Page 101 of Wrath of the Fae

‘Daxon,’ sneers the king, still with the girl choking on him. ‘What do you want now?’

‘My King,’ repeats the man, bowing even lower still. ‘I have come once more to discuss the issues we are still facing with our lakes. My Lord, the fish are disappearing. The water is poison. As you know-’

The King suddenly winces and harshly pulls the young girl’s head back.

‘Teeth,’ he snarls. ‘Watch your teeth.’

She sobs quietly and nods before she is returned to her place.

‘I have told you before, Daxon,’ he groans. ‘The issue with your water supply is of no concern to me. If you are unhappy, may I suggest you find another water source?’

‘My king,’ he tries, taking a step towards him. ‘The balance of the great lakes and rivers is delicate. The fish are disappearing, and there are signs of ancient ones stirring in the depths-’

‘Nonsense. Your foolish superstitions are pathetic. If you are unhappy, leave your lakes and find something more suited. And if you come to me again with this, I will rethink your daughter's position. She is a beauty, and only through your continued cooperation has she been permitted to stay in your charge with that pathetic husband of hers. One more mention of this, I shall bring her to court, and she will be given to another lord. One more grateful and obliging to his King than you.’

Lord Daxon steps back with a bow before turning away.

As the older lord passes me, I step before him. He blinks a little in surprise to see me standing there.

‘Lady Rhea,’ he says quietly, offering the slightest bow of his head while checking to see who is watching.

‘What is happening to your lakes?’ I ask quietly.

Again, he glances around.

‘The fish are gone. Sickness claims any who drink from it.’ He steps closer, still cautiously watching the others. ‘And Fae are…’ He takes another glance around. ‘They are going missing. Signs of something coming from the water’s depth and claiming them are visible in the land surrounding the lakes and rivers. Drag marks. Blood.’

‘What is coming from the water?’

‘Something ancient, My Lady. Something evil.’

There’s a clatter and a series of jeers. A human male has dropped a tray of food. He barely gets the chance to pick it up before he’s grabbed. The soldiers laugh as they start kicking and punching the boy as he tries to protect himself. I go to help. Lord Daxon takes my elbow and stops me.

‘Do not, Princess Rhea. Or you will take his place.’

I look at him. He winces with each thud we hear.

‘Apologies. I am not supposed to call you that,’ he adds shamefully. ‘The King does hate it when we do.’ He leans in close and whispers in my ear. ‘Many of us remain loyal to your family.’

There is nothing but truth in his words.

He offers me a bow and leaves. I grab his arm.

‘I hear the Thirteenth Kingdom may be a safe place for you and your people to go,’ I tell him.

I release him as he looks on with confused curiosity and turns to watch the boy, now still and silent on the ground. A pool of blood grows around him. Two other humans pick him up and remove him, as a third cleans up the blood.

Daxon has left.

I feel sick with rage and look back to the throne where the King still has the poor girl on her knees.

And he’s looking right at me, watching me intently.

Those eyes look right into my soul, turning me cold.

He wags his finger, beckoning me forwards.

I do as he commands, knowing that my obedience is what is expected.

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