Beastly Kingdom by L. Penelope

Author:L. Penelope
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781944744281
Publisher: Heartspell Media

TWENTY

Shad

The chair is uncomfortable, the room too warm, and the sound of the councilors trading barbs back and forth has become a low drone in my ears. But through the haze of another endless meeting, my focus is continually stolen by thoughts of the bliss cube. The one that was definitely cold and lifeless before Xipporah touched it. Now, it’s restored to full strength.

Nothing like that has ever happened before. And the same fears that must be running through Xipporah’s head now assault me.

Lyall captured and enslaved the Fai merely as a means to destroy their morale. The free labor was originally a bonus, one which our society came to depend on over the years. Trammeled Fai drudges, unable to form new memories, or communicate, or control their own actions, were also unable to complain and would work the most tedious jobs. No one asked how they felt about it, and the trammeling made it so they couldn’t have answered anyway.

But if it’s true that the Fai can restore bliss?

Part of me hopes there is some other explanation for what I saw. Mostly so I do not ever have to face such a decision. The idea that our enemy could be the key to our salvation, but only if we force them to serve us again, wrenches me sideways.

If it is true, and if we still had the trammels and the soulcatchers, we could certainly re-enslave them and compel them to revive every last bliss cell in the territory. And while the trammels were all destroyed when the Fai escaped, we have the knowledge to make new ones—our priorities have just been elsewhere.

But I have no desire to see the Fai enslaved again—the dilemma cuts me down to the bone. What would I sacrifice for the benefit of my people? How can we survive without the bliss?

So far, I’ve told no one of my suspicions about the Fai abilities, not even Harsh. It’s not that I don’t trust him, but this knowledge is a burden. A horrific albatross around my neck—so terrible I hesitate to even contemplate it.

I shift in my seat. For the first time, I wonder if it wouldn’t be better to have no conscience like my stepfather. Lyall would not have hesitated to make the decision that would most benefit our people. He cared nothing for the Fai. They are not my concern, either, but the look of sheer panic in Xipporah’s eyes won’t leave me. Could I relegate her to a life that goes against everything she holds sacred? And if I could not do it to her because I am coming to know and like her, could I do it to another Fai?

We are still enemies. I have met more than one on the battlefield, but war is different, is it not? However, is not the potential starvation of my people a war of its own? All battles have casualties.

“Your Majesty?” Sir Denby calls to me for what I suspect is not the first time.

“Yes? I didn’t catch that.

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