her fingers against the table. It was unheard of for a prince to be sent to the dungeons. Though it was common knowledge that Dace wasn’t quite the most well mannered or behaved prince to ever grace Stylica.
He could forge his own path, right to the damn dungeons.
“As much as I love to hear about how much of a burden I am and how thrilled I am to be having this conversation in public... Could we, perhaps, eat?”
“I must agree.” Ganglin clapped his hands together. “Let dinner be served.”
The bug eyed guard at Windre’s side never slowed the roaming of his large eyes. Looking in and around everyone. Occasionally, his eyes would stop on me. His face showed no emotion, just the same blank look that he’d had since entering the hall. My gaze flickered to the ground before I looked back out of curiosity as to what he was seeing. Me, or was he looking around me? He leaned in toward Windre and whispered. The king merely nodded his head but didn’t look my way. After that he continued his sweep.
Nymphs from either side of the room ushered forward, placing dishes before each fae while Ganglin nodded cheerfully at his guests. Decadent smells of stuffed meats, fresh fruits, roasted vegetables, and impressive desserts quickly filled the space. All of that muted to my senses by the wine in my hands.
I had nearly completed filling the cups of the entire table when my bottle ran empty. Daethian walked calmly to my side offering me a new bottle. His eyes were wide, his voice hushed.
“What are you doing? Do you want to end up like Eloise? Of all the nights, please, don’t make a scene tonight. Don’t speak anymore unless you have to.”
“I know, you’re right. I couldn’t help myself.” We exchanged bottles and he walked away with his look of warning still pointed in my direction. I turned to fill another cup. Liquid nearly spilled for a second time as I stopped abruptly to keep from running into Prince Dace.
“Please don’t do that again. I’m not sure I could keep my dinner down if Princess Maggie tried to touch me once more.” Dace held his empty glass toward me. “I’ll take some more wine, please.”
“I could have come to you.” I tried to ignore the way my hands trembled under his heavy gaze. One misstep and I could lose my head just as easily as I almost lost my tongue.
The prince leaned nearer to me, pinning me in place with the intensity of his crystal blue stare. “Would you rather me beckon you? Call you like a dog, then?”
Dishes clanked quietly in the background of my thoughts. Dinner ending, wine glasses waiting to be filled once more. Plates were clearing and Randsin began to stand. There wouldn’t be time for me to argue even if I dared it.
“Who was that boy you were talking to? Friend? Lover?” He raised his eyebrows. “Both? Neither?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but the loud chiming of a spoon against glass stopped me.
“Very well,” Dace lifted his glass to me and spun on his heel to watch the announcement.
Randsin stood as he had yesterday, hands pressing down against the table so his voice will carry through to all of our minds. This wouldn’t be the same speech that was given yesterday. We all knew it. Then his voice boomed through our minds.
“It has been a pleasure having our royal families from all across Stylica join us on this very special occasion. The families will be offered the chance to stay here for the night or as long as their visit suits them. As promised we will be sending three nymph servants to join King Windre from the Acture Court. They will be returned to us within a year’s time as obedient servants of the Heathern Court.”
A mild round of applause broke out over the fae both sitting and standing in various displays of drunkenness. Each clap felt like a stinging blade cutting deeper and deeper into my stomach.
“On this day, The Day of Ruin, I will allow my keepers to bring forth those who have been chosen.” He spread his arms wide, dramatically gesturing to us. Next to him excitement flickered over Ganglin’s face.
Still holding the glass, my fingers twitched and t
he blood drained from my face. My attention trailed over the great expanse of the room and all the nymphs huddled in various groups waiting for their orders.
Three keepers, clad in their black armor marked with orange and yellow suns, weaved through the crowds. I couldn’t see who would be chosen, I didn’t want to know. Silently, I hung my head. There would soon be a commotion following the selection, I’m sure of it. If I closed my eyes hard enough, if I willed it with every fiber of my being, it couldn’t happen, right?
I wasn’t right.
For every time that I had let my mouth run, every time I would throw myself in front of a nymph or an animal to spare them even one ounce of pain I swore I would be more silent, more stealthy in my rebellion. I remembered all of the guards that had watched Daethian and me and how they had asked to be reassigned before Randsin took over the majority of that duty, a sure sign that I wasn’t as complacent as they wanted me to be. What if it was me? Could I survive? What was once the chilled heavy glass in my hands now felt like nothing. My limbs tingled with nerves like they’d go numb at any second. I became certain I would feel fingers wrapping around my arm to tug me away.
Yet, my body snapped to attention, and my eyes opened wide at a familiar voice, a startled gasp. Daethian’s deep whispered, “What?”
SIX
Ryker
Daethian stood only yards away from me, but it felt like miles away. Black gloved fingers pressed down over Daethian’s shoulders, their greedy grip digging into the fabric of his worn shirt. Our eyes met, his irises dark pools of honey brown drowning in terror, as I shook my head in fearful awe. This couldn’t be happening. They can’t take my last piece of happiness away, my only friend, my family.
No. No. No. No.
Thundering like a stampede of wild animals, my heart beat hard. Sadness. Anger. Fear. Wave after wave of emotion. This was worse than if they had decided to take me. They should have taken me.
Daethian pushed away from the guard. The hit was soft as the batting of a kitten’s paw without the strength of his magic to fuel him. His heels pressed into the ground as he was easily dragged forward by the fae guards to the front of the room. Ganglin waited for him, his excitement growing to elatement.