Breena waits for me in the hall, trying to peer around me into my room. Her eyes are wide, glamoured to look violet in color. The effect is quite stunning on her. "You didn't kill her, did you?"
"Of course not," I scowl. "Though I would tell Tatiana that if we could lie. I am going to teach that Gaelish a lesson for continually messing with my human."
She laughs. "We all play with each other's humans. It's called sharing, brother."
"She's off limits. I bargained with her for her child. Until she pays my debt, no one else is to bother her."
She gives me a weird look as we come into the antechamber. "Be careful, brother," she warns, disappearing into the crowd.
My eyes scan the room, finding Gaelish a little too easily. His obnoxious cat ears give him away, sticking up above everyone else's heads.
He smiles wickedly at my approach. "Ah, Kailan. Taught that human a lesson--?"
My fist collides with his face before he can finish his idiotic question. "It would be in your best interest, Gaelish, if you leave my human alone from now on," I warn quietly.
A merry laugh sounds behind me, followed by slow clapping. Pivoting slightly, I notice Tatiana standing among us in a blindingly golden gown. Her smile is ghoulish, twisting her face unnaturally. "My, oh my. What is the problem, boys?"
Gaelish collects himself first, bowing reverently. "Kailan came up and punched me, Your Grace."
"Yes, I saw that." Tatiana flicks her yellow lizard eyes my way. "But why?"
"Cara struck a bargain with me, Your Majesty," I explain. "To protect that bargain, I believe I should be the only one to associate with her."
Tatiana throws her head back and laughs, the sound echoing around the quiet room. "If a human walks in here of her own volition, you expect no one to speak with her simply because you got to her first? When did that rule get written?"
The Fair Folk closest to us join in her laughter.
"Your Majesty, forgive me." I bow so she won't see my sneer of anger. "You said you were interested in developments."
"Yes, I am. But I never stated she is to remain yours alone. We share our toys here, Kailan. That includes your delectable human as well."
My vision turns red and I don't dare stand. I clench my jaw to keep the glamour concealing my horns in place. If she knows she struck a cord, then I'll become her toy. "And if someone should convince her to kill herself? What then?"
"That's the beauty of humans. There are always more. If your human dies, then you find another to fill her place. Another will make the same deal eventually. They are weak and stupid creatures, which is why they are so much fun." She pauses briefly. "Why are you so interested in this human anyway? You've never cared for them before."
"She's different," I spit venomously.
Tatiana snickers, the sound of pure mockery. "They are all vermin of the earth. I tolerated your liberating those children, but this one is a fully grown woman. She will not get any special treatment."
I stand, my fists clenched, barely registering her skirts shimmering as she turns away. I take one step after her before Breena is suddenly in front of me, clasping my hands between us. Her expression is equal parts sad and bewildered.
"What has gotten into you, brother?" Breena whispers. "You are not acting like yourself."
"One day, someone is going to kill her. And when that day comes, I'll be the one who makes her breathe her last breath."
"There's the spirit!" Breena encourages, tugging me down the hall to my room. "Humans are expendable. It's one of their best qualities."
My head whips up to see her face in such a quick motion my neck cracks in three places. "I wasn't talking about Cara. Quite a few of us are unhappy with Tatiana's reign. Either she'll be challenged or assassinated. I guarantee Mab is running out of patience with her. If I continue to stay here--if Cara continues to come here--I won't be able to control myself next time."
She stops, blinking slowly. "What are you saying, Kailan?"
I study my baby sister, whom I left Mab for, trying to etch everything about her into my memory. Her violet eyes will be the hardest but they suit her appearance well enough. It shouldn't be too difficult. "Earlier, you said you would help me. I need your help now."
"You're going to run away with a human on the final night of the full moon?" she hisses. "Have you lost your mind?"
"Are you going to help me or not?"
"Where will you go? The Seelie Court won't accept you, and Mab will most likely demand a trial to bring you back into her graces, if you're worthy." Her eyes widen. "You can't live in the human world. You'd never fit in."
"Did I say I was living with humans?" I snap, yanking on the root that reveals my bedroom door. "Right now, my only plan is to get Cara out of here before anything else goes awry. Where I go after is still undecided. Are you going to help with this, or not?"
My door swings open. Breena peers around me. She blinks. "Well, where is she?"