She clapped her hands. From another door marched a variety of guards, who turned at-attention in unison. They were all brawny, tall, and armed to the teeth.
“Our guards are trained from the moment they are able to walk. All are skilled in both fighting and magic, and each one has taken a vow to lay their life down for any member of the monarchy should it be required. These Elves will fight to the death to defend you,” Elrye stated.
I surveyed the faces of the guards carefully. Each of them looked the same, and there was nothing distinguishable about any of them. “Those who’ve seen battle, step forward,” I said.
About half of the guards lined up before me. I tapped my fingers on the armrest of my wheelchair and asked, “Have any of you killed an angel?”
Only one guard emerged. I gestured for her to speak, and she said, “I have, princess. Only one, and he nearly killed me. But I harnessed my magic to drain his life-force energy, and used that power to end him.”
The guard was over six feet tall, and had layers of muscle. I figured she could stop a train coming toward her head-on and throw it in the other direction. She looked like somebody who could keep her mouth shut if shit went south, and even better, she was a woman. I wanted an all-female team, and if she had killed an angel, she was strong enough to defend me against nearly anything. “Perfect. I want you.”
“A fine choice. Eldin is at the top of her battalion,” Elrye replied.
The rest of the guards left the room, and Eldin went to stand guard beside my chair.
“Finally, you must decide on a lady-in-waiting. Your lady is different than your handmaiden, as she is required to be Elvish, and is more of a companion than a servant. She will keep you entertained, and accompany you to public engagements,” Elrye stated. “She is also responsible for arranging your schedule, and fulfilling any demand you may have of her.”
Elrye clasped her hands together. “If you had been born an Elf, and married Charlie among us, your lady-in-waiting would’ve been bonded to you after the ceremony, much like the prince is bonded to Edwyrd. But since you are an Elementai, a change is in order, and you must choose your own. For all these reasons we simplymustinsist that the lady you choose is of Elven blood, someone who knows our customs and can teach you about our way of life. A princess usually has several ladies, but since you wish to keep your court small, we shall keep it to one.”
I didn’t want to be bonded to anyone but Charlie and Oberi. This position sounded like a big deal, and honestly, I didn’t trust any random ass stranger with the job, although I would have to pick one.
“Choose carefully,” Kallie warned me. “My cousins were my ladies-in-waiting, and they were very valuable to me. You lady-in-waiting isn’t just a friend. She’s a tool, one you have to use effectively to retain control of the court.”
I looked to Elrye. “Who do you suggest?”
“In my opinion, I believe you should choose Abigail,” Elrye said.
At the name, another person entered the room. The girl was around our age, and had beautiful brown curls with big hazel eyes. I was surprised to see she used a wheelchair, like me.
When she wheeled before me, she shakily stood, and gave me a short bow. “Princess, my name is Abigail. I am an Elvish lady here at the court, and am an ambulatory wheelchair user.I retain the ability to walk and stand, although I can’t do so for long periods of time.”
I noticed her ears weren’t pointed. “You’re only half-Elf,” I stated. “What other supernatural heritage do you claim?”
“I am an angel. I am of the Taurus family— in fact, I am the sister of Esther Taurus, who I’m sure you’ve met,” Abigail said dryly.
Revulsion churned my insides. I wanted to puke up my breakfast. “You’re aTaurus? Why is she even here?” I demanded of Elrye. “She should be thrown out of the city! I want her out of here at once!”
I waspissed. The Elves had brought this girl in here because they’d thought we’d bond over being wheelchair users, but she was just another manipulator, and I didn’t want that in my court.
“I understand your reaction. It’s true that I am Esther’s sister, but there’s a long history between us,” Abigail said. “In truth, I am half-angel, half-Elf. Esther and I share the same father, but not the same mother.”
“Why do I care?” I spat. “Leave!”
“Please, allow me to explain,” Abigail said, and she slowly sank into her seat. “I would like you to understand my position.”
I was about to tell her to go to hell, but Kallie caught my gaze, and something in it said to let Abigail speak… even though all I wanted to do was to cut her throat. “Fine. But nothing you tell me is going to change my mind.”
“Very well. May I come join you for tea?”
I didn’t want her anywhere near me, but I felt Oberi prodding me through the bond.This could be an opportunity, she said gently.Keep in mind you’re in a royal court now, and this is how the game is played. Information is invaluable here, and if Abigail is a Taurus, she might have some.
I couldn’t let my personal feelings get in the way of gaining intel, so I said, “Sure. Whatever. State your case.”
“Thank you.” Abigail wheeled up beside me. She poured herself some tea, then took the cup and saucer in hand before she began to speak.
“Esther and I are around the same age. Our father had an affair with my mother before Esther was born. I am older, but only by a year,” Abigail explained. “My mother was an Elf living among the angels in secret. After the Elven genocide during the Great Supernatural War, my mother went into hiding in Celestial City. Her entire family had been slaughtered, and she believed that she was the only Elf that was still left alive. To hide her identity, she cut off the tips of her ears, and made them round in order to fit in amongst the angels. She was beautiful, and immortal, so they believed she was one of them.”
I wasn’t buying this story just yet. “Go on.”
