Page 9 of The Shadow Fae Rhapsody
“Just you wait and see, Uncle…” I mutter with a yawn.
I weep silently until I am sleepy.
“Of course, she would go to school.”
I wake to the reedy and desperate voice belonging to Graysen, the Governor of the region of Elowen. His shoulder-length dark hair is unbraided, and he is dressed for court rather than battle. Unlike the pale and thin villagers of Feywildra, he is broad and healthy. “She is my ward. It’s my honor to have her here. I shall build a school just for her.”
He will?
The village doesn’t even have a library. I don’t mind not going to school, but the lack of books is one of the reasons I hate this place.
Rainer seems displeased but he says nothing.
“I will do everything in my power to keep her comfortable,” Governor Grayson vows, stepping closer. The strong musk of his perfume makes my eyes water. But I keep pretending I’m asleep and lay as still as a potato sack on Rainer’s shoulder.
“My niece will write to me every year,” Rainer says in a voice that can cut through glass. “If she gives any hint that she is displeased with your treatment, I will personally come back and have you executed.”
The threat almost makes me flinch. I control my heartbeat carefully like Aerin taught me. Rainer would not do that, right? I hope not. But I remember reading that Mother and Grandfather had once—
“I’ll flay your entire town as well,” my uncle adds to his pledge, breaking my thoughts. “Say that you understand Governor Graysen.”
“Of course,” the lord says in a fluster of panic.
I feel bad listening to the terror in his voice.
The governor doesn’t have to worry. I vow to write good letters to Rainer to make sure the villagers of Feywildra are safe.
Seven candelabra line the desk,their candles burning brightly to provide me illumination. I wish this castle had more elvenlight like the capital and Völundr or the light crystals in Kashran. They are so much safer, and I won’t have to be afraid of burning the curtains.
It’s only been two days since Rainer and everyone left. I’m almost done with the book he gave me. But I don’t have to worry. More are coming soon.
You will have your Nameday presents before the end of the week.
I finish my lentil soup and set the bowl aside.
Hide…
The Children of the Night are calling me. I shake my head, refusing their wicked invitation. I promised Rainer I’ll behave.
But they’re not coaxing me to play. They’re whispering something else.
Hide, Rhianelle.
Light footsteps crunch outside the door.
I smile at the prospect of playing hide and seek with Jessica and run towards the bed.
They will find you under the bed,the voices warn.Pick someplace else.
The curtain might be a great hiding spot but it’s too late to get behind it now. I climb up the wooden cupboard as quickly as I can and hide behind the glass globe decoration.
The door creaks open and a maid steps inside carefully. It’s not Jessica. I think this red-wine-haired girl is her friend.
I swallow my startled gasp when someone hustles her inside roughly.
It’s Governor Graysen…
He enters the room dressed in full court attire. Three guards enter with him, crowding the small room.
