“I’ll be back.” Mira said getting up quickly and we all turned to see her disappear into the crowd.

  “Two guesses who she’s spotted.” Indi said.

  “So much for my plan of distracting her.” I muttered.

  “It was worth a shot.” Nela replied. “Besides you had to do something before I killed her and then we all got in trouble.”

  We sniggered.

  “Was that what I was like back before we started training?” I asked.

  “You were worse.” Indi said grinning.

  “I don’t know what to do about her.” I admitted. “I don’t like the whole Ridley thing but she’s a grown woman, I can hardly tell her how to behave.”

  “You could order her not to see him anymore.” Indi said.

  “What?” I gasped.

  “It’s true, she’s your maid, you have the power to tell her who she can and cannot see.” Nela said.

  “That’s disgusting.” I replied. “I’m not going to do that. She’s a free person. She gets to make her own decisions.”

  “Oh shit.” Indi said ducking her head.

  “What?” Nela asked.

  “Right of the door. Look who’s there.” Indi said nodding her head in the direction of where she meant.

  I frowned glancing over and felt my eyes widen as I saw Prince Fain of all people leaning against a post, drink in hand, chatting away to two men who looked like soldiers.

  “We’re not doing anything wrong.” I stated.

  Nela gave me a look like she wasn’t quite convinced.

  “As long as we keep a low profile.” Indi muttered. “We’ll finish this drink then scarper.”

  Nela nodded before taking a gulp of hers.

  I looked back, across the bar and saw the two men had left and he was now sat chatting to a dark haired girl. She was laughing, teasing him by the looks of it. He smiled back, replying to something she said and she blushed taking a long slow drink of her glass but not taking her eyes from him.

  “We should go. Before he sees us.” Nela said.

  “What about Mira?” I asked. God knows where she was right now. And more importantly who she was with.

  “She’s a big girl, she’ll figure out what’s going on.” Indi said as she pulled me in the direction of the other door.

  I nodded, walking quickly. I didn’t want to be out anymore, I didn’t want to be there and I definitely didn’t want to see the Prince while he was obviously flirting with some girl.

  But stupidly I glanced back. Like I couldn’t help it. Maybe there was some perverse pain I was getting from seeing it, from seeing him like that. Fain was sat now with the girl across from him, leaning over, giving him a good view of her cleavage, though I couldn’t see where his eyes were, if they were on her face or enjoying what she was so obviously offering him.

  I’ll admit my stomach twisted, some jealous thing inside me swirled as I watched.

  Though I had no reason to feel it.

  To want it either.

  “Come on Alice.” Nela said dragging me out.

  I heard the name. It wasn’t like the bar was particularly busy and it wasn’t like her name was common either. I frowned getting up, ignoring the girl that was half throwing herself on me and crossed the room.

  Surely she wasn’t just here? Surely Nela and Indi wouldn’t be that stupid?

  I ran down the corridor, seeing the glimpse of hair, the glimpse of gold that told me all I needed to know.

  I scowled still not believing it. She had been there. She’d been right there, probably only metres from me and I’d not even realised it.

  What the hell were Nela and Indi playing at? I’d assigned them to look after her, to watch her, to keep her safe but clearly they’d snuck her out.

  Clearly she’d worked her charm on them. Seduced them into doing what she wanted.

  No.

  I wasn’t going to think like that. Not about her.

  Yes she was Fae. Yes she could be manipulative, and beguiling and all of that, but she didn’t seem like that. She certainly hadn’t acted like that.

  If anything the whole Rillon situation had proved it. Because, if she was just as power hungry as I first thought, she would have made a move, potentially even on Uther. Afterall that would have been the smart move. The calculating move. If she was just as scheming as I’d first believed she would have worked her charms, would have dug her claws in and even now we’d be struggling to control her.

  But she hadn’t done any of that. Instead she’d done the complete opposite. As if her power scared her. As if she didn’t want any of it.

  I stormed up through the castle. Aware that I was already several drinks in and not with the clearest of heads. But I wasn’t willing to wait. Wasn’t willing to let it go.

  The guards on her door bowed to me. I acknowledged them with an incline of my head before knocking and immediately entering.

  The three of them turned. Wide eyed. Like rabbits caught in a snare.

  “Nela. A word.” I said.

  Nela nodded stepping forward.

  “Wait.” Alice said.

  I narrowed my eyes.

  “I persuaded them to go.” Alice said. “It was my decision.”

  I clenched my jaw. Even if that was the case it didn’t excuse it. Nela was in charge.

  I jerked my head for her to follow. I know I was being an arsehole. I know I was almost certainly going to piss the girl off by behaving like this but so what? This wasn’t a game. Her safety came first.

  I shut the door, making sure we moved far enough from earshot of the guards.

  I let out a low breath. “How could you have been so stupid?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You heard. Taking a risk like that, allowing her to persuade you…”

  “She didn’t persuade us.” Nela said.

  I blinked. Was she fucking kidding me? They’d suggested it?

  “You can’t keep her locked up like a prisoner. You can’t keep treating her like she’s just a weapon to wield. Like she doesn’t have needs too.”

  “What needs?” I snapped.

  “She’s a human being. She deserves to at least enjoy the world we’re forcing her to defend.”

  I shook my head, pacing in front of her. “Don’t you think I don’t know that?” I snarled.

  “Then what’s the big deal?”

  “The big deal? The big deal?” I repeated. “Uther wants her watched.”

  “What?”

  “He wants to make sure she isn’t touched. That she’s kept a virgin.”

  She visibly reacted to that. “What the fuck?”

  “He’s convinced someone is going to try and steal her.” I said. “And that they’ll force her into making them half-Fae.”

  “That’s ridiculous.”

  “Try telling him that.”

  Nela shook her head. “He has no right to control her like that.”

  “Technically no.” I replied.

  “But he wants to?”

  I met her gaze. “Now you see why I’m angry.”

  “I understand it but that doesn’t mean I would have done a different cause of action.”

  “Excuse me?” I growled.

  “Whatever the High King says, whatever you say, she has rights.”

  “She’s Fae. Under the law she has no rights.”

  Nela glowered. “Fuck the law.”

  “Don’t let my brother hear you say that.”

  “I don’t give a shit. The man’s a bastard some days.”

  I glanced around, making sure no one heard that. They’d have her head for it if they did and I’d be hard pushed to save her. “He’s High King.”

  “Yeah, well he can shove it. I’m not being her god damn chastity belt.”

  “It’s noted.” I growled. I didn’t want her to be either. As much as I hated the thought of it, the girl had the right to be with who she wanted, if she wanted, that is. “But we have to keep her safe.”

  “I won’t do it Fain. I don’t care what you say, what orders you give me. She’s busting her arse for us right now. Training all hours of the day. If she wants to go out and have a drink every now and then, I don’t see what the issue is.”

  I clenched my fists. Opening my mouth to argue but she was already walking away.

  “Discussion is over.” She said loud enough for me to hear.

  We didn’t talk about what the Prince had said. Nela didn’t divulge any of it but I could feel her eyes on me after. Watching me. As if she knew something I didn’t.

  From the looks she was giving me, if I didn’t know better I’d say she felt sorry for me. But that was ridiculous. What cause did she have to suddenly feel like that?

  Mira came back hours after us. We didn’t ask where she went either.

  We all knew who’d she’d been with.

  Besides she was an adult and she knew what the situation was. It was her decision how she wanted to play it. If she even wanted to see him. And clearly she still did.

  Weeks passed. I didn’t see Fain. Not that I was avoiding him but it felt like he was avoiding me. Either that I was being paranoid.

  As the High King’s birthday approached I felt myself being more excited for the celebrations than I’d expected. We all needed a break. We all needed something to take our minds off the Ridley situation.

  Ribbons were strewn across the streets. Every window seemed to be decorated with banners. The whole castle seemed to come to life.

  Even Jelric seemed less uptight. Though he didn’t seem amused when I pointed it out.

  A week of celebrations was announced. Feasts for the most part. Feasts I clearly wasn’t invited too. I was all but put in lockdown, as if the High King feared who might see me. As if all the foreign dignitaries and Lesser Kings that were apparently occupying the castle were a threat. I guess the question was did he not trust them or not trust me?

  Still, I was grateful he hadn’t gone the other way. Hadn’t decided to parade me about, to show me off to them like some sort of statement of his new power.

  No, in this instance it was far better to be a bird locked in a cage, than one made to perform for them all.

  The final day Uther held a joust.

  Mira hadn’t stopped going on about it for weeks in the run up and we all knew it was because Ridley would be competing.

  In his mercy the High King gave me permission to attend on the proviso I was seated in the box next to his. Far from prying eyes, or prying hands more like.

  Mira picked a dress, a great fancy thing I’d well imagine the High Queen wearing and that thought made me nervous.

  I stood in front of the mirror, seeing the way it clung to me. seeing the way the expensive green embroidered cloth complimented my skin a little too well.

  “It goes with your eyes.” Mira said smiling.

  I let out a low breath. After months now of wearing leathers being back in a dress felt odd, vulnerable even.

  “Wow.” Indi said as she spotted me.

  “Is this too much?” I asked. “This is too much.”

  “No it’s not.” Indi replied.

  “Every other lady will be wearing something like this.” Mira stated. “And you’ll be beside the High King’s box. You have to dress accordingly.”

  I pulled a face.

  Nela was frowning but when I met her eyes she replaced it with a look of indifference.

  I turned back to Mira. “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.” She said beaming.

  God I hoped so because if this was too much, if this was a faux pas, everyone would see it.

  I walked behind Nela and Indi. More guards were around us than I’d seen before. Eight up front and eight behind. Clearly they weren’t taking any chances today.

  I could feel stares as I passed through the castle. I knew I was still an oddity, a curiosity even, but it still made me uncomfortable.

  Our box was right in the middle of the arena. With a perfect view of the field below. We climbed the stairs up with silk drapes concealing us from the general public. Most of my guards dropped back which I took to mean we were in less danger here.

  That I was in less danger.

  By the time we reached it Mira was out of breath and Nela was teasing her about it, suggesting she needed to come training with us. Mira pulled a face and Indi pointed out that she probably had enough training with Ridley which made us all laugh.

  As I looked around my eyes landed on the High King. He was sat beside a red headed girl who seemed more than happy to keep his attention.

  Around them both, servants seemed to flit, making sure their drinks were filled. That refreshments were on hand.

  I turned before he noticed me staring, casting my eye over the other boxes. With relief I saw ladies wearing similar dresses to mine. Some far more revealing in fact. I guess Mira had been right after all.

  A horn blasted and the crowd that had been buzzing with noise only seconds earlier fell silent. Someone shouted out, announcing the two first riders, though the names meant nothing to me.

  A man stood hanging the banners of them both on a large pole for everyone who hadn’t heard to know who was up.

  When they both appeared my breath caught. It looked like something out of a movie scene. Something too surreal to believe was true. Both riders walked up to the High King’s stand, bowing. The one on the left veered off and as he lowered his lance a lady stood, wearing a deep dark purple taffeta gown, placing what I assumed was a piece of silk on the very tip. He bowed his head, reaching for it and held it up before tucking it safely under his breastplate.

  It was hard not to laugh. It all seemed too ridiculous. Too much of a show to be real.

  The second rider veered right. Not seeking any lady’s favour but took position ready to strike.

  As another horn blasted out they both charged. Hurtling at each other with such speed I could barely keep up. They crashed into the other with their lances. And the man with the lady’s favour went flying off, much to the disappointment of the crowd.

  He landed with a thump. His horse, still continuing on as if his rider was still there, and a stable boy jumped out grabbing the reins to pull it to a stop.

  As the fallen man was helped off a man climbed the side of a great black board and put an ‘x’ by one of the names.

  The second set of jousters was even worse. One of the horses was thrown and the noise it made as it fell made me cover my face.

  “It’s fine.” Nela murmured. “It’s up and walking.”

  I peeked a look and saw she was right.

  “This is barbaric.” I said.

  She smirked. “It’s not as bad as it looks.”

  “Well it looks pretty fucking awful.”

  She laughed. So did Indi.

  As Mira squealed we all turned to look. Though I should have guessed who was there.

  Ridley sat at one end. Despite the armour it was easy to see it was him. He approached the High King’s box, making sure to bow low and then he turned his head, looking for Mira.

  She stood, reaching over and produced a piece of silk which he kissed dramatically and tucked away.

  Indi rolled her eyes.

  Nela frowned just enough to show her thoughts.

  I sighed, not sure what to think. I didn’t want her to get hurt and that seemed like the only logical outcome of all of this. But she was acting like she didn’t care. In truth she was acting like a lovesick teenager. The pair of them were.

  As I sat back I felt someone watching me. I turned meeting Fain’s eyes. He was sat in the Royal Box, notably far enough from his brother to not intrude, but he was practically touching distance from me. He inclined his head just a little and I gave him a small smile back.

  “I don’t think that was a good thing.” Indi said quietly.

  I turned to face her. “What do you mean?”

  “Such a public display in defiance of his father.” She shook her head.

  If I was honest I felt the same. My gut told me exactly how it would end no matter how we intervened, no matter what we did to try and prevent it.

  Ridley rode to his position and both riders waited for the horn to sound. When they charged Mira gasped and covered her eyes before they even got close but the other rider aimed his lance better and Ridley went flying.

  Mira stood shocked and let out a whimper before turning to me with pleading eyes. I knew what she wanted without asking.

  “Go.” I said.

  She ran out of the box, disappearing behind the silk and down the stairs.

  “He won’t be injured. Not really.” Nela stated from where she stood with her arms leant over the edge.

  “He looked like he took quite a hit.” I replied.

  “He did but he was misbalanced by his own lance to begin with and that’s why he fell. He’ll be bruised but no more.”

  “Let’s hope so.” Fain said to Nela. “I need him in one piece.”

  Nela smirked like there was some inside joke between them.

  Ridley got up gingerly, the marshals helping him off the main field. I saw Mira rushing to him and looked away feeling like I was intruding on something.

  “How many people are actually injured from this sport?” I asked.

  “Not as many as you’d think.” Fain replied.

  “That’s not a number.” I stated.

  “No.” He said with a small smile. “Do you understand any of it?”

  I shrugged. “Not really, beyond one ramming the other with their lance.”

  “That’s the gist but the skill is how the rider holds his lance and his aim.” He said.

  “How so?”

  “The secret is to dip your lance, only slightly though and aim for where the breastplate and shoulder plate meet. That way even if you don’t unseat your opponent you leave them off balance for the second round. And it also means you won’t actually hurt them beyond a few bruises and their pride.” Fain explained.

  I frowned trying to visualise what he said.

  “Look.” He said pointing to the two new opponents. “Watch the one on the right. He knows what he’s doing. See how he holds his lance and look where he aims.” He said pointing as the horn blew and the two riders galloped towards each other.

  I watched as closely as I could, seeing the rider dip his lance just as Fain had said, and it struck his opponent who fell back but somehow remained on his horse.