King Oberon’s mouth twists. “Is it because of my control over fire? A lot of people fear the fire fae,” he says evenly, but it's threaded with an undertone of hurt.
“No,” I say, a little too quickly.
He leans closer. “Then what is it, little human?”
I chew my lip, not wanting to answer. Not wanting these fae to know too much about me. But Cassius is watching me with such open curiosity that I feel compelled to say something.
“It’s… not you,” I start, but King Oberon makes a noise, like he doesn’t believe me.
King Sylvian leans in. “Is it about the fae you want to kill?”
My insides go cold. I nod, but can’t look at them. “That’s part of it.”
“The deal is made,” King Cassius says. “You help us, we help you. If it’s a fae you want dead, we’ll see it done.”
“Although you never told us who it was…” King Ashton says, less playful now.
I shake my head. “I don’t want to talk about it.” My voice is a whisper. “But… it’s the reason I can’t stand to be near fae. The reason I hate the fae. All of them.”
They’re quiet for a long time. I think maybe I’ve said too much, or maybe they’ll press me for details. But instead, Sylvian pushes the fruit bowl toward me and says, “Eat. You need your strength for training later.”
“Training?” I ask suspiciously.
“We’re going to teach you how to defend yourself,” King Oberon says, as if it’s already decided.
“I don’t need to—” I start, but he cuts me off with a glare.
“You do. Because when we go into the labyrinth… If you want to survive, you need to learn.”
Survive what?
King Cassius pours me a glass of juice and slides it over. His voice is soft as moss. “Don’t worry, Alette. We’ll take care of you. The training just wouldn’t hurt, right?”
I glance at him, then at the others, and for a moment I almost believe him. But the memory of what happened, of what I saw asa child, bubbles up, sharp and raw, and I know nothing will ever make me trust them completely.
Not even a table full of breakfast and shirtless men.
After brunch, the four fae kings head off to shower or… whatever it is fae do when they’re not trying to kill each other. Lily and Ellie show up to clear the table, their hands quick and smiles bright.
I start to leave, but Ellie catches my arm. “You should be careful with the fae kings,” she says, her voice low.
I frown. “Why?”
“They’re… different, when they’re around you.”
“Different how?”
“I don’t know. Happier. Energized. Excited about life again, like–” She stops talking as a couple fae women pass by, then continues, her tone more even. “I hope you enjoyed your meal.”
I want to ask more, but she’s busy, stacking plates and humming a strange, sad song.
Wandering out into the garden, I let the sun warm my face. I want to believe I’m safe here. But I can’t help feeling the real danger isn’t the monsters in the labyrinth.
It’s the ones sitting at my breakfast table.
I try to disappear after breakfast, to explore the castle, and maybe see if there’s an escape somewhere. But a guard is alwayscoincidentallythere to watch me. The idea of escaping fills me with hope, but the ever-watching eyes of the guards dissuade me. I might be able to run, but I think the fae will catch me, and then what happens? Would they put me under lock and key?
From around a corner, King Sylvian appears, grinning. And that grin? It makes my stomach flip.How do these fae kings make me feel things I’ve never felt before?
