I lounged across the steps as I peered through the glass wall separating the room from the garden. The sun was setting, and the Welcome Feast would be starting soon. It was unlikely my father would allow me to attend. My mother had a better chance of getting me into the Grand Banquet. It was reserved for kings and their counsel, so he couldn’t take Cena. I wasn’t a king, though. My father wouldn’t even humor the idea of letting me onto his counsel. The only thing that might change his mind was that I was his heir, and the other monarchs’ sons would attend.

I shouldn’t have bothered with any of this. My mother was far more adamant about me being included. I knew it wasn’t worth the fight with my gather. For an elf, my age kept me from being taken seriously. I couldn’t compare to someone who has lived for centuries or even over a millennia.  

“Alric!”

I jumped.

My father rounded the corner. “Get off the floor. Have some dignity.”

I stood and dusted myself off. He stood at the base of the stairs with my mother. I moved to the banister.

“You wanted to talk? I’m here.” He folded his arms. “You can start by explaining why you slapped Lord Langston. We’re fortunate he found your outburst comical.”

My mother stood with pursed lips. “Yes, because he sees us as a joke. Because of you and your inability to demand respect from a mere lord, our son was ridiculed in front of all the nobility of the known realm. I hope that explains why I slapped him.”

My father breathed out through his nose. 

“Lord Langston had best learn to hold his tongue before I remove it from his head.”

“Arbela.” He rubbed his forehead. “Our guests are waiting. I don’t have time for this. I am the host.”

“Then explain to me why Cena is sitting in Alric’s seat?” She eyed her husband.

“It’s the Welcome Feast, Arbela. A minor event compared to the rest of the week.”

“Then why doesn’t Alric have a seat at the table if it’s a minor event?” She moved closer. “Your heir and only son isn’t in attendance, but Cena is?”

  “You already know the reason.” He stood his ground. “When else can I present her to potential suitors.”

“Mortals!” She clenched her fist. “Have you gone mad, or has your obsession gone that far?”

“The rest of the eternal lords will be here in the morning.”

“Your fucking brother and cousins?!” she snapped. “Are we stooping that low? You are not letting Alric attend so you can marry Cena off to a mortal because she’s related to everyone else. Don’t you have a second cousin who’s a minor lord that will do because I pray the gods aren’t listening to this blasphemy?”

“We have to prepare for her future. If the only notable suitors are mortal, then so be it.”

“So be it,” she mocked. “So be it that Cena is a widow at eighty or ninety. So be it that a mixed blood has a claim to the throne.”

My chest tightened. I looked at my father, feeling unsure. 

“Well, maybe you should go to the highland eternals and ask them to crawl out of hiding. Who else do I have? She’s a fucking princess. I can’t marry her off to just anyone. I am simply looking at potential prospects. She’s young, and I have no plan to betroth her to anyone during this week. I’m simply presenting her to the courts.”

“Then why not send her to bed,” said my mother. “The child doesn’t need to be present. They know she exists, and I’ll be quick to remind them that the gods disprove of diluting eternal blood.”

My father would look at her. “She’s already seated.”

“Arkin, if you want a suitor for Cena, I will find one,” she replied, “but it will not be any man sitting in that room.”

“I’m happy to hear you’re taking some initiative.”

“Your tone is unpleasant.” Her expression hardened.

“What do you want me to do? Go in and drag her out. I’ll create more of a scene and draw attention to Alric.”

She shrugged. “I slapped a man already. I’ll do it if you won’t. I’m sure we’ll already be a primary topic for them to gossip about.”

I moved to a lower step. “Mother, I don’t nee—”

She held up her hand. “If I allow this, you swear to me in the gods’ name that Alric will be at the Grand Banquet. He will sit at your side.”

Putting his hands on his hips, my father scanned the room. “Arbela.”

“Don’t push me, Arkin,” she warned.

My father sighed. “Only if he doesn’t say a word. That is an event not meant for a child.”

My mother scoffed. “Yet you insist on marrying off a younger child. It’s time you stop using Alric’s age as an excuse. It’s raising the eyes of even the mortals.”

  He bristled at the comment. “We’re late.”

My mother composed herself and waved for me. “Get some sleep.” She hugged me. “I’ll have someone bring some food to your room. I’m sorry.” She kissed my cheek. “You should be there.”

“It’s fine. I have a banquet I’ll be attending later.”

She smoothed back my hair. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

I forced a smile and nodded. My mother smoothed her hair back and held out her arm. My father moved to her side and escorted her down the hall to the banquet hall. I picked at the banister and listened to their footsteps fade away. Letting out a sigh, I retreated upstairs. Entering my room, I yanked off my shoes and tossed them to the side. I undressed and laid my clothes on the bed. All my mother’s hard work to be seen for twenty minutes—what a waste. I removed my jewelry and put on my daily clothes. 

The feeling that my father was trying to replace me was getting stronger. I didn’t understand what I had done to make him so displeased with me. It wasn’t like he possessed mortal-like strength. He was better than me with a sword, but he was centuries older. A mortal would still be able to overpower him.

I walked onto the balcony and gripped the railing. The sky was a mixture of shades of orange and red. Maybe my father treated me this way, so I would push myself harder. I could practice more, but after my sparring lessons, I usually struggled to lift my arms, and my whole body ached from taking blow after blow.

Going to the corner, I stepped onto the railing and used an ivy ladder to climb down. I wandered through the garden toward a large oak tree. A path circled the massive tree whose branches sprawled across the ground but reached high into the sky. 

I walked along a limb to the main trunk and started to climb. I entered the top branches and situated myself on a thin perch where I could see through the upper window of the banquet hall. The food looked good. My mother said they brought extra help in to prepare for the week-long event. 

I sighed as I watched them laughing and talking. My father’s issue with my age was a farce. He simply needed to admit he didn’t want me there. It didn’t matter if I was twenty or two hundred; he saw me as a burden. I didn’t blame him. I wasn’t impressed in any area.

I was torturing myself, but being out here, yet I couldn’t bring myself to climb down. 

“Prince Alric,” called a voice. “Prince Alric.”

Letting out a deep breath, I moved to the lower branches.

“Your grace,” the head maid lowered her head. “Your mother sent me. She said I could find you here if you weren’t in your room.”

I rested my head against a branch and waited. 

“Your dinner is in your room. If you need anything else, please ask.” She bowed again and left. 

Lying on my stomach, I stared at the roots below me. I’d have to find a way to prove myself tomorrow. But it couldn’t involve a sword, a bow, or any weapon of any kind.

Something grabbed my foot and flipped me out of the tree. The air was knocked out of me when I hit the ground.

A form appeared above me. Groaning, I turned over and picked myself off the ground.

“Fucking hell, what is wrong with you?!” I exclaimed. “Do you have a damn death wis—”

I flinched when he landed near my head. The old man crouched in front of me. His face was covered in wrinkles, and he had a long, scraggly beard. His eyes were so light blue that they were almost white and strange to look at. He gave me a sideways look and arched a brow.

“You threw me out of a tree,” I stated.

“You’re lucky I waited and didn’t throw you out sooner.”

“Are you threatening me? You realize you could be executed for this!” I rose to my feet and dusted myself off.

He laughed. “Perhaps.”

The man’s head barely came to my shoulder. 

I looked him over. “How did you even get up there?” I waved my hand at him. “At your age.”

“I climbed.”

“No shit,” I said under my breath as I turned to leave. 

I’d summon the guards to arrest him, but my father would be alerted. 

“Where are you going?”

I jumped and nearly fell over when the man appeared on a branch in front of me.

“Holy shit.” I staggered back. “What are you?”

He smiled, and I spotted the ragged edge of his slightly pointed ear.

“A fae,” I muttered. “I should have guessed. I don’t know who you’re here with, but fuck off. I’m not in the mood to play your games.”

“Not a game.” He stood above me. “I simply came to check.”