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Flapping the linen napkin open, I laid it across my lap, brushing out the wrinkles while we looked at one another expectantly. Nervous.
Kelvin, of course, was the first to dig in, helping himself to a large scoop of beans and then a thick slab of steak. It wasn’t long before everyone had their plates full, stacked high with various dishes and glasses half empty. Except mine. My porcelain plate remained unsullied.
Prince Bowen’s mouth twitched, his brown eyes latching onto mine. “Don’t be modest, Elowyn. You all have earned this. Please, try the wine, it’s delicious.” He motioned a finger at my glass.
The stars above knew how hungry I was, and I didn’t want to be rude, yet I found myself hesitant to accept their generosity. Would the consequences of rejecting their kindness be worse?
I thumbed the ring on my finger and grabbed the stem, held the rim to my nose, and sniffed. Here goes nothing, I thought. With a silent prayer, I tipped the glass, letting the contents dribble between my lips and suppressing a moan, savoring its rich, dense flavor.
My chest warmed, and I sunk into my seat, taking another sip.
And another.
And another until it was gone. I craved more—as if I hadn’t known how thirsty I was until I’d tasted the wine.
“Tell us, humans,” Prince Bowen began, lacing his fingers behind his head. “How does it feel to eat like the filth you favor?”
King Harkin choked on his wine. “Now, Bowen, don’t spoil their treat just yet.” He dabbed the napkin against his mouth. “What I think he meant to ask is if you are enjoying yourselves?”
Aeron shook with laughter. “If this is how filth eats, then I’m an uncultured swine.”
The king and prince smiled widely, pleased with his reply, and puffed out their chests.
Unable to ignore the gnawing hunger clawing at my stomach, I stabbed a fork into the fatty part of the ham and carved off a thick piece. Along with some turkey and peas and bread, anything else I could get my hands on. I loaded my plate until the white porcelain was no longer visible, and when there was no more room, I piled food on top of what I already had. Kindness wasn’t something they showed often, so I might as well enjoy myself while it was being offered, right?
Every manner my mother had taught me flew out the window as I stabbed my fork into the salad—the tangy vinegar dressing made my taste buds scream in delight—and I funneled as much as I could into my mouth. A little bit of meat. Some veggies. A slice of chocolate cake. There was no rhyme or reason to what I ate, only that I couldn’t get enough.
Kelvin looked as mad as I felt with gravy-stained lips and sauce-coated fingers. The raging fire had sweat dripping from his brow, and greasy fingers smeared debris across his forehead as he wiped at it.
Placing my fork on top of my now empty plate, I discreetly burped into the napkin, releasing the pressure in my stomach. My wine glass refilled on its own as if it knew I needed to clean my palate before diving in for seconds, and I gulped it down as quickly as I did the first time.
My stomach screamed for more.
More.
More.
King Harkin drummed his fingers on the table, filling the silence between the clatter of the silverware. “It’s truly remarkable, isn’t it?” he said to Prince Bowen. “Humans are fascinatingly indulgent creatures. They never fail to meet my expectations of them.”
“And they think we’re the superfluous ones.”
I shook my head, dismissing their passive-aggressive remarks, and reached over the table to grab another spoonful of veggies when Aeron snatched the spoon from my grip.
My jaw opened on a hinge, and I turned to face him. “What the fuck? You just ripped that from my hand!”
“Oh, quit your bitching. There’re a hundred other things to pick from.” He shrugged, splattering the veggies onto this plate. “Just get something else.”
“You get something else.” I reached over the table and snatched the veggies off his plate with my hand and shoved them into my mouth. No utensil—licking my fingers clean.
He snarled as he snatched the bread off my plate and took a bite.
“What’s your problem?” I snarled.
“You’re my problem!” Crumbs sputtered from his mouth as he talked, landing on my cheek.
I leaned back and wiped my face.
“You think you’re better than everyone else because you’ve won a few trials. Get over yourself. I think sharing your food is the least you can do.”
