Page 93 of The Fae Girl 1

A knock at the door made me yelp. Made everyone else jump and Nela fell silent.

A guard walked in, bowing to the Prince. “The Council is meeting.”

Fain narrowed his eyes. “We need a moment.”

“The High King is waiting.” The guard stated.

“Then he can wait a little longer.” The Prince snarled.

“Fain.” Nela murmured as I flinched more. As I tried to hide from his anger as if he’d directed the full force of it at me.

He let out a low breath. “Go back to the Council. Tell them we are on our way.”

The guard hesitated and for a moment I thought Fain might very well beat him out the door.

But when he left Fain stared at me.

“I have to go don’t I?” I whispered.

“Yes.” He said.

My shoulders slumped. I looked down at the torn dirty dress I was still in. I didn’t have time to change, besides what would I put on?

I felt dirty. Numb too. Like all my emotions had been muted, like my very soul had been muted. I nodded staring at the ground, accepting what was about to happen, because I didn’t have a choice did I?

As I stood Fain handed me his cloak. I wanted to refuse. To tell him where to shove it but instead I snatched it, wrapping it around myself as if it could hide me.

We walked in silence. Fain leading and Nela and Indi behind me. I could still feel his breath on me. Could still feel his hands, grabbing me, touching me, hurting me.

I gulped, fighting back the tears. I wasn’t going to cry now. I refused to.

* * *

It wasthe same room as before. The same long table, only this time every chair was filled. Dozens of faces, dozens of men I didn’t recognise sitting alongside the High King.

Jelric was there. And to my distress so was Rillon. Sat in a chair in the middle of the room, positioned at an angle so everyone could see him.

My stomach clenched in fear as I realised. I only just managed to bite back the whimper as I looked at him.

“Is this really necessary?” Prince Fain said.

I glanced at him, shocked to see him glaring up at the High King. Whatever the hell was about to happen I was more scared now by the look on his face.

“Prince Rillon has serious charges to account for.” Uther answered. “It must be a fair process.”

“Justice is not always kind.” One of the men at the table added.

Fain went to reply but the High King held his hand up to silence him.

“Enough brother. The more we drag this out the worse it will be for all of us.” Uther stated.

“I am your brother too.” Prince Rillon snapped. “I am more of a brother than he is because we are full brother’s and he is a bastard.”

King Uther turned to look at him and the anger flashed on his face. “It’s a pity you don’t act like you are my brother then. You who lives a life of luxury because of my kindness, you who has continuously taken what isn’t yours to have.”

“I have taken nothing.” Rillon spat back.

“Not for lack of trying.” Jelric said beside the High King.

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