I grinned back, happy that I could bring such a lovely smile to her face. “I wish you could show me around Alexandria, Your Highness.”
“Me too.”
“You did promise me a tour all those years ago.”
“I wish I could give you one now, but I can't.”
I was going to ask her why, but I remembered what I was there for. “Did you find out any information about the other elves, Your Highness?”
The princess frowned and shook her head. “You're far too direct and honest. You would be terrible at politics.”
I hung my head, trying to conceal my embarrassment. I was going about this the wrong way. “Sorry.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “Don't be. It's refreshing.”
I bowed. “Glad I could be of service, Your Highness.”
“I'm sorry. I haven't found out anything about those other elves. Are you sure they came up here?”
I shrugged. “I'm not, but King Sharald is and so is Prastian. They set out to come here, and no word has been received that they went anywhere else.”
“Do you think something might have happened to them along the way? They might have been attacked by bandits.”
“Maybe.” My eyes widened. “Or maybe it was something worse? The Wasteland creatures.”
“Hellsfire, things—” Krystal stopped herself. She glanced around and lowered her voice. “Since you've been so honest with me and you've saved my life, I'm not going to lie to you. Things aren't as they seem.”
“What do you mean?”
“That's all I can say right now.”
There were far too many people around us. They didn’t seem to be paying attention to our conversation, but that didn’t mean they weren’t. “I understand. Thank you, Princess.”
The princess's violet eyes looked worried, and she lowered her voice even further. “Listen, there's something else I must tell you. I—”
The princess didn't get to finish her sentence. A footman announced that dinner was ready. Krystal hesitated, then moved off with dignity to take her seat. I raised an eyebrow. What could she tell me that was so important, if it didn't have to do with the missing elves? Prastian disturbed my thoughts by touching my elbow. He led me to the great, rectangular table. We were given seats close to the king and princess, as befitted a royal envoy.
When the servant came with the first course, I had to stop him. I told him I wanted to have what the elves ate. I no longer ate any meat because of my powers.
“Are you sure, sir?”
“Yes, please, and thank you.”
“As you wish.”
As I ate each vegetable-filled course, Prastian kept the king and others engaged in conversation. Instead of trying to find out more about the missing elves, he tried to find out more about Alexandria, so he could get a feel for how things were beyond what we had observed. However, people kept dodging the subject, no matter how subtle his questions or comments were. I was glad he kept the conversation going. I didn't want to talk, and the king's eyes kept straying towards me, making me nervous. Premier kept glancing at me too. His cold eyes held a hint of amusement.
People might have been starving in the city, but those in the castle had no problem getting food. Strangely, though, Premier didn’t seem to eat or drink anything. It was during my third course when the king turned his full attention to me.
“Hellsfire,” the king said.
I lifted my head from the delicious bean and onion soup. I swallowed and wiped the insides of my mouth with my tongue, tasting saffron. “Yes, Your Majesty?”
“I’d like you to explain something to me.” His words were innocuous, but his tone wasn’t. The room suddenly became very quiet.
I swallowed, even though I had no food in my mouth. “I hope I didn't do anything to offend you, Your Majesty.”
“Years ago, my daughter told me you saved her from bandits. When she told me her story, I found it difficult to believe. After all, she was young, and had just gone through an ordeal. It seemed impossible that someone so young and outnumbered rescued her singlehandedly. A few years later, I now find you, of all people, in my audience chamber—sent by King Sharald.
“For the past few hours, I've wondered why.” The king placed his hands under his chin in a thoughtful manner. “My daughter told me where you said you were from. It's nowhere of importance. Now, during dinner, you've not eaten any meat. Why is that? Is our food not pleasing to you?”
“The food's perfectly fine, Your Majesty. I don’t eat meat anymore.”
“Were you raised by elves?” Everyone chuckled at his joke, but I saw how serious his question was.
“No, Your Majesty,” I said. “I’ve lost my appetite for meat.”