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“That’s perfect.” He beams at me, reaching for my hand. “I suppose I should go pledge then.”
I give him a curt nod as his lips brush my knuckles. “Until we meet again, princess.”
“Scarlet,” I correct.
“Scarlet…” The sound of my name rolling off his tongue shouldn’t excite me. Given the circumstances, I should be shaking in my heels, but it doesn’t change the fact it does. My stomach explodes with butterflies, but I try to smother the feeling before I can get my hopes up.
He lets my hand drop and starts to step away, but I grab his wrist, demanding his attention once more.
“Sebastian,” I say, stopping him in his tracks. He tosses a look at me over his shoulder, but I don’t miss the intrigued look in his eye. “Be hard to kill.”
5
Hook
InodasIslink past Zephyr, joining the line of pledges while Scarlet returns to her throne. She’s nothing like I expected, which both terrifies and intrigues me at the same time.
Oddly enough, she reminds me of my mother. Even in a realm where women are expected to look pretty and stay silent, she never shied away from speaking her mind. It’s a strength I admire in Smee too.
Reaching the front of the line, the guard ushers me forward. “State your clan, your full name, and speak your vow.”
“Understood.”
The king has taken a seat on his throne, his face emotionless as he watches me approach. It’s only when I kneel before him that he stands as if to give the illusion of towering over me.
“Did you enjoy your dance?” he asks, squinting down at me.
“I did.”
“Hmm.” He steps a bit closer. “What are you from?” His face may not give away his thoughts, but his tone sure does. It’s okay. I wouldn’t trust myself either.
“The Western Isles,” I say, being careful to not lie. The king is known for his gift of sniffing them out, so I make sure everything I speak is the truth but twist it to hide my secrets.
My mother is from the Western Isles, but I don’t believe there are many dark elves there. Hopefully, he buys it.
“I see... You’ve journeyed far then to pledge. It’s a blessing that you evaded the pirates—despicable creatures they are. I wish my merchant ships would share your luck.”
“The gods must be watching over me. I’m lucky to be standing before you in one piece.”
“I wasn’t aware there were elven settlements outside the mountains. Are you of high standing where you’re from? Do people listen to you?”
“They do. I haven’t been given a lordship by the crown, but my family protects our village and feeds them when the crops die out.”
“Interesting... Alright then, make your pledge.” He adjusts his stance, watching as I pull a dagger from the sheath hanging from my belt.
I bow my head. “I, Sebastian Octavius, leader of my clan, swear fealty.”
The warrant on my head refers to me as ‘the dark one’ due to my gift, otherwise, the crown only knows my relation to my father and what I look like. They’re oblivious to my first and middle name. Only my last will be significant to them. Combined with the new face the potion gave me, I should avoid any suspicion.
Using the blade to slice my palm, I let my blood drip to the floor near his feet, along with the rest of the pledges from the day. “I bleed for my kingdom, and should the fates deem me worthy, I will rise as your heir.”
“I accept your pledge.” The king touches my shoulder, telling me I can get up.
Once on my feet, I glance at Scarlet, who’s staring at me from her throne. Her lips are pressed into a fine line, and the stoic expression she wore earlier is nothing but a memory. I wait a moment, hoping she was right about her father—that he’d give me his advantage in hopes of an alliance with the dark elves—but his silence is deafening.
He nods to the guard to let another pledge through, and I twist my lips. I’d hoped the king would give me his blessing so I could alter a rule, but I knew it was a shot in the dark. It’s why I wanted to establish a deal with the princess.
I got ahead of myself.
