Fae Politics 101
Kate’s POV
The grand corridors of the Seelie palace stretched before us, a dizzying maze of crystal and light. Each step echoed off the impossibly high ceilings, the sound swallowed by the vastness around us. Guards flanked our little group, their armor gleaming like living metal, faces impassive as stone.
I couldn’t help but marvel at the surreal beauty of it all, even as anxiety gnawed at my insides. Cyrus walked beside me, his jaw clenched so tight I feared for his teeth. Liam’s parents glided ahead, the very picture of Fae nobility – backs straight, chins high, not a hair out of place.
“So,” I said, trying to keep my voice light despite the knot in my stomach, “is this the VIP treatment, or are you guys just really into the whole ‘prisoner chic’ aesthetic?”
Liam’s mother shot me a look that was equal parts amusement and exasperation. “This hearing is more significant than you might realize, Kate,” she explained, her voice low. “It represents the first peaceful negotiations between the Seelie and Unseelie courts since the incident at Woodstock.”
“For the last three eons,” Liam’s father added, his voice grave, “there have been only skirmishes and cold-war tactics. Never a formal discussion under the guise of peace or neutrality.”
Great. No pressure or anything. Just the fate of two magical realms hanging in the balance. A totally normal Tuesday.
As we approached the grand doors of the courtroom, my heart hammered against my ribs. The intricately carved wood seemed to whisper ancient secrets, and I half expected them to deny us entry. But they swung open silently, revealing a scene that took my breath away.
The Council of 13 sat in a perfect semicircle, their elaborate chairs proof of the impressive Fae craftsmanship. Each Councilor exuded an aura of power and age that made me feel like a young child. Liam’s mother settled on the last empty chair, her husband and Rosebud standing behind her, and indicated with a nod for us to stand a bit offside the crowd of onlookers that had gathered for the hearing. But it was the figure standing in the center of the room that truly captured my attention.
He was darkness personified. Tall and lithe, he stood with the easy confidence of a predator. His long, white hair flowed over his shoulders, framing his deeply tanned face. When his eyes met mine, they were bottomless pools of night, pulling me into their depths. High cheekbones and a chiseled jawline gave him an almost regal look, accentuated by his attire – a dark, intricately embroidered coat that hugged his muscular form. Silver patterns wove through the fabric, catching the light and hinting at his high status and ancient lineage.
His gaze had made my skin crawl earlier when Liam was arrested, and now, standing before him, a shiver ran down my spine – fear, certainly, but mixed with something else. Something I didn’t want to examine too closely.
Down, girl, I chided myself. He’s probably eaten things scarier than you for breakfast.
He spoke, his voice rich and smooth, like the finest dark chocolate. “The Unseelie Court is aware,” he stated, his tone measured and calm, “that Liam was tasked with retrieving the Temporal Tether. We also know of the deal between the Seelie Court and Iele.”
The room erupted into chaos. Councilors widened their eyes, their faces flushed with indignation and shock.
“Impossible!”
“How dare you suggest-“
“This is an outrage!” one elder bellowed, his voice shaking. “You dare admit to spying on us openly?”
The dark stranger raised a hand, silencing them effortlessly. “Let us not pretend,” he continued, “that we do not have eyes and ears in each other’s courts. Such practices are regrettable but necessary in times of conflict. We are all aware of the importance of staying informed about potential threats and developments. It is a reality we both live with.”
His gaze swept the room, meeting each Councilor’s eyes in turn. I watched, fascinated by his unwavering composure, as he deftly navigated the political minefield.
“What matters now,” he said, “is addressing the situation with the Tether. I have brought a book containing crucial information that you might be interested in.”
The Seelie Councilors exchanged glances, their faces a mix of skepticism and curiosity. One, a regal-looking elderly Fae with dark brown hair, spoke up. “And what, precisely, do you want in exchange for this… information?”
The ambassador’s lips curved into a smile that made my stomach flip. “The release of our citizen, currently residing in your dungeons. I believe you’ve been holding him on suspicion of… shall we say, overzealous curiosity?”
A fresh wave of murmurs swept through the court. The Councilors’ faces were a study in controlled outrage, but I could see the calculation in their eyes. They obviously wanted that book.
“And what makes you think we need this information?” another Councilor challenged, though his voice lacked conviction.
The Unseelie representative flashed a satisfied smirk. “Come now. We both know that if you – or the Iele, or young Liam – knew how to remove the Tether, you would have done so already. Am I wrong?”
His gaze swept over to where Cyrus and I stood. “Perhaps your… guests… could confirm this?”
Suddenly, all eyes were on us. I felt like a bug under a microscope, pinned and exposed. The Unseelie’s gaze was particularly intense, and I found myself struggling to look away.
“Well,” I started, my voice embarrassingly shaky, “Liam couldn’t figure out how to remove it. We were kind of hoping you guys would have the answers.”
Smooth, Kate. Real smooth. Why don’t you just hand him the keys to the kingdom while you’re at it?
The ambassador’s smile widened, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. “As I thought. Now, about that book…”
What followed was a masterclass in political maneuvering. The Seelie Council and the Unseelie diplomat engaged in a verbal dance, each side probing for weaknesses, making offers and counter-offers. It was like watching a high-stakes chess match where I couldn’t quite see all the pieces.
“We propose shared magical research on neutral grounds,” one Councilor offered, her voice smooth as silk.
The Unseelie inclined his head. “An intriguing offer. And what of trade restrictions?”
“We might be willing to ease certain… limitations,” another Councilor replied cautiously.
And so it went, back and forth, each side giving a little, taking a little. I found myself mesmerized by the ambassador’s skill. He was playing them like a finely tuned instrument, and I couldn’t decide if I was impressed or terrified.
“We have no proof that this book actually contains any useful information,” one Councilor argued, her tone sharp. “We demand to inspect the book first.”
The ambassador’s smile didn’t falter. “And what would stop you from taking that information without honoring your agreements in return? No, I’m afraid that won’t do. Instead, I took the liberty of requesting the presence of two witnesses who can confirm the depth of our knowledge on this subject.”
Suddenly, the doors burst open. Guards entered, escorting two figures – Liam and a Fae I didn’t recognize, but whose dark attire marked him as Unseelie.
The room, which had just begun to calm, erupted into fresh chaos. Liam’s eyes found mine, concern etched on his face. The Unseelie prisoner, however, wore a smirk to rival the envoys.
“Ah, just on time,” the diplomat said smoothly. “Liam, perhaps you’d like to share your experience with the trials? And your… illuminating conversations with our citizen?”
Liam hesitated, his gaze flicking between his parents and the Unseelies. Finally, he spoke, his voice tight. “It’s true. I spoke with him,” he nodded towards the Unseelie, “during my time in the dungeons. He provided information about the trials.”
The Unseelie’s smirk widened. “Oh, we discussed far more than just the trials, didn’t we, princeling?”
The implication sent a fresh wave of murmurs through the court. Liam’s parents looked stricken, and I felt a surge of protectiveness. But before I could speak, the ambassador was there, his presence overwhelming.
“You see,” he said, his voice pitched to carry, “cooperation between our courts can yield… fascinating results.”
With Liam’s parents distracted by this new development, the Unseelie representative turned his attention fully to me. I felt my breath catch as his dark eyes bore into mine.
“I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced,” he said, his voice low and intimate despite the crowded room. “I am Asher, Ambassador of the Unseelie Court. And you are…?”
“Kate,” I managed, my mouth suddenly dry as a desert.
Asher’s smile was predatory. “A pleasure, Kate. Now, I have a proposition for you.”
Oh boy. Here we go.
“We need a neutral party to oversee these negotiations,” he continued. “Someone unbiased, someone bound by a higher power.” His eyes glittered. “Someone like you.”
I blinked, taken aback. “Me? But I’m not – I don’t know anything about Fae politics.”
“Precisely,” Asher purred. “You’re uniquely positioned. Human, yet turning Iele. Connected to the Seelie through your… relationship.” His gaze flicked meaningfully to where Liam stood. “And bound by the sacred nature of Iele promises.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but he pressed on, his voice a seductive murmur. “I’m sure that you want to help Liam. This is your chance. To ensure fairness for all parties.”
I glanced at Liam and his parents, hoping for some guidance. But they were engrossed in a heated discussion with the other Councilors, gesticulating wildly as they argued about Liam’s loyalty. The room had gone oddly quiet around Asher and me, everyone else seemingly oblivious to our conversation.
“I…” I hesitated, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on me.
Asher leaned in, his scent – something dark and spicy – enveloping me. “As a neutral party in this delicate matter between our courts,” he said, his voice low and intense, “would you be willing to promise to mediate all negotiations between Seelie and Unseelie with full consideration of all proposals brought forth, and to make decisions that are fair and unbiased for the benefit of all parties involved?”
I felt dizzy, caught in his gaze like a rabbit before a snake. The logical part of my brain was screaming warnings, but another part – the part that desperately wanted to help – was considering it.
“I…” I swallowed hard. “I promise.”
The words fell from my lips like stones, and I knew immediately I’d made a mistake. Asher’s smile turned triumphant, and a ripple of surprise went through the nearby Fae who had overheard the last part of our conversation.
“Excellent,” he purred, and then, before anyone could react, he continued. “Now, let’s test the extent of your promise, shall we? I propose that you consider taking me as a lover, besides Liam and your human partner, to strengthen the bonds between the Seelie and Unseelie courts and as a gesture of goodwill and unity.”
The silence that followed was deafening. For a heartbeat, no one moved, no one breathed. Then, like a dam breaking, chaos erupted.
“Outrageous!”
“How dare you!”
“This is a mockery of our court!”
The Councilors were on their feet, their expressions twisted with outrage. Cyrus looked ready to commit murder, his hand on his concealed weapon. Liam, still held by the guards, glared at the Unseelie ambassador with burning intensity. His fists clenched and unclenched as he struggled against his restraints. His parents were shouting, their composure shattered.
And me? I stood there, mouth agape, feeling like I’d been punched in the gut. Asher’s words echoed in my head, each repetition sending a fresh wave of shock through me.
Did he just – Did I just – Oh, fuck me sideways with a rusted shovel.
“You can’t be serious,” I finally managed to sputter, my face burning with a mix of embarrassment and anger.
Asher’s smirk widened, his eyes dancing with dark amusement. “Oh, but I am. And you promised to consider all proposals fairly and unbiasedly, did you not?”
Cyrus stepped forward, practically vibrating with rage. “This is absurd,” he growled. “Kate doesn’t have to-“
“Actually,” Asher cut in smoothly, “she does. Breaking a sacred Iele promise would be disastrous, as I’m sure you’re well aware. “
The reminder sent ice through my veins. I’d walked right into his trap, gift-wrapped and tied with a bow.
Stupid, stupid, STUPID! When will I learn that words have power here? Maybe I should just take a vow of silence and purely communicate through interpretive dance from now on.
Liam’s father, his face a thundercloud, spoke up. “This… proposal… has nothing to do with the current negotiations. Kate isn’t required to give an answer immediately.”
His wife nodded, her eyes flashing dangerously. “We all know the stakes of breaking an Iele-promise, but this matter should be discussed separately and given its due time.” Liam’s dad left his spot behind his wife and joined Cyrus and me instead, probably to keep me from making another error like my earlier promise.
I latched onto their words like a lifeline. “They’re right,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I will… consider your proposal. But it’s not a decision to be made lightly or hastily. I need time to reflect.”
Asher nodded, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “Of course. Take all the time you need. We have more pressing matters to discuss, after all.”
The negotiations resumed, more heated than ever. I found myself pulled into discussions, asked for opinions on matters I barely understood. Through it all, Asher’s eyes followed me, his gaze a tangible weight on my skin.
The negotiations dragged on, and I found myself caught in a whirlwind of political maneuvering that made my head spin. The Seelie Council and Asher danced around each other like wary predators, each looking for an opening.
I couldn’t help but notice the undercurrent of obsessive determination in the Seelie’s arguments. They were trying to hide it, but it was clear they needed that book. The potential fallout with the Iele if we didn’t get the Tether off Liam’s arm and transferred to me was obviously weighing heavily on their minds.
Asher, the sneaky bastard, knew it too. I could see it in the glint of his eye, the slight curl of his lip. He was enjoying this, pushing them to their limits.
“Perhaps,” Asher said, his voice silky smooth, “we should consider the unique insights young Liam might have gained during his time with the Tether. Such knowledge could foster a better understanding between our courts, don’t you think?”
The Council members nodded along, murmuring agreement, but something about Asher’s statement set off alarm bells in my head. I couldn’t quite put my finger on why, but it felt… off.
As I watched the back-and-forth, my mind started racing. Why now? The Unseelie court hadn’t made any significant moves to negotiate for the last three eons. Why suddenly pop up now, specifically around the Tether situation?
The timing’s too perfect, I thought, narrowing my eyes at Asher. This isn’t about the spy at all, is it? It’s about Liam.
A chill ran down my spine as the pieces started to click into place. Liam’s knowledge of Seelie security magic, especially related to their portals… that had to be what Asher was really after.
Just as I was about to share my suspicions with Cyrus, Asher dropped his final bombshell.
“In addition to the book,” he said, his voice dripping with false generosity, “we offer safe passage through the Ebonwood Expanse.”
The reaction from the Seelie Council was immediate. They practically fell over themselves in their eagerness. “The Ebonwood Expanse isn’t just any forest,” Liam’s father whispered urgently. “It’s rich in rare herbs and magical creatures vital for our healing magic. And the ruins there… they could hold secrets of our heritage lost for centuries.”
Great. So now we’re dealing with magical herbs, extinct creatures, AND ancient ruins. Why not throw in a cursed treasure and a prophesied chosen one while we’re at it?
As the negotiations wound down, I found myself proposing a compromise, desperate to gain some control over the situation. “I’ll review the book’s contents before any spy exchange occurs,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “That way, we can ensure the information is legitimate without compromising anyone’s security.”
Asher agreed, but of course, there was a catch. “You must review the content in private with me,” he insisted, his eyes glittering. “To ensure no other parties gain access to the information prematurely.”
The Seelie Council exchanged uneasy glances, their reluctance palpable. Liam’s parents, in particular, looked ready to protest, but the weight of the situation silenced them. Finally, one of the Councilors spoke, his voice heavy with resignation. “Very well, we agree to this condition.”
Fantastic. Alone time with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Manipulative. What could possibly go wrong?
The Councilor cleared his throat, addressing the room. “This hearing will continue tomorrow morning, in conjunction with Liam’s hearing. Dismissed.”
The crowd began to disperse, murmuring among themselves. I could feel their eyes on me as I stood next to Cyrus, a mix of curiosity and apprehension in their gazes. The weight of their expectations only added to the pressure I felt. This was going to be a long night.
Cyrus and Liam, predictably, were not happy about the arrangement. “I should be there too,” Cyrus insisted, his voice tight with worry.
I sighed, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on me. “I have to follow the rules we negotiated,” I said, even as every instinct screamed at me to take Cyrus up on his offer. “I can handle him on my own.”
Liam’s response was dripping with sarcasm. “Right, because that clearly worked out great earlier.”
I felt a flare of anger. “That’s not fair-“
But before I could finish, Asher was there, offering me his arm with a smirk that made my skin crawl. “Shall we, my dear? I believe we have a dinner date and a private study session to attend to.”
I hesitated, looking back at Cyrus, Liam and his parents. Their faces were a mix of worry and resignation.
Well, I thought, taking Asher’s arm with as much grace as I could muster, into the lion’s den we go. Let’s hope I don’t end up as the main course.
As we walked away, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was walking straight into another trap. But with an Iele promise binding me and the fate of two realms hanging in the balance, what choice did I have?
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.