A Dark(ish) Faerie Tale by Candace Blevins

Author:Candace Blevins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Candace Blevins

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Tabby

Blue was kept awake all night, and moved from station to station so he was bathed, his hair was cut, fingernails and toenails groomed, ears cleaned, and finally taken to the doctor for his exit physical, though he wasn’t told why he was there.

He was brought to my office the first thing the next morning. He went to his knees without being told, and I completed a few tasks before turning my attention to him.

I could’ve asked him questions about how he felt about his night, but I didn’t need to. We didn’t talk much about his feelings these days, but about ways he could be a better slave. He’d learned his feelings weren’t of any significance and made no difference, so within weeks of our talks starting, he hadn’t needed to speak of them anymore. Occasionally, I sensed something bothering him and probed, but generally, he’d sunk into the role with a mindset that allowed him to survive without completely breaking his soul.

I turned my clock so he could see it.

“You’re a slave for another forty-five minutes. You’ll answer my questions honestly, or I’ll pull a toenail out every time you don’t give me the complete and utter truth. Do you doubt me?”

“I do not, Your Highness.”

“If you were to face the villagers nearest your home tomorrow as a free man, what would you say to them?”

“I’m not ready to face them, Your Highness. Apologies don’t mean much, especially not with the way I treated them. I need to get with my father and our Queen, so I can request advice on how to approach them. I once thought buying a dress for a woman I abused would make up for it, but I know better now. I can’t undo the damage I’ve wrought, but I’m hoping I can offer something to show I understand I was wrong, and I’ve grown into someone who won’t do it again. Also, I’d like to offer something to make their life better, or easier. I have no idea what that might be.”

“And if your father and the Queen tell you to figure it out on your own?”

He looked to the floor a few seconds before returning his gaze to my feet. “I might ask one of the village leaders to meet with me at a time convenient to him, and ask for his input. My father reimbursed them for monetary damages, so that avenue’s already been taken, but it isn’t enough.”

“I would suggest you won’t know how to make someone’s life easier unless you get to know the person.”

“I’ve hurt so many people, Your Highness.”

A few minutes before his term ended, I explained, “You won’t become Prince Rowan right away. Your parents must return your magic to you. You’ve had your exit interview, now you’ll have a one-hour entry interview before I teleport you to the dungeon level of your father’s castle, which is where your father has stated he’ll meet you to return your magic and give you some clothing.

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