Page 14 of Hunted By the Fae Warden

A dark, terrible thought strikes me, a realization that causes a bout of dizziness. I step closer to a neighbor’s fence and place my hand on a post, hoping to steady myself.

Kaiden is the warden. This means he’s probably the one who ordered the human man’s execution. I’m stunned. Even though I shouldn’t be, even though I know how cruel the fae can be, I’m stunned that Kaiden might be capable of sentencing a man to death by fire. What a painful, gruesome way to die. Surely a quick hanging or a beheading would be more merciful.

The fae, however, are not known for their mercy.

Before I realize what I’m doing, I’m already nearing the crowd. I follow the curious onlookers until I glimpse a high platform that’s right outside the castle. There’s a thick wooden post in the center of it, and the floor of the platform is covered in hay. I swallow hard and once again find myself leaning on a fence for support.

The steady beating of drums fills my ears, drowning out the noise of the crowd. I watch in morbid fascination as fae soldiers lead a shackled human man toward the platform. The man is shouting and thrashing in the soldiers’ grip, but they easily drag him onto the platform and tie him to the post that’s surrounded by hay.

To my surprise, King John appears on a castle balcony, the very balcony where he used to deliver speeches or wave to crowds on holidays. Kaiden stands next to him, along with several other massive fae males.

Kaiden lifts a hand. The drumming stops, and the spectators fall silent. A second later, his deep voice booms across the crowd.“As punishment for the murder of two fellow humans, arson, trespassing, destruction of property, attempted murder of fae, including highborn and royal fae, Robert Marlow has hereby been sentenced to death by fire.”

Several people in the crowd jeer and throw rotten fruit at Mr. Marlow, and I can’t fathom their behavior. The fae captured our city. Yet some in the crowd are acting as though Mr. Marlow committed an abominable offense that’s truly worthy of the awful death that awaits him. I doubt he meant to kill the two human servants. He probably only intended to kill our fae overlords. In all likelihood, he harbors some personal grievances against the fae that drove him to attack the castle grounds. Perhaps he lost a son during the battle. Or maybe he lost a daughter on Tribute Day.

Warden Valloc raises his hand again, and the spectators quiet and cease tossing rotten fruit at Mr. Marlow.

Kaiden. He looks so stern and forbidding standing on the balcony. Once again, his voice booms across the crowd. “Let it be known that my people wish to establish peaceful relations with humankind. However, we will not tolerate attacks of any sort. Those who attack us will be treated as the criminals they are, and justice will always be served swiftly.” There’s a dramatic pause, then Kaiden says, “Light him up.”

Four fae soldiers march out of the castle, each carrying a blazing torch. Mr. Marlow’s screams rend the air. The moment the soldiers prepare to toss the torches onto the platform, I close my eyes and turn my back.

I can’t watch. I can’t watch a man burn to death. It’s the sort of brutal execution Trevos has never seen. It’s said that death by fire consumes an individual’s soul and prevents them from entering the afterlife. Because their soul simply ceases to exist.

Mr. Marlow’s screams intensify, and the crowd cheers. I don’t understand. From where is this bloodlust coming? Didn’t the people of Trevos lose enough during the battle?

Then I hear the calls of the jeering crowd, and the bloodlust starts to make sense.

“Burn King John next!”

“Down with King John!”

“Kill The Crowned Fool!”

Of course. There are many people in Trevos, myself included, who’ve never cared for King John and think his attack on the fae settlement near Allostus was a grave error. The crowd seems to blame King John for the capture of our city, and they’re not wrong. He started a war he couldn’t win, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of human soldiers and innocent civilians.

I take a deep breath, only to inhale smoke and start coughing. At last, I open my eyes and head in the opposite direction of the castle. The urge to escape is overwhelming.

Kaiden ordered a man to burn, and the people of Trevos seem to approve of the spectacle. Not only do they approve, but they want more blood. They want to watch King John die next. But I’m not going to linger just to find out if Kaiden obliges their wishes.

Kaiden… no,Warden Valloc, I correct myself. I mustn’t think of him as Kaiden. Not anymore. I mustn’t think of him as the handsome fae male who’s filled me with warmth on numerous occasions, almost kissed me, and helped me bring firewood home.

Gods. The warden seemed like a stranger as he stood on the castle’s main balcony. With the fierce expression he wore, he scarcely resembled the fae male with whom I’ve become acquainted in the aftermath of Tribute Day. Despite my reservations about spending time with Kaiden, and his apparent reservations about spending time with me, I feel as though I’vegotten to know him. Sort of. I would’ve never imagined he was capable of the cruelty he meted out today.

I rush home and lock the door. Then, I somewhat ironically start a fire. I’m trembling and can’t seem to fight the sudden chill that’s causing my teeth to chatter. I sit on the rug before the hearth and hug my knees to my chest, rocking slightly as I keep my cloak pulled tight while absorbing the waves of heat.

Why can’t I get warm? Am I going into shock?

I don’t feel quite like myself. I also keep hoping and praying I’ll awake at any moment. Oh, if only this were a dream. A nightmare.

But I don’t wake up. This day is real.

I’ve become an outcast among my people, and Kaiden is a monster.

My heart aches, and I can’t stop the flow of tears. I so badly wanted to believe Kaiden was a decent male. Though it irked me when he tried to order me around, most of our interactions were sweet and tender. I doubt I’ll ever forget the warmth he filled me with, nor will I forget the longing in his eyes as he held me close and prepared to kiss me.

The kiss that never was.

Thank the gods we were interrupted.

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