I run a finger over it, and the strength of the enchantment on it is surprising. Oh, Kenric. You’ve outdone yourself with this gift. “It is lovely and extravagant. I will treasure it always,” I reply.

  Everyone applauds, and we take our seats. I look around the hall, and the tapestries depict ancient Centis history. I can practically feel all the male eyes from these long-dead men judging me from the warp and weft. The general feeling is heavy and oppressive.

  Too many of these men see themselves as more deserving than Kenric. If Ellisar hadn’t written the contract so specifically, I’d be married off to one of Oskar’s sons. Oskar already tried that and was given a resounding no from his advisors. If I’m forced to marry anyone but Kenric, the trade contract is void. Earl Vellam, Kenric’s liege, is particularly intrusive. The reek of male arousal in this room is nearly suffocating. Thank the gods that the folk of Centis like heavily spiced food.

  The spices help mask the smell of some of the men. The only allies here are Duke Jellema and Duchess Ina. Duke Kempe De Boer is here, and he’s still tracking me relentlessly. His wife, Priscilla, might be an ally of a sort, but women are so powerless here. Some of the other dukes seem to be watching me just as closely as Kempe. The earls aren’t much better, and I see now why Ina was concerned about fights breaking out. Gods above, but I hate this place.

  Finally, well into his cups, Oskar demands a round of toasts to our upcoming wedding and this trade agreement. I see where Jannick gets his drunkenness from. Most of the toasts were innocuous, a few were funny, and one or two were actually genuine. It was well enough until Earl Vellam decided to offer a toast. Earl Vellam rises smoothly for the final one, raising his goblet not to the couple but pointedly toward me. "To the future Viscountess,"

  Vellam begins, his voice dripping with false deference. "May your new life in Centis be long... and may you never have cause to regret the terms of the trade agreement.”

  It is nothing more than a thinly veiled threat. The contract stipulates that if anything happens to Kenric, whether by assassination, duel, or 'any misfortune', I must be returned to Ellisar in Imelenora, or the trade agreement is voided. By mentioning the contract, Vellam is reminding me that Kenric is nothing more than a barrier between me and my homeland, a barrier he could easily remove. Silence descends on the feast hall, and even the men in the tapestry seem to become wary.

  A nervous cough ripples through the hall. Kenric’s hand tightens on mine under the table. I can sense the predators circling me. I am enough of one myself to know when to be wary. I lift my cup, terrifying in my stillness, and catch Vellam’s eyes. It is a direct challenge, and among the Fey would be seen either as a crass violation of etiquette or, in the case of a violent challenge, as just such a challenge. When I speak, I spin a bit of magic into my voice to ensure that it carries well.

  “It is a thoughtful toast, Lord Vellam,” I reply, “It is a necessary reminder of the strength of wedding vows.”

  I pause to take a sip of my wine and swirl my glass. “You speak of the contract that ensures I may not be kept in Centis should anything... unfortunate happen to the Viscount. It is a good contract. But there is quite a bit more to it than that, is there not, Lord Vellam?"

  I don’t give him the chance to answer. “If anything should befall Kenric, and I do mean anything, we must both be returned to Imelenora, or Ellisar has the right to come here seeking us. While Kenric may be Viscount here and under your rules, I am a Viscountess. Nevertheless, I am now and will always be a princess of the Fey.”

  I pause a moment to let that sink in for these greedy men before I add the third clause, “Anyone who tries to harm or hinder us will garner the wrath of my king, and a third clause in that trade agreement ensures that his army will arrive here to seek retribution on any noble involved in such a thing. My King, Ellisar, is known for his thoroughness and his excessive attention to detail. I should hate for the Earl who has done so much to welcome me to be the very one who gives my King such a fine excuse to visit."

  Vellam's confident smile fractures under the weight of my statements. His jaw grows tight, and he reeks of anger, now that his threat is turned back on him. My implication was clear. Touch Kenric and you bring a Fey war directly to your doorstep. You are all a great pack of fools! You thought my king would send me here without adequate protection. He’s already got you over a barrel just in the clauses for the items you negotiated for. If he gets a whiff that I’m being held hostage or mistreated, you’ll have to return me to get your goods.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  Ellisar will tolerate many things from these human kings, but having his ambassador mistreated by humans isn’t one of them. It would reflect badly on the power of the Fey court, and he’d slit his own throat before he’d ever allow that. Kenric, though pale, squeezes my hand and offers his most charming, relieved smile to the room. "Well said, my love," he declares, raising his voice to break the tension. "To the stability of Centis, the stability of this trade agreement, and the length of every noble's life!"

  The rest of the dinner went more smoothly because I’m not an empty-headed chit or a fainting wallflower. I’m not afraid of these men. I can always handle them as I planned to do with Oskar. None of them can make me flinch. Later, Duchess Ina suggests we have tea. She guides us into a quiet corner, away from Kenric and his now jumpy men-at-arms. She pours the tea and grimaces at me. Her face drifts into something expressing serious concern. “Your performance for Vellam has bought us time. He won’t dare risk an assassination now.”

  I frown at Ina, “Your Grace, if this is the case, why are you still so concerned? I have dealt with the idiot. I’m certain that he’s too fond of his own skin to risk Ellisar’s wrath.”

  “Oh no, dear girl,” Ina sighs, “You’ve dealt with the small threats well enough. It's some of the other dukes. Even Hedde says that the contract is lucrative enough that he might be able to challenge Oskar.”

  “I am not tied to the contract,” I replied, “If they wanted to challenge Oskar and would agree to leave me and Kenric in peace, I don’t much care who sits on the throne in this place.”

  Ina stares at me open-mouthed for a moment, “You truly don’t see it?”

  I shrug and shake my head while glancing over to the doorway where several of the most powerful and heavily decorated men in Centis are exchanging handshakes. “Do you truly believe they are also interested in this... 'Fey prize'?"

  I ask. Ina nods. “They’re not just interested, they’re furious. Vellam is just a greedy, desperate little Earl. The Dukes… They’re another matter entirely. They all outrank Vellam. Most of them are heavily invested in this trade contract.”

  “Where is the threat to us in all this?”I ask. Ina frowns at me, clearly frustrated. “I’m not familiar with your court’s politics,” I reply, “I’m learning as quickly as I can, but…”

  Ina nods, “They are the ones who could truly leverage the contract. They see the trade contract and your presence as a key to eclipsing King Oskar himself. Some of the terms of that contract are their biggest obstacle.”

  Ina lowers her voice even more, “The contract states that if Kenric dies, you must be returned to Ellisar. But it doesn't say who inherits the contract's privileges until then.”

  I sit there, mind spinning. These fools! If they touch Kenric, I will burn this place to the ground. It won’t have to wait for whatever Ellisar is already planning. I may be a lone Fey, but I am a lone Fey who survived centuries of our border war. If I am thoughtful and careful, I can take them.

  Ina goes on, “There is already talk of pressuring Oskar to invalidate your marriage on some technicality like the submission and then staging a quick duel of honor for your hand.”

  “That would invalidate the entire trade agreement,” I reply, “Oskar already tried to fob one of his sons off on me.”

  At Ina’s expression, I snort, “As if I want to nursemaid a child.”

  Ina’s eyes darted nervously to the door. "And if they can't get you through a duel, they'll simply offer King Oskar a bribe he can't refuse to grant them permission to 'court' you if Kenric were to suffer a debilitating illness, making him unable to fulfill the marriage duties. They aren't going to kill Kenric.”

  I frown at Ina, and she swallows hard, “They want him broken and alive so that they can have the contract and you. And the submission you hate so much is tomorrow, Víl?. It is their first opportunity to find fault."

  “If Kenric were broken, the contract demands that we both be returned to Imelenora. Fey healers are far superior,” I reply, “These men are fools. Tell me, would Hedde be interested in being king? If it comes to that, I’d be willing to back him as long as he agrees to leave Kenric and I alone.”

  Ina looks at me, eyes wide, “I’d have to talk to Hedde about it. What kind of support can you offer?”

  “I have wealth. I have connections in Ellisar’s court. My father is one of his ministers. I can provide advice. Even if Oskar isn’t interested in importing our lace, Hedde should do it. It will sell well. It always does.”

  Ina nods, “Any military assistance?”

  “If that’s needed, I can call for more Fey to arrive,” I reply. I wonder what these humans will make of Fey warriors, since many of the ones I’d call for are female.

  I know that my battle siblings will answer my call if I should need them. I doubt that I will need them. These humans are woefully underprepared for what I can unleash on them. I could compel all the dukes to protect me and Kenric. A series of private dinners where I can accidentally touch them is all that’s required. I could glamour the two of us, and we could walk out of here and return to Imelenora. I have options that they can’t even dream of. If it comes to open war, I doubt that their armies can stand against me.

  I need to plan for the submission ceremony tomorrow, and I need Ina’s help crafting a message the Dukes can’t spin. “Your Grace, I have a question. How do I make it clear to these dukes that the only reason that I am submitting is that Kenric asked?”

  Ina regards me, with her eyebrows raised, “You mean to deliver a message that it’s Kenric and Kenric only?”

  I nod, “Aside from social niceties, I’d never let one of them lord over me. I will allow Kenric, but only because he’s Kenric.”

  Would you offer to back Hedde Jellema? Let me know in the comments...