“You know, they are quite resourceful. Our world would be widely different if it wasn’t for them. And there’s a whole black market dedicated to trading human items for ours.”
“I’ve never really cared much for them—the objects and the humans.” They were a different species. One that fae needn’t spend any thoughts on.
“It’s because you’ve never needed to, princess,” Tarnan said, leaning in. “But your ancestors relied heavily on them. By Caelo, this palace wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for them. Hundreds of humans lost their lives to rebuild our cities after the tear in the universe opened the portal to the human world.”
A sense of uneasiness overcame Amira. The war that had preceded the tear had always been a sensitive topic for most fae, even if hundreds of years had passed since the last of the combat. Wiping out generations of fae, the war had left them highly reliant on the Dark King’s plan to rebuild their forces. That was the beginning of a new era for Liraen, the era of human slavery.
Questions she would rather not have to think about filled Amira’s mind alongside vivid pictures of pain and suffering. In the end, they had used humans for their benefit. And when the Dark King had turned on the fae, they had depended on the people they had enslaved to help overthrow his reign. After that, fae had been forbidden from enslaving humans ever again and the border spell had been created. But that didn’t mean the fae had accepted humans. They weren’t fae, they weren’t part of their society. Amira knew that however many humans were still in Liraen, they would never be blessed and, therefore, they would never be accepted.
Tarnan patted her shoulder. “Anyway, with the contest happening at the same time as the treaty talk, it makes sense that the fae have other priorities. Every royal in Liraen will have their own interest at heart.” Tarnan’s gaze burned through Karwyn’s back.
“How unusual,” said Amira sarcastically. Tarnan looked at her with an incredulous gaze.
“I knew you hadn’t really changed.” And he let out a thundering laugh, drawing everyone’s attention to them. But Tarnan didn’t seem to mind the attention. It wasn’t that he was craving it, he merely seemed totally unbothered by the stares and the whispers.
“I have heard that you’re in the lead for the contest this year. I’ll take it that you’ll also have your best interest at heart and won’t get involved,” Amira said.
“I think we both know your fiancé is the one who’s going to win. How thrilling for you to be engaged to the future high king.” Tarnan had no mischief in his heart when he said the last sentence, yet Amira’s heart sank in her chest. She hated being reminded of what her life would be like from now on.
“And you’re not mad about that? I thought it was the goal of every king and queen to win the contest,” she said while staring at Wryen obnoxiously boasting to a young red-haired fae. The young woman’s eyes were looking in every direction for a potential escape. Amira could only feel sympathy for the poor victim of her brother’s inflated ego.
“You’d be surprised to know how many of us would rather stay in the shadows. Being in such an important position can drain your strength. That’s why the second part of the contest is a test of power.”
“You don’t think you’ll do well in the contest?”
Tarnan’s eyes turned dark for a second before he let out a low sigh. “My powers are quite limited, even for a king. In Carnylen, we rely more on knowledge and information than pure displays of raw power. There’s great strength in knowledge.”
Amira could only agree. She wished she had the opportunity to gain more insights. “I suppose you have heard what happened during Falea Night?”
Before Tarnan could reply, a glass of iridos appeared in front of Amira. Rhay winked at her and said, “I saw you had been deprived of a good drink.”
Amira’s hand reached out for the drink but stopped right as she touched it. Her eyes searched for Karwyn or her brother in the crowd, but they were busy talking with Queen Kaylanthea.
“Young Messler, I see you still like to make yourself useful. Even when it isn’t the smartest move,” said Tarnan with a knowing smirk. He raised his glass. “Let us toast to your future, Rhay. Your father has told me he wants you to start training to become the next head advisor.”
Rhay’s body immediately tensed up but his face remained perfectly even. He raised his glass and gave a little nod to Tarnan. Amira couldn’t really pinpoint the two men’s feelings towards each other. As much as he seemed annoyed, Rhay still had too much respect for the king to give one of his witty comebacks. And she was sure Tarnan’s comment wasn’t ill-intended.
“His wants and my wants don’t always align, so I wouldn’t necessarily take his word for it,” Rhay finally replied after taking a few sips of his drink.
“Well, I told him that I’m sure you’ll make a great head advisor one day. You have all the talents necessary for it. And I know you and Karwyn are close.”
“As long as it doesn’t involve the ability to cook. That would put him out of the running,” commented Amira, feeling a bit left out.
Tarnan and Rhay looked at her, surprised by her sudden intervention, then they both let out a cheerful laugh.
“By Caelo, I’ve missed you, Amira. You should visit me sometime,” Tarnan said loudly. Loud enough for fae to turn around and stare at them.
Amira expected to see Wryen’s angry lilac gaze among them, but he wasn’t in the crowd. Her heart raced in her chest. Had he already left?
Hope warred with terror inside of her and she tried to bring herself back into the moment with Tarnan and Rhay, tried to convince herself that she was safe. But she never was. Not under Wryen’s watch. And the longer she spent with Karwyn, the more she was sure she would never be safe with him either.
Chapter29
Lora
Neither Lora or Eyden spoke much on their way back the following day. They hadn’t talked any more last night either. Exhausted yet exhilarated, Lora had fallen asleep watching the stars on the floor. The last few days had been tiring, but it was all going to be worth it. At least for her.
The feeling of guilt was sitting like a rock in the pit of her stomach. The sinking feeling of knowing she was about to mess up any kind of trust the two of them had built. It was a conundrum. Lora couldn’t trust Eyden enough to tell him the truth about how she’d crossed the border, so what other choice did she have than crushing the little trust he might have developed?
