Chapter 7
After three weeks, I was nowhere closer to escaping. There were guards everywhere during the day and at night I slept in the same room as the future king, who just happened to have hearing like a bat. I couldn’t even get up to use the restroom without waking him. Levos was a surprising distraction. His efforts to befriend me continued, but I remained uncertain of his motives.
Levos made the days go by quicker. He made me laugh and kept me on my toes. From a safe distance, I studied the alfar. Magic was still foreign to me. Our Christian teachings declared that their gifts were of the devil. The Christians believed that Satan wielded the alfar’s magic, using it to destroy our world. But the more I saw, the more in awe I was of their talents. They were connected with nature in every sense of the meaning, including the animals that called the forests their home. The alfar could do menial tasks with their magic that made their everyday lives a little easier. How I wished I could snap my fingers and have the day's chores done in an instant.
Though the light alfar had these amazing gifts, they seemed a lazy sort of people. The members of the high houses, whom I catered to daily, relied on their human servants more than their own abilities. Even though they could run their own bathwater with a snap of their fingers, they expected their slaves to do it for them.
None of the members of the high houses fought in the military with Gaelin. The alfar of the lower classes made the sacrifices, as the nobility sat inside of the castle acting as if the world outside wasn’t moving and changing. I guess they felt they were too important to get their hands dirty.
Gaelin commanded what they called the Chamber of Defense. A member from each of the high houses designated a representative to the chamber. Gaelin would inform them on pest problems or any other run-ins with creatures of different races that he encountered. They would decide on the best ways to manage the conflicts and how to best serve their kingdom.
In my short few weeks in the light court, I had begun to learn how to read basic words. The challenge was exciting and fulfilling. At night, I would stay up with a single candle, practicing my penmanship. During the day I tended to my work, making sure Gaelin’s needs were satisfied. I was his slave in every way except in his bed.
After a busy day of cleaning and learning a little about the light courts political structure, I returned to the room, ready to dive under the covers and escape in between the pages of a good book. Gaelin, to my surprise, was waiting in the sitting area in front of the fireplace. On the table in front of him, lay and arrangement of food and wine. He stood, looking a bit nervous as a smile dared to creep across his face.
“I… I figured you hadn’t eaten dinner. I was hoping we could share a meal together, before we retired,” said Gaelin, gesturing to the table.
I placed the basket of laundry down by the door and returned his uncertain smile. “Sure,” I said, trying to seem excited at the opportunity to spend time with him. “I skipped dinner anyways.” I made my way over to the sofa, taking a seat beside him.
He poured me a glass of wine and filled a plate full of fresh fruit and vegetables with a variety of cheeses. I nodded in thanks, unsure of how to begin this awkward encounter.
“How are you adjusting to Urial?” He finally asked.
“It’s more beautiful than I could have imagined,” I replied, placing a grape into my mouth.
“Is everyone treating you well?”
“Yes,” I replied shortly.
He smiled back and nodded his approval. He shifted his eyes down to the platter of food.
I stole a glance at him from underneath my eyelashes, noticing in that moment, he was just as nervous and unsure as I was. It was the most human emotion I had seen any of them express since I had been here. I felt my heart soften.
“Can you… tell me about your duties at court?” I asked, leaning in closer to him.
His eyes lit up at my effort to make conversation and I watched as the tension from his shoulder lessened. “I am general of our military units for the light court,” he said. “I train them, address any security concerns, or military advancements towards other courts.”
I smiled, curling my feet underneath me as I got comfortable on the coach. For the next two hours we got to know each other. He asked questions about my life back in The Frey. I told him about my family and what I had to do to survive.
I learned that his father commanded the military of the light before he was appointed the position. The match between Gaelin and Princess Daealla, King Lysanthier’s daughter, was arranged by their fathers. He did not have feelings for the princess, but that didn’t change the duty he now was expected to carry out. I found it hard to believe a male couldn’t look at Daealla and not have an interest, but I didn’t question him on the matter.
As the hours passed, I found myself feeling more relaxed around Gaelin. He was easy to talk to and seemed to be actually listening when I spoke. I told him about my siblings, spending a few minutes on each of them as I described their personalities and shared stories about our life together. My heart swelled in pain at the thought of them. I missed my family.
I was in the middle of recalling an incident when Connor and Jordan physically got into an altercation in the middle of morning mass over God’s knew what when I let out a laugh, a real laugh. I could see the two boys rolling around in between the aisles as Sister Ester chased after them with embarrassment. Gaelin let out a laugh as well. I took a deep breath, wiping the tears from my eyes as our laughter tapered off.
“Sounds like you had your hands full back at home,” said Gaelin, now only inches from me.
“You have no clue. If I am being honest, this is more like a vacation compared to the havoc some of my siblings would cause back in the Frey. Conner especially,” I said. My face hurt from all the smiling and laughing. I stared down at the cup of wine in my hand, remembering each of their faces as clearly as I could. I furrowed my brow, trying to will the pain of missing them away.
Gently, I felt a small tug on the end of my hair. My attention shifted to where Gaelin now spun a curl of mine around his finger slowly. I brought my eyes up to his, holding his gaze. Silently, we stared at one another as he continued to twirl my hair through his fingers. His eyes seemed to glisten in the candlelight. His face appeared so smooth and soft. It took everything I had not to reach out and brush my fingers across it just to satisfy my curiosity, but I refrained, not sure of what action to take next. A small smile that didn’t reach his eyes sprawled across his face.
“Thank you,” he whispered, “for appeasing me tonight. I am sure this is not the evening you had planned, but I hope I was at least equally as interesting as those characters in your books.”
I chuckled under my breath, bringing my hand up to cover my face. Smiling now seemed foreign to me, but tonight, it came too naturally. “I was not disappointed,” I responded.
Gaelin let go of my hair, standing slowly from the couch. “Good night, Genevieve. I hope to do this again,” he said.
“That sounds nice,” I replied. “And Gaelin…” Gaelin stopped, turning back to face me. “You can call me Gen.”
“I’d like that.”
I smiled back at him as he made his way to his bed. I curled up on the couch and pulled the blanket up to my nose. Tonight, had been a good night, I thought to myself, but a feeling like guilt quickly followed and any natural smile I had been sporting a moment ago faded. I didn’t know what type of relationship Gaelin wanted out of this arrangement, but this was not the situation I would have chosen for myself. I had to be careful moving forward. I couldn’t lose focus of my mission. Lily.
I lived my whole life not knowing how the alfar race who I shared one half of my genetic makeup lived. I feared them, for good reason, but that still didn’t subdue my desire to know and understand them. In public, Gaelin began to look in my direction during meals and events. He would smile at me, not caring who saw. I began to notice the desire in his eyes grow throughout the weeks. Princess Daealla also noticed his consistent attention towards me. Regardless of what race you claimed, jealousy looked the same and I knew I had a target on my back.
One day during lunch, when I was on clean up duty in the kitchen, Levos came out of nowhere grinning from ear to ear. “What do you want, Levos?” I asked, scrubbing a platter caked with raspberry jelly.
“Have you ever seen a nymph?” he asked.
I stopped, taken back by the question. “Unless they’re allowed across the border, that would be a no,” I said matter-of-factly.
“Best follow me then,” he said, strolling out of the kitchen.
I dropped the platter, drying my hands on my apron before tearing the disgusting thing off and chasing after him. “One is here?” I asked as we made our way to the great hall.
“That is correct. See, each race has their own ambassador that acts as a mouthpiece for their royals. It’s an honor to be chosen as such. It shows your intelligence and merit. From what I’ve gathered, the nymphs have had some run-ins with some fairies and are here to ask for help. Word of advice, stay away from any nymph. They are horny little creatures, and they don’t care if you are male or female, they will pounce.”
“I’m beginning to think everything on this side of the border has a hyperactive libido,” I said.
He laughed, nodding. “You may be right, sweet Genevieve.”
We slid past the two guards posted at the throne room entrance and stood at the back of the crowd, turning our attention to the thrones. Gaelin was perched on a lower step next to Princess Daealla, listening intently to the nymphs. I moved, trying to get a better look.
Five nymph representatives stood gracefully in front of the light royals. Four females and one male. They each had beautiful flawless skin that glowed unnaturally, as if they were being lit from underneath. Two of the females had beautiful green hair, the color of a spring field. One female had white and blue hair, and the other had hair the color of stone. The male had rich brown hair that was neatly tied against the back of his neck.
They wore animal skin clothing, covering the barest amount possible. No weapons could be seen on their bodies. The stories back in The Frey said they were peaceful beings, caring only about each other and nature. They were barefoot and their ankles, wrists, and necks were littered with jewels and metal chains of all sizes and colors.
Levos leaned into me. “The two green haired ones are tree nymphs, the blue is a freshwater. The grey-haired female and the male are mountain nymphs. The water nymph’s name is Haeza. She is their ambassador,” said Levos.
“I thought nymphs were only female,” I said quietly.
“There are males, they’re just rare. I think there's something like one male to every twenty females. Aren’t they lucky,” he whispered, chuckling to himself.
Haeza stepped forward. “Your highness,” she said in a low sensual voice, “the fairies continue to cross into our lands and take our livestock, goods, and now members of our race have begun to go missing. This can’t be a coincidence.”
“Do you have any eyewitnesses?” asked King Lysanthier.
“We have multiple witnesses that have reported fairies flying overhead. We have not directly seen our members being taken by their kind, but we are not ignorant. We know how those foul beasts operate,” she replied.
“There are other things happening in these woods that we are working very hard to stop, as you well know, Ambassador Haeza. We cannot retaliate against the fairies unless we have proof of their transgressions against your race. I am sorry, but I am unable to assist your queen at this time,” said the king.
Haeza looked directly at the king fearlessly. “Your Highness, our territory falls under your protection. If members of our race go missing, this is a problem you must address. The fairies are not permitted to fly overhead, let alone touch down in our lands. They are restricted to the Kingdom of Doonak’s territory which is where they should stay. We offered our assistance and our allegiance to your people in return for your help and protection in matters such as these. That is our agreement and that is what my queen expects,” said Haeza.
With a few moments of silence, the king pondered over the conflict at hand. He finally nodded as he released a breath. “I see where you are coming from, ambassador,” said the king, “I will assign a small number of guards to your territory for the next month. I will also have our ambassador pay the dark alfar court a visit to make sure they are keeping their kingdom… controlled. If these accusations have merit, we will fulfill our side of our arrangement and aid you in ridding yourselves of the threat. Is there anything else, Ambassador Haeza?”
“No, your grace.”
“Good. I am glad we could come to an agreement. Lord Atros will select a group of soldiers to escort you back to your kingdom. They will remain stationed there for the next month. We would be honored if you will feast with us this evening.”
“Thank you, King Lysanthier. It would be an honor,” said Haeza, bowing before him.
The king waved his hand to release the court. Levos and I moved into the hall and found our way to the library. As intelligent and capable as the alfar were, no one ever seemed to use the library in this castle. It wasn’t very big, but to me, it was a treasure room.
“Pretty interesting creatures, right?” asked Levos.
“Very. So, they can control nature like you all can, right?” I asked.
“Yes, but where we can control it, they can become it. They can turn into trees, fields, water, and stone. It’s pretty amazing to watch. They are also sex goddesses in my opinion.”
I laughed, pulling a book from a nearby shelf. “And you know this from experience? Wait, don’t answer that.”
“Oh, yes, I do. You think the alfar are bad? That race is savage. The only ones that can keep up with them are the incubi. Pity their races can’t breed together. I’d pay to see what kind of creature came out of that union.” I stiffened, thinking of my own mixed heritage.
“So, you’ll be busy tonight?” I asked.
“Oh, no. Sowed my wild oats in my youth, sweet Genevieve. Better to not get into bed with an ally. Though, I am sure the high lords are already claiming which ones they are going to take to bed tonight. It’s always a treat to have something or someone new at court.”
“Yuck,” I said.
He laughed, and we began to study.
That night, I watched how the alfar reacted to the nymphs. Though they were allies, the alfar still treated them as if they were lesser beings. Their narcissism was insufferable. The nymphs were polite and didn’t look at the humans the way the alfar did. I swore one even muttered a thank you when I filled her glass.
I got back to the room first after dinner, hurrying to put Gaelin’s clean laundry away before he retired for the evening. I was quickly approaching week six of my stay in the castle. I knew with each day that passed Lilian was one step closer to death. That is, if she wasn’t dead already. I pushed that thought out of my mind. She wasn’t dead. She couldn’t be. I had to come up with a plan to escape soon or I would have sacrificed my life for nothing.
“You ran out of dinner so fast I didn’t have a chance to give you your present,” said Levos, entering the room.
I jumped, startled by his unannounced visit. “Damnit Levos, you’re going to give me a heart attack. Learn to knock,” I snapped.
He started laughing, walking slowly towards me. “Did you not hear the word present come out of my mouth? Aren’t you curious about what I got you?”
“Why would you waste your money on a lowly human? I'm not worth the coin,” I said.
He smiled and held out a small rectangular box.
I took it hesitantly, wondering what hid inside. “What’s the occasion?”
“No occasion. I just saw it and it reminded me of you. I figured you could use a little sparkle in your life.” He gestured for me to open it. I cautiously lifted the lid. Inside was a beautiful diamond headband. The edges were made of white silk ribbon. It was the most exquisite thing I had ever held. “I thought it would be a good contrast with your hair,” he added, smiling.
“Levos, I don’t know what to say. I can’t accept this. It’s too much.”
“You can and you will. Now, turn around so I can see how it looks.” I took a step back, pulling away from his reach.
“I’ll wear it tomorrow, I promise. I must find the right dress to compliment it,” I said quickly. My free hand reaching to my ear, holding my current headband in place.
“Oh, come now, it’s not going to hurt anyone if you try it on right now. Do it for me, please,” he said, closing the space between us.
“I will, tomorrow. I promise.”
He stopped, taking a step back. His face fell in defeat as disappointment shot through him. “You don’t like it, do you?” he asked.
“Of course, I do. It is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever possessed. I don’t know how I am going to ever repay your kindness.”
“How about you try it on for me and then we’ll call it even,” he said, reaching for my headband too fast for me to stop him.
“Wait, Levos, please—” he pulled the headband from my hair. I instinctually covered my ears and cowered away from him. He stood above me, silent. My chin began to quiver as tears of fear welled. I took a deep breath, straightened to look him in the eye, and dropped my hands, revealing my small, tipped ears. He took a step back with his mouth opened in shock. “Levos…”
“You’re a…a half-breed?” he asked, astonished.
I nodded, unsure of what to say.
“How did you… how did they not find you?” he asked, trying to make since of my existence.
“I was born in The Frey. Most humans who cross over never leave, but my mother somehow found a way. She never talked about my father or how I came to be.” There were a few moments of silence. I tried to think of something to say or something to bargain with, but I had nothing. This was it. My secret was out, and my life was going to end before I could get to Lilian. “Levos, I know I have no right to ask you for a favor, but before you turn me in, can you please do something for me? There is a young human named Lilian Thomas who was taken by the dark court six weeks ago. Can you please try to get her out? I need to know that she’s going to be okay before I die. Please, Levos.” Tears fell down my cheeks as I began to shake in fear.
Levos turned his attention to the floor, as if looking me in the eye was too painful. His brow furrowed as he struggled with my secret, and now my confession. He took a seat in a chair next to the fireplace. Unsure of what to do with myself, I sat down on the couch, eagerly awaiting him to respond. To say anything.
“You offered yourself into our service so you could find a way to the dark court to save your friend?” He finally replied.
“It was the only thing I could think of to get close to her. She’s like my sister. She doesn’t deserve that life. She deserves better. Please, I’m begging you,” I dropped to my knees in front of him. I thought furiously, trying to come up with something to offer him to assure he would save Lilian.
He slowly took my chin in between his fingers, forcing me to look at him. His fingers gently brushed my hair back behind my ears, revealing the small tips.
“We all have our secrets, Gen. Your secrets are safe with me…always,” he whispered.
I looked into his eyes. An overwhelming sense of relief flooded through me, and I collapsed onto his lap as I began to sob violently. “Thank you. Thank you so much,” I cried.
He held me tightly and kissed the top of my head tenderly. I pulled away, wiping my eyes free of the tears. I placed my trembling hands over my face, trying to steady myself.
“Now, what are we going to do about your friend?” he asked.
“I need to find a way to the dark court in order to get her out.”
“That’s if she is still alive,” he added. My stomach dropped even considering the possibility. “Gen, I am sorry, but you are going to have to prepare yourself for that reality. The dark court is not like the light. They dispose of humans faster than they do their own livestock.”
“I know, I know, but I can’t live without knowing what happened to her.”
He sat against the back of the chair, as his brow furrowed in thought. “Let me think about how to find her. In the meantime, we also need to worry about Gaelin.”
“How so?”
“If you haven’t noticed, his affections for you are growing by the day. He is going to find out what you are, sooner or later. We may even need him if we are to rescue your friend.”
“Do you think he’ll turn me in?” I asked hesitantly.
“He cares for you, but he is loyal to the throne and its laws. This could go either way. I’d rather he not find out unless we are out of options. The fewer people that know your secret, the safer you will be.” Levos’s attention snapped to the door. “He’s coming. Hurry, get your headband, and wipe your face.”
We jumped to our feet. I covered my ears and took a few deep breaths, trying to appear normal. Gaelin opened the door with a smile on his face that instantly faded at the sight of Levos and me.
“Am I interrupting something?” Gaelin asked, looking between the two of us.
“Nothing at all, cousin. I found a headband that reminded me of Genevieve, and I was unable to get it to her before she rushed off to fold your underpants.” Levos made his way to the door, patting Gaelin on the shoulder. “Have a nice evening you two.”
Gaelin shut the door behind Levos. He was uncomfortably quiet, no doubt pondering what his cousin was doing alone in his room with his prude mistress.
I went to his bed and pulled the sheets back. He stood at the footboard as his eyes roamed over me, looking for any indication that something had happened between Levos and me. He took a deep breath in through his nose, smelling the air. I stopped what I was doing and turned my attention towards him, cocking one eyebrow and smiling mischievously.
“You can just ask me, you know,” I said, walking over to face him.
“I don’t like it when you’re alone with another male. Even if it is my cousin,” he said firmly.
“And what do you think we were doing? Carrying on an affair behind your back?” I said playfully.
“Genevieve, I am serious.”
“I know you are. That is what makes this whole thing that much more entertaining. He is your cousin, Gaelin. He is loyal to you to a fault. He would never betray you.”
“Then why do I smell him on you?” I rolled my eyes, placing a hand on either of his arms. He flinched at my touch. I realized that this was the first time I had initiated contact between the two of us.
“He gave me a beautiful headband that he found at the market. I gave him a hug to say thank you. That is all. He is my friend and only my friend,” I said, stepping closer to him.
“Do you like gifts?” he asked.
“I don’t really know. That was the first one I have ever received. I guess it all just took me by surprise.” He looked away from me, chewing over the thoughts that were rolling around in his head. “Gaelin,” I said, reaching my hand out slowly to his face. He closed his eyes as my hand cupped the side of his jaw. His face was cold, yet soft and somehow alluring. “I’m not that type of person.”
“I couldn’t blame you if you did select to be with someone of your own choosing. I took your choice away the day I chose you as my concubine. You don’t deserve this.”
I was taken back by his admission. Alfar didn’t care how their choices affected humans. Our happiness had no weight when it came to their decisions. Maybe Levos was right. Gaelin was different. A part of me softened towards him in that moment.
“You have shown me nothing but consideration and kindness,” I said softly. “You’ve never forced me to do anything I wasn’t comfortable with and because of that, you have my respect and trust.”
He turned his eyes back to my face, taking in every detail. He slowly raised his hand to my cheek, gently following my jawline down to my lips with his thumb. “Do you think you will ever want me the way I want you?” he asked.
I was taken back by the question, not sure of what the correct response was. I took a deep breath, calming myself.
“Six weeks ago, I didn’t think I would ever allow you to touch me like you are right now, yet here we are. I think that in time there is a chance, yes.” He smiled at me, removing his hand from my face. I pulled away from him slowly. “Is there anything else I can get for you tonight?”
He laughed under his breath. “You know what I want, Gen.”
“Like I said, anything besides that?” I smiled at him, uncomfortable at his admission.
“No, I think I am good. Get ready for bed.”
By the time I exited the bathroom the candles were already snuffed out and he was in bed. I tiptoed to the couch and slid under the covers. Today, I had diverted the ax and gained an ally in my search for Lilian. Levos was right about Gaelin. He wanted more and his need and desires were growing stronger by the day. I had to figure out some way to hold him off before he discovered my true identity. If he did, would his affection for me be enough to save my life?