Page 92 of Brutal Fae King
“Ebi!” Maribelle protests, squirming in Ebelor’s grip. “Stop!”
Ebelor chuckles and releases her sister. Finally, she looks at me:
“You did this?” she gasps. “You brought her over here?”
“Of course I did,” I answer. “It’s not right the queen’s sister should be living in poverty.”
Maribelle’s face drops, but Ebelor skips over to me and gives me a kiss.
“Vicmar, thank you! This is wonderful!”
“Queen?!What?!” Maribelle yelps. “What happened?!”
I look to Ebelor.
“I think it’s only right you explain it to her,” I laugh. “Give her the tour, and ask Bruamin to show you to Maribelle’s room when you’re done.”
“My room…” Maribelle says numbly.
I look down at Maribelle.
“I know this is all very strange, but I hope you can come to think of this place as home someday, Maribelle.”
“Th-thank you, Sire,” she says quietly.
“Vicmar, please,” I reply, smiling.
“Vicmar,” she murmurs.
“Come on, Mari,” Ebelor says, walking away with her. “Let us go to the gardens, and I’ll explain on the way. Are you hungry?”
“Yes—is there any food?” Maribelle asks.
Ebelor laughs lightly.
“Oh, there might be some,” she answers.
The pair of them walk far enough away that I can’t pick up their conversation anymore. A significant part of me wants to join them and help explain, but I don’t think that would be welcomed. It’d probably be best if I allow Ebelor to ease Maribelle into this life a little more smoothly. I just hope that Ebelor doesn’t make me sound too terrible.
But just as I begin to turn, a guard half-jogs up to me, pale-faced.
“Sire!”
“What is it, Gargamint?” I ask.
“You’re needed urgently!” he snaps. “Down in the dungeon.”
My heart drops to the ground.
***
After I see it, I can’t blink for a solid minute.
“Sire?” Gargamint asks. “Your orders?”
I swallow a few times before I answer.
“Fetch Bruamin for me,” I order. “Do not tell the queen or her sister about this yet—leave that to me.”
