Page 17 of Awakening the Dark Throne
“Yes, but where we can control it, they can become it. They can turn into trees, fields, water, and stone. It’s pretty amazing to watch. They are also sex goddesses in my opinion.”
I laughed, pulling a book from a nearby shelf. “And you know this from experience? Wait, don’t answer that.”
“Oh, yes, I do. You think the alfar are bad? That race is savage. The only ones that can keep up with them are the incubi. Pity their races can’t breed together. I’d pay to see what kind of creature came out of that union.” I stiffened, thinking of my own mixed heritage.
“So, you’ll be busy tonight?” I asked.
“Oh, no. Sowed my wild oats in my youth, sweet Genevieve. Better to not get into bed with an ally. Though, I am sure the high lords are already claiming which ones they are going to take to bed tonight. It’s always a treat to have something or someone new at court.”
“Yuck,” I said.
He laughed, and we began to study.
That night, I watched how the alfar reacted to the nymphs. Though they were allies, the alfar still treated them as if they were lesser beings. Their narcissism was insufferable. The nymphs were polite and didn’t look at the humans the way the alfar did. I swore one even muttered a thank you when I filled her glass.
I got back to the room first after dinner, hurrying to put Gaelin’s clean laundry away before he retired for the evening. I was quickly approaching week six of my stay in the castle. I knew with each day that passed Lilian was one step closer to death. That is, if she wasn’t dead already. I pushed that thought out of my mind. She wasn’t dead. She couldn’t be. I had to come up with a plan to escape soon or I would have sacrificed my life for nothing.
“You ran out of dinner so fast I didn’t have a chance to give you your present,” said Levos, entering the room.
I jumped, startled by his unannounced visit. “Damnit Levos, you’re going to give me a heart attack. Learn to knock,” I snapped.
He started laughing, walking slowly towards me. “Did you not hear the word present come out of my mouth? Aren’t you curious about what I got you?”
“Why would you waste your money on a lowly human? I'm not worth the coin,” I said.
He smiled and held out a small rectangular box.
I took it hesitantly, wondering what hid inside. “What’s the occasion?”
“No occasion. I just saw it and it reminded me of you. I figured you could use a little sparkle in your life.” He gestured for me to open it. I cautiously lifted the lid. Inside was a beautiful diamond headband. The edges were made of white silk ribbon. It was the most exquisite thing I had ever held. “I thought it would be a good contrast with your hair,” he added, smiling.
“Levos, I don’t know what to say. I can’t accept this. It’s too much.”
“You can and you will. Now, turn around so I can see how it looks.” I took a step back, pulling away from his reach.
“I’ll wear it tomorrow, I promise. I must find the right dress to compliment it,” I said quickly. My free hand reaching to my ear, holding my current headband in place.
“Oh, come now, it’s not going to hurt anyone if you try it on right now. Do it for me, please,” he said, closing the space between us.
“I will, tomorrow. I promise.”
He stopped, taking a step back. His face fell in defeat as disappointment shot through him. “You don’t like it, do you?” he asked.
“Of course, I do. It is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever possessed. I don’t know how I am going to ever repay your kindness.”
“How about you try it on for me and then we’ll call it even,” he said, reaching for my headband too fast for me to stop him.
“Wait, Levos, please—” he pulled the headband from my hair. I instinctually covered my ears and cowered away from him. He stood above me, silent. My chin began to quiver as tears of fear welled. I took a deep breath, straightened to look him in the eye, and dropped my hands, revealing my small, tipped ears. He took a step back with his mouth opened in shock. “Levos…”
“You’re a…a half-breed?” he asked, astonished.
I nodded, unsure of what to say.
“How did you… how did they not find you?” he asked, trying to make since of my existence.
“I was born in The Frey. Most humans who cross over never leave, but my mother somehow found a way. She never talked about my father or how I came to be.” There were a few moments of silence. I tried to think of something to say or something to bargain with, but I had nothing. This was it. My secret was out, and my life was going to end before I could get to Lilian. “Levos, I know I have no right to ask you for a favor, but before you turn me in, can you please do something for me? There is a young human named Lilian Thomas who was taken by the dark court six weeks ago. Can you please try to get her out? I need to know that she’s going to be okay before I die. Please, Levos.” Tears fell down my cheeks as I began to shake in fear.
Levos turned his attention to the floor, as if looking me in the eye was too painful. His brow furrowed as he struggled with my secret, and now my confession. He took a seat in a chair next to the fireplace. Unsure of what to do with myself, I sat down on the couch, eagerly awaiting him to respond. To say anything.
