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“I’m sure it’s nothing, but would you like me to check it out and put your mind at ease?”
“Yes, please.”
The guard held his belt, walking calmly down the hall. His eyes scanned the darkened hallway. “Which shadow?”
“That one,” I called as he stepped farther away. “A few more yards forward, to your left.”
I timed my escape as best I could, waiting till he was as far away from me as I believed he would go before I darted down the hall, making sure my feet were as quiet as a young boy’s could be.
Most of the castle was empty, everyone tucked away in their beds, except for the midnight guard shift, who typically stuck to the exterior walls and the doors of those who needed the most protection. Curiosity pulled me forward, the unsettling feeling of a son missing his father tugging me like fish on a line.
My feet skidded to a halt under me as I rounded the corner to where the servants exited. My father’s fingers were red, leaving behind prints on the buttons of his shirt as he undid them.
“Dace?” he said as his face scrunched up. “What are you doing?”
“You were away the entire day. I waited up for you. Are you okay? Is that your blood?” I stepped forward, reaching out.
He stepped out of my reach, shaking his head. “No, you don’t need to worry about me.” He dropped his shirt to the ground, turning toward the sink that was tucked into the corner. Servants used the sink to clean their boots so they didn’t drag in mud or melted snow, depending on the season. My father cranked the knobs, sticking his hands under the water. I watched as red swirled around the drain.
“Why did you leave today? Did you hurt somebody?”
His voice was strained. A father torn between protecting his son's innocence and teaching him what life was really going to be like. “You are too young yet for the details, so I’ll spare you this time. Sometimes you have to do something you don’t want to do, sometimes it’s necessary, to make sure that your family stays safe. As your father, and as the king, it’s my job to protect you.”
“Don’t the guards protect us?”
“Some things are better not seen by the guards,” he whispered.
I tore myself from the memory, blinking myself back to the present, as the coachman called through the window. “We are arriving.”
The house was familiar, though I’d only been allowed to visit a time or two. It was a massive estate, built of whitewashed stones and iron gates. One enormous house sitting on a plot of land with miles between it and their neighbors. A wooden porch had been built around the entire building, painted to draw attention to the detailed carvings within its posts. I remembered hiding under this porch when it was time to leave and I wasn’t ready to go.
It wasn’t often my father did business outside of the castle, and even rarer yet that I was brought along. Yet one thing that always shocked me about this little plot of land was how quiet it was.
Too far from the main part of the city to hear the commotion of the merchant-filled streets and too far from their neighbors to have to bother with pleasantries in passing. Here you could hear the bugs that chirped with the sunrise and the distant animals that howled from the woods in the back of the property.
I stepped out of the wagon, slipping on black gloves as I walked calmly to the door. The coachman clambered back to his seat, settling down to wait. It wouldn’t be long, I hadn’t the intention of drawing this out.
Rapping my knuckles against the door, I listened as it echoed throughout their impressive entryway. I’d be a surprise, to say the least, as I hadn’t sent any forewarning of my visit today. The door swung open, a small Nymph woman looked up at me. She shook as she saw me, her eyes darting up to my crown. She pulled at her thin linen skirt, bowing.
“Please, stop,” I said, cocking my head to the side. “Why are you here?” I demanded.
“I’m not sure what you mean,” her voice trembled.
“I’ve put out a declaration that all of your kind should be freed. He does not have the power to own you anymore, yet you still work here?”
“I’m, what? We—we’re free?”
My chest heaved a heavy sigh. I turned to the coachman. “If you would be so kind as to find yourself a seat inside my carriage, I’d like to offer you a stay as a guest in the castle. When you’re ready, you may leave at any time to begin your life as you please. Now, can you please point me to the owners of this residence? They’ll be held accountable for their wrongdoings.”
Her jaw dropped with surprise, a shaking finger pointed down the main hall. “The first room on your right. They’ve just sat down for breakfast.”
“Very good,” I patted her, pointing her toward the carriage. “I haven’t eaten yet.”
The wisp of a woman slipped past me, moving on to her freedom. How many more Nymphs would I still find in this home? A persistent anger, fueled by their outright defiance, made my steps heavy as I followed the girl’s directions. I could hear each footstep echo between the large winding staircases that led to the upper level.
A man, Fae, stood outside the door. Someone not trained enough to be in the castle guard, but brute enough to be hired as private security, bowed as I approached. I looked from him to the closed door, mild chatter coming from the other side.
“Would you be so kind as to announce me? I rather enjoy dramatic entrances.”
