The spectators began to file out of the stands toward the garden where lunch was being served. I waited for my mother, doing my best not to cause a scene. I hated that man. I glared at Lord Langston as he showed off his prizes to an assortment of noble women. Prince Lenis was being congratulated by his father. 

They represented the epitome of what I hated about mortals—egotistical and, unfortunately, naturally talented. 

“Ricky.” My mother grabbed my hand. “Come on.” She led me toward the exit. 

My father stopped us. “You will present the awards for the joust and archery.”

“Yes, your grace,” I muttered. 

He clasped my shoulder. “You should see this as an honor. Act like it.”

I nodded. 

“Go.” He waved me off and walked toward Lord Langston.

“Come on.” My mother pulled on my hand. 

I watched my father for a moment. His attitude completely changed when he addressed the lord. 

“Ricky.”

Nodding, I forced a smile. “Hungry?” I looped arms with her and escorted her to the path.

She was quiet for a moment as we slowly walked toward the garden. 

“We all have our talents,” she whispered.

“Hmm…”

“Don’t compare yourself to them.”

“Too late,” I muttered.

She patted my arm. “I’m going to reach out to my father. He may let you visit Lumeria as his guest.”

I stopped. “So, I have two grandfathers. Good to know. I assumed I did, but it is not like you would confirm anything. To think I would get to meet each of them in the same year. Is your mother alive, or is she dead as well?”

“Ricky,” she sighed. “My relationship with my family has always been strained. I’m trying to keep you away from unnecessary pain.”

“All your relationships are strained,” I stated. “Do you think it’s not painful seeing your parents fight constantly, openly saying they hate each other? If your parents hate me, how is that any different than how my own father treats me?”

She shook her head. “They don’t hate you. They have no reason to hate you. Lumeria doesn’t like guests, and they don’t like leaving their kingdom. Don’t hold it against them. It’s my fault for telling them to stay away.”

“I’m not. I’m holding it against you,” I stated. “You might have written them out of your life, but I was never given that choice. Mortals and faes my age have traveled through the known realms. I have never been permitted to leave Thaloria. Now that we’re coming to terms with I am incapable of fucking anything you want to send me away. To people I’ve never met in hopes that they might fix me. Fine.” I marched off. “It’ll make it easier for Father to replace me.”

“Ricky,” she called. “Ricky, I didn’t mean it that way. I’m—I’m worried, that’s all. Ricky.”

I cut through the trees. I need to be alone before I say anything else. My mother wanted to help me, but it felt demeaning. It didn’t help that I had been made into a spectacle for the mortals’ enjoyment. 

Taking off my boots, I tossed them to the side and quickly climbed into the upper branches of a tree away from the main festivities. Their cheerful voices were filtering through the garden. I glanced behind me to see the horses being brought out of the barn. Prince Lenis was cleaning the yellow paint off his armor. I hoped he got knocked on his ass. Maybe Lord Langston would be trampled. I sighed and rubbed my face. I wonder if the gods would trade a few years for a chance to feel what it was like to be a mortal.

***

I placed the medal around a fae’s neck and handed him the golden shield with an archer engraved on the front. I took a deep breath and faced Lexen. The kingdom of Gildorn was living up to its reputation—at least a fae won. I looped the medal over his head and offered the gold and silver shield. He took it.

“This job suits you.” He shot me a smirk before addressing the crowd.

The two winners of the archery tournament did their rounds while I sank into the background. I glared at my feet as the stands erupted in cheers. I wanted to return to the events where the mortals beat each other up. If they were taking suggestions to make the archery more entertaining, I think they should take turns shooting at each other—it added an element of danger.

With a sigh, I slipped out of the arena and returned to my seat. My mother’s eyes followed me as I passed by her. Men entered the arena and started to remove the targets. A wooden railing was constructed in the middle. Servants entered the seating with trays of food and wine pitchers. 

My mother touched my arm. “Ricky—”

I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry about earlier.” I scratched near my lips. “I was upset about what happened and took it out on you.”

She squeezed my arm. “You don’t have to go. I would never make you.”

Nodding, I gave her a smile. “I know.”

I grabbed a glass from a servant and held it so it could be filled. “So this is where they ride at each other with sticks?”

My mother chuckled. “It’s quite entertaining.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” I took a drink. 

The men finished settling up the arena. The first two riders appeared at the ends of the stadium. I sat up. The officiate walked to the middle of the fence with a flag. 

“Ready?!”

The two knights lifted their lances. The man dropped the flag and raced to get out of the way. The two horses charged forward. I felt my heart rate pick up as they got closer. The end of a lance exploded against a knight's chest. The crowd cheered, and I felt myself smiling. I liked this one. 

***

I draped the wreath of flowers around the horse's neck. Out of all the prizes, I didn’t mind doing this one. I stroked its neck and picked a piece of wood out of its mane. I stepped back, and the knight rode around the enclosure, waving to the crowd. I was happy that neither first nor second place was from Gildorn. I frowned when one of the knights went to where Lord Langston was sitting. The lord was still wearing his armor after being knocked out.

With a sigh, I glanced at the exit. I was relieved to have today over with. People began to trickle out of the stands, heading to the palace for dinner. I was starving. After missing lunch, I was not skipping dinner. A few refreshments weren’t enough to sustain me. I waited for my mother to arrive. My father helped her down the steps. 

“Alric,” he said. “Go and see if anyone needs help.”

“Help?”

“The knights.” He pointed. “Check for injuries and tell the fae if needed.”

“Why do I have to? Can’t you send a servant?”

“Because I asked you,” he said firmly. “Am I understood?”

I let out a deep breath. “Yes, your grace.”

My mother touched my arm and leaned toward me. “You did it. We’re almost done.” She kissed my cheek before leaving. 

I stood there and watched the last of the nobles leave. Men and women wandered around the stands, cleaning and putting away supplies. I was given a task meant for a servant. I turned and exited the other side of the stadium that led to the training area. Squires were busy tending to horses while the riders changed out of their armor. A man with a massive bruise on his shoulder was being tended to by a fae. The skin had already turned shades of green and purple.

I went to the barns. Some of the horses were already back in their stalls. I stopped at one and petted the horse’s neck. It was a beautiful silver color. I recalled seeing it earlier. I had found myself more interested in the horses than the riders. They were prettier to look at than the heap of metal on their backs. 

Someone cleared their throat.

I jumped and retracted my hand. Prince Lenis eyed me. I moved to the side. He had a grain container and dumped it onto the horse's feed trough. 

“Is this one yours?”

He nodded. 

“He’s very pretty.”

The prince kept nodding.

“Fucking ridiculous,” said a voice. “The boy got lucky. I should have won and gotten through to the finals.”

I pressed against the wall as Lord Langson passed with his squires. 

He grinned at me. “Tied for third; I should have won so I could get another medal from you.”

I didn’t respond. 

The lord stopped and lowered his head to my level. “Where were you at lunch? You disappeared. I even asked your father where you went.”

I stared at the exit. I didn’t have to explain myself to him—a mere lord.

“How did you like the show?” He moved to block my exit. 

I looked between him and Lenis. The prince was more interested in his horse.

“Do you have no manners?” said the lord. “I asked you a question, your grace.”

I swallowed hard and stood up straight. “Barbaric, but the horses were beautiful.”

“Barbaric,” he laughed. “Are you a maiden or a man?”

I clenched my fists. “A prince—you seem to keep forgetting that.”

“If you're a prince, you should know how to joust.”

Leaning away, I stared at him, confused.

“Prince Lenis, has there ever been a prince in Gildorn who hasn’t picked up a lance?”

He shrugged. “None that I can recall.”

The lord grinned at me and grabbed my upper arms. “Exactly.”