Page 52 of A Fate of Ice and Lies
“I have a list of all the stolen goods here,” the fae holding the whip said.
I took the sheet of paper from his extended hand, and after folding it, I put it in my pocket.
“I’d like to hear it from Javier,” I told him and the silent crowd.
The boy swallowed hard, making his throat bob. “An apple.” His voice shook, but he kept his eyes trained on mine. “Two bananas, four strawberries, and three potatoes.”
I nodded, pushing down the bile that rose to my throat. This boy would receive ten lashings for something so small. For food that would barely sustain him.
“Why did you steal these items?” I asked.
“My sisters are sick.” On a hiccup, he ran the back of his hand under his nose. “The rations we get aren’t enough. They’re starving, s-sir, and I didn’t think anyone would miss the food I took.”
“What of your parents?” I asked, scanning the crowd. “Are they here to speak on your behalf?”
If anyone should be beaten, it was them for allowing this child to take on the responsibility of his sisters.
He bit down on his bottom lip, the grip on his arm tightening. “They’re dead.”
A fierce wave of anguish swarmed me, but it was nothing compared to the storms brewing behind this male’s eyes.
“I can’t let my sisters die too.”
Nor would I let them. “You can’t take more than your rations, either. Are you the eldest of your siblings?”
He nodded.
“You are a brave warrior, young Javier,” I told him. “I am sorry for the loss of your parents. If you need more food, then you will work for it.”
“Elias,” my uncle growled.
The strength of his menacing presence pushed down on me, and I had to fight my body from cowering. While he was the commander and leader of the human realm, he did not hold authority over me. Regardless of the fact that my title as prince was stripped from me, I remained the sole child of the king and queen of Niev.
Muscles straining from the desire to submit, I turned my head to glare at my uncle. His eyes darkened in challenge until nothing remained but a pair of black orbs. Not wanting to frighten Javier, I suppressed my primal instincts and fought my body so my eyes wouldn’t change, nor would my canines lengthen.
Once I was in control of myself, I faced Javier. Speaking low so only his human ears could hear me, I said, “I will assess the rations you already receive, and you will work for whatever extra I deem necessary. Do you agree?”
“Yes, sir,” he replied, chancing a quick look at Uncle Hudson, who I was sure was glowering at us.
Javier seemed to shrink further into himself, so I shifted my body enough to block my uncle from his view.
“There are consequences to stealing,” I continued. “Do you understand?”
He blinked a few times, and although his eyes continued to shimmer, he didn’t release a single teardrop again. “Lashings.” He nodded. “I’ll take my punishment.”
“Brave, indeed.” I paused, putting a hand on his shoulder and squeezing in reassurance. “How did your parents die?”
He sucked in a sharp breath, and when he spoke again, his voice wobbled. “My mom was sick for a long time. Cancer.” He chewed on his bottom lip. “My dad. . .” He coughed to clear his throat. “He was killed at the food bank the night the endless winter came.”
While I kept my features neutral, I turned to Nalari, who remained beside Uncle Hudson’s Guardian.
“Nalari, can you please relay a message to Sama to tell my uncle?”I asked.
She blinked.“Very well.”
“The man who I had killed at Teddy’s store was this boy’s father.”I paused.“I killed him. His mother is dead, and this boy is left to fend for himself and his sisters.”
I waited while Nalari and Uncle Hudson’s Guardian exchanged words.
