My father exchanges looks with Brennan.
“Please sit down.” His voice remains soft. “Let us talk about this.”
I don’t. My father sighs.
“Brennan told me that you fought him when he tried to bring you home. Trying to escape alone on the road, Alleria? What were youthinking?” He leans forward. “That’s not like you. Youknowit’s not like you.”
I don’t answer.
“And Nella … She told us about how you were treated by that … thatthing. How scared you were. And yet, later when one of them collected her to bring her to you, you were living with them, treating them like they arehuman.”
“Father, theyare?—”
“It’s all right.” He holds up a hand. “I understand. Whatever they did to you, whatever magic they’ve used to turn you into this … it’s not your fault.”
“They haven’t done anything to me!”
He nods slowly. “That’s what Nella said you’d say. She told me that you would defend them, and you believe you’re acting with free will.” He looks at the mage. “That’s how it works, isn’t it? Fae enchant humans to make them think their thoughts are their own.”
“Often, yes.” The mage steps forward. “If you’ll permit me, Princess. I can determine what’s been done to you, and begin the process of removing it.”
“There’s nothing to remove.” I take a step back.
“Of course you’re going to think that.” My father’s voice is patient. The voice he used when I was small and didn’t understand why I wasn’t allowed to do something. “That’s why Maester Aedis is here. To help you see clearly again.”
He believes it. Hegenuinelybelieves I’ve been enchanted, and that once the mage fixes me, I’ll be back to believing fae are monsters.
The mage extends his hand toward me. “If I may? This won’t hurt.”
“I don’t—” The look in my father’s eyes stops me. I could try to fight, but what would be the point? They’ll believe that’s part of the spell I’m under, and then they’ll hold me down and do it anyway. If I comply and do this willingly, maybe once he looks and finds nothing, my father will listen to what I have to say.
I round the chair and sit down, then look at the mage. “I’m ready.”
The mage’s fingers touch my temple. Cold slithers over my skin, beneath it, crawling into my head. I shiver, wanting to pull away, but the mage holds me firm. And then I feel it, his magic sliding like oil through my thoughts.
I’m panting and shivering by the time he drops his hands, and turns toward my father.
“Well? What did they do to her?”
The mage doesn’t answer immediately, turning his head to fix on me with eyes that glow.
“Master Aedis?”
“Your Majesty, I regretfully have to tell you that there isnoenchantment. There is no compulsion, or magical influence of any kind.”
Silence falls across the room, and then Brennan steps forward.
“That’s impossible! She fought me. She tried to run?—”
“I can assure you, Captain, her mind is her own.” The mage’s voice is calm. “Whatever she has done, she did by her own choice.”
My father hasn’t moved. He’s staring at me, and the look in his eyes turns my blood cold. “Alleria?” His voice is very quiet. “Tell me he’s wrong.”
“I can’t,” I whisper.
My father closes his eyes, hands flattening on his desk. “You’re telling me that when you tried to escape Brennan … both times you did that fully aware of what you were doing?”
“Yes.”
