Ethereal

Chapter 11

Two guards came into my cell. I had done my hair slightly differently tonight. I had conjured three robin-egg-blue flowers that I had tucked into my braid. I'd even pinched my cheeks to bring a bit of color to them. I was probably paler and gaunter than I had been a few weeks ago.

I was already waiting at the foot of the stairs.

"Tsarevna Faelin, your presence is requested in the High Court," the tall one with spidery yellow hair announced. He grabbed my arm, pulling me up the steps. The second guard came up behind us, locking the trap door.

Warm air rushed to my skin as I was prodded down the hallway. Without even meaning to, a few buds pushed through the walls. Of course, I seemed to be the only one to notice. It appeared that my volshebstvo had a mind of its own with this new access to fresh air. I smiled subtlety as a few of the buds bloomed along the hallway as we passed.

We went back up the spiraling staircase I had once gone down several weeks ago. The closer we got to the surface, the warmer the air got. Eventually, a light breeze began blowing through the hall. The guards led me back into the smaller throne room I had rejected Rune's proposal in. Instead of going out into the ballroom, though, they steered me to the opposite end of the room. A large set of double doors led to the main part of the palace. We walked down the lavish halls, wending our way through Ethereal Palace.

Eventually, we reached a seemingly dead end of a wall. The second guard, a short female faerie with catlike eyes, pressed on a panel in the wall, pushing it open. The panel swung inward, revealing a large open room with a long table and two thrones on a dais.

The first throne was occupied by the high tsar, a tired expression upon his face. He was garbed in emerald robes bejeweled with topazes. On the smaller throne sat my father. He wore a light green doublet with thin bronze chains drooping across his shoulder. His face lightened when he saw me.

Sitting at the table were all of the members of the high court, which included the high imperial family and their most trusted advisors. Seated beside them was my family and their most trusted advisors. Uri was there too, anchored to my mother's side. She looked at me with sad eyes as I entered.

The guards walked me over to the end of the table farthest away from the two tsars. The spider-haired faerie swirled his hand as I sat down, enchanting me to the chair so I could not escape. I observed each person at the table. Rune watched me anxiously. Lark appeared disinterested, but I could tell he was actually paying attention. Rhyannon smiled at me warmly, though her eyes betrayed her fear.

The high tsar cleared his throat. The room fell silent.

"I have gathered this meeting tonight within the High Court for the matter of Tsarevna Faelin Wisterfell of the Court of Vines' release. Representatives from the Court of Vines are here tonight to provide further insight and judgement during this meeting." He then pulled out a long manuscript that he unfurled before us. He looked directly at me. "Tsarevna Faelin Wisterfell, you have broken Fae law 129, stating that, No Fae law, act, decree, or binding contract shall ever be broken unless the parties involved agree to dispose of said law, act, degree, or binding contract. Tsarevna Faelin Wisterfell of the Court of Vines broke law 129 when she refused the proposal of my heir. This proposal was written in a contract her court agreed to when she was sent to the human world as a changeling. By not following the rules of the contract, she was imprisoned in Ethereal Palace. Now, her court has come forth and persuaded me to allow this meeting so she may argue her case."

He suddenly stopped talking. All eyes turned to me.

Was it already time for me to speak?

I had prepared something that I could counter with, but first, I needed to make sure I could do it.