I’ve never been very good at tolerating either.
“Unhand the king’s concubine,” the one I ran into orders, withdrawing a blade.
I could take him on, but a sudden realization has me releasing Kai and furrowing my brows. It might not have been the plan, but plans change, and this is exactly what I need. “Fuck you,” I spit at him.
I don’t fight as they grab me and secure my wrists. I don’t do anything but look at Kai. “I’m going to get you out,” I repeat. “I promise, Kai.”
Her expression saddens as the guards grab her gently, careful not to bruise her, and pull her toward the castle, the same place they drag me toward. The guard I knocked out with my magic is left there, the necklace he held fastened around Kai like a collar that weighs on her soul. She doesn’t even resist as we are marched through the streets, across the glittering bridge, and into the castle.
I am taken farther and farther away from my monsters until my magic cries for them.
My men are going to be so pissed at me, but I’m in the belly of the castle, exactly where I need to be. I’ll do what I have to do and get Kai out. Fury makes me want to face the king and make him pay for what he’s done to my sister. Her spirit, her soul, is muted, and the liveliness and happiness in her eyes is gone.
For that, he’s going to pay.
* * *
The Gilded castleis large and imposing, both a statement and a declaration. The vastness of the space inside could fit the whole of our lands and more. Bitterness makes me want to spit on it as I’m dragged inside and led through the opulent castle. Paintings fill the walls, and golden trinkets stand on every shelf and table. Everything is gold and marble and bejeweled with a richness that could have been passed onto the people who farm the lands they profit from. We don’t even get to eat anything we grow and collect. We get nothing but scraps, while these disgusting people get fat on our food.
The closer we get to the throne room, the angrier I get, until I’m almost panting with fury. When the double doors open, and Kai and I are led inside, my eyes go right to the king, who’s sitting on his gaudy throne with another blank-eyed girl beside him. This one is young, far younger than either me or Kai, and she’s much too young to be sitting on an old man’s lap as he pets her like an animal. His eyes are bored, his face is fat, and his body is draped in a ridiculous number of jewels and silks, as if anyone could ever doubt who he was.
I never saw the monster king dressed like that. He didn’t need to gild himself to inspire. This one does.
He’s like a peacock I saw once.
The king’s eyes go to Kai first, and a frown mars his ugly face. “What is this? Has someone hurt my trophy?”
“No, Your Majesty,” one of the guards answers and bows his head. “She’s safe. We apprehended this one before she could harm her.”
The king’s eyes go to me.
I tense, waiting for the moment he comprehends who I am, but his eyes move away quickly, and he waves his hand.
“Take her back to her room,” he says, speaking of Kai. His eyes focus on the necklace. “I’m glad to see you picked out a trinket.”
Kai doesn’t answer. Her eyes remain unfocused, empty, hopeless, and dead. The guard leads her away, and I watch the direction she’s taken, remembering it for later.
“And the rule breaker?” the guard asks.
The king rolls his eyes and waves his hand again, already dismissing us and focusing back on his current pet. “Take her to the cells. I can’t be bothered with some simpleton today.”
There is no recognition. I was such a passing fancy, he didn’t even recall who I am. He didn’t even think twice.
The hunt is just a fleeting inconvenience.
Nothing more.
With a scowl, I go willingly with the guards, trying my hardest to control my magic. Still, one small spark seeps out and hits the closest guard with a jolt. He jumps and furrows his brow. “What the…” He doesn’t ask any more questions as he leads me deeper into the castle—precisely where I want to be.
My monsters are going to be angry, but I can’t wait to see their expressions when they find me in the depths of the dragon’s lair. I can’t wait to lead them out, rescue Kai from this hell, and send my sparks into the king’s room.
Not only is he going to pay for upholding the repression of the monsters, and for creating the halflings without their consent and torturing them, but he’s going to pay for the look in my sister’s eyes as she was led back into the castle.
For the look of fear, of dread.
Of defeat.
Oh, yes.
