Page 46 of A Touch of Iron
“A democracy?” I interrupted with a laugh.
“Exactly” He nodded. “The Unseelie King and Seelie Queen are only concerned with seeking more power at the same time they divide us. Many of us have been away from our families for many long years. We seek to end this dual monarchy and two-party system.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Look, Jon, I hear you, but I don’t think I’ll be much help. If you’re looking for a new leader, I’m not it.”
He nodded. “We understand your reluctance, but maybe we can offer you something else.”
“I’ll bite, Jon. What do you think I need from you?”
He gazed at me shrewdly and lowered his voice further. “You want your freedom, right?”
“What does freedom even mean?” I sighed. I swear, these fae did nothing but speak in riddles.
“You want to be human again,” he whispered. “Am I right?”
I narrowed my gaze. “Human? I’mhalfhuman, in case you’ve forgotten. It’s not like you can take away my fae side.”
“But what if we can?” he hinted.
I frowned. “You mean the orb?”
He nodded. “Without it, you’d be just another halfling. Practically human.”
I shook my head. “No. Even without the orb, you’d be sending me back to the human realm unprotected. I’d still be able to see the fae. What if I come across something that could potentially kill me? Then I won’t have the orb to protect myself.”
Jon’s eyes glittered. “What if we could shield you by taking away your sight so you could live normally?”
I gasped, horrified by his suggestion. “Are you asking me to let you blind me?”
He laughed. “No, we would just take away your ability to see the fae. You’re the last dragon reincarnated; your purpose is to help us when we’re in need. After you help us take down the dual monarchy, you would be free to do as the last dragon did and leave, never to be bothered again.”
Kazimir was right. The offer was tempting. If what Jon said was true, I could return to my human life and live out the rest of my days normally, without having the Fae sight or being told I was crazy. It was all I’d ever wanted, but was it worth it? I saw how my involvement with the rebels and putting myself in danger helped their cause, but would the personal cost be worth it in the end?
* * *
I searched everywherewithin the castle walls for Alec with no luck. I searched the grounds and was about to give up when I saw his shoes perched on the sand beside the pier. Peering across the shore, I saw him seated on the sand, gazing out at the undulating water.
I slipped off my slippers and placed them beside his before walking across the white powder to where he sat. I sat beside him and waited for him to acknowledge me.
“Did you have breakfast?” I nodded. “Good.”
When he turned to face me, I saw the cut on his lip. “What happened?” I reached out to touch his lip.
He jerked away. “It’s nothing,” he muttered. “Do—”
“It’snotnothing, Alec! Someone hit you. Who was it?”
He raised a brow, amused by my reaction. “Does it matter?”
“Yes, it does.”
“And what are you going to do about it?” he chuckled.
“I—I…” I knew damn well there was nothing I could do. It wasn’t like I could run up to someone and beat them up for busting his lip. That was a childish impulse.
“It was Ansel.” He stared straight at me as if taunting me to react.
“What?” I whispered. “Why?”
