Page 43 of The Fae Girl 1

“Here, we can start now.” I said offering the stringlet to her.

“Hold it like this.” I said straightening it. “It’s going to hurt your fingers at first but they’ll get used to it.”

“Teach me to play that song please.”

I smiled.This was a good distraction. And a calming one.

We spent the next few hours playing. By the time we were done Mira’s fingers were blistering and even mine felt sore. But was I complaining? No. No, I was relieved to have an outlet. To have some way of channelling my anger, and frustration, and all of it.

Food was once again brought up to me.

The rooms I’d been given had a separate dining room beyond the sitting room with the great fireplace.

As we all sat around I watched my new jailers, watched Mira too. All three of them were tucking in, eating as if this were perfectly normal but it felt odd. It felt…

“Does everyone eat in their own rooms?” I asked.

Mira looked up, fork half to her mouth.

Indi glanced at Nela.

Nela sat back against her chair. “No. Not everyone.”

“So where do they eat?” I asked.

“In the Great Hall.” She stated.

The vision I got from those words, it felt like somewhere there was a massive banquet going on. That deep in the bowels of this castle, all the fine lords and ladies and no doubt Prince Fain was tucking into a feast.

“Why are we eating here then?” I replied.

Her lips twitched again. “I’d have thought that was obvious.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Because the Prince ordered it.” I stated through gritted teeth.

Nela nodded.

“He thought you’d be more comfortable away from prying eyes.” Indi said.

“Is that so?” I snapped.More like he wanted to keep me hidden.

“Would you rather eat in front of everyone?” Nela asked. “I can speak to the guards.”

I let out a low breath. She’d called my bluff but she’d known that. Maybe it had been written across my face. Maybe she was right with her words earlier. I did need to learn to hide my emotions. To hide my thoughts better.

“No.” I said quietly. “Here is fine.” I dropped my eyes. The word ‘coward’ echoing in my head.

But that was me.

Cowardly. Pathetic.

Even in this new place, even with this supposed power I had, at my core, I was still a coward, too afraid to truly stand up for myself for fear of the consequences. The repercussions.

I didn’t speak again. I didn’t really look at any of them.

Perhaps I was taking my anger out on them. Perhaps it was unwarranted but they were all complicit in this. They were all aiding the Prince in keeping me locked up here.

I shook my head. Making excuses. Retiring to bed.

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