“I’ve always wanted to meet the child of prophecy.” She squeezed closer, nudging Gideon aside. “Is it true you weren’t allowed to leave the temple, and the humans kept you in a cage?”
Gideon laughed, and her questions pulled a smile from me.
Her tall, pointy ears twitched as she waited for my response.
“Not in an actual cage, but it certainly felt like one.”
“Wow… There are so many—”
“Juliana!” The fae who had been getting cozy with Kane stood over us, arms folded, mouth turned down in disgust. “Do not fraternize with the entertainment.”
Her insult stabbed to my core. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Was that how the entire fae court saw me? As some type of human pet show? If I turned my head, would I find Kane sitting there watching, an amused grin plastered on his treacherous face?
“Enough, Orla. She’s only just arrived.” Gideon eyed the female, but I couldn’t tell if he was annoyed or not.
“I’m sorry,” Juliana whispered, placing a hand on my leg. “We’ll talk again when my sister isn’t pouting because Kane denied her advances again.”
Gideon chuckled, and before Orla could grab Juliana, the fae ducked and dashed to the other side of the room in a flurry of giggles, her cornflower blue dress trailing after. She ran behind a tawny-haired fae who laughed, and then two Julianas appeared, hands on their hips, sticking a tongue out at Orla and disappearing into the crowd.
I liked her. Her carefree, light-hearted spirit reminded me that not all of the fae were evil.
A few friendly faces in court wouldn’t be so awful, even if the rest hated me.
“You must excuse Orla,” Gideon said, pulling me away from my thoughts. “Royal tradition deems that moon fae always rule the throne.”
I had learned that from the tomes in the temple, but never understood the reason. “Why is that? Do moon fae have some type of natural resistances?”
Gideon’s blue eyes twinkled as he leaned in. “We are masters of illusions and charms. No charm spell could ever work on a moon fae. That’s why we are trusted to lead.”
“Which means they’d always been in control of their mind.”
He raised his goblet with a nod.
“But what about Kane? He’s half dragon.”
The twinkle in Gideon’s gaze dimmed, his jaw clenching. “That’s a subject best left for more private spaces. Now, how about you share something with me. What was it like growing up in the temple? I have not had the pleasure of visiting any of the human ones.”
“Oh, why?”
Gideon’s face shifted, a coldness creeping into his gaze. “Our king,” he said, his voice softer and quieter as he leaned closer to me, “prefers we keep our distance from any humans, which is why you are such a surprise. Though everyone, fae or not, knows of the child of prophecy.”
I was aware of Kane’s distaste for my people. It was that animosity that made people believe our marriage would bring peace between our people. And for most of my life, I thought the same too. That I could actually do some good in this world, that my compassion and peaceful spirit could somehow impact the Deathless One in a way nobody else could. It was something I had fantasized about as a child.
That I, the girl with the ugly birthmark on her face, would change the world.
Until I got older and began doubting everything I had once believed, and all the quietness in my spirit slowly dissipated, then finally disappeared the moment Crispin died. Now, there was nothing but heartbreak, and I wasn't sure if I had room for anything else.
Gideon sat quietly, patiently almost, and I realized I hadn't answered his question. Maybe making a friend in this place would benefit me.
“It was quiet,” I said, before bringing the soup bowl to my mouth and drinking. “Most of the time I helped with chores, knitted, worked in the gardens.”
“I heard you control the element of plant.”
“I do,” I said, my hand going to the magical dampener around my neck. It had been too long since I had accessed my power. Everything felt off with my magic gone.
Gideon shifted his body so that he faced me, blocking me from Kane’s sight. “Not all of us agree with how things are being played out.”
