Page 112 of Royal Captive
She turned and sprinted up the passage, toward the top of the mountain. I shot Eve an incredulous look, and she held her hands up as if to indicate we had no choice.
We followed.
Higher and higher we went until sunlight leaked in through cracks and crevices in the rocks above us. I burst out into bright sunlight, squinting at the sudden harshness after being in the dark depths of the mountain.
I almost ran into Eve, who’d screeched to a halt next to me. The reason was apparent.
At the top of the mountain was literally … nothing. Before us was nothing but a vast, gray wasteland so barren and colorless it blended it with the gray, blank sky. It was confusing and hurt your head to look at.
I turned, comparing it to the view behind me, which comprised the fae lands. Green, green, and more green, with smoke rising from the ruins of the city in the distance. Or itwould have been green. The storm had left vast chunks of it black and torn, and the dark clouds rapidly closed in toward us. I didn’t see a barrier.
“You must thrust yourself across the line between life and death. It must be a leap of faith, as the first peace talks between humans and fae were. Our land is dying, Ellis.” Feyanna emerged into the daylight. Further back, I knew the hordes of people wanting a new life also lurked, waiting.
They’d destroyed their world.
“That sounds like a ‘you’ problem,” I grit out as Eve turned to face Feyanna, distress etched in the lines of her face.
“We were supposed to work together: humans and fae,” Feyanna continued, ignoring my quip, “but generations of my family abused the terms and twisted them for centuries. As punishment, magick is trying to find a balance by ravaging our lands. It has taken us a long time to undermine the crown’s authority and have enough support to act.”
I fumed. “So bringing your refugees to my home is your answer? Trapping Eve and mating her against her will? Killing innocent people? You broke this world, so it’s time to run away and break mine? You’ve betrayed your father. What keeps you from betraying me and taking over my kingdom? You can pretend your cause is noble all you want, but you still destroyed your own people when you attacked the city. It wasn’t needed. It wasn’t necessary.”
Eve’s hand landed at the small of my back, a comforting and reassuring presence behind me.
Feyanna’s expression tightened. “Knowledge about the barrier was a closely guarded secret, one that was punishable by death, even if you found out by accident. I’d know, having had to witness the executions myself.”
I wasn’t sure what that had to do with destroying your own city, but Eve’s nails dug into the back of my tunic, urging patience.
“I found out by accident,” Feyanna continued. “Father had a personal bedroom slave that wasn’t allowed to consume anything that wasn’t completely grown, raised, or prepared by her human lover. I had always wondered what made those strange noises from the room down the third corridor, second door on the right. So, I taught myself to lock pick and found out for myself.”
Feyanna took a deep breath, but Alihandro interrupted her. “Don’t leave anything out. He beat her and starved her as well. Fennis was a cruel male.”
“But allegedly not as cruel as Hayida,” Eve cut in, conflicting emotions in her eyes.
“We all knew Fennis was rotten.” Alihandro cut in. “We had to work quietly and in the background. Feyanna continued to cultivate her persona as a bumbling, silly girl, and it worked. It fooled everyone, including me, at first.”
Alihandro flushed while Feyanna gave him a coy smile. He shook his head and continued, “Since I served in the royal guard as a younger and lesser son, I saw firsthand the dead and dying lands. Father would never talk about it with me, instead blaming his enemies and that if he built a strong, thriving kingdom, magick would bring back the land as a reward.”
Eve snorted from behind me, and Feyanna glared at her. Eve’s eyes narrowed as she glanced around at all of us.
Feyanna stepped forward and lifted Eve’s chin with two fingers. “I am sorry for what my father has done to you and your people, and apologize on behalf of the royal family. But I would do all of it again in a heartbeat.”
Her golden eyes snapped to me next.
“You think me cruel, little king that you are,” she continued on, “but know that I do not intend to bring rapists and other criminals to your lands. I did this to show I am serious. I will govern my people and ensure we are not a burden. Quite the opposite, actually—we plan to help restore the balance of your lands and weather, and we will help each other thrive.”
What neat, tidy little entreaty, wrapped up with Fallon’s dead body left to rot in the passage behind us.
Now that all the lies and disguises were disposed of, I saw Feyanna quite clearly.
Feyanna would sacrifice anything—anyone—if it got in her way. It was all pretty promises right now, but what happened when she decided I was in her way, or Eve, or Viana or anyone else?
“The gesture is appreciated if somewhat graphic,” Eve began, “but it still doesn’t change the fact you are self-destructive in your efforts. You harmed your own people. You’ve shown a lack of restraint that makes me question your judgment. If your judgment is not sound, you aren’t coming with us.”
Spoken like a true queen. I grabbed Eve’s hand and squeezed. She shot me a rare smile.
Feyanna’s smile froze on her lips. Anger twisted the edges of her mouth, her hand going to the hilt of her sword at her side.
I frowned. Feyanna’s actions were not the controlled, careful machinations of a head rebel in charge of her people. Her decisions were emotional, and, if I was honest, personal.
