Page 28 of A Touch of Iron
My throat tightened. “It was—”
“It was a disgruntled villager from Air Village,” Kazimir cut in. “They have been dealt with, Your Highness.”
I frowned. A disgruntled villager? Was he serious? Creed wasn’t even an air elemental! Why was Kazimir lying? What was he covering up? I was about to correct him when Alec elbowed me, silently telling me to keep quiet.
“Good,” the King said with a self-satisfied smile, glad the whole sordid business had already been neatly concluded. “I don’t want the Unseelie to think they can get away with murdering one of our elders. While certain risks are expected to occur within a trial, a very important person was killed. I don’t know how we’ll ever replace her,” he sighed dramatically.
My throat tightened and my eyes burned as I barely held my tears at bay. To think Calypso would be so easily replaced just felt wrong.
Alec cleared his throat. “Your Highness, we would like Tessa to be released just as you promised,” he said, deftly changing the subject.
“Right, right,” the King answered distractedly, as if it was the furthest thing from his mind. He snapped his fingers and the double doors behind us opened.
I spun around and saw my mother barreling into the throne room, Ansel right behind her. “Ma!” I ran to meet her and she squeezed me tightly. I inhaled deeply, her familiar lavender scent enveloping me. “Are you okay?”
She nodded and gave me a teary smile. “I’m fine, I’m perfectly fine, Violet. Don’t worry.”
The King grunted and we turned back in his direction. He looked bored by our tearful reunion. “Now, now, Lady Violet, a promise is a promise. Do you have a family name to record?”
Before leaving for my trial, I put a lot of thought into this question. It was important because it would establish my place within the fae.
“Yes I have,” I said confidently.
Alec whirled around and watched me with wide eyes.
“And?” the King pushed, leaning forward.
“Dagon,” I announced. “Our family name will be Dagon.”
The King watched me for a moment before bursting into a sharp peal of laughter. “Oh, how veryhuman!” He turned to Kazimir. “Don’t you think?”
Kazimir smiled tightly. “Yes, Your Highness.”
The King chuckled. “Very well. I’ll have it recorded. Now on to more pressing matters …” He straightened against his throne, looking imperious. “You now have your air elemental powers, correct?”
I narrowed my eyes and nodded, unsure why that was important. Did my powers have to be recorded alongside my new family name?
He nodded and gave a secret smile. “Good. As you already know, I’m an air elemental myself. I do wonder how well Calypso trained you …” he mused.
“She trained me very well,” I reported confidently. Calypso had trained me tirelessly for three months straight. I was secure in my abilities.
“I see. In that case, Lady Violet, would you care to participate in a duel?” the King suggested with a raised brow.
“What?” I choked.
“Your Highness,” Alec interrupted, “she’s no match for you. We all know that. There’s no need for a duel!”
The King huffed like a petulant child. “I don’t see why not! Lady Violet was trained by the best. It’s important to see where she stands.”
I rolled my eyes as I listened to the King’s flimsy explanation. I knew what he was doing. I might be half human, but I wasn’t stupid. He knew he’d win a fight against me and he wanted to make sure the fae saw just how powerless I was.
“Your Highness –” Alec tried again, but I cut him off.
“You’re on,” I agreed. “I accept your duel.”
“Vi!” Alec shouted, but I wasn’t concerned.
The King got one thing right – I was trained by the best. Calypso taught me a few things that might even surprise the King. It didn’t mean I would win, but it would show him and everyone else that I wasn’t one to be trifled with, either.
