Page 77 of The Fae Girl 1

“Does she have control?” Uther continued speaking only to Jelric.

“No, she has no control.”

“That’s a problem.” Uther stated looking back at me as though he’d just found a fault, like I was damaged somehow.

“She needs to be trained.” Fain said looking directly at Uther who turned to face him. “After last night she needs to be able to defend herself.”

“She can learn defence in time. I want her to be able to fight for me.” Uther said dismissing Fain’s comments with his hand. “It’s about time we started fighting back in this war. Start doing some damage of our own.”

“I’m not a weapon.” I snapped.

“That is exactly what you are.” Uther replied leaning forward across the table towards me. “The sooner you learn and accept that the better.”

I gritted my teeth. I’d be damned if I was going to be treated like that. Used like that.

I looked at Jelric. His eyes were sparkling like he’d never been more alive.

I looked at the Prince too, for the first time.

He looked back meeting my gaze with that same cold glare he always had.

This was what they wanted. What Nela had said. That I could help them. That I could help win them their war. I guess Jelric could teach me. I guess if push came to shove I could be that, could be a weapon but what would I get out of this? The High King would keep his crown, his citizens would keep their lives. Everyone sat around this table would win, but me, I was a slave or as good as so what did it matter? If I fought or not, I was still an object, still something to be owned.

“I’ll make you a deal.” I said looking back at the High King. “I’ll let you train me, I’ll even fight for you but in return, when this is all over, this war or whatever it is, when it’s done you let me go. You give me my freedom.”

The High King smiled a wry smile. “Why would I give you your freedom when you belong to me?”

“Then I won’t fight.” I stated clenching my fists.

“You can be made to fight.” Uther replied. “Jelric could fit a collar around your pretty neck and you would have no more control than a puppet does.”

I swallowed looking to Jelric who glanced sideways at the High King’s words before returning his face to a mask of loyalty. Which if anything said it all.

“Give the girl what she wants.” Prince Fain said. “What does it matter, once you have won your war and your enemies are gone, then you will have no more use for Fae.”

“I will always have a use for Fae.” Uther snapped loudly.

I flinched in spite of myself though I’m not sure either of them noticed. They were too busy focused on each other.

“You think this is the only war I will fight?” Uther continued. “You think these enemies, whoever they are, you think they are my only enemies? I am getting old Fain, I must leave my throne safe and secure for my son. You should understand that more than anyone.”

“And to achieve that you need the girl. Why not make an ally of her rather than a slave?” Prince Fain reasoned.

Why Prince Fain was suddenly on my side I didn’t know. Perhaps this was his way of managing me. Win his victory then turf me out. Either way, I wasn’t going to say anything right now and risk shooting myself in the foot.

King Uther stared at Prince Fain and then he turned narrowing his eyes at me.

“If I make this deal, you promise to train, you promise to obey, to do everything within your power to defeat my enemies?”

I nodded. Afraid that if I spoke right now my voice would crack, that I’d betray myself.

“Fine. You have your wish. Jelric, you will see that she starts full training immediately. And you Prince Fain, you will monitor it, you will be responsible for her. If she fails, if she does not follow her word it’ll be on your head.”

I looked at Fain. He looked right back at me nodding.

“Fine.” Uther said again. “You may go. And get some rest. You have a lot of hard work ahead of you.” He said waving his hand to dismiss me.

Iwalked back through the castle, not sure if I should feel elated or not. I’d struck a deal, I’d potentially secured my freedom but at what cost because now I had to fight.

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