Chapter 10

SLAVE TO THE PAST

 

 

 

"I am the Prince of War. I do not 'lighten up'."

—Fenris Vane

 

Daison makes a remarkable recovery, and though it takes a few days, Kayla stops eyeing me with a worried frown, as if I might shout her secret from the rooftops at any moment.

I'm not telling anyone.

Not even Fen.

When he asks about our dress shopping that night, I admit we didn't get around to it.

"She got busy at the forge," I say. "All those swords you need. For that war you won't tell me about."

He huffs at that. "We just need to be prepared for all eventualities."

The distance between us is growing, and I'm not sure what to do about it. We have breakfast and dinner together every day. We train every morning. But there's a wall between us, one he keeps adding to each time he turns away from my gaze, or pulls away from my touch.

"I will call Asher. He can help you with your gown. That man spends far too much time watching fashion reality television when we are in your world. It's not natural."

I nearly choke on the apple I'm eating. "I'm just trying to picture him glued to your big screen screaming at the television when the wrong person wins," I say, smiling.

"That's about the whole of it," Fen says seriously.

"And to think, he acted like he'd never heard of reality television when we first met," I say, thinking back to the day I found out about all of this.

Fen smirks. "He is quite attached. It is his secret shame, I think. If he were not a prince of hell and vampire condemned to the darkness of your world, I do believe he would make a career of it."

"He does have good taste," I say. "If you like that kind of thing," I add, when Fen raises an eyebrow at me. "Your leather and cotton look has its own kind of charm. More Viking than GQ, but there's a market for that," I assure him.

I almost see a flicker of a smile on his lips before we are interrupted by a soldier who requires Fen's attention on the training field.

Fen excuses himself and Baron stays with me as I finish my dinner in silence.

The next day, Asher shows up with an entourage carrying silks and satins in all shades. "Darling, I have been informed you are in crisis mode and are in need of a dress. I am here to save you."

I smile at the absurdity of him, but I let him direct the circus of people he's brought. Under his direction, red and white material is chosen, and Asher instructs his servants on how to design the gown in such a way as to flaunt my best features. They take measurements of every inch of my body, then rush out with orders to make haste sewing.

When I ask Asher about this presenting I'll be attending, he shrugs. "I, unfortunately, was called away on business when the Council met about this. We will both be surprised, no doubt. I'm guessing formal cocktail hour at High Castle, with you as the guest of honor. You'll be dashing, I assure you."

I'm still nervous about the whole ordeal, but how bad could it be? I've found my footing here, and I do want to meet the rest of the princes. I walk Asher out of the castle and through Stonehill, enjoying a few minutes without work.

"You look well," he acknowledges as we approach the gate. "This life is agreeing with you."

"Thank you," I say. "I'm finding ways of staying busy."

He smiles, and his attractiveness is not lost on me, but neither does it make my knees shake. I know who I have to blame for that, thank you very much.

"I've heard the people speaking of you in hushed admiration," he says. "They like you. A lot. The vampires, the Shade, even the slaves. I don't think any of us were expecting that."

I cock my head. "Did you expect I would be horrible and hated?"

He grins. "Not exactly. We just didn't realize you would have everyone falling in love with you so quickly."

"Surely not everyone," I say, thinking of Fen and the way he pulls his hands away from me when he finds them lingering too long during our training.

Asher winks at me before walking away. "You might be surprised, Princess."

 

***

 

That day Kayla steals me away from the forge and we travel through Stonehill on a quest. Well, at least I call it a quest. Kayla rolls her eyes. "You'll need proper jewelry for this little party the princes are planning. Daison is manning my booth at the moment. We'll find you something perfect to match your gown."

Stonehill is deceptively large. At first glance, because of the mountains surrounding it, perhaps, it seems quaint. Charming. And it is, but it's more expansive than I realized. The very wealthy and well-connected vampire lords live in large manors built into the mountains, their roofs often displaying elaborate gardens and sculptures. Most of the Shade live in small clusters of modest thatch housing spotted with flower beds and potted plants. Each district has its own name and personality, though I am still trying to remember them all. There is Centerhill, the commerce district, full of shops and street-side booths. So far, it's the most flavorful and exciting. It's where Kayla leads me now.

Her booth is well-positioned near the city center. Trees sway in the wind and the land smells sweet from an overnight rainfall that left everything with a watery sheen under the struggling sun. We walk to Kayla's booth and Daison smiles at us, his cheeks turning red. I do hope one day he will feel more comfortable with me.

"Daison, bring out my best jewelry. Particularly the rubies. We need something special for Ari."

Daison nods and pulls out a small box tied in soft suede. Kayla opens it and exposes white, yellow and rose gold necklaces with different precious stones designed into them. I try on a ruby and diamond necklace that would work well with the fabric and style of dress Asher chose for me. "What do you think—"

"Slave sale! Slave sale!" Two Shade children run past yelling.

Kayla frowns, and we both turn to the city center. It's surrounded by trees with a platform in the middle for public presentations and performances and benches for sitting. Already a large crowd has gathered, and on the stage stand five Fae shackled to each other. They are all women who look young and scared. Except for the middle girl. She doesn't look mad, she looks pissed and ready to spit in the face of anyone who comes close. She's got bruises and scratch marks all over her pale body. My guess is she's already put up a fight at least once.

A tall man dressed in fine red fabrics and meticulously styled stands on the stage. He is a vampire and commanding in his presence. There are guards everywhere, but I don't recognize any of them from Fen's people. They don't wear Fen's colors either.

"Who are the guards?" I ask.

"They belong to a wealthy family in the Time Pool district."

The man begins to speak, and the crowd quiets to listen. "My brother, Lord Tylin, recently died in our constant war against the rebels of the Outlands, the Fae anomalies who would try to claim our world. He leaves behind these five slaves, captured as spoils of war."

Kayla shakes her head. "His brother didn't die in war. He died in a bar fight against a Shade. That Shade was hanged quietly and without a trial even though Tylin initiated the fight. This whole thing is a farce."

"Can't Fen do something?" I ask.

"Fen is a good man, but he is myopic in his focus. He has no idea what's going on in his realm. His sole focus is war."

The bidding begins, and many wealthy looking men and women raise the bid. There is one man, a vampire in the back with white hair and cold eyes, who keeps upping the bid. He makes my skin crawl, though he hasn't noticed me. I have no idea what my plan is, or why I do what I do, but I step forward and offer the highest bid I can think of for the girls.

Kayla stares at me, shocked. Everyone in the crowd looks at me. I want to retreat and hide, but I've made my stance and I can't back down now. "I wish to buy all five girls," I declare to everyone.

The soldiers prowling the crowds walk over to me, menacingly. Kayla pulls her sword out and holds it at her side. I wish I had a sword, but I console myself with the dagger I have at my hip.

Baron bares his teeth at the guards and Kayla pushes herself close to one of them, raising her blade. "Do you dare threaten your future Queen?"

The man at the podium whistles, and they all stand down.

"Why is everyone acting so strange?" I whisper to Kayla.

"Because that man with the white hair is a prince of hell, and you just challenged him," she says quietly. "Likely he had a deal already made with Tylin's brother to buy the slaves at a discount in exchange for a favor."

I look at the man again, and this time he does notice me. His face is hard, and I get the impression he would attack me on the spot if not for everyone around us.

"Which prince is he?"

"Levi, Prince of Envy," she says. "Be careful of him."

Levi outbids me, and I counter. I've been studying Fen's financials and his realm's affairs for a few weeks now, and I feel like I have a good handle on what he can afford. We've got this. I hope.

Levi finally stops bidding, and I am declared the new owner of the girls. I command my own guards, Marco and Roco, to escort the girls back to the castle safely, and to arrange for Kara and Julian to care for them. Marco argues with me, but I insist I'll be fine without him, and Kayla promises she and Baron will keep me safe, so he finally, reluctantly agrees.

The crowd disperses and I take a deep breath, adrenaline still pulsing through me. "Does that happen often?"

"When there are new prisoners of war taken, which happens fairly often, or when someone of nobility dies, which happens much less often," she says. "Vampires aren't easy to kill, but it is possible. Fae aren't too easy to kill either, for that matter."

"And Shade?" I ask.

"In some ways, we're the hardest to kill of all." She winks at me and I smile, but it fades quickly when I think about what we just witnessed.

"How can you stand it, seeing your own people auctioned off like cattle?" I don't mean for my question to sound judgmental, but she snaps back anyway.

"They aren't my people. The Fae hate Shades. They would kill all vampires, half my blood family, if they could. My mother was Fae, yes. She spent her days washing floors on her knees and her nights with men she despised. She never fought for herself. For her family. She was weak. I can't be weak. I don't fit into either world, but at least here, with Fen, I am accepted and given a place of respect. That wouldn't be true in the Outlands, or anywhere else. So I take what I can, and I do my best to live my life with some manner of peace."

I don't know what to say, so I say nothing. Instead, I lay my hand on hers and squeeze. It's a silent show of support. A way to say that even though I am confused and conflicted about the rules of this world, I still care about her and accept her as she is. It's the best I can do, but it seems to be enough.

We return to the booth, and I select a ruby necklace lined with silver and diamonds. Then we head back to the forge, and as the day progresses, I notice a subtle shift in my relationship with Kayla. I'm no longer assigned to sweeping floors and putting away tools. It's as if I've somehow proven myself to her.

She finally begins to teach me the craft of blacksmithing. "You'll start with your first sword," she says. "I'll help you make it, from beginning to end. It's the only way to learn."

And so we start with iron, and turn it into steel. And the process begins. A true alchemy. Like the iron, I am becoming something new. Something I don't quite understand.

I have felt it for a few weeks now, but haven't had the words to articulate it. There's something in me pushing to be free. A raw power, trapped by training, by my world, by my past. But I am growing. I am shaping my body and mind just as surely as I'm shaping my sword from steel. Soon, I will become something new.

 

***

 

That night over dinner, Fen waits for me to broach the subject of the slaves I acquired. "I assume you've heard," I say, sipping my drink and watching his body language across the table.

He stares at his dinner as he talks. "Indeed. I think all the realms have heard at this point."

"I take it Levi isn't happy?"

Fen snorts. "Levi is never happy. It's a byproduct of his curse. I do think envy is the worst of all the seven sins. To never be content with what you have. To always covet what others possess. Miserable way to live."

"Are you angry?"

Finally, he looks up at me, his piercing blue eyes holding mine. "Should I be?"

I shrug. "I have no idea. You don't share much these days."

"I am not mad, Arianna. I admire what you're trying to do. But you must know, you can't save them all. That's not the way this world works. There's more to our history than you understand."

I bristle at that. "I've been doing my research. Kal has been helping me understand."

He shakes his head. "You can research the history of this world, but you can't know what I lived through. You can't know through words what I have learned through blood."

I exhale at that, my body slumping in my chair. "I have to try, Fen. I have to at least try to help the people who need it."

For the first time in weeks he reaches his hand out to mine and holds it in his. The warmth and strength of him pulses through me, and my fingers run over the raised demon mark on his wrist, memorizing the curves and patterns. His curse. His duty.

A heavy silence fills the space between us, connects us together in a palpable way. I breathe him in, feel his pulse, revel in all the unspoken words between us. There's so much I want to say. So much I want him to understand, and so much I want to know.

I'm about to try, about to open my mouth, and my heart, and tell him what I'm feeling, when a young man bursts into the dining area. He bows, then hands Fen a parchment sealed in wax. "I was told to deliver this to you immediately, Your Highness."

"Thank you," I tell the messenger. "Ask our cook to get you something to eat and drink before you head out."

He bows to me, mumbles a thank you and leaves us.

Fen reads the letter quickly, frowning deeply. When he's done, he stands abruptly and curses.

"What's wrong?" I ask, standing as well. Baron leaps to his feet with us, ears perked, teeth bared, ready to fight whatever is making his master angry.

"You must have really pissed Levi off. He's insisting I bring you to High Castle tonight to meet the princes."

"But that wasn't supposed to happen for another week. I don't even have my dress yet."

"Asher had it delivered this afternoon. It's in your room."

"It's so late," I argue. This doesn't feel right, but I'm not sure why.

"We have to go. The Council decided it."

"Why are you never there when they decide things about me?" I ask.

"Because I'm never informed until after the fact." He practically growls, and I can tell his temper is tethered by a string.

"Doesn't that seem fishy to you?"

"It does. But you will be safe. Levi wouldn't dare make a play at you with everyone there."

I nod. "I'll go get ready."

 

***

 

I bathe in the waterfall shower, then Kara and Julian brush out and dry my hair and help me dress. I wear the necklace Kayla loaned me, and when I look in the mirror, I have to admit I look like a princess. I smile. "Thank you, ladies."

They both curtsy.

I turn to them. "I haven't had a chance to talk to you about the slaves I bought today. I want them treated well. Please make sure they have comfortable jobs they enjoy and are under the care of people you trust."

Julian nods. "We will."

"I'll check in on them when all this is done."

As a last measure, I strap my dagger to my inner thigh. Just in case.

I meet Fen downstairs, at the entrance of the castle. He's dressed nicer than I've ever seen him, in a black vest with gold buttons and a red shirt beneath. "Did you borrow that from Asher?" I ask with a teasing smile.

He narrows his eyes at me. "No. I do know how to dress appropriately for an occasion."

"You look good," I say. "But I prefer you in leather."

I wink at him and straighten the lapel of his coat. Our bodies are close.  This time, we're not holding swords; he's not teaching me to kill someone. This time it's just us, so I press closer. He holds my hand, pressing it tight against his chest.

"I have something for you," he says.

I step back as he pulls out a small leather pouch from his pocket and hands it to me. "I commissioned Kayla to make it."

When I open the pouch, tears burn my eyes. Inside, lies a white gold ring with a Shooting Star Crystal in the center and beautiful root designs on the sides. I slip it on my middle finger and admire it. "Thank you," I whisper.

"You're welcome." He holds out his arm, and I slide mine into his as we walk through Stonehill to the boat that will take us to High Castle.

I know this is hard for him. Hard for us both. Why grow closer to someone who will leave you in less than a month?

But this ring is a reminder. There is something between us. And no matter what happens, I will always be grateful for Fenris Vane.

 

***

 

When we arrive, trailed by Marco and Roco, we are greeted by six armed guards. They escort us to the ballroom, where the floors glitter with gold and paintings of war cover the arching ceiling. More guards, clad in red and black armor, line the walls and doors.

"Whose men are these?" I ask Fen, clinging to his arm.

"Levi's," he says with a growl.

The ballroom is empty save for us and the guards. A raised platform carved from marble stands in the middle. One of the guards grabs my arm. "The princess must—"

Fen grabs the man's wrist, twisting it until the guard collapses to his knees. "You will not touch her," growls the prince.

"Of course. Apologies, Your Highness." He glances between Fen and me as he speaks, clearly unsure about which of us he should apologize to first. After a moment, Fen releases his grip.

The guard stands, cradling his limp wrist. "The princess must situate herself in the center." He points to the platform with his good arm.

Fen is about to argue, but I place a hand on him. "I'll be fine. Let's just get this over with."

I walk to the platform. Fen keeps Baron by his side. Once I'm 'situated', the floating lights in the ballroom flicker off, and we are left in complete darkness. A bright yellow sphere begins to glow ahead, blinding me. It's a spotlight, and I am the focus. I hear others enter the room, presumably the other princes, but I can't see them.

"What's this about, Levi?" Fen demands.

"It's just our way of getting to know the princess." His voice is cold and smooth like polished stone. "You've had her all to yourself long enough."

"Everyone will have their time with the princess," Asher says offhandedly. "No need to worry yourself."

"Says the man who has already met her," another voice says.

"Oh, Niam, has our brother here pulled you into another one of his sad conspiracy theories?" Asher asks. "You know Levi is always bitter, but you shouldn't let him get to you too."

"We just thought it best we all have a chance to talk to the princess," Niam says.

"She is quite the prize," another voice says. I recognize him from just one meeting. Dean, Prince of Lust. This time, my knees don't go weak.

"It seems curious that so many of us weren't invited to the recent Council meeting where so many of these decisions were made," says Asher, who seems the most level-headed right now. I'm pretty sure if Fen tried to talk, he'd just start fighting.

"What can we say," Levi says. "You've been awfully preoccupied with other endeavors of late, Asher. Where have you been disappearing to so often?"

"Some of us have real work to do," Asher says. "We can't just sit around all day wishing we had what our brothers have."

There's a thud. Then a groan, and then Asher laughs. I suspect Levi must have punched him. "Now, now, brothers," says a new voice. "We're here. The princess is here. Let's just get on with it, shall we? I have work to do and no time for this rot."

"Shut it, Ace," Levi spits. "You aren't in charge here."

Ace laughs. "Nor are you, dear Levi. And that rankles you, doesn't it?"

"What is the plan for our girl, here?" Asher asks.

Levi answers. "We have some questions for her first."

"Let's have at it then," Asher says. "What are your questions?"

I suck in my breath and exhale slowly, trying to calm my nerves. My legs shake and there's nowhere to sit. Whoever came up with this idea just lost their chance at the crown.

"What criteria will you take into consideration when choosing your mate?" Levi asks.

Just his voice makes me want to punch something. "For one thing, I'll consider if the prince in question is a complete ass who would treat a woman like an animal in a circus. Spoiler alert, that will not impress."

Fen barks a quick laugh and I smirk a little, knowing he'll see it.

I hear Niam's voice next. "So you have already developed opinions about princes you haven't met?"

"My opinions come from my direct experience of you. For some, that bodes well. For others, let's just say you're definitely making an impression, just not a favorable one."

The lights are hot and my throat is getting dry. A rivulet of sweat drips down my spine, making my skin itch. Someone clears their throat to ask another question, but I interrupt. "What is this about? Why are you guys behaving like spoiled toddlers fighting over a toy? Do you really think this will impress me? It's my understanding that—"

"You don't speak to a prince like that!" Levi roars.

"And you don't speak to the princess and future Queen like that," Fen says in his deep, gravelly voice.

"I thought you didn't want to be involved," Niam says. "Seems like you're pretty invested in it now."

"Enough!" Levi says. "It's clear we won't get more answers from her. It's time for the revealing."

I stiffen. His voice sounds lecherous and my stomach rolls. Dean smirks. "Sounds delightful."

Levi continues. "Princess, you are to undress and present yourself to us for examination. If you resist, the guards will be forced to finish the job."

"You bastard!" I scream.

Someone snaps. "Guards!" Four armored men approach me. I kick one in the knee. He stumbles back. Someone grabs me from behind. Hands pull at my dress. They tear away at my clothes.

Baron growls. He jumps into the light, knocking one of the men to the ground.

Tears burn my eyes. Not from sadness. From rage.

I grab the dagger from my inner thigh.

And stab a guard in the arm.

His grip loosens. But there are still two pairs of hands on me. They rip off what remains of my top. I slash at them, screaming and spitting. One of them grabs my wrist. He is strong. Too strong. My fingers ache. I drop the dagger.

And then he is there. Fen.

He grabs a guard by the throat and squeezes. The man's neck explodes with bits of blood and meat and bone. The other man stumbles back, pleading for his life. It is too late.

They have unleashed the Prince of War.

Fen leaps into the air. His knee slams into the man's head and sends him to the floor. The man groans in pain, his face a mangled mess of purple and red. His nose is caved in. Still, I recognize him. The guard who grabbed me earlier. Fen stands above him. "I told you not to touch her."

He slams his foot down into the man's face.

It shatters.

All goes silent. Red stains the marble platform. Bits of bone litter the floor.

Fen faces the light where the remaining princes sit. His hair is dark with blood, and he roars an inhuman war cry. "Does anyone else challenge me?"

Someone claps. "Impressive dear brother," says Levi. "No challenge. I will have my time with the princess." I see a shadow move in the darkness. It disappears through a door. Others follow.

Fen passes me what remains of my torn top, stained with crimson, and I cover my chest with the rags.

Asher steps into the light. "This is a fine mess we've gotten ourselves into," he says, looking down at a splash of blood that touched his sleeve. 

Fen reaches for me, ignoring his brother. "Are you hurt?"

I'm shaking, and it's hard to talk. "I don't know. Not badly, I don't think."

He embraces me, pulls me tight against his body. I can feel his heart beat frantically beneath his clothing. His muscles are tense and flexed under my hands. He is still ready for battle, but I can tell he's trying to calm himself.

When he steps away from me to address the brothers who remain, I realize I'm no longer shaking.

"I need to get her home." He turns to Asher. "You need to find out what Levi is thinking."

"It seems you've got the better end of this deal," Asher says. But he doesn't argue as Fen takes my hand and escorts me out.

 

***

 

Kara and Julian don't speak as they help me bathe and rub ointment into my bruises. When I'm in my nightgown I cross the hall to Fen's room and let myself in. He paces the room, bathed as well and dressed in fresh clothing.

When he sees me he crosses the room and wraps his arms around me. I fall into his touch. We speak no words. He carries me to bed and there, in the silence of night, he holds me. He holds me as I curse at the past and groan at the pain.

He holds me as I cry.