“Letting his entire court sexually assault me was lenient?” I hissed.
“He should have killed you,” Hugo went serious. “That's what most kings would have done to a traitorous concubine.”
I went still.
“But I was innocent,” I whispered.
“Again; he didn't know that,” Hugo said gently. “It's lucky for you that he cares so much for you... and that you saved his life. It gave him an excuse not to take yours.”
“Jesus,” I whispered. “This place is so fucked up.”
“It's the Unseelie Court.” Hugo shrugged.
“Tell me something, Hugo,” I said suddenly. “What does 'Aja' mean?”
“You don't know?” Hugo chuckled. “I heard him say it to you once, but I figured that he had explained it to you.”
“He didn't,” I growled. “What does it mean?”
“Ease up, bitchy face,” Hugo huffed. “It's nothing bad. Aja is a term of endearment; something you call your lover. Loosely translated, it means 'beloved.'”
“Beloved,” I whispered.
“Yep.” Hugo smirked. “I told you that you fucked up. You have a chance to be someone important to our king and our kingdom, and you're blowing it.”
“Where did Drostan sleep last night?” I asked as I tried not to let on how much that word had affected me.
“His library,” Hugo said. “I'm the only one who knows; I didn't spread the news because I like our king. And I happen to like you too.”
“Thanks,” I said with a smile. “I like you too; you're my only friend.”
“Which is why I'm reminding you of your tenuous position here,” he went on. “You had your temper tantrum, now get over it, little girl. Drostan holds your life in his hands, and you've just used up your only free pass. You must return to being the obedient concubine again.”
“I know,” I sighed. “I don't think I'm even mad at him anymore.”
“Now that you know what his alternatives were?” Hugo asked with a lifted brow.
“Yeah.” I swallowed roughly. “But, Hugo, I've fallen in love with someone else.”
“What?” Hugo's eyes went wide. “When did you fall in... oh. He's a Seelie.”
“He's their prince,” I whispered.
“Prince Trenton?” Hugo whistled. “Then it's a good thing you were returned to us because Trenton doesn't like women. Most of us think he's secretly into men.”
“He just needed a certain type of woman,” I said.
“You tricky little human!” Hugo exclaimed. “You snagged the Prince of Seelie!”
“Maybe.” I smiled a little. “But now I'll never see him again.”
Hugo went pensive for a few minutes. I used the time to eat some of my breakfast before he could hack at it.
“Royal fairies are hard to shake,” he finally said in a grim tone. “You saw how it went with King Drostan; Prince Trenton will no doubt find a way to get to you as well.”
I started to smile.
“Stop that!” He hissed. “Can't you see how bad that will go? King Drostan will never give you up. If Prince Trenton comes for you, our king will refuse to even speak to him. That will be an offense that Queen Tana will not be able to abide. We will go to war with Seelie all because the royals of Tirne are addicted to that little, human pussy of yours.”
