No, I did not want to eat in front of all his horrible, prejudiced elves.
I reached into my deep right-hand pocket and pulled out the little book I’d been reading earlier today, before everything changed.Winter BirdsbyConrad Blackwater.My heart tightened a little, like it always did, when I saw my father’s name on one of his books, but I pushed the pain aside with the comfort that he’d left so many pieces of himself behind for us. He was still a small part of my life, even if it was only in the books he’d written.
My fingers tightened on the pages. If I was going to live here for the rest of my life, this book would be the only one I could touch that he’d also touched. I breathed in a slow, deliberate breath. Perhaps loving the same sorts of books he had loved could remind me of him. I’d seen a bright red bird earlythis morning and wanted to figure out what it was called. I returned to the pages in front of me, looking for a similar image to the one I held in my memory. I hadn’t had time to find the mystery bird before I’d felt a slip of my brother’s magic, like a summons, and followed it until—
A quick, but polite knock interrupted my thoughts. How long had I been reminiscing? Long enough for the king to eat and come back? Maybe, but not likely. And would he knock?
I carried my little book to the door, but then I paused. Did I really want to see anyone in this castle?
I debated with myself when a friendly voice called out, “We’ve brought food, but if you don’t want our company we can just leave it with you.”
Curious, I opened the door. Standing there with broad smiles, fresh clothes, and two giant trays loaded with meats, breads, green beans, fruit, and things I didn’t even recognize were the two elves who had gone out of their way to torment me earlier. Why wouldtheybring me food?
I raised a brow. “Is it poisoned?”
“No.” The blond one laughed and shook his head. “We may not be Sirun’s best citizens, but we’re not murderers.”
“Besides.” The darker-haired one shot a glare at the first. “We promised we’d protect you. We’re not liars either.”
I couldn’t remember their names. I tipped my head to try to decide if they spoke the truth, but the food’s aroma drew my attention back to it. I pursed my lips. “What is your intention here?”
“Well, we’re hungry too,” the first said. “If you’re not opposed to the idea, we thought we’d eat with you.”
I opened the door farther and tucked my book back in mypocket. I doubted they’d risk their king’s anger again, and I did want to eat.
Then again, the king was not here. Would anything hold them to their promises from earlier?
“Thanks.” The blond one led the way through the door. He whistled a low, impressed call as his eyes swept around the room. “The queen’s quarters.” He turned his gaze to me. “How did you manage that?”
The queen’s quarters? I raised a brow. Was he making this up? Another joke for his entertainment at my expense?
His look turned more sincere. “You didn’t know, did you?”
I shook my head, hoping my ignorance did not invite him to embarrass me further.
He strolled to a door across from the bed and opened it into a lavish sitting room. He waved his hand, and light rushed to the ceiling like a floating lamp. “My lady,” he called with an extravagant bow as he held the door open. “Allow me to show you the rest of your quarters.”
My two guests arranged the food on a table and waited for me to sit before they pulled chairs up for themselves and started eating.
I stared at the food, still unsure if I trusted the two men—elves—in front of me. Motab and Alastor could both enchant food and other items with little effort. If these elves could do the same—
“You still don’t trust us?” the blonder elf asked. “Even though we’re eating it right in front of you?”
The other elf groaned. “Koan, don’t goad her. The king said he didn’t even know if she needed food. She is fae, remember?”
“Half fae,” I corrected, repeating Koan’sname in my mind. “But what did you mean by that?”
A deep blush ran up the sides of the elf’s neck, and he dropped his gaze to the table. “Apologies, My Lady. I wasn’t trying to mock you. We just didn’t know how often fae—or half fae—like to eat.”
I pursed my lips and tried to think, but they stopped eating and waited for me to answer. The quiet unnerved me. “I am extremely hungry,” I admitted, “but I think it is more likely that you two are trying to poison me than feed me.”
Koan laughed. “Direct, aren’t you?”
The other elf smirked, rolled his eyes, and picked up a tiny loaf of bread before muttering, “I’ll let the laughing kea over there convince you.”
Koan tossed a grape in his mouth. “Thanks, Jolter.”Jolter.That was the dark-haired elf’s name. Koan turned to me. “Why do you think we want to poison you?”
I raised my chin. They might be stronger, faster, and more magical than me, but I refused to be intimidated. Or rather, I refused to show it. I was no longer chained, but if these two elves wanted to hurt me, no dungeon bars separated us here. “You had no problems with attacking me in the dungeon. You only stopped when the king burst in. You’ve found me unprotected again and hungry. Why wouldn’t you take advantage of that?”
