I couldn’t even speak when he picked me up and threw me onto his horse.

“I’m amazed at how light elves are,” Lord Langston laughed. 

I grabbed the horse’s mane. “Stop! You fucking bastard get your hands off me!” I aimed my foot at his face.

“Get him a lance.” The lord snatched my ankle and yanked my leg out from under me.

I collapsed onto the horse. “Get me off this damn animal!”

Lord Langston wrestled to get me under control. He grabbed a handful of my shirt. “I’m teaching you how to be a man. Try being fucking grateful.”

“Release me before I have your head removed!” 

I heard my clothes tear and panicked. Was it ruined? Did he rip it?

Lenis stepped in. “Enough. You’re forgetting your place.”

“He’s a fucking elf.”

“A prince,” stated Lenis. “His father can demand your head for assaulting his son.”

“A prince of Thaloria.” Lord Langston met Lenis’s gaze. “The king isn’t going to do shit. He’s too busy kissing your father’s ass and lusting after mortals to give a damn about the boy. You should hear the way he talks about you. Don’t be surprised if he offers you his ass.”

Lenis grabbed the lord’s wrist. “And as the crown prince of Gildorn, I’m ordering you to release him.”

Chuckling to himself, Lord Langston removed his hands from me and backed away. “I didn’t know you had such a soft spot for elves, your highness. My apologies. It was only a bit of fun since the boy wasn’t able to participate in any of today’s events.”

I slid off and shoved the lord. “Fucking asshole.” I scanned the two men and spotted something on Lenis’s hip. “Give me your sword.”

“What?” said the prince, turning his body.

“Give me your sword! I know enough to be able to stab a man.” I grabbed the handle.

“Stop.”

I met his gaze. “I am done being mocked. Give me the sword, or I’ll find something else to kill him with.”

Lord Langston started to laugh. “There is your mother's spirit. You are far more lively when your parents aren’t around. I guess this is the real you.”

I breathed out through my nose and spotted a hammer near a bucket of nails. I snatched it and prepared to take a swing at him. Lenis caught my wrist and wrangled it away from me.

“Have you gone mad?!”

“People have died for less offenses,” I replied.

“I’m not going to let you bludgeon a man to death.” He got the hammer away from me. 

The lord's laughter hadn’t stopped. “I’m not too worried, your grace. I doubt he could penetrate my armor.” He tapped his chest.

“I planned to aim for your fucking head!” I went for the hammer. “Give it to me. Why are mortals so frustrating?!”

“Stop. Stop it.” He spun me around and pinned my arms to my side. “You should leave.”

Langston shrugged. “Why? This is the best entertainment I’ve seen all week.”

“Leave,” stated Prince Lenis. “Now.”

I wrestled to get free, but that only made him tighten his hold.

“He’s an elf. He’s not going to do anything.”

“If you don’t fear what his father may do, fear the gods,” the prince stated. 

He scoffed. “The gods don’t reside in Thaloria. They prefer the highlands. Everything outside that realm they don’t give a shit about,” he said with a smirk.

Lenis’s expression hardened. “His mother is a princess of Lumeria, home of the gods’ temple. Wherever she is, they will follow. If you don’t fear King Arkin or the gods, you should fear Queen Arbela.”

With a huff, Lord Langston took his horse’s reins and walked away. His squires quickly followed. 

“Well, we know who you fear,” muttered the lord.

“I see it more as respect.” Lenis met the other man’s gaze. “Goodnight, Lord Langston. May the gods not remind you of their presence.”

He bowed. “Your grace.” His eyes flicked to me. “Prince Alric.”

I spat at his feet. The man simply smiled.

“Goodnight, Lord Langston,” stated the prince.

The lord bowed again before leaving. Lenis released me, and I slumped against the side of the stall. My heart was still pounding, but my desire to kill the lord was subsiding. 

“Insane,” muttered Lenis, returning to tend to his horse. An awkward tension grew between us. 

“Thank you,” I said quickly. 

Lenis sighed. “You act like you’ve never been on a damn horse.”

I glared at him. “My father took you on the tour of our stables,” I stated. “We have our plenty of horses.”

“And very little else,” muttered Lenis.

I breathed in sharply. “My kingdom’s wealth isn’t as great as yours, but mocking me makes you no better than him.” I nodded toward the exit. “Don’t use the gods when it suits you. My people didn’t choose this fate. Do you think I enjoy being incapable of fighting off a vile man such as Lord Langston? I’m disgusted that you let someone like him bear such a high title.”

Lenis turned to me with a blank expression. “Would you like to take his title from him? The man who won the sword. He even bested me for fucksake.”

A heavy weight fell over me. What was I thinking? I had wanted to draw a sword against the man who proved to be the best swordsman in the known realms. Lenis was picking at blades of hay as he stared at the exterior wall. I couldn’t tell if he was upset that he lost to Lord Langston or with me.

“Because you slipped,” I stated, unsure. “You would have won if he hadn’t slipped.”

The prince was still for a moment.

“That’s what I think,” I breathed. “So, once again, thank you for your help. I’m embarrassed I need it.” I rubbed my forehead. “This whole day has been mortifying.” I went to leave.

Lenis moved in front of me. “He ripped your shirt.”

“My mother will mend it.” I held the two pieces together.

“Your mother, the queen?”

“Yes,” I stated. “She is capable of mending clothes. Elves do have the strength to lift a needle.”

He shook his head. “I get that eternals have limitations, but my god, you have to find some way to be able to defend yourself. I see why your father has locked you away all these years.”

I simply stared. What did he know about the hardship elves face? Lenis was a prince of the wealthiest kingdom in the known realms. He had everything—including a father that gave a damn about him. 

Lenis leaned in. “Are you going to cry?”

I shoved him. “I’ve had a stressful day, and your presence makes me so irritated I can't even think properly. See to your damn horse, Prince Lenis.” I marched off. “It’s going to need a healthy pair of legs to carry you home.”

I left the barn and headed to my bedroom. Climbing the ivy ladder to my balcony, I hopped over the railing and slumped into the nearest chair. I removed my shirt and examined the damage. My mother's embroidering was the only thing that kept it from ripping further. Another shirt was ruined. 

Dropping the shirt onto the ground, I sank lower in my seat and stared at the garden. My eyes traveled past that to the palace wall and into the city. Earlier, I was angry with my mother for suggesting I leave Thaloria, but I was starting to see why she was so worried. There has to be something that I could do to defend myself. Eternals wouldn’t have made it this far unless there was a way to win against the mortals and fae. Or maybe we survived on the grace of the gods alone because I was starting to wonder how elves hadn’t gone extinct yet.

***

I was done with the week's festivities. My desire to ever attend next year’s Annual Banquet was gone. I was fine staying home—hell, my father could take Cena. My sister seemed to be having a grand time. 

I had found a secluded corner of the palace and retreated to it with a book. Tonight was the Grand Banquet, which only the kings and lords attended. I had already been told I wouldn’t be going. Footsteps were getting closer. I glanced up from my book and saw my mother approaching with her attendants.

“Ricky,” she stated.

I motioned to the other chair. “Sit, I have wine.”

She sighed. “I’ve been looking everywhere. It’s a good thing I also know your hiding places.” She sat. “So, why are you hiding?”

“It offers fewer opportunities for mortals to harass me.” I turned the page.

“I don’t agree with how yesterday was handled, but it’s over.”

“Doesn’t mean I want to repeat it.” I turned to her. “Lord Langston is the most vile creature in all the known realms, and he appears to have some sick fetish when it comes to tormenting me.”

She nodded. “He is a vulgar man.”

“And the winner of the sword,” I replied. “His popularity grew overnight, and Father is among those clambering for his attention.”

My mother sank in her seat. “I wouldn’t take it that far, but he’ll happily accept the lord’s attention. Maybe he’s looking for a male lover.”

I scoffed. “Wishful thinking.”

“True, he has too many women sneaking in and out of his chambers. I’m sure there’d be rumors spreading among the servants if a man finds his way into your father’s bed.”

I let out a deep breath. “It really doesn’t bother you?”

“No,” she replied. “Should it?” she laughed. 

“Most wives wouldn’t appreciate it.” I closed the book and set it on the table.

“I’m not a very good wife.”

My eyebrows raised. “You said it.”

She gave me a sideways glance. “I’m a better mother.”

I tried not to smile and sipped from my glass.

Lifting the pitcher, she filled the other cup. “I’m an excellent mother. So good, I convinced your father that it would be in his best interest to have you by his side tonight.”

My head snapped to her. “No, why?” I groaned

She looked appalled. “Excuse me, where is my thank you? It wasn’t an easy task.”

“I don’t want to go,” I stated. “I’m tired of being flaunted about as his disappointment. Everyone, point and laugh at the pathetic prince,” I muttered. “He’s so pretty, more beautiful than any woman. He can’t wield a sword, though. Definitely can’t lift a lance.” I rolled my eyes and peered down the hall. “The mortals have overstayed their welcome, in my opinion.”

“I agree”—she touched my hand—“but you have to find a way to tolerate them.”

I didn’t respond.

“Please, Ricky. One more thing. One more event until they all go home. Please, for me.”

I groaned. “Fine, but that’s it. After tomorrow, I am done. They can all get out and leave us the hell alone.”

“Thank you, my darling.” She stood and kissed my cheek. “I left something on your bed that I’ve been saving for the occasion.”

I opened my book. “Until then, can I be left alone?”

She turned to leave. “Of course, but don’t be late.”