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“My name is Felicity by the way. You’re Genevieve, right?”
I gave her another silent nod.
“Your kindness is unexpected. Especially because of the position you hold.”
“I didn’t choose this, just like you didn’t choose to be here,” I snapped at her.
“You’re right, you didn’t. I will make sure to tell the others about the kindness you showed my brother. Hopefully, that will make them ease up on you a bit. It’s the least I can do. Thank you again,” she said before taking a tray and moving into the crowd.
After the meal concluded, I left the dining hall before anyone could say another word to me. I got ready for bed and crawled under the cool crisp sheets, hoping to avoid an uncomfortable conversation with Gaelin. He came into the room an hour later and pulled a chair up to my side of the bed. I kept my eyes closed as he gently moved the loose curls from my face.
I opened my eyes slowly, looking at his face in the dim light. His white hair glistened in the candlelight. His yellow eyes looked tired and heavy. He pulled his hand away from me, dropping his eyes to the floor. We had left things unfinished the night before, but I didn’t know what to say to him.
“I’ve been thinking about how to make things right with you all day. I can’t seem to come up with a solution that will give you everything you deserve, but I think I have found a way to give you a part of the life you desire,” he said.
I sat up from the bed, looking at him intently. “What are you talking about?” I whispered.
He brought his eyes to mine and exhaled. “When I marry Daealla, I won’t be crowned king right away. In our society, if the female is the rightful heir, she remains in control and holds the majority of power until an heir is conceived. Once an heir is born, her husband is officially crowned king, diverting the power to him. After I give Daealla an heir, I will never touch her again, you have my word.
“I will then lift the law that condemns half-breeds to death. It will take time, but it can be done. I have Levos looking into the details and logistics of it as we speak. Once that is done you will not have to fear being found out. Then, in time if you still wish to have children, we can. They would have no claim to the throne, but they would be ours and we could be together.”
“You would do all of this…for me?” I asked, reeling from the thought of a free and safe life.
“I am limited, but at least I can give you something to live for,” he whispered.
I stared out at the balcony, not yet ready to look at him, trying to sift through everything he was offering. I cared for Gaelin, but I didn’t know if I loved him. Too much had happened. Though what he was offering was better than my current predicament, I would still be his mistress. I would still be a slave. I knew he was trying and for that, I did admire him. He was working with what he had. I knew the other alfar would rally against his proposal to remove the death order on half-breeds, but if he wasn’t certain it could be done, he wouldn’t have brought this to me.
Could I be happy with him? Even a small fraction of happiness was better than my current state. And children? Would they be in danger? Would he love them the way I always dreamed a father should love his children? But I would get the chance to be a mother. I would get a chance to raise a child with the love and nurturing my mother showed me. A small smile escaped at the thought.
“Does this make you happy?” He asked.
I turned to him, feeling a sense of warmth at the sight. “Thank you,” I said.
“I know it doesn’t make up for what happened last night. But it made me realize I never want to feel powerless in a position like that again.”
“I shouldn’t have been so hard on you. I knew what was going to happen and I knew you’d be unable to do anything about it. I don’t know why I expected a different outcome,” I said.
“Because human spouses protect each other. They fight for one another. Am I correct?”
I looked at him and nodded. “I guess I am still getting used to this new life and the way things actually are.”
He reached out, taking my hand in his softly. “I want to be able to protect you. To make you feel safe.”
I knew he meant well, and he may have actually believed what he was saying. He did care about me. At least, however much he was capable or allowed to care about me. I pulled him out of the chair, bringing him closer to the bed.
Whatever protection he could offer, I had to take it. I had to continue to play the game. I had to keep my feelings in check and my head clear. I would find a way out of here, but until then, I had to keep Gaelin happy. I had to make sure he trusted me. I could take small moments of happiness from this arrangement to keep myself going, even if they were all illusions of the life, I wished I could have.
“Thank you, for showing me how much you care,” I whispered, pressing my forehead against his.
He exhaled, letting the stress go from his body. His other hand swept through my hair. “How are your injuries?” he asked.
“Hand is feeling much better. The brand still burns. I can’t even bring myself to look at it,” I admitted.
“What did she whisper to you when she branded you,” he asked uncomfortably.
I pulled away, still able to hear her voice in my head. “She wanted to make sure that every time you looked at me. That every time you touched me, you’d be forced to think of her.”
He pulled me in closer to him until our eyes were locked together. “Not one single time have I thought of her when I’ve been with you. No mark is going to change that. I promise you,” he said with a soft smile.