As my thoughtsrunwide, Nicholas stopsin front of two more guards.Theystandon either side of an ornate door.The carvings in the woodarebeautiful, andwereI not torn over what to do, I would’ve studied them in great detail.
Instead, I face my new brother-in-law.My chin up.My back straight.
Itryto ignore the hammering of my heart.
I swallow past my suddenly dry throat.
What if Richardis, in fact, a monster?
But not, like, a cute one like Hyatt.Not a misunderstood ball of fluff.But anactualmonster.
Before Icanspeak,Nicholaspullsme inside and shutsthe door behind us.
“We don’t eat children,” hesaysas he walksaround the room, glancingaroundthe furniture as if he’slooking for something.
Relief floodsme.Then Ishakemy head, remembering all thenightmarish tales whispered throughout ourtown.“Yes, you do.Everyone knows –”
“No.We really don’t.”He pokeshis head through the open door of the bathroom.
“But everyone says –”
“They’re just stories.Morbid exaggerations told by our enemies.Some spread by us as a fear tactic.”He passesunder the archway leading into the bedroom.“If people are too afraid to fight, that’s better for us.Less deaths.”
I frown as I follow him, not sure what to believe.Fabia seemsabsolutely convinced he’sa monster.And sheismy best friend.She’salways been there for me.She’salways done what’sbest for me.She might not be a perfect brownie and, truth be told, she frustratesme from time to time, but she’sa goodsoul.With a good heart.I trust her completely.
“So what happened at the Feast of Kulther then if you didn’t eat them?It’s said you could smell burning fleshall throughout the forest.”
After checking under the bed,Nicholasturnsto face me.“Yeah… no, we burned them.We just didn’t eat them.”
My mouthfallsopen.My brain scrambles.“How is that any better?”
“Well, eating them would make us cannibals.There are a few that dabble in that, but most of us don’t.”
“Dabble?How do you dabble in cannibalism?”
He shrugs.“Same way you dabble in gay sex.If it’s just the tip, you’re still straight.”
I blink, not knowing what to say to that.
“So this is your suite,” hesays, gesturingan arm around the room.“As youcan see, there’s a bathroom, bedroom, and lounge area.If you want food, just ring the bell by the door.If you want to go anywhere, one of the guards outside will accompany you.”
He walkspast measmy mind strugglesto catch up.Turning, I chase after him.“Wait!What about the Massacre of Yanaho?Did Richard really kill all the children?”
He pauseswith one hand on the door.“Of course not.”
I exhale in relief.
“That would’ve been a waste of good labour.”
Stepping outside, he closesthe door behind him.
Nineteen
To kill a member of the Court is to commit an act of treason.
Fuck semantics.-KingRichard
“You killed my nieces.”
