12. Chapter 12
Chapter twelve
I finished getting ready and made my way to my uncle’s private chambers. I knocked on the blue door and waited for the servant to let me in. She bowed towards me as I passed through the doors. A table of fresh fruits and meats was set with only two places. My uncle came from his study, arms stretched out towards me with a smile on his face.
“Genevieve, my darling niece. I am so glad you accepted my invitation,” he said, taking me into his arms for an embrace.
“Thank you for the invitation. I was excited to receive it.”
“Come, come, sit, and eat. Tell me all about your first hunt. My servants tell me you were the one that dealt the final blow today.”
I took a seat while the servant began to fill my plate. “It was exciting. I’ve been wanting to go on a hunt for a while now, so I jumped at the opportunity. The creature was very interesting, to say the least. I can’t wait to see what they discover once they cut him open.”
Rythlayn laughed as he dug into his meal. “And the killing part? How did you find that?”
“Easy and satisfying,” I answered truthfully .
He smiled, raising his glass to me. “You are a true Drezmore, my dear niece. I am glad to hear it.” I raised my glass to him and took a sip. “And how is combat training going? My son tells me you are quite the little fighter.”
“Favorite part of the day, hands down.”
“Good, good. I am glad you and your cousins are getting to know each other better. Family means everything to your father and me. He has been devastated for so long without an heir. When he discovered you, his spirits were instantly lifted. Now, to watch him with you. It brings nothing but joy to me. Our family grows stronger by the day. Azeer has truly blessed us.”
“Yes, the more I learn about Azeer, the more questions I seem to have.”
Rythlayn chuckled and took another sip. “I am sure our beloved ambassador has been more than willing to answer all of your burning questions. Seems like you and my daughter have more in common than you think.”
Instant discomfort took hold of me while I assessed my uncle. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Not that it’s my business,” he said, filling his glass, “but I am sure you’ve heard the rumors of Lyklor’s … other talents, outside of political matters, that is.”
I took my own glass of wine and took a large gulp. “I’m not sure what Icici has told you, but I can assure you Ambassador Lyklor and I are not sleeping together. ”
Rythlayn evaluated me for a silent moment, seeming to assess if I was telling the truth or not. “Well, regardless, I’d keep my guard up. Always up to something, that one is. Being a royal myself, I know how hard it can be when you’re trying to tell friend from foe and believe me, dear niece … the foes come in all shapes and sizes. Some more desirable than others.”
“Thank you for the advice, uncle.”
He took another moment, focusing his attention on the wine that he swirled around the sides of the glass. “I would also watch out for the queen. She has been oddly silent since your arrival. I’ve known her for centuries. She doesn’t wear jealousy well. Experienced that one first had two decades ago when your mother entered the picture.”
“Did you know about my mother?” I asked.
“Yes. Your father told me about her once he began to develop … feelings . I encouraged the relationship. She made him happy, and he had been so low for so long. It was nice to have the older brother I once admired back. She was the light of his life for those few short months they had together.”
“Did you ever meet her?”
“Unfortunately, I did not have that honor. If I am being honest, I thought my brother foolish to develop such feelings for someone who was so weak in comparison to us. But now, after meeting you, I see I was wrong. I think I would have liked her very much.” My uncle fiddled with his fork for a few moments .
“I owe you an apology, niece,” he said hesitantly.
“For what?”
He took a deep breath, looking up at me behind his dark eyelashes and grinned softly. “I have a confession to make, and I am unsure how you will respond.”
I set my fork down, giving him my full attention. “I’m listening.”
Rythlayn took another moment before he spoke. “When my brother came to me with the idea of removing the ban on half-breeds, I was against it. I uphold our customs and traditions, even more so, I would say, than your father. It was how things had always been done, and I do not take kindly to change.
“I opposed him during the vote. One of the very few times I had ever done so. I didn’t see his reasoning and could not understand this need to change a law the rest of the lands would continue to uphold. But when he finally told me about you, my heart softened.
“I knew how desperately he wanted children of his own and now that there was a chance he could have that … I love my brother. I have always worked to help strengthen his throne. I honor the sacrifices he has made and respect him for them. The thought of him finally obtaining something he so desperately desired brought me nothing but joy.
“With that being said, I know you had no say in your genetics. Getting to know you and seeing the joy you bring to everyone around you, I can confidently say I was foolish and petty in my former decision, and I ask for your forgiveness in the matter. ”
I assessed my uncle for a moment. No signs of ill will or lies were present. He was a smart male, more educated than anyone I knew, but he had never done anything to make me question his intent. “I forgive you,” I whispered with a small, forced smile.
He grinned from ear to ear, raising his glass to me. I followed suit. “Here’s to new beginnings and a fruitful reign,” he said in a happy, hopeful tone.
“Agreed,” I said before taking a drink. I continued to assess him, trying to figure out why the alfar continued to look their noses down at the humans. There had to be more to it. “May I ask, have you spent much time in The Frey? Have you studied the people there and how they live? I only ask in hopes of understanding the alfar’s outlook on the human race.”
“No. The Frey doesn’t provide much interest to me. My place is here, with my children. Speaking of, how are they treating you?”
Changing the subject. Clever male.
“Toreon and Vena are wonderful. Very smart and skilled. Icici, I am still working on,” I said, sugar-coating the truth.
“She can be a handful. Has been since she was born. She is still sore about not being queen someday I fear.” He leaned in across the table. “Honestly, she would have made a terrible queen. Too temperamental and selfish to run a kingdom.”
We laughed as I remember Eren telling me the same thing. I had this weird sense of having lived these moments before. I stiffened my posture while my mind fluttered to the worst possible scenario .
Eren was sleeping with Icici on a consistent basis. His words about her becoming queen and my uncle’s matched, too perfectly. Maybe this was his plan. Eren was getting me to trust him so he could be an easy person to take me out and put Icici on the throne. Then, she would take him as her husband, and he would be king. He would have the position and the power he’s always wanted. All they had to do was kill me and then the path would be wide open. I swallowed hard, choking on the thought.
“Is everything okay, niece?”
“Yes, I just swallowed too much food,” I said, taking a drink of wine. Gods, I was such an idiot. I rose from the table, wiping my mouth. “Uncle, I am so sorry to cut our lunch short, but I just remembered I have a meeting with Ambassador Lyklor before Ambassador Atros arrives. I was close to the new ambassador, so he will want to know all I can tell him.”
“Of course, of course, I understand. Well, I am glad we got to have this time, even if it was cut short. We should do this again soon. I enjoy watching you grow, Genevieve. You are truly special,” he said, before embracing me.
“Yes, we should make these lunches a weekly event. Gets me out of my studies,” I said with a small laugh.
“Let’s,” he replied, escorting me to the door.
I made my way across the hall to my father’s study where I knew he had a collection of ulyrium daggers and slid one under my sleeve. I marched through the residential quarters to Erendrial’s room. I pushed open the door without even knocking, slamming it shut behind me with force. He was at his desk, hunched over a pile of papers. His head popped up and he frowned in confusion.
“Lunch didn’t go so well?” he asked. I marched over to him, taking the dagger out of my sleeve and placing it at his neck, pinning him against the chair. I pressed hard enough that a sliver of blood trickled down his skin.
“Oh, it went quite well,” I snapped.
He moved a hand slowly, trying to make skin contact.
“Don’t even think about touching me or I will cut off your hand, do you hear me?”
“What did he tell you? I can assure you whatever it is, it is a lie,” he said slowly.
“Of course, you would say that. The master of lies that you are. Tell me. How were you going to plan on doing it, hm? Were you going to make me suffer or were you going to make it quick?” I said pushing the blade deeper into his neck.
He swallowed hard. “I promise, I do not know what you are talking about.”
“Don’t play stupid with me, Lyklor. I figured it out. The whole fucking plan. Tell me, how were you going to kill me?” I yelled.
“Princess, I have never had any intention of killing you. I swear to it.”
“Stop denying it and just admit it!” I yelled.
“I will sign a blood contract as proof if you still do not believe me. I have never planned to kill you. I swear on my own life.”
I looked into his eyes, searching for signs that he was lying, but there were none. He was calm and did not make a move to hurt me. Even though I had a dagger to his neck, I was certain he could have me hunched over in pain in a few seconds, rendering me helpless.
I took a deep breath, slowly removing the dagger from his neck. I backed away, feeling a bit foolish, but I had to be certain. He took a handkerchief and wiped the blood from his neck as the gash continued to trickle from the shallow cut.
I sat on a chair next to the table, thinking over the conspiracy I was sure that had taken root. He came over silently, with two glasses and a bottle of whiskey. He poured mine first, handing it to me. I looked up at him in shame and took it. He poured one for himself, throwing it back before pouring a second. He sat across from me, twirling the glass on the table.
“So, are you going to tell me what you thought I was planning to do?” he said in a heavy voice.
I drank the whiskey and reached for the bottle. “I thought you were working with my uncle and cousin. You were being nice to me, so you would have an easy shot at killing me. I wouldn’t see you coming. Once I was dead, Icici would take the throne and marry you, and then you would become king, having the position and power you so desperately desire,” I said, taking another shot of whiskey.
He laughed underneath his breath, shaking his head. “And what led you to this?”
“You and my uncle made the exact same remark about how horrible of a queen Icici would be. The wording and phrasing were exact.”
“Paranoid … are we?” he said, sipping on his drink.
“I wonder whose fault that is,” I replied, glaring at him.
“You’re right, that is my fault. I just want you to be on guard is all. Though, I can see now that your imagination is very active.”
“Can you blame me? You share a bed with her regularly. She throws it in my face for whatever reason every chance she gets. She wants the crown; you want power. The only thing that is standing in the way is me.”
“And what makes you think Icici would ever marry me?”
“She seems to like you well enough,” I said.
He laughed, finishing off his whiskey. “Icici doesn’t like anyone, even her own father. We use each other in one way and one way only. That’s it, I promise you.”
I looked into his fireplace, unsure if I should believe anything that was coming out of his mouth.
Gods, it was exhausting not being able to trust anyone. I held my head, swirling the amber liquid. Eren appeared in front of me, slowly kneeling. He took the glass from my hands and placed it on the table and then lifted my chin, so my eyes met his. His face was calm and serious.
“Genevieve. I am a clever male, and yes, I have ambitions, but none of which require you to be dead. I am loyal to your father and to his bloodline, which includes you. You never have to fear me in that way. I promise,” he said with a nod.
I pulled my eyes away from his, feeling foolish. I stood from the seat as he rose from the floor. “I should go get ready for dinner. Sorry about your neck,” I said, looking at the unhealed wound.
“If it scars, I am not going to be happy. I am flawless and would like to keep it that way,” he said in a lighter tone. I couldn’t help but smile, though I tried to hide it. He smiled back, feeling the air between us lighten. “I’ll see you at dinner, princess.”
I turned and left his rooms.
Atalee prepared me for dinner. Extra makeup and extra glamor, since members of the light court would be attending this evening. My dress was made completely out of leather. It was tight and hugged ever curve. I felt naked, even though everything was covered for a change. She glued diamonds to my shoulders and down my arms. Silver glitter dust was added until I shimmered brighter than a star. I wore a silver crown tonight, with a green stone attached in the middle of the setting .
My father came to escort me. We had to appear as a unified front, which to my knowledge, we were. I rushed towards him and embraced him tightly. I pulled away, looking into his fierce glowing eyes.
“Thank you so much for the balcony. You don’t know how happy it makes me,” I said.
“I am glad it had the intended effect, daughter. As I promised you in the beginning. Anything you want, you will get.” He leaned down and gently kissed me on the forehead.
I felt the warmth of love spread through me. I enjoyed having a father, more than I ever could have imagined. I dropped my head, nervous to speak from my heart, but I wanted him to know the truth.
“Father, I know the alfar don’t like to discuss emotions, but I want you to know … I want you to know that I am so grateful that I found you. I’ve come to love you in a way I always hoped to love a father. I thank whatever god that sent me to you.”
His eyes softened as he took my face into his hands. A smile, small, yet tender stretched across his perfect face. “I am the one who is thankful. I not only got a daughter but a piece of the woman I came to care so much for. Your light glows just as brightly as hers. Protect that light, my child. There are those who will always look to destroy it, but never let them. It is what makes you special.”
I nodded, still confused about this light that everyone spoke about. I would have to ask about that another time. “Now, shall we go intimidate the hell out of the light court?” I asked with a smile.
He laughed under his breath. “Nothing would bring me more joy,” he said, extending his arm towards me.
We made our grand entrance into the throne room. Levos and seven other light court members stood in the front next to our dining table. I held my head tall as my father escorted me past them. I felt Levos’s eyes lock onto me, never once straying. We took our seats in the middle of the table and sat, signaling for the rest of the court to begin dinner. Levos and the others appeared in front of us, giving a small bow.
“King Drezmore, Princess Genevieve,” Levos tensely said between his teeth. “Thank you for receiving us in your court. I am glad that you agreed to meet with me in regard to the release of Lord Areon Lysanthier.”
“Ambassador Atros,” said my father, “congratulations on your newly appointed position. I have heard high praise in your regard. I hope that our two kingdoms can come to an agreement that will begin to restore the rift between us. Though, I doubt your king and queen will ever be able to make up for the disrespect they and their court showed my daughter in her time under your protection.” My father’s voice dropped an octave as fire blazed behind his eyes.
“With all due respect, King Drezmore, our court was unaware of your daughter’s true identity,” replied Levos .
“Really? I’ve been told the resemblance is uncanny. Don’t you agree?” My father said, looking at me with a smile. “Also, isn’t it true that you and your king were well aware of my daughter’s alfar blood long before I announced her as my heir?”
Levos swallowed hard. “Yes, we were aware of her alfar blood. Though you have removed the decree to kill half-breeds, our kingdom’s law in regard to them still remains. Your daughter’s life would have been in danger if we revealed who she was, so we kept her secret.”
“Are you expecting a thank you, Ambassador Atros? Because you won’t receive one from me, I can assure you that,” growled my father.
“Of course not, King Drezmore.”
“Please, sit and eat so we can begin negotiations,” said my father.
Erendrial appeared on the other side of my father, taking the seat where the queen usually sat. She was pushed down a place setting.
“Now, please enlighten me as to why your queen ordered her cousin to burn down a human church on the other side of the border in the dead of night.”
“My queen had nothing to do with the actions of her cousin. He is to be reprimanded by our court once we return for acting without her consent,” said Levos.
My father tapped his fingers on the table, letting a moment of silence pass. “Ambassador Atros, I hear you are an intelligent male. I also know that you were kind to my daughter. She shared a lot of her personal life with you during her time in your court. Please, do not insult my intelligence with blatant lies. Your queen knew what the church meant to my daughter and what the nun meant to her. If this is your queen’s attempt to throw a temper tantrum because my daughter killed her father, then stop dancing around the truth, so we can get to the business concerning the rift,” said my father.
“Whatever action my queen may or may not have taken would be justified in retaliation to the brutal murder of her father and our king. In regard to the rift, yes, we would like to continue to work together until the threat is eliminated from our lands.”
“I will release the Lysanthier bastard if your king and queen agree to come to Doonak in four days’ time for an in-person meeting. They will be welcomed and treated with the respect they deserve. If we are to work together, I need to know there is no bad blood between them and my heir,” insisted my father.
The thought of seeing Daealla and Gaelin again set every nerve ending in my body on alert. My time here had begun to heal the parts their court had broken and damaged. I didn’t know how I would react seeing them again.
But I was healing. I had come so far. I was no longer the slave and concubine they knew. I was a Drezmore. I was the heir to the dark throne. A dark alfar.
Levos thought for a moment before responding. “I will present the invitation to their majesties, and we will respond by tomorrow evening,” said Levos .
“Very well. Until then, the prisoner stays. As insurance,” said my father.
Levos nodded, taking a sip of wine.
“Now, please,” my father continued, “enjoy our hospitality. If you will excuse me, I have other business to attend to.”
We all rose as my father stood. He kissed me on the head, his first public display of affection. I smiled up at him proudly. “Ambassador Levos,” the king said, “please take my seat. I am sure my daughter and you have much to discuss.”
Levos nodded, coming around the table. Eren dismissed himself, working the room as he usually did after dinner. I sat back in my chair, unsure of how to act around my old friend. I missed him terribly. I wanted to ask him and tell him so much, but I would wait until he made the first move. My cousins watched us curiously from the other end of the table as we finished our meal in silence.
The dancing began among the court members. Lilian’s beautiful voice flooded through the air as the music sped up. The dancing was flawless and fluent, yet seductive, like the dark court members themselves.
“So that is the human who started all of this?” Levos said, gesturing towards my sister.
“Lily, yes,” I replied.
“I can see why they’ve kept her alive. Her voice is truly majestic. You look well also. Better than the last time we saw each other.”
“I’ve learned how to cope and move past what happened. I get a little better each day. Thank you for noticing,” I said formally.
He exhaled deeply, reaching from his chair to grab my hand. He pulled me towards him, leaning into my face. “Enough with the formalities, sweet Genevieve. I’ve missed you terribly and I would like to talk freely with you, since I will soon be on my way back to the light court.” His eyes traced my face, taking in every detail.
The other members of court stared, but I didn’t care. I smiled, leaning to embrace him. “Thank the gods. I thought you hated me. I’ve missed you so much. You have no idea how much,” I said.
He laughed, pulling his head away from mine. “I don’t hate you. I may not have agreed with your methods, but that monster deserved to die. I understand why you did it, and I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you glowing again. What is your secret?”
I dropped my eyes, glancing at Eren as he talked among the high houses. “I learned how to let go and not look back. I faced it and conquered it. I decided I wasn’t going to let him control me from the grave. I was given a second chance at life, and I wasn’t going to waste it.”
Levos stroked his hand across my face, looking at me endearingly. “I am so glad to hear that. You are strong. I always knew that, but this just proves how much stronger you really are. And your father seems to adore you as well. How are things with him?”
“Wonderful. Better than I thought it would be. He … cherishes me,” I said, feeling a flutter deep inside.
“What’s not to cherish? And your uncle and cousins? ”
“My uncle is wonderful. Very accepting and attentive. My two younger cousins and I get along well, but Icici on the other hand …she’s a raging bitch.”
Levos started laughing, covering his mouth so the others couldn’t see. “Mad about your succession, I presume?”
“More like royally pissed. She does these stupid taunting little things to try and get a rise out of me. Most of the time I can remain calm, but I’ve snapped a few times and it hasn’t been pretty. I don’t trust her one bit.”
“So, what have you learned since you’ve been here?”
“How to fight, kill, be a politician, a princess. I’ve learned all about the alfar’s history. I know everyone at court and their powers, along with my own family’s heritage. And I’ve begun to learn how to read people, to tell if they are lying or being manipulative, which comes in handy around here.”
“I can only imagine how useful a tool that is. Especially when you have to deal with Lyklor daily.”
I paused, biting the side of my lip, trying to refrain from laughing.
“What is it?” Levos asked.
“Eren is actually the one that has taught me everything I’ve learned. My father assigned him to me when I arrived.” I started laughing as his face fell in shock. How good it felt to laugh with him.
“Oh, no, sweet Gen. What have I told you about him?” he said, leaning towards me.
“I know, I know. He is a liar, a cheat, a manipulator. On and on and on. But he is also smart, useful, and funny at times.”
Levos tilted his head, his expression suspicious. “Please tell me you and he aren’t—”
“Oh, heavens no. He is sleeping with my cousin. I am not into that whole sharing thing, as you well know.”
“Oh, thank Thor.”
I giggled again at his reaction. “But he really isn’t so bad. He’s been very helpful and kind in his own way.”
“Just be careful. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you. I can’t bear losing another person I care for.” His eyes filled with sadness.
“Levos, what is it?”
He paused, taking a moment. “Madison. I sent her back to The Frey a week after you left. She protested, but it had to be done.”
“What? Why? What happened?”
“The queen appointed me as the new ambassador, which meant I couldn’t be a Lord as Gaelin promised, which means I couldn’t protect her. I would have had to spent the rest of Madison’s life watching her be abused, powerless to stop it. So, I took her and made the trip to The Frey. I sent her back to her brothers and father where she’d be safe.”
I reached for his hand, tightening mine around his. “That is the most selfless thing I have ever heard. You’re a good male, Levos. ”
He scoffed. “I’m not. I’ve been screwing everything that walks past me since she left. I’m trying to fill the void inside, but nothing works. So, I bury myself in work and pray to the gods that I will forget her.”
“Well, the dark court is a good place to come and forget things. You finally got your wish to peek behind the dark curtain. Too bad it’s not Jestu. You’d love it.”
He laughed lightly as his eyes met mine. I kissed the back of his hand as Eren approached the table.
“Ambassador Atros,” said Eren. “Good to see you elevated to this position. I will have to be on my game from now on, since they’ve finally appointed someone with a brain.”
“I plan to destroy you little by little, Ambassador Lyklor. It’s at the top of my to-do list,” replied Levos smugly.
Eren laughed, turning his eyes to me. “Princess Genevieve, may I have the honor of this dance?” He extended his hand towards me.
We walked to the middle of the dance floor as the music strummed.
“You were quiet during negotiations,” I said.
“Your father is a smart man. He handled the situation perfectly. You and Levos seemed to have made up rather quickly.”
“Yes, and I couldn’t be happier,” I said while he twirled me around him.
He smiled at me as we faced each other.
“I have a question,” I said .
“Don’t you always,” he mumbled, laughing before I hit him in the shoulder.
“Why do people keep saying there is a light about me? Winnow has said it, Gaelin, my uncle, you. What is it?”
He tightened his grip on my back as we drifted across the marble floor. “Humans have what we refer to as a light about them. It’s their humanity. It’s their kindness, gentleness, love. Each human has a different radiant of light about them. The stronger the light, the stronger the pull we feel towards it. The light alfar bask in the light, but our darkness tends to want to possess it.
“I’ve seen many humans come through this court with their light, only to lose it after they get involved with one of us. Their spirits are broken, or sometimes their hearts. A part of us craves the light that we will never be able to possess ourselves, so we learned to treat the humans with kindness and respect in order to preserve it. Selfish I know, but the arrangement has worked for centuries.”
“Interesting. So, you all want the thing you say you’re repulsed by. Emotions?” I asked.
“I wouldn’t say that. Humans possess a part of us that was consumed by the dark magic so long ago. I guess we are trying to fill the void in our souls,” he answered.
“What is my light like?” I whispered nervously.
He stopped moving, looking down at me with a softly, vulnerable smile. “Blinding,” he said, pushing me out into a twirl.
I smiled as he coiled me back into him. “I’ll try to keep it in check for you. I know how much you hate those pesky emotions.” We both laughed in unison.
“How generous. By the way, I have my people looking into the name, Narella, that Otar gave us. Hopefully, they can find something. It’s the first I’ve heard of her, but if she is as powerful as Otar remembers, the mending of the two courts couldn’t have come at a better time.”
“You’ll keep me updated?”
“Don’t I always?”
“No. You probably have more secrets than I have dresses.”
“Now that is a hard comparison. I have no clue why someone needs so many. It seems like a waste of fabric.”
“Ha, you’re telling me. Still trying to get used to the excess of this lifestyle.”
“Well, you’re doing an excellent job.”
I stopped, looking at him in surprise. “Did Erendrial Lyklor just pay me a compliment? Hell must be freezing over,” I said.
“I’m polite … sometimes.” He smiled down at me genuinely. His eyes lingered on mine for longer than normal. He was happy. Truly happy.
A hand appeared on Eren’s shoulder. We both turned to see who it belonged to. Lady Calavi stood in a scarlet red dress in front of us.
“Your Highness,” she said bowing to me. “Ambassador Lyklor, I would like to discuss a trade matter with you, if your responsibilities have concluded for the night.”
I watched Eren’s face closely. His breathing was calm, but his jaw lightly tensed in the back. His fingers curled against my back ever so slightly.
“Of course, Lady Calavi,” he said, pulling away from me.
I tightened my grip, preventing him from leaving. “Actually, his services are still needed. He’s an excellent dance partner, and I am not yet ready to part with him,” I said, putting his arms back around me.
She glared at me in a cold, challenging manner. “I am sure one of your three suitors would gladly take his place. Or maybe the light alfar ambassador you were just cozying up to, Your Grace ,” she said.
“I don’t want them. I want the ambassador,” I said firmly. “Now, if you will excuse us, I would like to return to my entertainment. You are dismissed, Lady Calavi.” I turned away from her and pulled Eren back into the middle of the dance floor. She was the woman who had been forcing him to please her for the past two millennia. She was his contract.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” he whispered. All feeling and joy was now drained from his voice.
“I am the princess; I can do whatever the hell I want.”
“Gen, please don’t take this on your shoulders. This is my battle, not yours.”
“So, she is the one?” I said quietly .
“You know I can’t answer that.”
“Just kill her and be done with it,” I said adamantly.
He smirked. “Is that your solution to every problem?”
“It’s effective, isn’t it?”
He laughed, pulling me closer into him. “The contract states I can’t harm, kill, plot against, or hire someone to kill the being I am bound to. If I know of someone who is plotting to hurt the being, I must inform them of it. So please, don’t be you, and don’t do anything stupid.”
“I would never,” I said playfully.
“Gen, I am serious. You have enough to worry about. I was young when I made the deal, but I knew what it entailed. Now I must see it through.” The music stopped as he slowly pulled out of my arms.
His face fell and his demeanor sunk. I tightened my grip on him. “Don’t go. Just stay. Stay here with me.”
“It doesn’t work that way. I will eventually have to go, regardless of what you demand.” He dropped his hands, straightening his perfectly pressed black jacket as he held his head high. “Go have a nice night with Levos. I’ll see you in the morning,” he said, turning and exiting the throne room.
I stood watching as he marched to his own living hell, just like I had done so many times before. My heart felt heavy for my friend. I wanted so desperately to save him, but I didn’t know how. There was no way of breaking a blood contract. The only way out was if one of the parties died. Killing wasn’t beneath me, and surely the world would be a better place without the molester Lady Calavi. I would find a way to help my friend. I would get him out of this, whether he wanted my help or not.