“Goodbye, Father,” I whisper to his corpse before kissing his cheek for the last time. If I don’t want to end up beheaded, I'd better take advantage of Snapdragon’s rash decision to exile me.
In all the days I wished to be free of the castle and meet the people of the village, I never predicted I would be exiled for the best reason. I’m not fit to rule—not because I’m a silly little girl—but because I’m following in my father’s footsteps and choosing love over Fae prejudices. I have nothing holding me here, and as long as I have Franklin, we can live anywhere.
“Franklin, will you carry me out? I need both hands free to hold the sheet around me,” I say in my most regal tone.
CHAPTER TEN
LILYFAIR
They escort us to the far end of the drawbridge at swordpoint. Unarmed, undressed, and unbalanced by the death of my father, Franklin and I aren’t in the mood to fight the four guards at our backs. Did they need to push him every step of the way? As I trail my fingers over his upper shoulders, they smear the blood dripping from their vicious pokes.
Franklin didn’t look at me the whole way. By asking him to stay a little longer, I’ve ruined his life… Well, I ruined it by existing…but it’s worse now that he has no food, money, or place to live. At least in the dungeon, he wasn’t in danger of execution, starving, or freezing to death this winter. As soon as grief loosens its hold on my heart, I will get him to the castle’s portals to find a way back to the hucow sanctuary. As much as I will miss him…breaking my heart all over again…I want him to be happy and safe.
My thoughts are shattered when Franklin is pushed from behind by a fist, and we go tumbling onto the planks of wood. He takes the brunt of the fall, his arm crunching beneath me. I betit’s broken. Rolling from his embrace, I also lose my sheet. My fevered skin pebbles when it hits the cold wooden bridge.
“People of Magmell,” Snapdragon declares, pausing for the proclamation trumpeters to blow their horns and the villagers to gather around us. “King Marigold XVI has been tried and executed on the charges of treason, muddying the royal family line, defiling a human, abuse of his office, and conduct unbecoming of a king?—”
“Tried by whom? There was no trial,” I shout as I bounce to my feet. Snapdragon sneers down his narrow nose at me as I stomp into his space.
“No need when you are the evidence of his scandalous affair,” he yells, more for the audience than my ears. “Seelie people, just look at what he wanted you to adore. A human-Fae hybrid whore displaying her charms for all to see because she doesn’t contain the decency of a full Fae—let alone a Fae Princess.”
“That’s rich considering the number of times you asked Father for my hand,” I shout just as loudly. My confidence wobbles when I meet the eyes of the villagers looking at me in horror. Many cover their mouths as they gape at me. Mothers cover the eyes of their children.
“Me? Why would a decorated captain of the army want a filthy half-breed who opens her legs for beasts? People of Magmell, the former princess invites you to look upon her—she doesn’t bother to cover herself—so look closely, and you will find her coated in the seed of her lover. Do you deny it, beast?”
All eyes swing to Franklin, who can’t speak up to defend himself or me. My blood boils at Snapdragon’s bullying. He exploited Franklin’s one weakness and picked at it to open the wound. I could scream in rage! Instead of allowing Snapdragon to needle me into acting like the common whore he accuses me of being, I lift my chin and turn to address the crowd.
“People of Magmell?—”
“Don’t listen to her!”
“Guards, seize our captain until this matter is settled!” Maple’s declaration silences the din of the crowd. They are used to being addressed by Maple and respect his authority as a scholarly elder.
The dungeon guards, led by Elm, surround Snapdragon, disarming him of his sword in seconds.
“According to the ancient texts, the Holder of the Coffers is the intermediary ruler when the king suddenly passes, there is no queen, and no suitable heirs. The Holder of the Coffers is me, and for my first proclamation, I order you: Someone please cover this lady, for we can all see that she’s of age,” Maple continues.
“But what of the evidence of her defiling?” Snapdragon screams as he yanks against the hold the guards have on his arms.
“Let them look for it. For I will never grow wings like when Fae women lose their virginity,” I reply, unable to look anyone in the eye, so I stare over their heads. Franklin cradles his arm as he moves to stand between Snapdragon and me. The heat at my back is a welcome reminder of his support and protection.
“For years, my father allowed me to hide under tables and in cabinets, and I never understood why. Franklin was taken from his homeland and imprisoned for no other reason than to keep my secret. Yes, I wear his seed before you today after a night of making love, because I intend to marry him as soon as I’m in the position where I belong. However, I’ve worn hubull seed every day since I came of age.
Snapdragon isn’t lying when he calls me a hybrid—but I’m not a whore. You see, the hubulls have been imprisoned to make a health cream which keeps me as youthful as any Fae my age…when I’m half human. My father fell in love with a human. His crime was allowing my mother to leave to keep the secret. Theyloved each other, but they loved you and me more… He knew you would never accept me as long as she was in Magmell, and his reign was needed to maintain the peace in Magmell. There hasn’t been a war since he stepped on the throne…but if Snapdragon succeeds him, the former captain of the army has a list of places to invade.”
The crowd murmurs among themselves, whispering behind their hands. Their eyes are accusatory, but nobody reaches for a knife or sword. Did I say enough to win their support?
“Your Highness,” comes a whisper from my left. “My dress is humble, but I’d be honored if you wore it.” A red-haired Fae, taller than me but a few years my junior, holds a simple cotton dress in her outstretched arms.
“I’m forever grateful—oh, I don’t know your name.” I take the dress from her and throw it over my head. The sleeves are a mile too long, and the hem drags on the wood. However, the dress is worn buttery soft with years of love.
“I’m Blossom?—”
“Oh yes, you’re Surmac’s daughter, wife of dungeon guard Cypress, right? I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother and in-laws. Franklin told me about your family’s struggles.”
“Oh yes, Your Highness,” she says, curtseying lower so her elbows brush the ground. “I kept the doll you made for my stillborn sister…through it all—losing Mother in childbirth, eloping with Cypress, my father’s reaction…you were my source of comfort when I needed you. It was my feeling that even though the doll wore her name, it was meant for me.”
“It was yours because you had the capacity to love it when death took them too soon. I’m glad I could be there,” I reply with a curtsey of my own.
