War of Faeries

Chapter 12

Jeremy and I were the last ones to be seated at the table, no one noticed us slip in besides Henry and Eleanor. Henry looked our way, and quickly looked away, while Eleanor took her time glaring at me once more. I smiled at her and made sure to smile at the queen- my mother. She smiled back at me and continued talking to the servants who were about to bring our food.

"Eleanor its nice to have you back in the palace once more. How long do you plan on staying?" my mother asks her, and I can hear the disgust in her voice. No one likes having Eleanor around.

"Oh, until the competition. Henry is bringing me with him, and I can't wait to attend one that isn't held here."

"So, you will be attending the competition... will you participate?" I ask, knowing full well that the only talent she has is in bed with the men she is trying to manipulate.

"No. She won't be competing." Henry says eyeing me. I smirk at him, and he looks a bit more closely at the change in my appearance. I see the puzzle pieces moving behind his eyes, he knows who I am the only problem is he doesn't understand why.

"Such a shame, I was really looking forward to seeing her compete. I wanted to see what she talents she has to protect our kingdom." I take a sip of my wine, and Jeremy glances at me from the corner of his eye.

"Eleanor doesn't need to protect the kingdom in that manner, just like we don't expect women to fight at the warfront- we don't expect her to raise a weapon to defend the kingdom."

"But that's where you are wrong Henry. You do want her to raise a weapon- but you aren't willing to accept that fact." I push my food away, "Maybe the problem is you don't want to admit to yourself and others that Eleanor isn't the woman for you. You don't think she is fit for the job."

"You whore! Who do you think you are to act like he would want you!" She yells at me, "The audacity! Just because you change your hair doesn't mean he is ever going to want you over me." I smirk and look over at Henry.

I can see it in his eyes, I just said everything he was afraid to admit to himself. I just told everyone at the table that he doesn't want to be with Eleanor and that he doesn't believe Eleanor is the one best suited for running the kingdom. John starts laughing and all it does is create more tension in the room.

"How stupid are you? I mean really Eleanor?" John says throwing the rest of his drink back. "If I were you, I would pack my fucking bags." He says laughing even more, which I have to admit makes me want to join in.

"I think that is quite enough for one night." My mother- the Queen says speaking up. "I think everyone should retire for the night- in their own rooms." She adds the last part with a look Eleanor's way which makes her pale.

Henry and Eleanor are the first to leave, and slowly everyone else leaves- everyone except John and me. He is smirking at me, and I'll admit it has me on edge. Attention from John can either be a good thing- or something that you should avoid like it is a plague.  

"It's nice to see you again."

"It's nice to be back."

"Cora wants to see you by the way." He says pouring himself another drink from the bottle sitting next to him on the table.

"I can imagine there are a lot of people who want to see me right now."

"But I bet none of them are who you want to see right now." He says eyeing me.

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Look, you can tell me you don't know what I mean- but deep down you know who I am talking about. You should talk to him."