“I’ve got it,” the wizard calls, and a stone falls out. Now I can see him from my spot even though he’s on the other side of my neighbor. “Hello, Edward,” the wizard says.
“Hello, Wizard.”
“Well, now that the introductions are over,” the dark fae says. “Can someone please pass this book to the wizard?”
“My book!” The wizard says. She pushes the tiny leather book through the hole in the wall. It’s very trusting that she thinks we’ll pass it all along to him, but then, that makes me happy. It’s nice to know there are still good people in the world who believe the best in one another. I push the book to my cell neighbor who gives it to the wizard.
He cheers happily and sits down, dropping out of sight. The person next to me, a wrinkled old man, walks over to the wall and peers into the wizard’s cell.
“What’s he doing?” I ask the man.
The man wrinkles his nose and looks over his shoulder at me.
“He’s...reading.”
“Reading?”
“Of course, he’s reading!” The fae says. “Not like there’s anything else to do in here. Hey, you,” she says to me. “What was your name? Edward?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know how I can get out of here?” She asks.
“Do you think I’d still be here if I knew a way out?”
She narrows her eyes and moves away from the cell wall.
“No, I suppose not,” she grumbles, and I peek into her cell. This is the most excitement I’ve felt in hours, ever since Wyatt locked me away. Well, I suppose that’s not true. I thought I was going to have a heart attack when they didn’t bring dinner and the man next to me informed me that we’re only fed once a day and that it’s usually some sort of mush.
The fae is still pacing. She’s touching the walls, pushing things, and trying to find a way out. She seems to be in quite a hurry.
“Where are you trying to go?” I ask her.
“I already told you.”
“You didn’t tell me why.”
“It doesn’t really concern you, now does it?” She asks. She glances over her shoulder at me and smirks. “Unless you’re the king, in which case, I suppose it’s too late, huh?”
She turns back and keeps pushing and pulling on the stones. She’s trying her best to find a way to escape and I have to admit that her persistence is admirable. She’s quirky and interesting. She’s brave. She’s clever, too. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone like her before.
“Are you looking for a secret passageway?”
“Yes.”
“There aren’t any.”
“How can you be sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“Look, no offense, but I’m guessing you’re down here for a really stupid reason that has nothing to do with me. Wizard Boy got captured through no fault of his own. I certainly didn’t do anything to get thrown down here. Chances are you got on Wyatt’s bad side, too, and that’s why you’re here. You’re talking in code and I don’t really like it. You act like you know everything about these dungeons, but you probably haven’t even been here that long, so what is it? Who are you?”
She asks me directly, and I try to make it a point not to lie, but I’m not ready to tell her. I don’t want to tell her yet. I don’t want her to know that I’m the king because she’s being so fucking brave. Once she knows that it’s me, that the kingdom has been overthrown, then she’s going to lose her hope.
This little fairy is a light in the darkness and I’m not about to let the spark go out of her. She’s fierce and brave and she’s energetic and excited. I want that to continue. I want to see that spark just shine even more.
“I’m nobody,” I tell her. It’s not even a lie. Wyatt is obviously king now, or at least pretending to be. Who I am no longer matters.