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I drew a breath and stepped forward. I didn’t know what to expect, only that I wouldn’t give myself away easily. Every day I’ve been here, it has been instilled in me that it wouldn’t be safe for people to know my identity. These people were total strangers with sharp eyes. I knew the path ahead would be narrow. Standing ten feet away from the dais, I waited with that same smile fixed in place.

The Orprus’ blue ears folded inward as his thick fingers curled around his staff. His glacier eyes swept me with intent before speaking. “To be a friend of mine, I must know I can trust you.” His gaze skimmed to the Delatrus, who slipped behind the throne and returned with a rough-cut stone the color of emerald. He passed it to the Orprus, then resumed his place.

The Orprus turned the stone in his fingers, examining it first. It was a raw emerald jewel veined in blue and yellow. In the lamplight, rainbows scattered over his cobalt skin as it reflected. “How can I prove that? All I have is my word,” I said.

Smiling, the Orprus flashed a row of sharp teeth. It should have unsettled me, but I smiled back. “But is your word true?” he asked. “Is it iron solid and strong? Or is it pliable like gold? Some beautiful things break easily.” The stone spun again. “This will tell me.”

Tossing the gem in my direction, I jumped into the air to catch it. It was a rough patch of rock catching on my skin, but I let it settle in my palm. “How?”

The Orprus smile grew larger, his beard rising with the gesture. I had to pretend I didn’t feel the shiver go down my back as he spoke. “That is for me to know. Tell me who you are.” He lifted a brow, testing the waters. “Your scent is scrambled. Not hers,” he nodded toward the doors, “new blood clings to her. You are… other. And masked.”

Glancing down at the stone once more before I answered, I took a deep breath. How far was I going to be able to push this? I couldn’t just reveal who I was, and I couldn’t lie, but I couldn’t tell him my truth. I had many truths… not just one version of my life. Leaning into that thought, I found myself speaking slowly, “My name is Alexander, and… The woman outside is my adoptive mother. She’s raised me all my life. As for my blood…” I shrugged. “I’m still figuring that out.”

We all watched the stone to see if it would catch me in a lie, but it didn’t. The stone stayed its beautiful green, cool to its touch in my palm.

Feeling a little confident in my answer, I added. “When I figure it out, you’ll be the first to know. But I need to know I can trust you.” The gem pulsed faintly blue, a cool wash through my skin, then faded. “I know this is your kingdom, Your Highness. Your discretion now will serve you well in the future.”

Both of them watched the stone flicker between blue and green until it faded back green. The Orprus expression was unreadable at first until a small chuckle rose from his throat. Nothing was amusing about it, though. “So,” he said, tilting his head, “you’re not planning to tell me your family?”

He could see in my eyes that I wouldn’t let that information go easily. Shaking my head, I answered. “I’ll tell you what you need to know. I can only give that to you when I know I’m safe. When my party is safe. Most importantly, I want you to be safe. I can only have that with full deniability that I was ever here.” The gem flashed green at my omission. It pulsed warm against my skin as it thrummed.

His ears twitched, suspicion sharpening as he took every word to heart. I could see his mind turning with every sentence I let escape. “Why would I need to deny you were here? Is someone searching for you, boy?”

I didn’t catch what I said at the time as a tell, but his questions were now getting too pointed. There were many versions of this question that would have been a yes. But were they really my truth? I had only just found out about them, so they were another version of my burden. “Everyone who knows about me already knows what matters. And the ones I don’t want to know. Don’t.” It wasn’t a direct answer, but it was enough that the emerald light poured from the stone. “So no,” I added slowly, “no one is searching for me.” Another half-truth. My face stayed calm; the gem flickered between blue and green.

There was a quiet that passed between the three of us as they studied me. From the way the stone couldn’t land a color, I knew their suspicion was rising. When the Orprus finally spoke, I was surprised he actually considered my words. “And how, Sir Alexander, does it benefit me to keep your secrets?”

I didn’t know what came over my tongue, but my next words were risky if they didn’t land. I had a feeling they would, so I took the chance. “If you keep mine, I’ll keep yours. I’d never want anyone to find one of your entrances. And frankly… it wasn’t that hard to stumble across it.” Valentina had said the elves were a half-forgotten fable; attention would not be kind. “My secrets, Your Grace, are as dangerous as yours.”

For the first time in our meeting, his attention was sterned. His ears snapped to the sky as his tone grew cold. “Are you threatening me?”

I shook my head, not wanting him to take offense. He wasn’t seeing the bigger picture. He was only seeing it from the frame of a foe. I didn’t want to be his enemy. “I don’t think it’s a threat if we both understand we need one another. You asked if I’m your friend. I’m offering my hand. Take it. Or don’t.” I let my smile return. “Either way, may I ask… can we leave at dawn?”

The Orprus glanced at the Delatrus, then sighed. “I will humor you for the night. When the sun shows its face, you and your women will leave.” His voice was iron as he spoke. “Since I am so gracious,” he added, eyeing the gem, “you owe me one truth.”

I tilted my head. “What would you like to know?”

“How old are you?” the Orprus asked lightly, but his eyes never left the gem in my palm.

A coy smile. Easy. “Nineteen.” The stone flared a brilliant green, heat rippling through my hand. The Orprus’ brows ticked, curiosity filed away. Even the Delatrus’s eyes sparked with a hint of wonder.

He pursed his lips, took me in one more time, and nodded. “Very well.”

I clasped my hands behind my back. “If we’re to be friends, I should know your name.”

Rising with staff in one hand, the other stroking his beard. “To you,” he said, “I am the Orprus Fionn, leader of the Palama court.”

TAINTED| CHAPTER 21

Long Night

Staying behind in the throne room the Orprus Fionn sat upon his throne while the Delatrus escorted me out the gardens. There was a stretch of silence between me and the rose-tinted elf. He didn’t seem interested in conversation his eyes stayed focused on his steps. I was glad for it because my mind was reeling that I made it out that meeting. I survived by sheer luck. I didn’t know what came over me, but I knew one thing: we were going to be safe. It didn’t matter if that came by words or if came to it… violence.

The Delatrus led us through the gates we arrived at, and down the street to a library. Before I reached the doorway, Valentina's and my mother's scent found me. Both were tucked inside, seated at a table surrounded by elven women. They all chatted in low, amused voices. The room held rows of books on shelves expertly crafted out of pinewood. It left a clean fragrance in the air, making the place feel light. Aside from the group gathered around Valentina and my mother, the library was nearly empty. When the Delatrus and I stepped in, every head snapped our way.

The tiny women rose to their feet in reverence, bowing their heads as the Delatrus passed the table. I don’t know if I could get used to such admiration. The thought made my chest tighten. He was so at ease with gratitude. How did he handle such pressure? I didn't know what his position was within their court, but it was clearly high.

One of the women sprang up from her oak chair, the feet scraping the floor. Her small frame was no higher than two feet in height. She ghosted across the carpet in silks that should have swallowed her to greet the Delatrus. The voice that came out of her was just as tiny as she was. “They have been so polite, your grace.”