The Sinuous Bargain of a Cowardly Prince (book one, The Shadowed Throne Chronicles)
Chapter Five - Ramiel

This isn’t the first time I’ve left the palace, but it is the first time I bear the king’s emblem in public. Ronan insisted I wear it, now that I’m his master. But the heavy metal jewelry in my ears only reminds me of the burden I’ve been forced to fight for: the weight of kingship.

Can I really fill this crater of responsibility my brother left behind?

I sigh and stare at the shiny, braided hair of the small elven girl as she bobs along with the rhythm of the horse’s stride.

I feel foolish for kidnapping the first magical creature I’d laid my eyes on—an elf at that!—but she seemed more than delighted to join us on our journey to the castle. Though I haven’t told her just how long the journey will be, she smiled in what I’d characterized as a loyal way and asked no questions.

The clipping of Claude’s hooves against the occasional twig makes the small elf twitch as though she’s not expecting the sharp cracks even as they repeat, over and over. I can’t help but laugh.

“Is it true what they say about the elven ability to sense things more intensely than humans?” I ask, though I quickly realize this may be an offensive question. Whilst trying to make casual conversation, I may have made things awkward.

Her white, arrow-shaped ears turn slightly—like a cat’s—so they’re facing me, and I swear her body burns, emanating heat in front of me like a flame. If she was human, I’d be worried, but her ears simply twitch and redden, her body still steady and upright. Maybe rapid temperature changes are a normal thing for elves?

“Yes,” she says softly. Her voice is almost imperceptible, hiding beneath the subtle breeze reaching its whistling tendrils through the trees. It’s so eloquent that I’m afraid if I ask her to repeat herself, she’ll close up. But then she speaks again, slightly louder, and still as naturally as the sounds of leaves kissing their branches. “Why do you trust that I am capable enough to teach you magic?”

I tighten my hands on the reins and Claude stumbles a little, falling into a slower rhythm. Ronan slows down, too. She’s used the word I’d heard many times from Bernadette: trust.

Do I trust her? No, not entirely. Other than mages, elves are said to be the most dangerous creatures, even above the strong and muscular ogres, deceitful trolls, and the most terrifying dragons. I’d often hear castle maids talking about elves they’d see in the villages bordering the palace—stories of elves pillaging villagers’ food for the colder months or practicing healing magic on those afflicted with disease, often causing their sickness to worsen. I’d always thought they meant well, at least after the War of Undying: the war that resulted in the most ridiculous laws and punishments, but also the regulation of those who could use magic without consequence—elves.

Then it hits me: this little elf doesn’t know that Xavelor was able to use magic, which means she doesn’t suspect that I’m anyone else other than the late crown prince himself.

I wonder if she would’ve agreed to come along with us if I wasn’t the infamous warrior she thinks I am...

“Everyone knows elves are spiritually the closest to earth’s magical core,” I recite from one of my favorite textbooks: the one on mystic lore. Over the years, many pages had been torn out and burned, but this one managed to stay in the binding, untouched. For fear of more valuable information being torched, I’d taken liberties to memorize as much of my books as I could.

The tips of her little ears turn pink, and she grows warmer still, the heat throbbing around her in the air as though the sun is seeking possession of her body. A bulb of sweat pulses from my forehead and drips to my chin. Maybe elven body heat was also a reason they are hallowed as dangerous. Or maybe I’ve gone too far with my assumptions.

“Woah,” I say to Claude as I tug on the reins. He stamps his hooves a few times, then stops and drops his head to the ground. The elf slides down his dark mane, landing on the dusty road with a soft thud. I steer Claude away so I can look down at her directly, but she avoids my eyes and stares blankly at the rocks covering dry dirt, her eyes bark brown and her cheeks a flattering shade of red. Her pinched lips jut out from her round face, her midnight black hair falling chaotically over her shoulders in two slovenly-twisted braids. She’s the height of a young child, around the ages of nine or ten, but she’s definitely older. Are all elves so small?

“Sire, why have we stopped?” Ronan says next to me. I turn to him and his mouth twitches like he’s going to object, but he doesn’t say anything. I look back at... Ether, I believe her name was... and suck in a breath.

“I don’t know much about elves, but please don’t hesitate to tell me when you’re feeling uncomfortable. If you’re feeling sick or would like to rest, let me know.” I study her expression to see if anything changes, and to my surprise, something does. Her eyes flicker quickly to a golden yellow, glistening like marbles. This must mean something. Stuff like this wasn’t in any of the textbooks.

“I’m not uncomfortable.” She sounds like she doubts herself, and her face crinkles inward at her words.

I hold up a hand. “Say no more. I’m aware that elves are incapable of lying convincingly.”

This seems to catch her off guard, because the color in her eyes vanishes and is replaced with a frightening onyx. I’ve done it again... I went and assumed something about her and now the air is thick with tension.

I guess I deserve it for the years of social solitude I was subject to during my schooling in the palace. Maybe I can get some casual conversation practice with Ronan later.

“Um, thank you,” she starts, quietly. Her eyes lift to mine, still black, but I see a hint of something else creeping in. The smallest of smiles pulls at the edges of her mouth. “Thank you for noticing I was uncomfortable, I mean. If it’s okay, I’d prefer to walk anyway.” She lifts one of her feet in the air to show me and I have to relinquish my surprise. They’re nearly pure black on the bottom from years of weathering, and flat like a sheet of parchment. She must’ve walked until her soles bled, not having taken a carriage anywhere her entire life. When I stare for just a moment too long, her eyes flash back to a glowing shade of yellow and she drops her foot to the ground. Dust scatters from the impact.

“Ah, yeah. No worries,” I croak. I’ve never spoken to an elf before, so what do I know? It would be bad news if she takes her anger out on me—I’m sure she could kill me by simply blowing a spell in my direction. “Let’s go,” I say to Ronan, loud enough that Ether can hear. Though I’m sure at any volume, she would still detect it.

I give Claude a polite kick to his stomach and he grunts, then moves forward, slow. Ether walks next to me, but if it weren’t for my surveillance, I wouldn’t have known she was there. She’s horrifically quiet, even with those monstrous feet.

As we trudge along, I continue to watch her when I can. Mostly to make sure she doesn’t run away, but there’s also something about the way her body moves lithely along the edge of the path like she belongs with the trees and bushes and birds. Her eyes wander, looking at the high emerald canopies of leaves as though communicating with them, and for a second I think she’s saying her goodbyes. I can hardly take my eyes off her.

She’s such an unreal creature, so naturally free and beautiful, and yet, she’s obediently following us into the worst place for her to be, away from the world where she can freely harness her magical powers.

A part of me fizzles with excitement—I’m finally going to learn how to perform magic, and from the best teacher: an elf.

Another part of me mourns, because if the king discovers one of his sacrifices is missing—and that she’s an elf—he won’t hesitate to torch her entire village.

As Ether continues to move fluidly next to us with her long black eyelashes shading her golden brown eyes and her hair gallantly dancing against her back, a feeling settles deep in my chest.

Resolve sets in my jaw and I tear my gaze away from the beautiful creature, knowing I can’t let anything bad happen to her or her village.

My father must never learn who my master is. We need to start making preparations now.