Page 76 of The Fae Girl 1

I flinched away, glaring at him. If he thought I was going to play that part, he could think again.

In an instant Uther burst out laughing. “You are a little fire Fae aren’t you?” He said.

I bit back a retort but clenched my fists.

“Relax girl. I’m not going to hurt you.” He said.

“My name is Alice.” I replied coldly.

“So I’ve heard.” Uther muttered like it was of no consequence. Like my name didn’t even matter. “Sit. There is much we need to discuss.”

He walked back to his chair and gestured to the chair at the other end of the table, meaning I’d be facing all three of them as though it really were some sort of interrogation.

“Tell me something first.” I said, still not having what I wanted to know fully formed in my mind.

Uther turned to look at me and I could hear the sharp intake of breath from Jelric.

“Go on.” The High King said narrowing his eyes.

“What does it mean to belong to you?” I asked trying to keep my voice steady. Trying not to show how scared I actually was.

“It is simple, you are my property.” He shrugged.

“That’s not simple. That’s not simple at all.” I replied.

“How is it not?” The High King asked.

“Well tell me, if I belong to you how free am I? Can I go where I want or do I need your permission? I assume I have to do your bidding but what does that even mean? Do I even have a say in anything? Could I….” I fell silent because the things I wanted to ask would make me blush and I didn’t want to show any weakness, especially not now.

The High King sat back in his chair and looked at me. “You are the same as a soldier, there are things you will be ordered to do, and as a soldier I expect you to obey. You will live where I tell you, you will follow my bidding, but you have freedoms the same as any soldier does.”

“But a soldier can be free.” I replied. “A soldier does not serve for life.”

“No, a soldier does not. And there is the difference. You are Fae, the magic in your blood determines that and it is your fate to belong to me.”

I opened my mouth to say something but found no words. What could I say back to that?

“Sit.” Uther said.

I could hear it wasn’t a request.

I sat down, keeping my hands under the table so that they couldn’t see how much I was shaking now.

“I assume Jelric has told you about the war.” Uther continued.

“I know a little.” I replied.

“I see.” Uther turned to look at Jelric. “You have tested her I assume.”

Jelric nodded in reply.

“And how strong is she?” The High King asked.

“She is strong and her powers are only going to grow. She’ll be more than a match for anything we may encounter.” Jelric stated.

The High King smiled at his words as though he was relieved. “Good. We need a strong Fae now more than ever.”

I frowned, the way they were talking about me was like I really was some new toy, some new weapon, and not a person at all.

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