Now it was my turn to look confused. What could he possibly be talking about? Compared to the fae, humans were the furthest thing from safe. We didn’t have to worry about our enemies, because we were too busy worried about if we were going to starve to death or not.
“He’s talking about Trithen,” Malachi mumbled to himself, just loud enough for me to hear.
Trithen…it sounded familiar.
“Because of the old treaties between the fae and the human lands, the fae are forbidden to attack any lands where humans reside. Or they risk punishment from the Paragon.”
The room collectively began absorbing his words, some even nodding along.
I wanted to ask Malachi what the Saints they were talking about, but I resisted, biting the inside of my cheek as he continued.
The King stood up and began pacing the room. “The humans, however, conveniently reside in the land that is separating Rewyth from our sister kingdom, Fearford.”
Adonis was the one who spoke next. “So, you think the Paragon will allow you to move fae into the human lands? Won’t there be riots?”
“Not if we do this correctly. You see, this union proves that fae and humans can live peacefully together. Especially when the new prince and princess are madly in love.”
“The humans won’t accept this,” Malachi added.
“They will if we stop them from starving. We’ll share our resources in exchange for sharing their land.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He actually wanted to make a deal with the humans?
“So, you’ll give away our food and money for a chance at posting some of our fae closer to Fearford?”
“Exactly.”
The room erupted in a low murmur of voices.
I didn’t realize Lucien leaning into my ear until he began whispering, “Better buckle up, sweetheart. The humans might not hate you yet, but they’re sure about to.”
“Shut up, Lucien,” Malachi responded before I had the chance. My head was spinning. It was all too much information to absorb. I placed my elbows on the large wooden table and rested my head on my wrists, rubbing my temples lightly.
“Are you sure the princess is up for it?” A new voice yelled from the corner of the room. “She doesn’t seem too fit for the challenge.”
I couldn’t stay quiet. I know Malachi had warned me, but I had to say something.
“What do you all know about the humans, anyway?” I said without lifting my head. “We starve. We beg. We suffer. You will never last in the human lands.”
The entire room went silent. Even Malachi.
When I finally lifted my head, the King was the only one smiling. “You underestimate your own union, child,” he said. “This is your duty. You and Malachi will make this happen. This is the sole purpose of this union, so it’s in you and your family’s best interests to make this happen. Do you understand?”
I forced myself to nod, but couldn’t stop the way my teeth clenched and nostrils flared.
Malachi put a hand on my knee, likely to attempt to stop the rush of anger that was now bubbling to the surface.
His fingers tightened. I sat back in my chair.
“And why me? Why can’t you have Adonis marry a human and move to Fearford?” Malachi asked.
This earned a snicker from Adonis, but Malachi shot him a death glare that almost made me shiver.
That shut Adonis up.
“You’re the heir to the kingdom, Malachi. Who better than to unite our species?”
Malachi snorted, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair.
Of course, nobody was going to ask my opinion on the matter. I was just the dumb human, along for the ride.
“Any questions?” The King asked. The room was silent. My heart was pounding in my chest, definitely loud enough for all of these annoying fae ears to hear. “Great,” he said. “Then this meeting is over. Malachi, prepare to move to Fearford by the end of the week.”
I could barely stand as I followed Malachi out of the room. I half-begged my body to hold it together, to wait until we were alone to have a meltdown.
Malachi and I were being sent away to rule human lands. I hadn’t decided if this was a death sentence, or the best thing that had happened since I married the Prince of Shadows.
CHAPTER 19
Malachi
Jade hadn’t spoken since we left the court meeting. I made sure to get her out of there as fast as possible once it was over, but she still hadn’t said a word.
It was concerning.
“You understand what this means, right?” I said after a few minutes of silence. Jade had laid on the bed, staring into the ceiling above her. Completely emotionless.