He should have removed my head from my shoulders.Instead,the Pricktreated me to a sullen teenager’s punishment.But the joke was on him—I’denjoyed the walk.
Juliette exited afterNumair. “You’re now the darling of Everenne Court gossip.”
I cringed.
“Exactly.”
She shook her head and bounded up the stairs into the house, muttering under her breath. Probably a diatribe about my intelligence. For once, I wouldn't threaten to cut her.
Baba’s expression was his version of livid as he stepped down from the carriage next—drawn brows and a slight frown. “What were you thinking, Aerinne?”
“I apologize, Lord. I intended to behave myself. I don'tknowwhat came over me.”
. . .Yes I did.
But I didn't understand why everyone blamedme.I'dstabbed Renaud inblatantrejection of a rude sexual proposition in front of the Courts.
He'dstarted it.
Baba sighed, his anger not necessarily directed at me—heknewme well, after all—but for me. There would be consequences.
“I'll protect you as best I can.But, Nyawira,youmustlearn to control your temper.Discretion,discretion,discretion.Youcannotchallenge him in public. It's against his very nature to allow it, and whatever way he chooses to respond—no one will find fault with him.”
Iknewall of that, and I resented it, though Baba's use of my middle name forced me to think about his words for more than a few seconds. He used it only when dancing on his last nerve.
“This is a terrible system.” I wanted to kick something, but bare feet.
Listen. Some of us were hands on learners.
My father’s eyes expressed his patience, the long suffering patience of a parent who must endure watching their child do everything the hard way.
“Andyou think you willchangethe system by banging your head against its bloody walls? No, daughter.You mustforce it tochangeitself.You cannotdo that if you refuse to learn the rules and navigate the board. Danon isn't here, and I'm only human. You're all that's left of your bloodline.”
The depth of unfairness and cruelty in the way our world worked galled. It excused the toxic behavior of a handful of individuals because they wereold,andpowerful,and they couldn't help themselves. . .blahblahblah.
Horseshit.IfIpissed one of them off, I was held accountable, and I was supposed to be a halfling “child.”
Baba was right. I could scream into the ether all I wanted about how none of this made any sense, but no one would listen. The Fae only listened to power.
“Are the negotiations moving forward?” I asked.
“They are.” Baba paused, opened his mouth. Closed it and shook his head with a sigh. What more could he say that Ihadn'theard, or alreadyknew?Besides, long lectures didn't work well on me.
A horse approached and we turned toward it as Juliette emerged from the house. I hissed. Another royal messenger.
He pulled up, metal buttons on silver-and-white livery winking under the moonlight, and dismounted, walking towards me. With a brisk, perfunctory but deep bow, he held out an envelope. This time, he waited as I opened it and skimmed the contents.
Wow. “I think not.” I curled my lip atthe messenger. “Tell the Prince I decline his invitation for after-dinner drinks this evening.”
“What?” Baba took the note and read it. “Is it strategic to refuse?”
Numair peered over his shoulder, then frowned and gave my father a glare that, if he were anyone else, would have me drawing my dagger.
“Strategic? He propositioned her like a—” Numair ground the words between his teeth “He spoke to her as no noble should speak to a lady in full view of the Courts”
The messengerswallowed, bowed again and dashed back to his horse, remounting and trotting off.
“Technically, I'm a commoner,” I said. “My title is a courtesy.”
