Dalion grabs plates for us, babbling about what is what and where it comes from. There’s some chicken with blue skin from the north that tastes sweet and an apple from the south that’s as exhilarating as wine. I feign listening with rapt attention, giggling when I should while continuing to gaze at the girl a few spaces down. She’s meek, easily startled, squeaking at her own shadow. A devious idea comes to mind.
When she finishes speaking with someone, I make up an excuse, “There’s a dessert down there I saw that I’d love to try. Wait here a moment, won’t you?”
“Of course. Bring me a piece of whatever it is.”
Nodding, I leave Dalion behind. The girl picks nervously at a plate of fruits. She pops a grape in her mouth when I saddle up next to her. My presence shocks her enough to jump.
“The food here is unbelievable,” I announce, shooting her a sweet smile. “I’ve seen nothing like it. We don’t have food like this along the border.”
“T-The border?” she stammers, shuffling closer to me. “You live near Fateir?”
“Right outside of it, in fact. I arrived in the city a few days ago for trade, but it hasn’t gone well. I’ll have to be looking for a new job soon or else I may lose my home.” Shaking my head, I fake melancholy, then force a sad laugh. “Oh no, I’m so sorry, talking to a stranger about something like that during a party. How rude of me.”
“No, no, it’s alright,” she insists. “I understand what it’s like when times are tough. Um, I know of a few places looking for help, but they’re here in the city. If you’re able to stay for a while, they pay well.”
“Really? I would be ever so grateful! But, this job, it doesn’t happen to be one of the handmaidens for Lady Ezirin, is it?”
The girl shakes her head. “No, a-all those jobs are taken.”
I look away, forcing a shiver that makes the girl ask, “What’s wrong?”
“Those poor girls,” I whisper, skimming the room as if I’m about to tell a secret. Then I lean in. “Living along the border, I’ve seen and heard many terrible things about what goes on within Fateir. Lord Athik is the monster from the tales. Every time he has taken a partner, those working for the partner have gone missing. They say it is Lord Athik, that he gobbles up the hearts of youths, but they’ve never found the bodies. Since there is no proof, our kings do nothing and allow Lord Athik to devour any poor thing that catches his interest.”
“D-Doesn’t that g-go against the t-treaty?” she whimpers.
“Of course, but the royals don’t care, so long as it isn’t their people they’re losing.” I stand up straight, swinging my hand dismissively when I declare, “Working for Lady Ezirin is a death sentence. You might as well knock on death’s door. I wouldn’t work for her no matter the pay.”
The girl is eerily quiet. I peek at her from the corner of my eye, biting back a grin. Her eyes are as wide as a frightened doe. Without a word, she walks away from me, back straight as a pin. I munch on a cookie, watching her approach Dalion to announce, “I-I-I q-q-q-quit!!”
Dalion blinks rapidly. “Excuse me?”
“H-He won’t g-g-gobble up my h-heart!” She squeaks, dashing away, thus leaving Dalion standing slack jawed.
Wow, look at that. A handmaiden position opened. It’s my lucky day!
I stack a few cookies on my plate then approach Dalion, grinning ear to ear. “I’ve brought cookies!”
“I don’t have time for cookies,” he mumbles, setting his plate aside. His joyous mood diminishes, face stained with a scowl.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, gently patting his arm. I will give myself a pat on the back for this brilliant plan later.
“Valerie’s personal handmaiden just quit.”
What a lucky guess. Perfect!
“We’ve already closed the position and there weren’t that many that applied to begin with,” he grumbles under his breath. “We leave in a few days. Who will up and leave with such short notice, especially for Fateir?”
I wait a moment, letting Dalion stew in his concerns until I offer a ray of hope by saying, “I’m sorry if I am overstepping my boundaries again, but I believe we met today for a reason. I’m actually looking for a new job.”
“You are?” he asks, looking up at me.
“Yeah. I told you I saved up an entire month’s wages for this dress, remember?” I hold out the end, allowing him to see the fabric work. “The thing is, I made this at the shop I work for. I hand stitched this myself, and yet, my boss made me pay full price. Not only that, but—” I lean in to mumble, “He’s touchy, too touchy, if you catch my drift.”
Dalion scoffs. “That rotten bastard.”
I eagerly nod. “I’m tired of him, but few places pay better around here. Everyone knows whoever works for the chosen partner is paid well. And, believe it or not, I was born and raised along the border of Fateir so I’m familiar with fairies. Once our time is done, maybe I’ll have enough saved up to take some time off and find a better, more permanent position elsewhere.”
“You’re really willing to go?”
I twiddle my thumbs, bashfully peering up at him through my lashes. “Yes, if you are truly alright with that. I don’t know what they expect of me, although I can take a guess. I promise to do my best, should you choose me.”
Dalion peers over his shoulder. My gaze follows, spotting Valerie with Maven among the guests. My stomach tangles into a knot, remembering Maven in that open field and his request; save me. I don’t know him, but there’s an unexplainable urge to protect him. Maybe because he gave us all a second chance. Thanks to him, I have the chance to save those I love.
“Alright, consider your application sent and accepted. Welcome aboard,” Dalion says, laughing with relief when holding out his hand for me to shake. “Today has been quite the odd day, hasn’t it?”
“Yes, but I think it played out well in the end, don’t you?”
He nods.
Now I am one step closer to my goal, although I’ve lied more within the last few hours than I wanted. I’ve never been one for lying. In fact, Mom lectured me until the cows came home for telling a fib when I was little. Then she regretted soon after because my honesty became borderline cruel. But I’ll lie and cheat and steal if I must, to save those I love and this world I watched crumble away. If I must be bad to save what is good, then I will be the worst monster anyone has ever seen.
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