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July 19 - July 19, 2023
“And I am Vor, King of Mythanar, Lord Protector of the Under Realm.”
the Shadow King.
There’s something strange about that girl. Something . . . I cannot quite put my finger on it. Her gown is torn, her hair pulled down from her neat cap and veil, her face smudged with dirt. Yet she carries herself with such dignity, I would have guessed at her royal lineage without being told. But that’s not why I struggle to tear my gaze away from her. There’s something else. Something more. It’s as though, when I look at her, I can almost, almost hear a single note of sweet, sweet song. And as that note hums around her, it creates a radiant aura.
Now you’ve had a look into the human king’s larder, are you ready to make your selection? Or do you plan to taste a few more of his sweets before deciding which one to bite?”
“This is your fault,” I hear Theodre muttering furiously. He waves his arms in a grand but futile gesture. “You realize, I hope? If you’d married Orsan like you were meant to, Father never would have sent you to that gods-forsaken convent. There’d have been no need for me to come out all this way to fetch you home again. Gods above, it makes me sick to think of it! I hope you’re prepared to explain to Father exactly why good men died tonight.”
her eyes are two different colors: one blue, one gold.
Faraine!
“If I may be so bold,”
to ask about your gods-gift?”
“You may...
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“But you won’t tell me.”
“No.”
His favorite daughter. She’s not referring to herself. She means Ilsevel;
“All right. Fine. He’s beautiful. Stunningly beautiful, with a physique like a demigod, eyes like distant stars, and a voice so warm it would melt even a heart of stone.
You know, you’ve got a point. Best to make it seem like it was his idea to back out. Do you think you can smuggle a handful of pukeweed up here? If I take it at the right time, I’ll vomit during the reception tomorrow night. I’m sure I could aim for my prospective groom.” I give her a look. “Don’t tease, Ilsevel.”
everyone knows you’re the mature one, Fairie. I’m the spitfire; Aurae is the darling. And our other sister, the one no one talks about . . . she’s the devil.”
You marry him, then.”
King Vor of Mythanar, Lord Protector of the Under Realm,”
They took that boy’s brains and left him the prettiest oaf in the realm.
I almost miss her, for she is clad in a quiet gray gown with a white veil over her hair, her head bowed. As though feeling my gaze upon her, she looks up. Catches my eye for an instant. My heart makes a strange, juddering beat.
Now, Faraine,” Larongar says, pushing a step between me and her. “Don’t you bother the troll king.
Never mind her! She’s a strange one, that Faraine. We mostly don’t have her at court, but if Ilsevel wants her, what am I to do? It’s a rare day I can refuse my pretty poppet anything she desires! Surely you understand that already, eh, my boy?”
I. Hate. Him.
I try not to let myself look too closely at the Shadow King. But in truth, I find it difficult to tear my gaze away.
He smiles. But while his expression is warm, the intensity in his eyes makes my breath catch and heat flood my cheeks.
This is dangerous. After all, he’s come to my father’s house for a very specific purpose. I must take care to guard my heart.
The equals of men, you ask?”
A peculiar question. Are we not all trolde—both men and women alike? We cannot very well exist one without the other, so how could one be deemed superior to the other?”
never has it been said better my man
Are your human men strong enough to endure the hardship of birthing?”
CACKLING FUCK NO
How your human men may pretend they are stronger than their women. If they acknowledged what women endure simply to bring life into the world, they would necessarily have to adjust their thinking.”
You do not live at the convent because of your devotion to Nornala. You are the truth that must not be known.”
No, you’re not wrong. I am . . . It’s best for my father if I remain out of sight.”
Only weak men feel the need to hide such strength behind closed doors.”
SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK
Will you dance with me?” “Oh! But I couldn’t.” “And why not?”
but . . . but Ilsevel
My father’s gaze burns into the back of my skull, but I don’t have the courage to look his way.
I should never have agreed to this, should never have allowed any attention to be diverted from Ilsevel.
He looks both perplexed and faintly amused. “Princess?” he begins.
“Father, is this not exactly why we have opened our gates to the folk of Mythanar? To learn of their ways, both how they are similar to and how they differ from ours?”
Vor reaches for me. But Father is too quick. “None of that now!” he barks. “We need to find you a worthy partner for your athleticism. Ilsevel, my sweet! Come show our new friend how well you fly.”
I HATE HIM SO MUCH
Of our host, I think rather little.”
He is what I expected. I wouldn’t turn my back on him in the dark.
If it’s a hostage bride you need, we must be certain Larongar actually cares for her wellbeing.”
“A father would naturally care for his daughter.” “To be sure. But most fathers don’t seat their eldest daughters at the far end of the table, nearly out of sight. Or keep them shut away in convents far from court. Or constantly push the younger daughter to the forefront.”
You need to choose Ilsevel. Not Faraine.”
Gods above, I feel as though my skin is crawling with my spirit’s need to break free!
Troldefolk love the dark, but . . . well, I am not pure trolde blood. I carry human blood in me as well, so perhaps that is why I love the urz-va more.”
“If you take my sister as your bride, my father will honor his agreement.”
“My father does not love easily. But he loves Ilsevel.”
“Need I remind you, brother, that I myself am half-human?” “Yes, my king.” Sul grins, showing too many teeth. “And we have all forgiven you for this defect in your person as you so magnificently make up for it in all other respects.”
And that should give me ample time to get the image of her sister out of my head.
