My father stepped forward with a slight chuckle. “I believe my son’s nerves are showing. He’s never been around nobility, and my wife has prepared him.”

Nodding, I forced a smile as the group chuckled.

A man of similar age to Lenis leaned into the prince's ear and whispered something that made him grin.

My father motioned to him. “Oh, and this is Lexen, Jaquon’s nephew.”

Lexen was a shorter version of his cousin with a hardened gaze and slightly lighter wavy hair. He looked me up and down and appeared unimpressed with what he saw. My father introduced me to the others at the party while Lenis and Lexen moved on to the horses.

“It’s a beautiful stable,” said King Jaquon. “It reminds me of one of mine.”

“We borrowed your architect,” replied my father.

“Oh, yes.” The king nodded.

“Should we head back?” My father motioned toward the palace. “The main performance should be starting soon.”

The group turned to leave.

“Lenis,” called King Jaquon. “We’re returning to the garden.”

He waved to his father. “We’ll be there in a moment.”

“Stay out of trouble.” The king looked between the two young men. “You are guests here.”

“Yes, your majesty.” Lenis bowed slightly and continued down the line of stalls.

My father grabbed my arm. “Stay with the prince and his cousin. Show them around and make sure they find their way back. Be a good host,” he said in my ear. “Understood?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

I watched them leave, disappointed I couldn’t go with them. Being left alone with two mortal nobles sounded like an impending disaster. I moved closer to the pair but kept my distance. 

Lexen noticed me and nudged his cousin. “Do you need something?”

Lenis peered over his shoulder.

I shook my head. “My father asked me to stay with you.”

“We’re good,” said Lexen. “You can leave.”

I would love to leave, but if I returned without them, my father would order me to go and find them.”

“I was told to escort you back when you’re ready.”

“Do we look like children?” said Lexen. “We don’t need to be escorted anywhere by an elf.”

Lenis hit his cousin’s arm. “Leave him be. My father would have me do the same if the roles were reversed.”

“How is a damn elf going to protect us?”

Lenis appeared unimpressed by the comment. “It’s called being a good host. He wasn’t sent here to protect us. The king of Thaloria knows better than to insult us by even suggesting it.”

I let out a sigh and stared outside. My disdain for mortals was growing. Why was my father so obsessed with having one of them for a son? Their arrogance was suffocating. They were on the move, so I tucked in behind them, leaving a good amount of space between us.

“Was this the original one?” asked Lexen. “No wonder they had to build another.”

The older barn was half the size of the new one. Before they arrived, it was already full of my family’s horses. 

“Everything about this place is so small. Half of the city doesn’t have light or running water. Did you notice it last night? All the buildings around the inn were dark.”

I shifted my weight, pretending not to be listening. Both men turned to me.

“Does your kingdom lack the resources to pay the fae?” asked Lexen.

My head snapped to them. “Umm… I’m not sure what you mean. The royal treasury—”

“The lights,” stated Lexen. “The gods willing, at least the inns have light, or we’d be walking around with tortures—like we’re back at the dawn of the known realms,” he muttered.

I swallowed hard. “We paid the fae to put in a light source, but we’re still working on expanding it. It costs more than the yearly upkeep. We’re close to having running water throughout the city. The fae will have it in place in a few more years.”

“All of Gildorn has light and water,” said Lexen. “They have for centuries.”

“Thaloria is a young kingdom. We haven’t existed that long,” I replied. “My father is the first king.”

“That’s not saying much,” breathed Lenis, scanning the area. “Your kind can live forever. How many rulers have the other elf kingdoms had?”

“More than one,” I said under my breath with a hint of spite.

“What was that?” asked the princes, picking apart a strand of hay.

“I’m not sure of the exact number, but a few,” I replied, forcing a pleasant expression.

Lenis tossed the blade aside. “Where is your sparring area?”

My shoulders dropped. “Behind the barn.”

The prince nudged his cousin and headed that way. That was the last place I wanted to go. I begrudgingly followed them to the backside of the barn. At least there were two of them, so they had someone else to swing a stick at. I’d happily be a bystander.

We entered the training area to find other guests were already there.

“Ah, the young prince has finally sniffed this place out.” The man, who my mother had slapped, clasped Lenis’s shoulder. “I figured you weren’t one for garden parties.”

“No,” laughed Lenis. “I’m not.”

“Lord Lexen, I was just talking with your father.”

“Yeah, until the elf interrupted. Been listening to him brag about all his new things for the past hour.” He wandered off to examine the practice swords.

That elf was my father and king of Thaloria. Respect went both ways, and I was starting to lose mine for their whole damn race.

“You have a shadow,” said Lord Langston, nodding to me.

I flexed my hands and looked away.

“King Arkin ordered him to follow us around,” whispered Lenis. “Trying to be a good host, I suppose.”

“Well, you could be followed around by uglier shadows.” The lord’s gaze remained on me. “I meant it.”

I was hesitant to acknowledge him but eventually did so.

“You’re prettier than your sister.”

I scoffed and turned away. 

“What do you think, your grace?” Lord Langston pointed at me. “If you take a concubine, you should consider an elf. They never age and are highly unlikely to get pregnant—less bastards running around. Take a male, and you won’t even have to worry about the small chance of unwanted children,” he laughed.

This mortal was disgusting. My father’s wrath might be worth leaving them. 

“My future wife has been decided,” said Lenis. “She wouldn’t approve of a concubine—male or female.”

“So loyal,” said Langston. “Lord Lexen, how about you?”

“Sure,” he replied. “What else is an elf good for?” He tossed his cousin a wooden sword. “They can’t fight and clearly struggled at running a kingdom.”

I breathed out through my nose and pressed my lips into a thin line.

Lenis examined it and didn’t appear impressed. “The wood is too light. It feels like it’ll break with one hit.”

Lexen turned to me with an eyebrow raised. “These are yours, right?”

I didn’t respond. 

“If they’re yours, you should show us how it’s done?” said Langston, walking toward me. He grabbed my wrist. “Let’s see what you can do, young prince.”

I yanked it free. “Don’t touch me.”

He went from my wrist again and tightened his hold when I tried to fight him off. “You have a couple of calluses on these hands, but they’re still too soft for someone who knows how to use a sword.”

The man wouldn’t let go and proceeded to grab my other wrist.

“I don't,” I stated. “I’m not going to pretend that I do. So release me.”

“You should have heard how your father talked about you last night.” He smiled at me. “And then how he praised everyone else’s sons but his own.” 

“Let go or lose your hand,” I stated.

He released me and leaned in. “I’m tempted to offer a trade—one of my sons for you. Your beauty would only fade from the politics of ruling a kingdom. I own a villa near the sea and it would be the perfect place to put you.”

The lord’s hand came toward my face. 

I dodged it and put more space between us. “My mother also told me about you. She threatened to cut your tongue out if you didn’t remember how to talk to a prince of Thaloria. I wouldn’t take that as an empty threat, Lord Langston.”

The lord sighed. “Queen Arbela’s threats are never empty.”

The two men stood quietly watching the exchange, appearing amused. 

Lexen’s face cracked into a smile. “I’ve been to his villa. You might want to consider his offer,” he laughed.

That was it; I was done. I marched past them. “Find your own way back. As was already said, it’s not that big of a palace. You should be able to manage.”

Their laughter followed me from the sparring rings.

“He is certainly his mother’s son,” called Lord Langston.

“Proudly,” I stated.

Fuck them—I wasn’t going to stand for it. I had some pride as a prince of Thaloria. Those men had no honor to treat me so poorly. I wasn’t something to be gawked at because their people were so unkempt. 

When I arrived at the party, dancers were performing in the center square. I went straight to a server holding a tray with wine glasses. After finishing one, I grabbed another and downed it. I took a third when I felt someone pull on my arm.

My mother pulled me away. “Slow down, Ricky,” she whispered. She led me toward a table.

I took a seat and scowled at the tabletop. 

“Did something happen?” She touched my hand.

“Lord Langston, he was at the training ring.” I took a drink. “The man clearly is dying to fuck me.”

 “Ricky,” she exclaimed. “Honestly. Someone is going to overhear you.”

“That’s all mortals see. Something pretty to fuck.” I finished the glass. “I was mocked for referring to Prince Lenis as my grace and then had to endure his cousin's snide comments. What do they want from us, Mother? Because nothing I do is right. They’ll always find something to criticize.”

She squeezed my hands. “Ricky, I know you’re frustrated. I’ve been there.”

“Have you?” I breathed. “You’re a woman, mother. You’re not expected to be strong, a protector, a warrior. I am. The realm expects me to be all those things, and I can’t. Father expects me to be those things, knowing it’s impossible.”

“Ricky.” She reached for my face. “If we lived by the mortals' expectation, I’d have twenty children; instead, I have two.”

I shook my head and stood. “I’m going to my room. If Father doesn’t want me to exist, I’ll do as he wishes.”

My mother sighed. “I want you to stay, but I understand if you need to take some time and settle your mind.”

Taking a deep breath, I rubbed my face. “I’m sorry. I’m mad at the wrong person and shouldn’t say things in the heat of the moment. I’m sorry.” I kissed her cheek. “I need to be alone to clear my head, and then I’ll return.”

She gave me an approving nod. “I’ll be waiting.”