Page 25

Chapter twenty-five

P hasis led us deep into the hive where we landed in the center of a commons area. The room was large and circular. The ground was covered in an extravagant mosaic pattern that radiated from the center. The walls were lines with tree roots and vines. Beautiful floral blooms stretched open in a spectrum of color along the walls, creating the most beautiful scenery while releasing the most delicious fragrance. Carved into the walls were four hallways that led back into private bedrooms.

“I presume these sleeping arrangements will suit your needs?” asked Phasis.

Eren nodded. Gen circled around the area, taking in the details. “This is amazing,” she said softly.

Phasis chuckled. “What did you expect?” he asked.

“I just mean,” she said, turning to face him. “It’s so extravagant. Truly. I had no idea your palace was created with such detail and natural beauty.”

“Well, I don’t recall you ever asking to come visit our little court,” Phasis said, moving towards her. “Though our ways might seem … barbaric to some, there is much to appreciate.” His eyes scanned Gen’s face and he licked his lips slowly. He reached out a hand, sliding his finger down her bare arm, cocking his head to the side like a predator.

Eren stepped in between the two of them. “Thank you, King Phasis,” Eren said, wrapping his arm around Gen, pulling her into his side. “Your hospitality will not be forgotten.”

Phasis clicked his tongue in annoyance, grimacing at Eren. “You’re welcome, Prince Lyklor. I would arrange nothing but the best for my favorite alfar. Dinner will begin in two hours. Rest and get settled. I can assure you: you will need it.”

Levos shifted his weight to the side, catching Phasis’s attention. The fairy snapped his head towards Levos and snarled, then turned back to Eren. “I presume you will keep a leash on that thing,” he hissed, pointing to Levos.

“Of course, Your Grace,” replied Eren. “Leash is firmly attached.”

Phasis sprang his wings out to the side, flying towards Levos and slamming him into the wall. He held Levos by the neck, baring his teeth and growling. “No snooping,” Phasis spat. “If we find you unattended at any point, you will be the entertainment for the evening. Are we clear?”

Pyra came to her king’s side, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Sweet brother,” she whispered. “I think the light one has been beaten enough for one day. Might we work on showing him our best selves, so he has something enlightening to report back to his court?”

Phasis slowly removed his arm from Levos’s throat. Levos remained glued to the wall. I chuckled, enjoying the show. As Phasis moved away, Pyra reached out and ran a finger down Levos’s face. A low moan left her lips before she followed her brother to the entrance.

“We will see you all at dinner,” Pyra said softly with a small bow before she exited, leaving the five of us in the commons room.

Gen rushed to Levos, checking to make sure he wasn’t too badly injured. Zerrial moved to a couch, shaking his head, fighting to hide his smile. Eren began to check each room to make sure the areas were secure and didn’t hide any threats.

“Well, that was fun,” I said, taking a seat across from Zerrial. “Ya know, I might just ask to transfer to their court. I am finding more and more to like about them with each encounter.” I shot a glace towards Levos, who had finally removed himself from the wall.

Zerrial laughed. “They would probably accept you, no questions asked.”

“Wouldn’t you?” I replied, gesturing to my body.

Zerrial shook his head with a smile. “I’m not touching that comment.”

I threw a pillow at his head. “Don’t worry Z, I won’t tell your human,” I whispered with a wink. Eren came out of the last room as Gen and Levos joined us in the seating area.

“Phasis wouldn’t seem to mind adding you to his collection,” Levos had the gall to say.

I stared at him for a brief moment, calming myself before I engaged. “And … is that a problem?”

“Not at all. More of a solution, I would say,” Levos replied in a sarcastic tone, tilting his head towards me with a snide smile.

“Levos, enough,” Gen whispered.

I exhaled in frustration. “It’s okay, princess,” I replied. “Let the pissant speak. All he is doing is showing how ignorant he truly is.”

“And how so?” Levos replied.

“Because, once again, you are making inaccurate assumptions about a court you know absolutely nothing about. You light alfar are all the same: thinking that you are better than the rest of us because you are too narcissistic to get to know another way of life besides your own.”

Levos scoffed. “And what, pray tell, would interest me about a flesh-eating race of creatures who act on animalistic instincts rather than using the small brains the gods gifted them with?”

I was going to murder this male in his sleep. He seemed to notice, because he let out a small laugh as his eyes met mine. I looked to Eren. He tilted his head, signaling to me he wasn’t going to get involved.

I let out another deep breath, calming my murderous intent. “Not that it would matter to you,” I said in a low tone, “but the fairies do have many redeeming qualities. For instance, it is against their law to kill one of their own. Something we as a race do not abide by,” I said, looking in Gen’s direction. She held her head high, meeting my gaze.

“When a male courts a female in their culture, they spend an entire year devoted to her and her needs. The female has exactly one year to fall in love … and yes, I said in love, with the male. By the end of said year, if the chosen female does not accept the marriage proposal, the male forfeits his life. Once a male proclaims his intent towards a female, a bond is created. If the female does not accept the bond, it physically kills him.

“A marriage is for life. Though they may venture outside of the marital bed, they are truly bonded in every way. I have watched bonded couples fight harder and more fiercely for their significant others, let alone their children. This race values children over all else. They are coveted and protected. That, I am confident, is not equal in the light court,” I said, narrowing my eyes at Levos before I continued.

“And have you ever seen their gardens and lands?” I asked. “They are the most luxurious and lush landscapes you will ever lay eyes on. They tend to the ground and planet with more passion and care than even the light court possesses. In return, the planet has provided these intricate hives they now call home. Those are only a few things that make their race unique and special, but you wouldn’t know, because you’ve never asked.”

Levos nodded, arching one eyebrow into the air. “And what purpose does the flesh-eating and torturous part of their court serve in the grander scheme of things?” he asked.

“Everything must eat,” I answered. “Just because they prefer a diet that you deem unacceptable does not mean it is wrong. Everything is designed for a balance and a purpose. You once thought the dark court barbaric, did you not?” I asked Levos.

He stared back, clenching his jaw.

“And have we not disproven all the false rumors?” I continued when he refused to speak. “In fact, now looking behind the curtain, wouldn’t you agree that your court’s treatment of the humans is more inhumane than our own? Take the princess, for instance.” I gestured to Gen. “Your court broke her. Ours healed and rehabilitated her. Everything in life has a cycle and a purpose. Until you remove those light alfar blinders, you will never see the beauty of our world and the cycle of life. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am going to use the next two hours to get some peace and quiet,” I said, standing to my feet and turning towards one of the rooms.

Eren followed until we were safely behind a closed door. “What you said about the fairies was very poetic,” he said, leaning against the door.

“You know me, poetry is in my blood,” I replied, tossing the pillows to the side as I pulled back the sheets.

“Are you okay, after everything today?” he asked.

“I’m resilient. But next time, I’d appreciate a little heads up about additions to our traveling party.”

He laughed, moving towards me. “It was a last-minute adjustment. When Gen told Levos about the dwarfs, he insisted on coming. I am sure he will try to persuade them to join the light court territories, but you and I both know that will never happen.”

“Ha, right. If Levos thinks the fairies are bad, just wait until he meets a dwarf. Half-wit,” I said, crawling into the cool damp sheets. “Thank you for sticking up for me today. You didn’t have to, and I am sure punching Levos didn’t sit well with your princess.”

“ Our princess,” he clarified.

I rolled my eyes, pulling the sheets over my legs.

“And of course, I stuck up for you. No one calls you a tramp and gets away with it.”

I let a small smile escape my lips.

Eren bent down his head, trying to catch my eyes. “Hey, what is it? What’s wrong?”

“Do you ever get … exhausted, playing your role? I mean, I know we all must appear as one thing when we’re really another, but … but sometimes, I just want to give up. I just want to run away where no one knows me, so I can start over.”

Eren grabbed my hand, squeezing it tightly. “I understand completely. I used to have the same feelings before all of this. Hearing the rumors of what people thought of me and how I slept my way through the courts. Never being appreciated or respected for everything I gave for this kingdom and for our race. I felt looked over and unappreciated. Sometimes, I would ask myself what the point was in all of it. And then I met Gen. My masks, my ambitions, all of it no longer mattered. She made me feel safe and loved me for who I was.”

I chewed on my bottom lip, forcing my eyes to his. “You were loved for exactly who you were long before Genevieve entered into the picture,” I whispered.

He gave me a smile that had pity written all over it. “Yes, I was, and so are you. What I am trying to say is that all of this, all these feelings and worries, will pass someday. I can’t say when or how, but you will get everything your heart desires, Evinee. And I will be by your side, helping you forge that path, just like you were for me for all those decades.” He leaned down and kissed me softly on the head. “Get some sleep. I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

As he left the room, I buried my face into the pillow, fighting the tears that welled behind my eyes. I was determined to have my own life. To find my own purpose. He was right in those things. But I would never have everything I wanted. I would never have him.