Page 28 of Fae Tithe

The linked pair said nothing as they made their way outside. The teenager breathed deep the sunshine and roses of the palatial gardens. The ornamental fountains sent pleasant sounds to her ears, combatting the noise of her loud, panicked pulse. Eleanor’s trembling eased slightly, as though the sunshine had begun to melt her frozen terror.

“Lovely, is it not?” King Rian purred.

“Yes, Your Grace,” she murmured, keeping her eyes on the gravelled path beneath her feet.

The massive arm she had linked hers through scorched her skin. It seemed to Eleanor that the King was fuelled by some kind of internal forge. The Seelie King has the magic of the Dragon Flame. The Dragon Flame was gifted to the First King by the Last Dragon. Is that why he’s so warm?

“I am intrigued by your schooling. It seems you are well educated?” the Seelie King asked her casually, as though he was chatting to a friend.

“Yes, Your Grace,” Eleanor replied. She angled her head upwards so she could see his face.

“Fascinating.” Rian had not torn his eyes from her, as though she truly was fascinating. “Tell me about yourself, Miss Neycur. Any friends? A sweetheart?”

“I…have one friend at school.” Eleanor wrinkled her nose. “I do not have a sweetheart, though. I want to see the world, make my way, so I don’t really have time for one.”

“Ambition?” The King’s lips plucked upwards in a perfect white smile. It reminded Eleanor of a predator baring its teeth. “I like that, very much. You’re quite… diverting, Miss Neycur, compared to the other young ladies staying here.”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” she replied.

“You are welcome. Now, indulge me. Please tell me what you know about the Tithe?”

“The five Fae Lords and King of the Seelie Court of Solas exert their right to Tithe,” Eleanor recited from memory, the knowledge gleaned from the book gifted by the Governess. “They may take their choice of young human ladies from the aristocratic houses once in a Fae generation.”

“Correct, Miss Neycur. Tell me why?”

“The Tithe is to give these noble human families the opportunity to ascend themselves by having their daughters serve in the Seelie and Fae Lord Courts.” Eleanor felt emboldened by her recital. “But… what is in it for the Fae?”

To Eleanor’s surprise, King Rian threw back his head and laughed, his white teeth flashing in the sun. “That is very insightful Miss Neycur!” He seemed to mull for a moment before continuing. “The simple answer is we do it to replenish out bloodlines. Our numbers are dwindling. Men are more common amongst my kind than women, and children are even rarer again. The few women amongst Fae-kind have not produced children in decades. Nor have we had a Tithe for even longer than that, as my father did not see it fit to hold one. Please understand, this is the first Tithe I have ordered, an experiment of sorts, to see how it all works. This is so that my unwed Seelie Lords and I have the first pick of eligible girls. I will run as many as I have to, so the Fae Lords and Ministers have wives as well.”

Shock swept through Eleanor, her heart hammering in her chest. She had no idea that to serve meant to serve in marriage. A shiver of disgust travelled up her spine. She could not believe that the powerful Fae took human children to breed with. It all snapped into place for her: the predatory glances, the teasing of the captain, the probing questions of the Interviewer and the King. This was what they had stolen her for, to participate in the creation of the next generation of the Fae.

Rian laid his giant hand upon Eleanor’s, gripping hers tightly. It trembled on the crook of his elbow as they strolled through the decadent gardens. The blooms amongst the briars looking like skewered hearts on the thorns. She was acutely aware of the gravel scrunching beneath her slipper-covered feet, the pale blue silk being scuffed by the pebbles.

“I have no Queen. Without a Queen, I have no children. Without children, I have no heirs. This essentially undermines my rule as I have no legacy. Without this legacy, how can I call myself King?”

Eleanor knew, she knew, and she fought back the tears that threatened to fall. She had no retort, no comeback. She felt so utterly helpless in that moment.

Rian raked his fiery eyes across her face and her blue silken bodice again. He smiled his predator’s grin. “My dear Miss Neycur, I think I could call myself a King with you by my side.”

Helena and her family had been preparing for the better part of a fortnight for their trip to the Spring Equinox Festival in Portson. She and Lance had fallen into an easy routine of harvesting pearls in the mornings, crafting jewellery for the stall in the afternoons, and making love in the evenings while the rest of the household slept.

Her Merman had told Helena he loved times like these. Thank the Fae for Lance, he’s shown me what real love is. It was so different with Peter. When he wasn’t drunk and ignoring me, he was yelling and breaking things. To think, I thought it was normal. She was so grateful for the way the Merman folded into her life with ease when he came home and seemed to find his own peace in the day-to-day life at the villa.

The day of the festival came. The sun had not yet cracked the horizon when Helena roused the family to start the trip to Portson.

Wrapped against the early morning chill, Helena tapped her boot impatiently as she waited for the others to get dressed. I wish they would hurry up! I want to see El. No letters from her, as usual, at least not when I checked at the post office a couple of days ago. I will have to remind her about sending them… again. She huffed through her nose, steam rising into the air around her as she chuckled. Typical teenager.

Helena had woken in the early hours long before the rest of her family. By lamplight, she had tacked the ponies and hitched them to the cart. She had loaded in a canvas shade sail, a flat wooden board, and two crates. The crates held various homemade pieces to sell, which Helena and Lance had spent much of their time crafting.

She was about to return inside to bark at them to hurry up, when finally the family stumbled out of the villa, spilling into the still-dark morning. Lance, rounding up the twins, led them to the cart. The night before, Max and Zac had been bubbling with excitement about the trip, but now their feet dragged and large dark circles bagged their eyes. Helena watched Lance, his expression soft, as he dealt with the boys. He tucked them carefully into the remaining space in the cart, where they promptly fell asleep. Her stomach butterflied at the sight and Helena gave him a wide grin when their faces met. Lance returned a tender smile.

Rose brought up the rear of their group and threw a scowl at Helena, hair trussed and dark circles under her eyes. “Don’t ever get me up this early again.”

Helena snorted in response. “Good morning to you, too!”

The two ponies plodded at a decent pace down the familiar roads pulling the laden cart behind them. The adults walked alongside the animals. When the sun finally spilt overhead, they finally entered the city. Portson was coloured with a rainbow of tapestries and flower garlands, the streets already thrumming with life, despite the earliness of the day.

Helena steered the group through the crowded laneways, grateful that she had left the dog at home. Biscuit would be a nightmare here. She finally spotted an ideal area for them to set up their stall. “Here!” Helena pointed. “This will do perfectly.”