When I ask Asher about this presenting I'll be attending, he shrugs. "I, unfortunately, was called away on business when the Council met about this. We will both be surprised, I assure you. I'm guessing formal cocktail hour at High Castle, with you as the guest of honor. You'll be dashing, I assure you."
I'm still nervous about the whole ordeal, but how bad could it be? I've found my footing here, and I do want to meet the rest of the princes. I walk Asher out of the castle and through Stonehill, enjoying a few minutes without work.
"You look well," he acknowledges as we approach the gate. "This life is agreeing with you."
"Thank you," I say. "I'm finding ways of staying busy."
He smiles, and his attractiveness is not lost on me, but neither does it make my knees shake. I know who I have to blame for that, thank you very much.
"I've heard the people speaking of you in hushed admiration," he says. "They like you. A lot. The vampires, the Shade, even the slaves. I don't think any of us were expecting that."
I cock my head. "Did you expect I would be horrible and hated?"
He grins. "Not exactly. We just didn't realize you would have everyone falling in love with you so quickly."
"Surely not everyone," I say, thinking of Fen and the way he pulls his hands away from me when he finds them lingering too long during our training.
Asher winks at me before walking away. "You might be surprised, Princess."
***
That day Kayla steals me away from the forge and we travel through Stonehill on a quest. Well, at least I call it a quest. Kayla rolls her eyes. "You'll need proper jewelry for this little party the princes are planning. Daison is manning my booth at the moment. We'll find you something perfect to match your gown."
Stonehill is deceptively large. At first glance, because of the mountains surrounding it, perhaps, it seems quaint. Charming. And it is, but it's more expansive than I realized. The very wealthy and well-connected vampire lords live in large manors built into the mountains, their roofs often displaying elaborate gardens and sculptures. Most of the Shade live in small clusters of modest thatch housing spotted with flower beds and potted plants. Each district has its own name and personality, though I am still trying to remember them all. There is Centerhill, the commerce district, full of shops and street-side booths. So far, it's the most flavorful and exciting. It's where Kayla leads me now.
Her booth is well-positioned near the city center. Trees sway in the wind and the land smells sweet from an overnight rainfall that left everything with a watery sheen under the struggling sun. We walk to Kayla's booth and Daison smiles at us, his cheeks turning red. I do hope one day he will feel more comfortable with me.
"Daison, bring out my best jewelry. Particularly the rubies. We need something special for Ari."
Daison nods and pulls out a small box tied in soft suede. Kayla opens it and exposes white, yellow and rose gold necklaces with different precious stones designed into them. I try on a ruby and diamond necklace that would work well with the fabric and style of dress Asher chose for me. "What do you think—"
"Slave sale! Slave sale!" Two Shade children run past yelling.
Kayla frowns, and we both turn to the city center. It's surrounded by trees with a platform in the middle for public presentations and performances and benches for sitting. Already a large crowd has gathered, and on the stage stand five Fae shackled to each other. They are all women who look young and scared. Except for the middle girl. She doesn't look mad, she looks pissed and ready to spit in the face of anyone who comes close. She's got bruises and scratch marks all over her pale body. My guess is she's already put up a fight at least once.
A tall man dressed in fine red fabrics and meticulously styled stands on the stage. He is a vampire and commanding in his presence. There are guards everywhere, but I don't recognize any of them from Fen's people. They don't wear Fen's colors either.
"Who are the guards?" I ask.
"They belong to a wealthy family in the Time Pool district."
The man begins to speak, and the crowd quiets to listen. "My brother, Lord Tylin, recently died in our constant war against the rebels of the Outlands, the Fae anomalies who would try to claim our world. He leaves behind these five slaves, captured as spoils of war."
Kayla shakes her head. "His brother didn't die in war. He died in a bar fight against a Shade. That Shade was hanged quietly and without a trial even though Tylin initiated the fight. This whole thing is a farce."
"Can't Fen do something?" I ask.
"Fen is a good man, but he is myopic in his focus. He has no idea what's going on in his realm. His sole focus is war."
The bidding begins, and many wealthy looking men and women raise the bid. There is one man, a vampire in the back with white hair and cold eyes, who keeps upping the bid. He makes my skin crawl, though he hasn't noticed me. I have no idea what my plan is, or why I do what I do, but I step forward and offer the highest bid I can think of for the girls.
Kayla stares at me, shocked. Everyone in the crowd looks at me. I want to retreat and hide, but I've made my stance and I can't back down now. "I wish to buy all five girls," I declare to everyone.
The soldiers prowling the crowds walk over to me, menacingly. Kayla pulls her sword out and holds it at her side. I wish I had a sword, but I console myself with the dagger I have at my hip.