"You have arrived at the Seafoam Court," a voice boomed out. I stood on my tip toes and craned my neck to try and see who was speaking. The voice rang out again, this time sounding like it was moving closer to where I stood behind the group of people I was shipped here with.
"Our ruler, now your ruler, Finnan will be here shortly to give you all a place to go. You will be assigned a job in whichever court The Ruler sees fit." Finally I could see the man. He was tall, very tall. His skin was so tan it almost seemed orange. His hair was dark as night, and cut weird. One side was shaved nearly bald. While the other side was hanging just down to his ears. A few strands fell onto his forehead. He was… handsome. In a rugged sort of way.
But couldn't be human with that height. He had to be at least seven feet tall. His shoulders were broad, and his muscles were extremely cut and defined. And then I noticed his ears. They weren't quite as long as an Elven's ears. But they were pointed. He's Fae. I read a book once, given to me by John, on all the creatures of the Nether. The book describes two breeds of Fae; high and lesser. High Fae were more human-like. It is said humans descended from High Fae eons ago. Only their extreme heights, magic, and pointed ears distinguished them from us. And their beauty.
Lesser Fae appeared in all shapes and sizes. Water nymphs, pixies, and gnomes are few examples. All possess magic but minor. High Fae are said to be much more powerful and have the ability to access Dark Magic. I've heard certain High Fae here do…
I shivered at the thought of being sent to Onyx Court, where I would be under the ruling of a half High Fae half vampyr. Said to be cruel and merciless in his punishments. A girl who worked in the kitchen at the Thomas family home told stories of his ruling. And it all sounded far worse than I ever endured by the hands of William. I sent a silent prayer to the Gods that I'd be sent wherever is closest to my brother. I'd stay here if my brother were near. I'd endure anything if it meant I could see him again.
The Fae's voice boomed once more, but I couldn't make out what he was saying over my heart beat that began beating so erratically, I could hear it in my ears. I had the sudden urge to run, to bolt out of the crowd and jump into the sea and swim the whole way back to the human realm. My eyes scanned the crown and beyond looking for whatever danger my body sensed that was making me want to flee for my life. My gaze stopped on its own accord on two males. High Fae, judging by their ears.
My heart dropped at the realization of just what two High Fae males I was looking at. It was Callan and Finnan. They were staring at me, and having what seemed to be a tense discussion. My heart rate was still too fast, and I felt like I would pass out. But what could be making me feel so… Afraid? And suddenly, as soon as it began, it stopped. The two High Fae rulers' gazes left mine and I was hit with a feeling of relief.
Until the dark haired one looked right at me again and made his way to where I stood in the midst of the crowd. His face was hard as stone, and the way he stalked toward me was almost predator like. Panic flooded me instantly. I wanted to run. I wanted to scream. But my feet were suddenly as heavy as lead, and my voice was paralyzed in my throat. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly into a smirk.
The crowd parted to make room for the extremely large ruler of the Onyx Court. He radiated power. I could smell it in the air, taste it even. Metallic and electric almost. He stood before me and I tilted my head almost all of the way back to meet his eyes. His face softened for just a moment before it went right back to the cold and calculated look he was giving me only seconds ago.
He stared down at me intensely and said nothing. The crowd was silent, not even the birds chirped in this moment. As bad as I wanted, I couldn't tear my eyes from his. There was a burning behind his eyes that I couldn't recognize. And frankly, I didn't want to. When he finally did speak, his voice was low and gravelly.
"You're with me," was all he said as he stepped aside and walked past me. Suddenly, I could move my feet again. I turned around and stared at his back as he walked away until he stopped and looked at me over his shoulder and blinked a few times. And then he nodded for me to follow him. Too afraid to protest, my feet moved.
As I walked behind him at a steady pace, my thoughts bounced around in my head all over the place. Fear clawed at my throat, a cold sweat breaking out across my skin. My heart pounded in my ears. And the little bit of hope I had in ever seeing my brother again diminished with every step I took behind Callan St. Krew, ruler of the Onyx Court.
We walked until we reached a tavern. The sign read The Wounded Whale. As we stepped inside, I heard the voice whisper You are safe here, child. Safe with him. But that did nothing to calm me. And with the way everyone in here looked at me with what I can only describe as pity says I look every bit of how I feel.
Help me, I wanted to call out. Please don't let him take me! But I couldn't bring my lips to move. And this time, it was my fear stopping me. Not magic. Callan pulled out a barstool and gestured for me to sit. I obeyed, careful not to fall over onto my face as I hoisted myself up onto the tall seat.
Callan took a seat beside me, the barkeep already there waiting to take his order.
His voice was a low rumble, barely audible over the sounds of the tavern as he said, "Two ales." My nose pinched at the thought of drinking ale. I tried it once with Arch the year he'd been sent away and it ended in retching up our dinner. As scared as I was, I had to speak up.
"Can I have water instead, please?" My voice was so quiet, I don't know how he heard me. He didn't even look at me as he nodded, and the barkeep set about fixing our drinks. We didn't say anything for a long while. I drank my water and he drank three ales before he spoke again.
His voice was low and steady. "What were you sent here for?"
John. Callan's simple question had reminded me of him. And the sword William drove through his chest. Tears pricked my eyes, but I blinked them away. It would do me no good to start crying now. The time for that had long passed by. I cleared my throat, hoping to get rid of the lump that had formed in it.
"Do you want the long version, or the short?" I asked, having found my normal voice again instead of the quiet, scared one. Callan raised his brow and then he grabbed his tankard and gulped down another sip.
"Humor me, human. It's been a rather long day. I could use the entertainment."
I resisted the urge to scoff. As if my small, insignificant human life were entertaining at all. I straightened my spine and said, "My adopted father turned master betrothed me to another but changed his mind as he had decided he wanted me instead. So after having his way with me for seven years, I drugged him, fled, and married my betrothed anyway. He didn't like that. So he killed my husband, and claimed I was spoiled meat. Tossing me away to the Nether."
Callan's fists tightened, and he turned to look at me. His brows were pinched together, in confusion and what looked to me like anger.
"He did what?" His voice was even more deep this time, and laced with venom.
I sighed, "He killed my hus-"
Callan's fist slammed down onto the bar and I flinched. "Before that," he growled.
I blinked. And blinked again. Oh. "He wanted me for himself. Has for seven years now. But he finally got permission from the bishop to…" I trailed off, my stomach going queasy at the memory. I took a breath and continued.
"He got permission to touch me."