circles
The trees sway gently with the wind, their leaves rustling in a rhythm that feels almost like dancing. The small swing attached to the big tree in front of the house creaks softly as I sway back and forth, moving in the opposite direction of the trees. There’s something harmonious about it, something peaceful, and for a moment, I let myself get lost in the simplicity of it all.
I rarely go out during the day. Usually, I rarely have anyone to appreciate the warmth of the sun with, but today is different. The sunlight filters through the leaves, dappling the ground with patches of gold, and I feel its warmth on my legs as they dangle from the swing. I lean my weight to one side, resting my head against the rough rope, and continue to watch the trees in the distance, their movements almost hypnotic.
The Folk is sleeping at this time of day, and the world feels quieter, softer, as if it’s holding its breath. It’s a rare moment of stillness, and I savor it, letting the calm settle over me like a blanket.
“Lili?”
“Lili, did you hear what I said?”
I turn around suddenly, pulled from my thoughts. “Hmm?”
Taryn is sitting on a sheet spread out on the grass, watching me as she eats a slice of bread slathered with jam. Her expression is soft, her eyes curious, and for a moment, I feel a pang of guilt for being so lost in my own head.
“I asked if you wanted some”
she says, holding up another slice of bread, the jam glistening in the sunlight.
“No, thank you”
I reply, my voice quiet but warm.
“There’s also cheese if you don’t want something sweet”
Jude adds, sitting next to her sister.
She’s leaning back on her hands, her face tilted up to the sun, but her eyes are on me, sharp and observant as always.
“No, no, thanks” I say, smiling at them both.
“I don’t feel like eating anything right now.”
After the riddle night, which ended the way it did, we haven’t had many chances to talk. But it’s been two days already, and I couldn’t keep avoiding her. Jude invited me over to enjoy a sunny day together for once, and I went also hoping we might finally talk. Taryn is here too because it's also her house, not that I mind her presence, of course. I don’t consider her a burden or anything, but I would have liked to talk to Jude alone about the things I’ve seen, the things I’ve done… the things I still don’t understand.
I turn back to the trees, letting the swing sway gently as I try to gather my thoughts. I can feel Jude’s gaze on me, her presence a quiet but insistent.
Finally, I take a deep breath and speak, my voice soft but steady.
“Jude, can we talk?”
Taryn looks up, her expression surprised but not offended. She nods, brushing crumbs off her hands as she stands.
“I’ll go see if there’s more jam inside”
she says, her tone light but with a knowing look at her sister.
Jude watches her go, before turning back to me.
“What’s on your mind?”
she asks, her voice calm but with an edge of curiosity.
I hesitate, my fingers tightening around the ropes of the swing. How do I even begin to explain everything that’s happened? The dance with Cardan, the kiss in the garden, the way he left me standing there, breathless and confused? And then there’s what I saw between her and Nicasia—something I still can’t quite wrap my head around.
“A lot”
I say finally, my voice laced with emotion.
“But mostly… I wanted to talk about what’s going on. With you.”
Jude frowns, her brows knitting together in confusion.
“With me?”
her tone cautious but with a flicker of apprehension.
I look at her, hoping she understands that I’m serious, that this isn’t just casual curiosity.
“Jude…”
I say, my voice trailing off as I search for the right words.
“What could be going on with me?”
she continues, her tone light but with an edge that makes my stomach twist. She’s deflecting, and we both know it.
I breathe out, stressed. I didn’t mean to say it so bluntly, but maybe that’s the only way.
“I know about you two” I tell her, my voice calm but tense.
“You and Nicasia.”
For a moment, Jude just stares at me, her expression unreadable. Then her face softens, and she looks almost vulnerable, her usual mask of composure slipping just enough to reveal the girl beneath. But just as quickly, she nods, her gaze steady.
“Okay. Let’s talk.”
I let go of the swing’s ropes and step off, my legs feeling unsteady as I walk over to sit beside her on the grass. The sunlight filters through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground, and for a moment, we just sit there in silence, the weight of everything unsaid pressing down on us.
Finally, Jude speaks, her voice low but steady.
“How much do you know?”
I look at her. “Enough” I say.
Jude doesn’t flinch, doesn’t look away. Instead, she nods, her expression thoughtful.
“And what do you think about that?”
she asks, her tone neutral but with an edge of challenge.
I hesitate, my mind racing. What do I think? I don’t know. I don’t know how to feel about any of it; about Jude and Nicasia, about Cardan, about the tangled web of secrets and lies that seems to surround us all.
“I don’t know” I admit, my voice quiet but honest.
Jude looks down at her hands, her fingers twisting in the grass.
“It’s complicated”
she says, her voice soft but with an edge of frustration.
“It’s not something I can easily explain.”
She then lowers her gaze for a moment, as if searching for the right words.
"I don’t even know what I feel for her"
she admits, her voice quieter now, almost as if she’s confessing a secret to herself before sharing it with me.
"Sometimes… she makes me feel like I’m the only person in the world who matters."
I stiffen, unable to hide my shock. Nicasia? The same Nicasia who tormented her, who humiliated her in front of everyone?
"I'm just a bit confused" I say, my gaze searching hers.
"I thought you two hated each other."
Jude lets out a short laugh, but there’s no humor in it. "So did I."
She rubs her hands over her knees, eyes lost in the branches above us. For the first time since I’ve known her, she seems uncertain.
"How long has this been going on?"
I ask finally, my voice softer now, less accusatory.
She hesitates, then shrugs. "A few weeks."
It’s a vague answer, like even she isn’t sure when everything changed. Like she doesn’t want to put a beginning to it, because giving it a beginning means admitting it’s real.
I inhale slowly, letting my fingers slide along the sheet.
"Why didn’t you tell me?"
Jude finally looks at me, her expression a mix of hesitation and something deeper.
"Because I didn’t know how. Because I don’t even know what this means."
Then she sighs, her shoulders slumping slightly
“It’s not… simple.”
“I will understand” I say, my voice gentle but insistent.
Jude hesitates, her gaze flickering to the trees, to the swing, to anywhere but me. Then she takes a deep breath and begins to speak, her voice low and steady, as if she’s been holding this in for a long time.
“It started on the night of the cards”
She’s now sitting cross-legged on the grass, her hands resting loosely in her lap, but her gaze is distant, as if she’s reliving the memory.
“After the announcement of you and Cardan, and when he took you away through the crowd, I immediately followed you. Nicasia stopped me, though. I don’t know how, but she had discovered that I had written her name on my card.”
So that’s how it happened. Nicasia was probably with those who played that idiotic prank on Cardan, putting my name on his card since it was empty. And at that moment, they must have also looked at what names the other people had written, and Nicasia must have seen Jude’s.
“I didn’t know you liked Nicasia”
I say, interrupting her for a moment. My voice is soft, curious, but there’s no judgment in it.
Jude looks at me, her expression a mix of embarrassment and something softer.
“How could I not?”
her voice tinged with a kind of wistfulness.
“She’s beautiful, charming, powerful…”
Her words trail off, but I see something light up in her eyes as she talks about Nicasia, something that makes my chest ache.
“But even so”
she continues, her tone shifting back to something more guarded,
“it was embarrassing when she told me she found out. I denied everything, of course.”
She pauses, her fingers twisting in the grass.
“But when she was talking to me, it seemed like she was letting me know that she was interested in me as well. Then, I don't exactly remember when, a day after class, we kissed. In secret. And from there, I threatened her, telling her not to tell anyone. She joked about it, but from what I thought, she had kept her promise…”
She trails off, her gaze flickering to me.
“How did you find out?”
I hesitate, embarrassed to have to confess that I had spied on them. I feel like a criminal. But there’s no point in lying now.
“I… I saw you”
my voice quiet but steady.
“At the party.”
Jude frowns, her brows knitting together in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“When I came back from the dance with Cardan, you disappeared”
I explain, my words coming out in a rush.
“My mother told me that you had said you went to look for Taryn, but she had said she hadn’t seen you when she arrived. So I got worried and went to look for you, but then… I saw you two.”
For a moment, Jude just stares at me. Then she makes an amused but also embarrassed face, her lips quirking into a small, self-deprecating smile.
“I guess it was embarrassing”
she says, her tone light but with an edge of vulnerability.
“Yes, quite a bit”
I say, referring to myself, my voice dry but with a hint of a smile. The tension between us eases slightly, the weight of the conversation lifting just a little.
“Taryn doesn't know.. yet. I'm trying to find a way to tell her.” she says.
I nod.
We sit there for a moment, the sunlight filtering through the trees, the sound of the wind rustling the leaves filling the silence.
It seems like a good time to tell her about what happened.
I shift slightly, gathering my thoughts before speaking. Then I turn back to her.
"There's something I should tell you as well"
I begin, my voice quieter now.
Jude watches me, her sharp gaze scanning my face.
"Go ahead"
she says, curiosity laced in her tone.
I take a breath, ready to say it—to tell her about Cardan, about what happened between us, and how my thoughts have been conflicted ever since. I need us to talk about this, because I feel deceived; I don't understand how someone who said he was disgusted by me could've done something like that.
But before I can, footsteps crunch over the grass, and Taryn appears, carrying a new jar of jam and a jug in her hands. She’s smiling, her cheeks flushed from the sun, and for a moment, I’m struck by how carefree she looks.
"I made some lemonade. Do you want some?"
she asks with a bright smile.
Jude's eyes flicker toward me, and for a second, I see the hesitation in them. She must have realized I don’t want to talk about this in front of Taryn.
I force an easy smile.
"I'd like a glass, thanks."
Taryn beams, setting the jug down on the grass and pouring us each a glass. The lemonade is cool and tangy, the perfect antidote to the warm afternoon sun, but it does little to ease the knot of tension in my chest.
Jude takes a sip of her lemonade, her gaze flickering to me.
Maybe another time.
Finally, Taryn leans back on her hands, her face tilted up to the sun, and lets out a contented sigh.
“This is nice” she says, her voice soft
“We should do this more often.”
I nod, my smile genuine but tinged with a hint of sadness.
“Yeah” I say, my voice quiet. “We should.”
The sunny day at the Duarte house has been rejuvenating. It’s incredible how a few rays of sunshine can influence my mood, how the warmth on my skin and the laughter of friends can make the world feel a little lighter. But as I climb the stairs to my room, humming softly to myself, I’m intercepted by Gia at the foot of the stairs.
“Miss Lilia” her voice low but urgent.
“There’s someone for you. They’re waiting in the study.”
I pause, my hand resting on the banister. Someone for me?
“Who is it?” I ask, scanning her face.
Gia hesitates, her expression uncertain, and in that moment of silence, I hear two other servants whispering to each other in the hallway.
“What is a Greenbriar doing here?”
“I don’t know”
My breath catches in my throat, my pulse quickening. Cardan? What is he doing here?
“Is my mom home?”
I ask Gia, my voice steady but with an edge of urgency.
“Madam is still sleeping” Gia replies.
“She told me not to wake her until you came back home.”
“Don’t wake her up yet”
I say, my mind racing as I turn and head toward Joaalk’s study.
My hand trembles slightly as I reach for the doorknob, my mind spinning with possibilities. Why is Cardan here? Is he trying to convince me not to tell anyone about what happened, like Jude did with Nicasia? Or does he want to talk about something else entirely?
An image of him flashes in my mind... his half-closed eyes, the intensity of his gaze, the way his fingers curled against my waist, the way his breath had mingled with mine, the heat of his lips.
I shake my head, forcing the memory away. I need to be focused. I can’t afford to get distracted, not by him, not now.
I take a deep breath, my hand tightening on the doorknob, and push the door open. But what I find inside isn’t what I expected.
The strange man who had approached me at the party is standing next to the desk, his posture relaxed but his expression sharp. He has the same mocking smile he wore that night. But it’s not him who makes my breath catch.
Sitting at the desk is Princess Elowyn.
Her golden skin glows like amber in the fading sunlight, and her hair is a deep, rich green, the color of mint leaves. She looks every bit the royal she is, her presence commanding and serene. Her eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I feel like she can see straight through me.
I bow immediately, my movements stiff but respectful.
“Your Highness”
Princess Elowyn smiles slightly, her expression kind.
“You must wonder why I’m here”
she says, her voice smooth and melodic, like the toll of a distant bell.
I straighten, my heart pounding in my chest.
“Yes, Your Highness” I admit, my tone cautious but polite.
She nods, her gaze thoughtful.
“I imagine”
she says, her tone light but with an edge of something sharper.
“There are matters we need to discuss, Lilia Doerve.”
I swallow, my mind racing. What could Princess Elowyn possibly want with me? And why is the strange man from the party here? The questions swirl in my mind, but I force myself to stay calm, to keep my expression neutral.
“Matters regarding me?” I ask, hinting curiosity
Princess Elowyn leans back in her chair, her gaze never leaving mine.
“Come in, and close the door.” she says, gesturing with her hand
I do as she says, the heavy wooden door clicking shut behind me. The study feels smaller now, the air thick with tension. I stand across from her, my hands clasped tightly in sides.
“I heard you’re paired with my brother for the Spring Ball”
her tone casual but with an edge of curiosity.
“How are the preparations going?”
I hesitate, my mind racing. Is this why she's here? The truth is, after I picked out my dress, I let Kiki take care of everything else. I haven’t given much thought to the preparations myself. But I can’t admit that to her.
“Pretty good”
I say, my voice steady but cautious.
Elowyn nods, her fingers drumming lightly on the table.
“And how is he with you? Does he bother you?”
Quite a lot, actually. The words hover on the tip of my tongue, but I bite them back. Cardan has been nothing but a thorn in my side since the moment we were paired, in many different ways.
“Not really”
I reply simply, my tone neutral.
She studies me for a moment, her gaze sharp and calculating. Then, I see the exact moment she decides to change the subject, her expression shifting to something more serious.
“Tell me, Is there something you want?” she asks
“Something you desire?”
Her question catches me off guard.
“My apologies”
I say, my voice polite but with a hint of confusion.
“I don’t get the question.”
Elowyn leans forward slightly, her gaze never leaving mine.
“I am asking you, Lilia Doerve, if there’s something you want most.”
Have a normal life. Get away from here. Be free of all this.
The thoughts come unbidden, but I can’t say them. Not to her. Not to anyone.
“Nothing I can think of right now” I reply, my tone uncertain.
She takes a breath, her expression thoughtful, as if she’s weighing my words.
“I’ll tell you what I want, then.”
Then she leans back in the chair, her gaze steady.
“Teon here”
She gestures to the man leaning on the desk in front of her. He nods at me, his smile mocking but with a glint of something sharper. I don’t like the way he’s looking at me.
“told me what you did on riddle night.”
Elowyn continues, her voice calm but with an edge of authority
My stomach drops. I don’t like where this conversation is going. Is she here to punish me for making fun of the Greenbriars by winning over her brother? This could also explain why Cardan was avoiding her afterwards.
“I couldn’t attend during your match, unfortunately”
she says, her tone almost regretful,
“but he was my eyes and ears. And he told me about your… performance.”
My hands curl nervously in my dress, the fabric wrinkling under my grip. I must be visibly tense, but I can’t help it. I have to say something, to explain myself.
“My apologies-” I say, but Elowyn raises a hand, silencing me.
“I’m not here to hear your apologies” her voice cuts through mine like a blade
“And I hadn’t finished speaking.”
I fall silent, surprised by her reaction. I had always thought of Princess Elowyn as the kindest of the Greenbriars. But now, faced with her scrutiny, I wonder if I’ve been naive.
Teon smirks, lifting his brows in amusement. He presses a finger to his lips in a mocking shush, like he’s in on a joke that I’m not. Elowyn lets him, her gaze never leaving mine.
“After the evening” she continues,
“Yulie, the game’s mediator, also spoke to me. He told me that, of the whole evening, of everyone in the competition, you were the best.”
A strange smile then forms on her face, one that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“I want you to join my Circle of Larks.”
I blink, stunned. The Circle of Larks? It’s one of the most prestigious groups in the faerie court, a collection of the most talented and cunning individuals. To be invited is an honor—and a risk.
“That’s what I want”
Elowyn says, her voice low but with an edge of finality.
“The best.”
"I don’t think I deserve that much" I say, incredulous.
Princess Elowyn tilts her head, her gaze suddenly sharp, like I just said something particularly foolish.
"What do you think you deserve then?"
she asks, arching a perfectly shaped brow.
Certainly not this.
I scramble for an answer that won’t sound outright offensive.
"I… don’t know."
She exhales, clearly unimpressed.
"What’s your price then?"
I'm confused by her question.
"My price?"
"Everyone has a price"
she says, waving a hand as if this is the most obvious thing in the world.
"Tell me yours."
Something about the way she says it irritates me.
"I’d rather not think of myself as an object for sale"
I reply, keeping my tone as polite as possible.
Elowyn grimaces.
"I certainly don't want to buy you! Who do you think I am?"
"Her Highness has never bought any of the humans inside the Circle."
Teon chimes in smoothly, nodding with his eyes closed as if that’s supposed to be reassuring.
Elowyn rolls her eyes.
"Look, I didn’t come here to waste my time."
So she just expected me to enthusiastically accept and shower her with gratitude. Royals are really something.
"I really don’t think I have what it takes to flourish within your Circle, Your Highness,"
I try to reason.
"I’m not saying no out of modesty, I’m—"
"You’re saying no?!"
she snaps, leaning forward as if I’ve personally insulted her entire lineage.
Teon whistles lowly. "Oof."
Elowyn ignores him.
"What do you want? Wealth? Love? Power? There has to be something you want."
"Far be it from me to make you feel bad, Your Highness, but I don’t wish for any of that"
I say with an apologetic shrug.
"I just want to live a peaceful... and happy life."
"Happy?"
She stares at me like I’ve just said I aspire to be a common field mouse. Then she turns to Teon.
"Look at him. Doesn’t he look happy to you?"
I follow her gaze to Teon, who beams at me with the brightest, most obviously rehearsed smile I’ve ever seen.
"Could you say your life is happy, Teon?" she asks, expectant.
"I could!" he replies without missing a beat.
I squint at him.
"That sounded extremely fake."
I mutter to myself, but he hears me.
"It was!" he admits cheerfully.
Elowyn glares at him.
He clears his throat. "I could also say—incredibly happy."
I press my lips together, trying not to laugh. His goofy reply contrasts his intimidating appearance. I didn't expect it, in a tense situation like this.
Elowyn sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose before looking back at me, determined.
"You’re being very difficult"
She exhales sharply, then leans back in her chair, studying me like a puzzle that refuses to fit together. Then, with a sudden shift in expression
"Alright. Name a favor."
Again? Being stubborn must be a family trait.
I blink. "Excuse me?"
"A favor. Any favor. If I can grant it, I will. In exchange, you join my Circle of Larks."
I glance at Teon, who raises his brows, looking mildly impressed.
Oh, she’s really determined to get me in this Circle.
And now, to my own horror, I’m actually kind of curious.
“Are we talking about binding and oaths?”
I ask, my voice steady but with a hint of caution.
Pacts and promises are dangerous in the faerie court, I learned that during my lessons at the palace, binding in ways that can’t be undone, with consequences that can’t be foreseen.
Princess Elowyn’s gaze sharpens, her lips curling into a faint smile.
“If that’s what you want, yes, we can talk about that”
I feel a flicker of unease, my stomach twisting at the thought. Binding and oaths are not something to be taken lightly, and the fact that she’s willing to discuss them so casually only heightens my wariness.
“I didn’t say I wanted that”
I reply, my voice calm but with a hint of defiance.
“I was just trying to make sure if what I assumed was correct.”
Elowyn leans back in her chair, her expression thoughtful but with a glint of amusement in her eyes.
“Of course”
she says, her tone smooth.
“But if you’re now considering joining my Circle, it’s something we’ll eventually need to discuss. Binding ensures loyalty, and loyalty is… essential.”
I nod, my mind racing. Loyalty. The word feels heavy, loaded with meaning. Loyalty to Elowyn, to her Circle—it’s not something I can give lightly. Not when I know how dangerous it can be.
“And if I refuse?”
I ask, my voice quiet but with a hint of challenge.
Elowyn’s smile doesn’t falter, but there’s a flicker of something in her eyes, something sharp, something dangerous.
“Refusal is an option, of course.”
she says,
“But I wouldn’t recommend it.”
I swallow, my throat suddenly dry. I know what she’s not saying—that refusal comes with consequences, consequences I might not be able to handle.
Teon, still leaning on the desk, watches the exchange with a faint smile. He doesn’t say anything, but his presence is a reminder that I’m not just dealing with Elowyn.
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm.
“I’ll think about it”
I say, my voice steady but laced with a reluctance I can’t quite hide. The words taste bitter on my tongue, like unripe blackberries. I don’t want to think about it. I want to run, to disappear into the shadows of the forest where even the Folk might not find me. But running isn’t an option.
Elowyn lets out a laugh. Light, almost amused.
“You say that as if time is a luxury you can afford” she muses.
“I wonder, do you often let rare opportunities slip between your fingers like sand?”
I look at her, confusion knotting in my chest. She didn't come here to ask, she's here to negotiate. I should have told Gia to wake Kiki when I had the chance.
“You know, little one”
Teon says, his voice smooth as silk as he sits on the desk. He crosses his legs, the picture of casual elegance, but his voice is anything but relaxed. It pins me in place, sharp and unyielding.
“You may think the princess easily asks anyone out there to join her.”
“I never said that—”
I start, but he cuts me off with a wave of his hand, as though my words are nothing more than an irritating buzz.
“But that’s not the case”
he continues, leaning forward slightly.
“There are many who approach her, begging to join the Circle, but she has never personally asked anyone.”
He pauses, letting the weight of his words sink in, before adding,
“Before now.”
The room seems to shrink around me, the walls pressing closer, the air growing heavier. I feel the pressure of Elowyn’s expectations like a physical weight, pressing down on my shoulders, threatening to crush me. This isn’t just an invitation.
“I am honored, truly,”
I say, my voice carefully measured, though my heart pounds in my chest like a war drum. I can feel the eyes of everyone in the room on me, watching, waiting, judging.
Elowyn’s lips curve into a smile, but it’s not the kind of smile that brings comfort. It’s the kind that makes you want to step back, to put as much distance between yourself and her as possible.
“I hope your sentence is not intended to continue with a ‘but,’”
she says, her tone light but edged with steel.
I swallow hard. There’s no way out of this, not without consequences. But the thought of saying yes, of binding myself to her, to the Circle, makes my stomach churn. I’ve spent my life avoiding the games of the Folk, staying just out of reach, just out of sight. But now, the shadows I’ve hidden in are gone, and I’m standing in the light, exposed.
“No ‘but,’”
I say finally, forcing the words out.
“I’m just… considering what it would mean. For me.”
Elowyn’s smile widens, and for a moment, I think I see something like satisfaction in her eyes.
“Good”
she says, leaning back in the chair.
“Patience is a virtue, but even I have my limits, remember.”
I nod, though my mind is still spinning. I can feel Teon’s eyes on me, watching me, waiting to see if it will run or freeze. I don’t know which is worse.
I let out a small, breathy and nervous laugh, trying to defuse the pressure building in the room.
"It’s just... I don’t understand why you’d want me."
Elowyn raises an elegant eyebrow.
"You outwitted my little brother in front of the entire court. That alone is worth something, don't you think?"
I fight the urge to groan. "That was a luck."
"Luck"
she repeats smoothly, studying my face
"Unique. I've never heard anyone talk about 'luck' referring to their skills. A lucky guess is still an answer, a right one. And a Queen should know how to recognize value when she sees it."
Queen? So she's still aiming to become the heir. I thought it was known by now that Prince Dain had been chosen as heir to the throne. I have never heard of an official announcement but that is what is being said, but if you say that then it means that nothing has actually been decided yet.
Teon nods sagely, then leans forward, smirking.
“She’s offering you power, little one. Not many mortals get a second chance at that.”
I tense
“Power over what? I don't see how my so called skills could bring any power”
“Over what matters.” Elowyn corrects.
"Over the truth. Over who gets to whisper in my ear. Words are powerful, Lilia, even for ones who seem to use them only for matters regarding arts. If you think you can use your wit to make a mockery of my brother in front of everyone, imagine what you could do if you had me on your side.”
She leans forward slightly. “Or rather—if you were on mine.”
I blink.
“You’re trying to recruit me with... promises of friendship?”
She smiles.
“Friendship is a precious thing, but no. You’ll have my favor, of course, but beyond that… I will ensure you have a place in this world. You wouldn’t have to fight to belong. You’d simply belong. Everyone will be accepted as they are in my Court.”
My fingers twitch. Despite everything, it’s a tempting offer.
“You’d really give me anything I wanted?”
I ask, not quite trusting.
“Within reason” she replies smoothly. “And I’d ask for very little in return.”
“Very little”
Teon echoes with an exaggerated nod, eyes twinkling.
I glance between them.
"Like what?”
Elowyn takes her time considering her words.
"Just… a touch of attentiveness, now and then. A listening ear where it matters, a well-placed word when the moment calls for it. Nothing untoward. In my company, your way with words will only sharpen; you’ll find yourself always knowing what to say, how to turn the tide in your favor. You’d hardly notice the shift at all."
I hesitate.
I could say no. I could tell her that I don’t care about power, that I have no interest in courtly schemes. I could walk away.
And yet… The way she’s looking at me, the way she speaks—it’s like she knows something. Like she knows me. And that unnerves me more than anything else.
She says she's interested in my abilities, but for purposes she hasn't fully disclosed. However, I could use this to my advantage in some way.
“So?”
Teon asks as he watches me
I glance at Elowyn warily.
“I like to consider my choices carefully.”
She tilts her head, watching me with something close to pity.
“Oh, but surely, a clever girl like you already knows the answer. Or is it that you simply don’t wish to say it out loud?”
“It’s not that simple.”
My stomach tightens. I know what to ask, but I can't exactly seem to be able to put it into words right now.
Teon chuckles, shaking his head and looking at the princess.
“They never think it is, do they?”
Elowyn ignores him, her gaze still locked onto mine.
“What if I told you that doors do not stay open forever? That once closed, they rarely open again?” She leans forward slightly.
“Would you still hesitate, knowing the wind could blow it shut before you’ve made up your mind?”
There’s something unsettling about the way she speaks, as if she already knows what I will do. As if my choices were never truly mine to begin with.
“You said you didn't wish for anything”
she continues, voice soft, coaxing.
“But now you're considering it. I wonder what would you ask for, if you believed you could have it.”
I swallow.
“You make it sound as if I’d barely notice, what if I end up disappointing the expectations?”
I say, referring to what she said before
Elowyn’s lips press together for a brief moment before she exhales, her patience fraying just slightly.
“You must mistake me. I do not offer scraps, nor do I waste my time. I would not be here if I thought you were ordinary.”
Her voice isn’t sharp, but there’s an unmistakable flicker of frustration now.
“Do you believe I would offer this lightly? That I ask this of just anyone?”
She leans back slightly, composing herself.
“No, I do not.”
I shift under the weight of her stare. She’s right. A princess of Elfhame doesn’t personally seek out humans for her court. And yet, my instinct tells me to be cautious.
"If I accept" I begin carefully
"I want your word that my family will never be harmed or used against me.”
Elowyn blinks at me, then folds her hands together.
“Strange, that you think them at risk” she muses.
“Unless, of course, you believe them valuable enough to be a target.”
I stiffen, but she merely watches me, unbothered.
“Very well”
she says smoothly.
“I have no desire to see them troubled. No need to worry about it.”
It’s not quite the promise I want, but it’s something.
"If I join, I want your word that no magical creature, including you, can enchant me, command me, or control me through magic.”
Teon lets out a low whistle.
“Careful, little one. You make it sound as if she planned to.”
Elowyn exhales, a faint shadow of disappointment passing over her expression.
“You ask much for someone who claims to want nothing.”
She taps a finger against the desk, considering.
“But fine. If it soothes your fears, I will not glamour you, nor let to be glamoured by anyone. Your mind will remain your own.”
A small relief settles in my chest, but she isn’t finished.
Elowyn rises from her chair with the grace of a predator uncoiling from a crouch.
She’s tall, taller than me by a good margin, and her presence feels like a shadow stretching across the room, swallowing the light. She circles the desk, her steps deliberate, until she’s standing in front of me. Her gaze is sharp, and I have to fight the urge to step back. Instead, I hold my ground, my chin lifted, though my heart is pounding so loudly I’m sure she can hear it.
“To establish a pact”
she says, her voice smooth and low,
“since you’ve stated your terms, a signature is still needed.”
She tilts her head slightly, her eyes narrowing as though she’s studying me for the first time.
“Choose a place on your body where no one will be able to see it.”
“See what?”
I ask, my voice sharper than I intend.
“The mark”
she replies, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. Her tone is casual, almost dismissive.
“Do I have to be marked?”
My voice rises, betraying the panic I’m trying to keep at bay.
“And if someone sees it?”
Elowyn’s lips curve into a faint smile.
“For this exact reason, I gave you the chance to choose”
she says, her tone cool and measured.
“The mark is… a formality. A symbol of our agreement. But it’s also a protection. For you, and for me.”
I swallow hard. A mark. A permanent reminder of this moment, of the choice I’m about to make. I think about it—really think about it. Am I really doing this? Am I really saying yes to this? To her? My stomach churns.
Finally, I point to my left side, just below my ribcage. It’s a place no one will see, not unless I let them.
“Here”
I say, my voice steadier than I feel.
Elowyn nods, her expression unreadable.
“A good choice”
she says, almost approvingly. Then she steps closer, her hands lifting to rest on my shoulders. Her touch is cool, her fingers pressing lightly but firmly, as though she’s anchoring me in place. I want to pull away, but I don’t. I can’t.
She begins to speak, her voice low and melodic, the words flowing together in a language I don’t understand. It’s ancient, guttural, and beautiful all at once, like the sound of wind through dead leaves or water rushing over stones. The air around us seems to hum with energy, and I feel a strange warmth spreading from where her hands rest on my shoulders, sinking into my skin, my bones, my very soul.
As she speaks, I catch fragments of meaning, though I don’t know how. Promises. Oaths. Bindings. Her voice wraps around me like a spell, and I can feel the weight of her words settling over me, heavy and unyielding.
"Lilia Doerve, of human blood and flesh. Bound by word, sealed in silence, let no spell bend your will, no enchantment steer your path. Not by whisper, nor by weight of magic, shall you be made to kneel. In return, let your steps follow where I lead, your loyalty steadfast until the last breath leaves my lips. So spoken, so marked, so sworn."
The air hums with something unseen, the weight of magic curling around me like an unseen thread weaving itself into my skin. It is not painful, but it is undeniable, a presence settling into the very marrow of my bones.
Then, just as suddenly as it began, the air stills. Elowyn lifts her hands away, and a strange warmth lingers on my left side.
"Then it is settled"
she says, rising to her feet, her expression composed once more.
“Welcome to the Circle of Larks, Lilia Doerve.”
I exhale, though I hadn't realized I was holding my breath. The words sound final, weighty. I try to convince myself that nothing has changed, that I am still myself, unbound, unchained. But I cannot ignore the subtle tingling at my side where the mark now rests, hidden beneath my clothes.
Teon grins, leaning back against the desk as if he had never doubted this outcome.
“Well, that was entertaining” he says, folding his arms.
“You certainly made her work for it.”
Elowyn shoots him a brief look before turning back to me.
“You’ll be called upon when needed. Nothing more, nothing less.”
I nod stiffly, my mind still catching up to what I have just done.
She studies me for a moment, her gaze unreadable, then Teon with the barest trace of amusement in his voice, he adds
“Try not to look so grim. You might find that you enjoy it.”
I don’t reply.
I don’t trust myself to.