Page 8 of A Touch of Iron
I straightened and switched my gaze from Kazimir to the King. “What do I need to do to acquire a family name on my own so you will release my mother?”
“Violet, no!” Alec gripped my wrist and pulled me back. “Don’t,” he warned.
The King grinned as if I’d played into his plan perfectly. “You must pass a human trial.”
I frowned. “Seems easy enough,” I mumbled, unsure what he was speaking about.
“It’s not, Vi.” Alec pulled me back and faced the King. “Your Highness, please reconsider. She’s half human. This trial will take a heftier toll on her.”
I tugged my wrist out of his hold. “I’m halffae, which means it should be easy, Alec.”
With an exasperated growl, he whirled around to face me, putting his back to the King in what I was sure was an etiquette no-no. “Listen, Vi – you don’t know anything about what you’re signing up for!” he whispered so only I could hear. “Humans have five sufferings or trials: birth, aging, illness, death, and love. You will be tested in one or more of these and I can promise it won’t be pleasant. You think you’ll have it easy because you’re half human? Wrong,” Alec gritted between his teeth. “It’ll actually beharderfor you. Fae are sometimes forced to endure a human trial, but we only get sent to the human realm for a trial when we’re being punished, andthat’swhat the King is doing. He’s not doing you a favor, Vi.”
I stood there and soaked in everything he said. I knew he was trying to scare some sense into me. Truthfully, he was probably right, but I didn’t care. If a trial was required to obtain a family name and free my mother from the King’s greasy clutches, then so be it. I’d willingly endure all five sufferings if I had to.
“Your Highness,” Kazimir interrupted, “since Lady Violet is a halfling, don’t you believe it’s only right that she completes her trial here in the Fae realm?”
Alec brightened, then whirled back around to face them. “Yes! I agree with Kazimir,” he said. “Sending her back to the human realm sounds counterproductive.”
The King glared at Kazimir, knowing he’d been taken but not quite understanding how. I wondered why the general was trying to help me now.
“If I recall correctly, Calypso wanted to take her to Air Village to train. We can give her the amnesia potion and send her to the village to complete her trial,” Kazimir suggested.
I stepped forward, frowning. “Wait a minute … what do you meanamnesia potion?”
Alec looked down at me. “You’re not allowed to know you’re going through a trial. You must go in blind, with no preconceived notions. You won’t even know your name.”
The King rubbed his chin, contemplating Kazimir’s proposal. With a nod, he agreed. “Fine. But get her an iron bracelet strong enough to suppress her fire, water, and earth elements. She will only be allowed to use air.” With a smug grin, the King leaned back in his throne again, believing he’d gotten the better of me.
“I will have an iron bracelet placed on her immediately,” Kazimir said with a bow.
“Very well.” He gazed at me shrewdly. “Prepare to depart tomorrow. You are both dismissed,” the King said.
Alec quickly bowed and grabbed my wrist, practically dragging me out of the throne room before I could get myself into further trouble.
The instant the throne room doors shut behind us, I whirled on him. “Tomorrow?”
Alec was earnest. “Listen to me, Vi, the King wants you to fail and he’s going to put a lot of obstacles in your way. I won’t be allowed to go to Air Village with you, but I’ll help from afar as much as I can. You won’t remember anything I’m telling you, but you have to try your hardest to pass this trial. If you don’t, then nothing else matters.” He rubbed my upper arms, his mismatched eyes drilling into mine.
“How can you possibly help me if you won’t be allowed in the village?” I asked, my voice laced with concern.
He sighed. “If he’d insisted the trial be in the human realm, we would’ve been screwed because he wouldn’t have allowed me to travel there. But since it’s here in the Fae realm, and specifically within the Unseelie Court, I can watch over you and keep an eye out for any of the King’s tricks. Just … avoid getting killed. That’s one trial you won’t survive.”
“Because I’m a halfling,” I whispered.
Alec nodded.
“Alec, you’re scaring me.”
His hold on me tightened. “Youshouldbe scared, Vi. This isn’t a joke. I know I mess around a lot, but the King is really pushing it right now. This is life or death.”
“Okay.” I pulled out of his embrace. “Okay, I get it. I’ll be fine. I won’t let him win.”
5
VIOLET
I’d hardly slept in days, and last night was no better. When Rosemary pulled back the drapes and morning sunrise streamed into my bedroom, I groaned and covered my face with the pillow. The day dawned too soon. I felt my doom inching closer with each spritely chirp of the birds outside.
