"At the upcoming conference, I will propose that we be proactive. This conflict between our races is a perpetual thing. And I fear that soon, the humans might attempt what they did in the past now that they have the technology to wipe out millions," my father said.
Fearing his words, the rhythm of my heart stuttered. "Are you saying—" Taegen grasped my wrist and squeezed with warning. Behave, it meant.
"We've been in a silent war for years. Our side should land the final strike before circumstances get detrimental." My father pondered his words. "It would likely be best to destroy the world entirely. We don't want to risk retaliation in a few centuries."
"You can't do that." I stood hastily despite Taegen's warning. "Destroy a whole world? There are other living things besides humans on that earth. How can you say you'll destroy it all when the animals and trees have done nothing to us? Even some of the humans—"
Candle lights flickered as my father's darkening aura clouded the room. An invisible but suffocating spirit of intolerance clawed at me and stimulated goosebumps. I swallowed thickly and withdrew a step.
"Do you, as prince of this nation, have compassion for the same humans that slaughtered your ancestors?" The thunder in my father's voice rattled me, shook me from the inside, and heightened my fear. "The punishment for such an offense would be instant death. Even for my son."
"I…" How could an entire race be wicked if my father had not met every single human on that earth? Was that not compassion, but logic?
Taegen stood and pulled me behind him. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I recently lectured His Highness on human psychology. The prince must have mistook the kindness humans garner for each other as amicability towards all. As you said, he is still a boy."
"Move."
Taegen did not. He braved the fire of the king's glare. But I could not have him burning for my sake, so I took to Taegen's side. That earned me a painful look as Taegen and I shared knowing what came next. It could not be avoided. When my father stood, I was again astonished by his towering height. He plucked a metal bar from the collection of disciplinary objects hanging against his beige wall. An iron bar.
****
The doctor inspected the wounds on my forearms. Per my father's command, I sat on a wooden exam table in our doctor's office. It was a simple room with square windows carved into the stone walls, a sturdy desk in the far-left corner, and a few more useful tables for examinations and medicinal supplies. But ultimately, the doctor always resorted to magic to treat my injuries. I snuck a glance at my guardian, whose eyes were rimmed red. A hostile look had woven onto his expression since we'd come here.
"Taeg—"
"Do not speak, Ruith," he muttered. "If I hear the hurt in your voice, I fear I'll do something reckless."
I obeyed with a frown. Taegen had always been protective of my brother and me. And my memory held no instances of my father taking care of me. He'd rarely even acknowledged me until recently, when Elion had died, and his responsibilities became mine. My mother, the Meadow Province's Queen, had died when I'd turned one, so I only remembered Taegen and Elion's love and care. My entire life, they'd been like my parents. So, Taegen's anger, I understood, but I hated to witness my guardian fume with worry for me.
The doctor called upon the water in the bowl beside me and threaded my wounds closed with tiny threads of magic. Only then did Taegen arrive at the table, taking my arms. He inspected them delicately.
"What about the scars, doctor? Will they fade?"
The doctor lowered the cloth from his long nose. "Unfortunately, no. Iron caused the wounds and tampered with his skin's ability to regenerate. His father shouldn't have…" The doctor looked at me with unease and vulnerability. His jaw ticked subtly in displeasure. Then his opal eyes danced across my arms. "Miracles can happen. Maybe in time, they'll disappear."
The walk to my designated corner of the castle was silent. I ignored my ready bed and took beside the arched window in my room. It had no glass, so I could extend my hand into the cool night, grasp it, and take it inside with me. When I slept, if I slept, I shared the same air as the night, the stars, and all the animals that roamed beneath them. I preferred it this way.
The jewelry on Taegen's boots rattled when he entered the room. His anger from earlier had diluted, but his expression wasn't eager.
He crossed the room and stood a short distance from me. His lips showed a firm line. "Was my instruction unclear? I told you to behave tonight."
I looked over my shoulder into the night. "That's unfair. I should be allowed to speak my mind as well. My father can't be the only one to use his voice."
"I agree with you. But your father senselessly disregards reason and fairness. What you said tonight provoked him."
Taegen awaited my response. I didn't give one. Instead, I faced my window and watched a bird roam the dark sky, curious about how it could fly for so long without moving its wings. My studies prioritized politics, history, language, and math, so I was left relying on Taegen to learn about what was natural in the world.
Sighing gently, Taegen approached the window. He leaned against the stone windowsill and poked his head out. "What has stolen your attention from me?"
I faced him. "A bird. I counted thirty seconds before it flapped its wings again. How can they fly if they don't?"
Taegen met my eyes with less stress than he had earlier. "You should know the answer to that, Ruith. Look there." He pointed to another bird in the night, using frozen wings to fly. "Tell me what you notice."
My eyes fell along with the bird. "The bird isn't getting any higher. It can only descend when it doesn't move its wings."
"That's called soaring. It's like playing on a swing," Taegen responded.
"How so?"
"When you swing, you pump your legs to gain momentum and height. Eventually, you'll relax your legs and descend pleasantly from the high. Certain birds do the same. They flap their wings until they've reached altitude, and when ready, they glide on the wind and reach the earth." Taegen smiled pleasantly. "Most birds in our province are diurnal—active during the day. So, this species must be out hunting. It's fascinating, isn't it?"
I beamed excessively whenever Taegen shared his knowledge. "Please teach me many more things."
"Ruith," Taegen answered sternly. Then, his prominent features softened. He brushed a curtain of milky bangs behind his ear and sighed. "I know you're compassionate about all living things; humans too—"
"You're wrong," I cut in. "I don't care what happens to the humans."
Taegen questioned me with his eyes, so I continued. "I can't say I care too much about what happens to the elves of our provinces either. I'm only concerned with protecting what I care about. You, the animals, and the lands of both worlds. If there is a war like my father hopes for there to be, it won't affect me so long as the safety of all that I love is guaranteed."
Bewildered by my response, Taegen's brows curved. And although it was subtle, disappointment lined his gaze. I felt awkward for having been so candid. And when Taegen's disappointment was too blatant to mask, he looked away from me. "That's wrong, Ruith."
"That I only care about—?"
"Not that." Taegen returned to me. "I don't believe you don't hold compassion for humans and elves. That is not how Elion and I raised you. Do not believe everything your father says about them. There are wicked humans, that is true, but there are wicked elves also. A batch cannot define an entire race."
I drew imaginary characters on the windowsill. "I know that already."
"Then also know that you might not realize it now, but your heart is too big not to care about every living thing you encounter. I know your character, Ruith. So, one day, I hope you regret saying you do not care about the lives of others."
My frown deepened. I wasn't sure I agreed with Taegen, but I trusted him like I trusted my feet to catch me when leaping from trees. Taegen knew me well, so it must've been true if he said my heart was bigger than I realized. I wanted to hold the compassion he expected of me.
"I'm sure I don't need to lecture you anymore tonight," Taegen spoke after an episode of silence. "Remember, Ruith, that your father's reign is only temporary. When you're king, you will have a voice of a thousand. And the millions of the Meadow Province will heed every aspiration and dream you have to protect what you love." Taegen touched my head and curled his fingers into the wisps of my hair. "So, be patient, lovely, and all you've ever wanted will come to you."
Be patient, and all you've ever wanted will come to you.