“My ancestors built it long ago and after many years of war,” Merrick said. “Finally, they formed a treaty with the other courts and my ancestor, Aricor, took claim to this part of the continent.”
“How long ago was this?”
“So many generations ago, we’ve lost count.”
“Who owned this land before he claimed it?”
“His family had lived here for a long time, though his father owned a modest manor.” He gestured to one on a hill to the right and below the castle. “He was crowned king, and he felt he needed a home that would reflect his stature.”
“Some home.”
“It’s pretentious, isn’t it?”
I loved that he could see that. “Much fancier than I’m used to.”
“You’ll grow to love it as much as me. This land is entrenched in my bones. It’s me, and I protect it from all harm.”
What about the other courts who were trying to make war?
“He constructed it from marleene, a gorgeous silver stone with black veins that sparkle. Marleene’s mined in the mountains beyond. He carefully extracted it—”
“He, meaning he did it himself?”
He lifted one shoulder and dropped it. “More or less. He used magic, though the lesser fae were happy to help.”
“Lesser fae?”
“Few can harness the power of the ruling class.”
“Explain the class systems for me.” I should’ve asked this first instead of flirting with Lore and climbing through portholes to dangle over the side of the ship.
“The ruling class, the lords and ladies, are . . .” He scowled. “I’m not sure how to say it except using the terms they do. Though I’ll state right now that I don’t like this system. I’m slowly trying to change it for the good of all my people. But the ruling class are highborn. They control the most power.”
How did that compare to the power I’d only had a taste of from Merrick and Lore?
“They’re quite strict about maintaining their bloodlines,” he said.
“Hence you asking for a fae bride rather than one of the lessers or powerless.”
“Given the choice, I would’ve let my heart decide, but in allthings, my heart must come second.” An odd look crossed his face before he smoothed his features. “Their opinion shouldn’t matter, yet it does. I need to rule my court and these lands without creating too much strife or I’ll never bring about change.”
“Lesser fae are just those with less magic,” I said. “There’s nothing lesser about them at all.”
“I agree.”
“How do your ruling class, the lords and ladies of your court, maintain their pure blood without inbreeding?”
“There are enough of them—”
“You should use us, not them.” I wasn’t sure why I was pushing this except I needed to see his reaction. Despite his assurance that he was trying to make changes, I wanted to know if he, like Ivenrail, still saw himself and his high lords and ladies as above everyone else, as people who could take from the lessers whether they wanted to give or not.
“In their company, perhaps.” He took my hand and squeezed it. “I hope, with you, I can speak from the heart.”
“Please do.”
“Then know I believe we’re all the same people. The ability to wield magic doesn’t make anyone better than someone else. But I am the king, born of the ruling class.”
“Who now has a lovely fae wife from the ruling class herself.”
