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"My king, what do you mean?"
"I mean, I don't want them anymore," Vinir growled, pushing away from the wall to look at the guards head on. "Free them, give them clothes, rations, and some gold, and send them on their way. I want nothing to do with them any longer."
The guards glanced at each other, clearly confused, but they both bowed to Vinir. "As you command, my king," one said, and then proceeded to free the fae man."
"See that it's done by the end of the day."
Vinir left at once, his stomach tight, but with each step away that he took, the knots there began to unfurl. He was doing the right thing, he knew that.
Somehow ... somehow it felt good.
***
Day later, all of the fae in his dungeons had been freed, and it was as though a great shadow over Vinir's castle had been lifted. No one except for a couple of guards and the fae he imprisoned knew what he had done, but it was a deed done not for accolades or acceptance, but because he was changing as a person.
Aelwen was changing him.
He doubted it was anything close to love—he hardly knew the woman, hardly spent any time with her at all—but somehow, her presence was enough. Soon, perhaps he would find another way to approach her and make up for what he'd done and said, and they could start anew.
For now, Vinir stood at the top of the dais in front of his throne, his court assembled before him. Many faces looked up at him curiously, as he was not the king to make frequent announcements warranting everyone's presence in the great hall.
"My subjects," he began, his voice echoing throughout the room and beyond to the gathered crowd inside and outside. "For many years, we have treated fae as second citizens in Zacorith. Indeed, I advocated for us vampires to treat them with disdain and malcontent, but I see now that this was a desire made out of misguided hate. The fae are a people like ours, like any other, who merely wish to survive by whatever means necessary. So I announce effective immediately, all fae are welcome in Zacorith and are under my protection. Any harm that comes to any fae within the Kingdom of Zacorith, unless under self defense, will be subject to the death penalty."
Gasps reverberated through the room and Vinir looked around at his assembled courtiers and saw their faces filled with surprise. Some were masks of barely subdued rage, and perhapshe'd have to deal with them sooner or later. But for now, this was a step in the right direction.
He had made a choice today that was for the betterment of all people—no matter their race or origin—and it felt good to know that he was on the right path.
"That is all," he declared. "You are dismissed."
He walked behind his throne and down the hall, the heavy doors rumbling open for him. Hurried footsteps came after him, and he didn't stop until he heard Aelwen's voice.
Her pink lips were pinched together in barely contained anger, but the rest of her was the image of beauty. A white gown with gold accents that slimmed her figure, her golden hair teased into curls.
"King Vinir," she said coldly. "What is the real purpose of your announcement?"
He was surprised by her attitude. "I thought you would be pleased to find that I am willing to treat fae within my realms with respect."
"I would, were it true. It's only a means to trick my people here so you can capture and torture them for your sick experiments, isn't it?"
Vinir went cold. He'd dealt with the fae already.
"How do you know about that?"
She laughed, lifting her chin. "Your castle revealed your secrets to me. You're a wicked, horrible, hypocritical monster, and you always were. What foul things are you doing with them?"
He looked her straight on. If she knew already, what point was there in hiding the truth?
"I was using them to try and cure myself of my curse," Vinir said, "but since you've come here, I realized it was wrong. I decided to give up on my curse and set them free, and I did so five days ago."
"Liar," she hissed. "This is a trap."
Vinir sighed, shaking his head. "It's not a trap. I swear it on my honor."
"You don't have any honor."
He stepped closer to her, reaching out a hand. "If you don't believe me then go check the dungeons yourself if you want."
She stared at him for a full minute before finally nodding and stepping away from him. "Fine," she said gruffly, her voice still thick with anger. "I just might do that."
