I'm reminded of the being that attacked Estela—she was so cold when I saw her. I had assumed it was because of the snow, but now I realize that even I had felt a chill.
As we move deeper into the tunnel, a strange, eerie mist swirls and dances around us like it's alive. The humans are right to be afraid.
We stay there for over an hour, searching. Waiting for the worst. When nothing happens, I turn back to them. "This is unusual, stay out of this section. Svanna, will you tell the others we need a council meeting? We cannot risk any accidents before we know what is happening.”
Svanna nods. "Of course, King Teo."
Unease continues to mount within me. Something is not right. And with so many to care for, including Estela, I cannot rest easy.
As we make our way back to the residential section, waves of panic wash through me. First, it was the threat of the giants, then we had the humans, which was promising until my mate tried to kill me. I was supposed to be worrying about the elves, but this is something much more immediate.
Chapter18
Ruby
ESTELA
Tall trees surround me. A bright orange sun is just sinking into the skyline, and the forest smells the same as it always has: sweet, wooden, and fresh. Since the slaves were sent back to our dens, it is as peaceful as can be expected on the night of the autumn feast.
The Giant Court is loud enough to filter all the way out here, but another year has passed, and the king's declaration for me not to be touched and for my brother to remain alive is still strong. They don't ask for me to join them at these parties.
My bare feet grip at the bare tree trunk while I climb higher, and higher, to reach a ball-like plant we slaves call 'hoja de bola'. Though it is poisonous to giants, it's Mikal's favorite breakfast, and my stash is running low.
I spot the bunch of yellow-orange leaves on one of the boughs and quickly snap it off before beginning my descent back down the tree.
Sweat trickles down my back as I navigate down the tree, my eyes scanning the ground below for anyone who could have seen me. After ensuring that the coast is clear, I run through the trees and around the fields, weary and sore.
Soon, it won’t matter and I will be able to sleep.
As I exit the field, I am surrounded by familiar dens, fenced-off areas where we sleep and store our meager belongings. I hurry to the hollowed out tree I carved out a few years back to stash my food.
That’s when a scream pierces the silence.
I see the head with blood-red hair peeking over the houses and freeze. Prince Keksej is there.
Not again.I had waited more than a month to go scavenging for thehojas de bola so that they wouldn't come looking for me.
Then the First Prince draws his hand back. A short whip with three tentacles flicks back in the air before coming down. This time, when the scream breaks out, I recognize Arlet's voice and start running.
"I will ask you again, where is she?" his voice echoes over the space.
“I don’t know,” she yells.
There’s a pause, and his head disappears. “You have such dirty nails. Let me help you clean them,” his voice rumbles.
Another scream pierces the air as I reach their location. Most slaves are huddled inside of their dens while she is tied to the whipping post in the center of the town. I push myself hard until I reach the clearing and see Arlet's torn clothing and the bruises already forming on her skin.
The prince holds up her bloody hand that now has one missing finger. She wails from pain, opening and closing her hand as if it could stop his blade.
“Stop!” I scream. “I am here! Let her go!”
I rush forward, quickly scanning the scene for Mikal, before my eyes glimpse Daniel trying to watch Arlet from his pitiful window.
Hatred flows for that man, watching a woman he claimed to love hurt over and over again. I rush forward so that they will see me.
It’s then that I realize Prince Rholker is here, because he stands, and I see the gashes on his arm. Brawling during the feast again, likely.
"Tiny flea," Prince Keksej says, forcing me to look back at him. He lets Arlet go as if she’d burned him and steps forward. I fall to my knees next to her.