Page 11 of The Fae Girl 1

“This is for your own good.” He said quietly before clicking his fingers.

I barely had time to register the gesture before darkness overcame everything and I fell into it like a lovers embrace.

King Rette always put on a good show. It was the one thing you could count on.

I sat back in my chair, enjoying the fact that for once I could actually relax. That here at least there were no real politics. No one hiding with a knife ready to gut you in the stomach as soon as night fell.

Around us the court watched on as a series of dancers spun and pirouetted, showing off the admirable flexibility of their bodies.

“So your brother is happy with our agreement?” Rette asked.

I nodded. “He seems to be.” Uther was more than that. He was relieved that he had another ally. Another Lesser King happy to provide necessary resources should the war turn to that. Should it escalate enough that we need that.

“And you High Prince Fain?” He said smirking.

“I don’t see how my happiness comes into it.” I murmured.

He let out a laugh which I returned. We’d always had an easy enough relationship, considering he was a king and I was commander to the High King’s armies.

“Come Fain, you cannot always be so serious. You need to learn to relax more. To enjoy yourself.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Who says I don’t when I’m with my friends?”

“You mean I am not your friend?” He pretended to look outraged.

“You are a thorn in my side King Rette.” I replied.

He laughed again before taking a deep swig of his goblet. “Maybe that’s how I like to position myself. The other kings are so boring with all their prancing around, I might as well have a little fun with it.”

“Is that what this is? Insisting I come the whole way here to finalise your treaty in person?”

“Like you haven’t enjoyed yourself.” He replied.

I shook my head. In truth it had been a welcomed distraction.

“Lord Ridley certainly seems to be enjoying himself.” Rette said nodding his head to where the man was up and dancing, along with half the court.

“Ridley always enjoys himself.” I replied just as I spotted a man making his way through the crowd. His eyes fixed on the king beside me.

I tensed ready for whatever bad news this was. He bowed low, more to his king than to me, handing a note before disappearing.

I took a timed sip of my wine, watching Rette from the corner of my eye. His face went from confusion to shock to something I couldn’t read.

“What is it?” I asked before I could stop myself.

He looked across at me, aware that more than just my eyes were now on him.

“See for yourself.” He said passing the note.

I frowned, reading the contents and then looked back at him.

“Is this a joke?” I asked.

“No.” Rette replied.

I let out a low breath. Mentally calculating what actions I had to take, how everything had suddenly changed.

“How far is this village?” I asked.

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