I told her everything. How I had been creeped out by Cercies. How I fled. How I ran into three monsters who violated me. How I watched them burn. The conversation I overheard. How I learned about the so-called rights the second and third in command had over me. And how Aurelius professed his love for me.
Wait.
“Did you know about this claim thing, Cal?” I asked. She looked down, ashamed.
“I’ve heard of it, but females in this kingdom don’t go to school and study Fae law like the males do. I’m lucky that I know how to read. Many female Fire Fae do not. But I wouldn’t worry. Fae children are extremely rare.”
“Whoa, wait. Who said anything about a child? What exactly is this law?” I demanded.
She glanced at the stack of books on my desk and summoned the one about Faerie laws and traditions. It floated across the room and met her outstretched hand. She flipped through the pages for a moment, then began to read.
“The Law of Flesh.”
“The second and third in command in the Kingdom of Flame are forbidden to take a mate. They are expected to remain celibate and devote their lives to the kingdom instead. The High Lord, however, is required to take a mate in order to produce heirs and strengthen the bloodline of the Fire Fae. After the reining High Lord selects a mate and marks the female, the second and third in command must invoke their claim on her flesh one day a month, on the least fertile day. If the second and third wish to challenge the ranking of the High Lord this will be done by means of Natural selection, this shall take place on the most fertile day, all three males will engage in the physical union of her flesh with intent to produce a child. Whomever seed proves most potent by the Holy Flame is declared the new High Lord.”
She shut the book. “See? Everything is going to be okay. Nobody would ever challenge Titus. He’s the most powerful High Lord in the history of the Fire Fae, especially not with war tensions so high.”
It all made sense now. Calpurnia had told me when I arrived that power is what makes someone an appealing mate, that's all this kingdom seemed to care about, power.
“So it’s unlikely they will challenge Titus or invoke their monthly claim, but they could?” I asked.
“Yes, technically. The Law of Flesh is a Holy Law, which means it was created by the Temple's Council. As long as they don’t know Titus has marked you, they won’t force Aurelius and Cercies to invoke it. Those two are far from celibate. Rumor has it they have no trouble meeting their needs elsewhere,” she said with raised brows.
I sensed no deception. I could tell she honestly believed what she was saying.
However, that was not good enough for me. I refused to spend the rest of my time here on edge, waiting for the day Aurelius and Cercies might change their minds, or for thecouncil to discover the truth and enforce their sick, twisted laws upon me.
“Cal, I need your help. I need a bag of supplies,” I said coldly.
She looked at me, and the pain behind her eyes drove daggers into my heart. She did not speak. She only nodded, holding back tears. She knew what I was asking. She knew I was asking her to help me escape.
She stood up and began to draw me a bath, then quietly left the room.
CHAPTER 14
The Escape
DELILAH
Isoaked in the bathtub, plotting my escape. The enchanting warmth of the water soothed the aches and pains from training. I really was out of shape. How was I going to pull this off? I bit into the sandwich the fire sprite had brought me moments after Calpurnia left, knowing very well it might be my last meal in the castle. Maybe my last meal for a while.
When I was done, I approached the bed in my towel. Lying on it was a satchel filled with food, water, bandages, and a small knife. There was also a cloak and my leather bodysuit from earlier, cleaned and repaired. Resting on top was a note that read,
~ Goodbye, Lila. I will forever be grateful for your friendship.
May the Guardians watch over you always. -Cal. ~
After I finished reading it, the note began to slowly incinerate, disappearing completely within seconds.
I waited until nightfall, until the normal sounds of the castle died down and suggested everyone was asleep. I put on my only true possession, the gift from the mermaid.
I snuck through the castle halls undetected. Finally, I made it to the main doors, but to my dismay, a different pair of guards stood atthe entrance. I hid behind the curve of the hearth. One short sprint and I would be out the doors to freedom.
I took an apple from my bag. I hated the thought of wasting food, but I needed a distraction. With as much strength and accuracy as I could manage, I hurled the apple at a piece of art across the room. It shattered on impact. The guards rushed to investigate, leaving me only seconds to slip toward the door.
I was not expecting it to be so heavy. It barely budged. I threw all my weight into it, prying the door open just enough to squeeze through the narrow gap.
I knew there were armed guards posted throughout the castle grounds, so I made sure not to make a sound as I hid in the shadows. With careful steps, I descended the endless stone stairs to the dragon’s keep. It was so dark my vision took a moment to adjust. Using only the moonlight, I located the ominous cave that bored into the belly of the mountain beneath the castle.
