Page 136 of The Fae Girl 1

There was no way it meant anything. No way he saw me as anything more than what the rest of this damn place saw me as. An object. A thing to own.

My stomach twisted.

That’s what they saw my virginity as. A thing to claim. Another prize for them all. It made me feel sick but it cut so much deeper than that because how could I trust any of them? And especially how could I trust Uther? For all I knew he was already auctioning me off. It was like some sick twisted plot from a movie.

Only it was real.

This entire, awful situation was real.

A soft knock at the door told me someone was there.

“Can I come in?” Nela asked from the other side.

“Sure.” I murmured.

The door creaked as she opened it. Light came pouring in and I threw the covers up to hide my face.

She sat down putting something on the nightstand beside me.

“It’s tea. I thought you could do with some.”

“Thanks.” I whispered.

“How are you feeling?”

I sat up. That was one hell of a question wasn’t it. “My legs are healed.” I stated.

She nodded. “I’m sorry it took so long to…”

“How long have you known?” I asked cutting across her.

She frowned for a moment. “A while.”

“And you said nothing?”

“I didn’t know what to say.” She said getting to her feet. “I didn’t want to tell you.”

“Why not? I had a right to know.”

“Yes you did.” She agreed. “But the whole thing disgusted me. That Uther could think that. That he would act like that.”

“Act like what?” I asked. What else did I not know? What else had he already done?

She winced shaking her head. “He wants to keep you untouched. To ensure no one can get your powers.”

I blinked. Well I wasn’t expecting that. Relief spread through me followed by more anger.

“It’s disgusting.” Nela snapped. “You have as much right to do what you want as the rest of us. To force you to be celibate, to make me watch over you.”

“What?”

She threw me a look. “Fain told me. The High King thinks one of the Lesser Kings will try to steal you away. That’s why you were on lockdown this week.”

I shook my head slightly. Now it made sense. Why they all reacted like that when the jouster asked for my favour. Why they concealed me when the other king was near.

“I’m not a thing you can own.” I snarled.

“No you’re not.” Nela said.

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