When the parties end, the time to travel to Fateir arrives.
Carriages line up outside of the royal residence. The castle sits above the masses, far away from the dirt and grime of the slums. It is pristine in its opalescence, pointed spires threatening to rip open the sky. Windows glitter like diamonds on a newlywed’s finger, encased in golden or silver trim. Extravagance for the sake of extravagance.
The royals descend the stairs in their shimmering silks and heavy gems. How the queen’s back isn’t bent over by the weight of her jewelry is beyond me. The king walks with a cane, a ruby so large at the top that his plump hand can’t wrap entirely around it, that has to cause more of a limp than help.
Other royal families from kingdoms also a part of the treaty attend, but I do not recognize them. Some speak in foreign tongues and wear strange clothes, but the crowd still bows in all their presence, save for Maven. He meets our king, Rupert of Halshamane, at the bottom of the stairs. The rest of us double and triple check everything is ready for the trip.
“Lord Athik,” Rupert laughs like they’re old friends. “It was a pleasure seeing you again after so many years. I hope that, this time, you’ve found the one.”
Words that should be sweet have been made into a curse. There are rumors that the royal families search for the next best partner for Maven. They offer money and prestige in exchange for trying to win his heart. Kill him and they’ll live the rest of their lives rich beyond their wildest dreams. Maven handles the threat with class. He smiles, gentle in a way many would struggle to show in his position.
“I thank you for your hospitality, Rupert,” he says. “And look forward to seeing you during the next Choosing Ceremony.”
Rupert bristles and sniffles his nose. “Have a safe trip, Lord Athik.”
Maven nods, then turns away. I’m caught staring, swiftly diverting my attention to work. He struts by, stepping into a carriage at the front of the procession. The fairies’ carriages differ from our own. They’re rounded instead of square, made up of nature that encases them; vines and moss as curtains, roots in the shape of wheels. Flowers sprout from every crevice, blooming atop the carriage as a moving garden. Unicorns huff at the front, horns shimmering gold.
“Magnificent, aren’t they?” Dalion asks from beside me, grinning until he realizes he didn’t startle me. “I was trying to sneak up on you, but you didn’t even jump.”
“Sorry.” I place a hand over my heart, then gasp. “Dalion, you frightened me!”
“No need to pretend. It’s a tad humiliating.”
Not as humiliating as how loud his footsteps were coming over here. I heard him as soon as he arrived, which has me asking, “Are you ready to send Valerie off?”
He tilts his head. “What do you mean?”
“We’re leaving today.”
“Yes, we are.”
“You’re coming with us?” I ask, refusing to acknowledge the warmth bubbling in my chest, the dim jitter of excitement. I tear my gaze away from his pale green eyes, threatening to drag me in. I’d let them, if times were different.
“I am,” he answers, leaning against the cart packed with luggage. “Does that bother you, or are you happy?”
“Can’t you see I’m dancing with joy?” I tease, mentally berating myself for doing so. I don’t have time for games. Then again, Dalion is Valerie’s brother. He’s valuable... or I’m making excuses.
“Well, I am glad that you’ve joined us. I haven’t spoken with many of the fairies.” He skims the crowd, pausing briefly on the warriors chattering with Maven at his carriage. Then Dalion faces me. “They’re all strangers, as are the human workers too. I’ve been so busy with all—” he waves his hand around. “This, that I haven’t had the time to speak with anyone. At least with you, I feel like there’s someone I can talk to.”
“What about Valerie? She’s your sister,” I ask, moving around the cart, marking off what we have. I’ve already checked twice, but they ordered me to do it again. The head maid is obsessive and annoying. I’d love to knock her front teeth out. Maybe I will when all this is over.
“Who is Maven’s chosen partner,” he responds. “She’ll be busy with him more times than not.”
“What do you suppose they even do?” I squint my eyes in honest curiosity.
As kids we claimed Maven kept the chosen partners under spells, like the cursed princesses in legends. His partners slept for 100 days, dreaming of a fake life with him, then returned only thinking he kept up his end of the bargain.
Dalion shrugs. “Have tea, I guess?”
“Is that your idea of caring for your partner?” I smirk, giving him a quick once over. “You’re single, aren’t you?”
“I’m not talking to you anymore,” he declares.
I chuckle as he walks away, watching him go until he rounds a cart, spinning on his heel to smile at me. Then he’s gone, off to find Valerie, I suppose.
The warmth grows within me. I swallow it back with a bitter memory of blood on my hands and the surrounding dead. Those memories intensify when Briny appears, skipping with a heavy leather-bound book in her arms. She’s coming my way. I refuse to face her, even hold my breath until she disappears within her own carriage. I release a deep breath, steadying myself against the cart.
I’m going to avoid her, and anyone else I know. What will I do if they speak to me? I know them, befriended them, then watched them die. But they no longer know me. Pain hums in my chest, but I’m used to that. Pain subsides eventually, I merely have to wait it out.
“Um, excuse me, Ms. Valmar?”
Turning around, I come face to face with Valerie. She wears a pleasant smile when speaking, “Dalion said to come find you. You’re my new handmaiden, right? I hope we can be close friends!”
Right, about that…
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