My hope fades with the day. It is strange how simple it feels to cling to hope when there is light in the world and how easilythe darkness snuffs it out. These stones closing me in do not help my mood.
I must leave this place or else the bad thoughts will win.
I climb back down the ladder, meeting two female guards at the bottom. They do not stop me from leaving, but they follow as I traverse the village.
Many females sit around fires sewing and mending clothes while listening to and telling fantastical tales of adventure.
Not so different from our own clan, only the voices here are higher, lighter.
I turn away, toward where the Seelie hostages are being kept in a cramped cavern. Here, there are no fires and no light, just three more guards and a hole in the stone.
“Have the Seelie been fed?”
The guards exchange looks. The tallest one answers my question in a clipped tone. “We have given them food, yes.”
There is something in the careful way she says those words that does not sit right in my gut. They may have given the Seelie food, but this does not mean they have eaten. Nor does it mean they have given them enough to fill their soft bellies.
“Are there problems here?” The Chieftain walks toward us, followed by the healer from the caverns.
There are many problems this day, all caused by the woman in silks. “If you wish for any male to remain in your village willingly, I suggest treating them with a bit more dignity.”
The Chieftain whispers something to the healer. Fawn nods and then ventures into the hole. A handful of moments later, the Seelie emerge. The men are covered in filth, their cheeks gaunt and eyes sunken.
“When were you last fed?” I ask in their language while the others look on with furrowed brows.
“Two days ago?” the one at the back croaks.
This is unacceptable. “Are any of you wounded?”
“Just a few small cuts and scrapes, and Roger has a broken finger.”
These males look to be more dirt than fae. I glare at the healer who was so quick to treat my wounds. Yes, they were life-threatening, but even small cuts can become infected if not properly cleaned. “They have wounds that need tending, and they need to bathe.”
This obvious statement earns me more frowns but no action. Do they not see the merits of treating their hostages with even the most basic decency?
The Chieftain folds her arms across her chest, her colorful silks fluttering with the movement. “Many of our females are quite taken with you, Mad-dox.”
What does this have to do with the hostages?
I do not wish to speak of other females when I have one of my own. “I have told you?—”
Her hand slices through the air, cutting off my protest. “For each request, I have one of my own. We will feed the Seelie and let them bathe, but in return, you will meet our females.”
“I have met them.” Since we arrived, they have been introducing themselves, shoving food at me, and flashing their coy smiles.
“Individually. Give them a chance to impress you. We have many great beauties. Strong females who can give you sons. You may well have change in your heart.”
I could meet them a hundred times and my heart would not sway.
Is there harm in humoring her? At least the Seelie will be treated better.
“Feed and clothe the Seelie and let them stay somewhere clean, and I will agree to your request.”
The Seelie are led to the river while I am brought to the Chieftain’s home. Her table is not empty. There is a female there, her glossy black hair tied back with a leather queue and her chest bare.
“You have met my daughter, Raven,” the Chieftain says.
She has already returned from the top of the canyon? Why did no one tell me this? “Hello, Raven. I was not aware that you would be back so soon.”
