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“I know. That’s why I was doing a bit of snooping before I said anything.”
“But if you’re right, the king will execute Filo on the spot. If he truly is a traitor, we need to eliminate the spy before any more of our information is leaked to the dark court.”
“Does that mean you’ll help me?” I asked eagerly.
“You know I have nothing better to do, why not? Let’s just try not to get ourselves killed. Now, about the Lyklor situation back in the hall there?”
I rolled my eyes. “He approached me last night and gave me an update on Lily. Don’t ask me why or how he knew about my connection to her, because I really have no clue. He’s a clever bastard, I’ll give him that.”
“He must be trying to gain favor with you to get to Gaelin somehow. Did you tell Gaelin?”
“No, he was asleep when I got back to the room. Plus, I think he would flip if he knew he talked to me alone.”
“You’re right about that. And please don’t make me remind you what happens if anyone else sees you two alone together. I’d rather not have to find a new best friend.”
I couldn’t stop myself from grinning. “Awe, a human, your best friend? I am touched.”
“You’re not completely human so there’s that, but that’s not the point. Don’t be stupid. Stay away from him. He’s after something.” Levos stood for a moment in silence, thinking to himself.
I thought back to the comment about my father. I wanted to tell him, but I couldn’t. Not yet. Not when I didn’t even know if it was true or not.
“If Filo did make a deal with the dark court,” said Levos, “there would be a contract. He isn’t stupid. He wouldn’t trust them out of the kindness of his heart. A blood bond would have been made, which means there must be a paper contract hidden somewhere in his chambers. We’ll have to find a way to get in. Maybe at dinner I’d have time, but I’d need a distraction. Something that would hold everyone’s attention.”
I thought for a moment of a way I could help the plan. I was limited, but I still had a card to play. Alfar loved nothing more than to see humans in pain, right?
“What is the punishment for looking at Gaelin in public in Princess Daealla’s presence?” I asked.
Levos cocked his head to the side, probably trying to figure out if I was serious.
I walked into the throne room for dinner and took my normal place against the wall, keeping my head down and eyes to the floor. The lords and ladies of the light court entered, followed by our dark alfar guests. Erendrial sat at the table closest to the royals. He faced the wall of humans but didn’t glance at any of us. The royals came in last, including Gaelin.
Pitchers and food trays were brought out for us to serve the alfar. I took a ceramic jug of wine and held it close to my chest. My breath trembled and my heart raced. As soon as everyone took their seats, we were signaled to begin making our rounds. The alfar chattered among themselves quietly, making small talk as their dinner and wine were placed in front of them.
I moved to the royal table even though that wasn’t the table I had been assigned to serve. I pushed past the other human girl who was headed their way and began filling the king’s goblet first. I moved to the queen and then Princess Daealla. She stared directly at me with the fire of jealousy I had come to recognize behind her eyes. I took a deep breath and moved to Gaelin’s goblet.
My hand was trembling as I felt his eyes on me. I allowed the wine to trickle from my pitcher to his cup. I felt sick, but this had to be done. I slowly raised my head to his, locking our eyes across the table. His eyes widened in terror as he searched my face to figure out what in the hell I was doing. I locked my eyes on him, pulling the pitcher away from his glass. My head was held high, my shoulders were taunt, and my back was straight.
Gaelin angrily mouthed for me to bow my head, but I did no such thing. Princess Daealla turned to me slowly, baffled by my direct insult. I saw a small smile stretch across her lips. Gaelin tensed, dropping his head in panic.
“Father,” said Daealla proudly to the king, “it looks like we are going to have another form of entertainment this evening.” I waited a moment, long enough in hopes that the king would notice me before finally releasing my gaze, allowing it to fall to the ground.
“Lord Atros, your concubine knows the expectations of her station, does she not?” asked King Lysanthier.
Gaelin glanced up to me, still scowling. “She does,” he muttered.
“Well then, it looks like we are going to have to reprimand her for her direct disobedience and disrespect. Guards, please restrain Lord Atros’s mistress,” barked the king.
Daealla leaned over to her father, whispering something into his ear. He nodded as she took her leave from the table. Two guards grabbed each of my arms, turning me to face the court. The king stood from his seat as the room quieted.
“Tonight, we will have a demonstration of what happens when you disobey even the simplest law. No matter your station, no matter your responsibilities, humans are not and will never be our equal.” He turned to the wall where the humans stood in a line. “Your race is beneath us. You are here only to serve us as we command it. This human has dared to disrespect the future queen of the light. For that, she will be punished.”
I looked around the room. No one seemed to care that I was about to be punished for a simple glance. Some of the light alfar even smiled and gawked at me as if I deserved what was coming. I looked to the dark alfar. Erendrial and his companions sat stone-faced and gave no reaction to the situation.
Filo appeared from the back of the room carrying an iron hammer. I inhaled deeply, anticipating the pain I was about to endure. The king sat as the other two guards turned me back to face Gaelin. One of them pulled my left hand from my side, spreading my fingers across the white tablecloth directly in front of Gaelin. I was shaking in terror, trying to pull back only out of instinct, but I was trapped.
Filo brought the hammer to the table, hovering it over my left hand. “This is going to hurt,” Filo whispered in my ear.
I looked up at him and saw his sadistic smile. I focused on it, knowing he was the reason I was in this position. I looked to Gaelin, expecting him to do something, anything, but he just sat there with his face turned away from me as his whole body tensed. How could someone watch the person they claimed to love suffer? A small tear escaped my eye as I bent my head, no longer able to look at him.