A Lady of the Realm Read Free

twitched slightly. “We’ll start with your company,” he said.
    I looked at him once more, noting his features, and smiled. Apart from the one scar running down his left cheek, he was a good-looking man. It didn’t matter to me that he was an elf or that his eyes were an odd solid violet color. It wouldn’t be much of a chore hanging out with him. He smirked and settled back into the cushions, a finger tapped his jaw lightly.
    “You could be very useful in the next few years,” he said.
    I nodded my head excitedly.
    “Agree to certain conditions and I’ll help you claim everything that is rightfully yours. First condition is admitting you know nothing,” he said.
    “That’s bullshit; I know plenty.”
    I knew what I’d learned as a child. It wasn’t all bigotry and propaganda. The Lords and Ladies were ruthless politicians. They were vain, narcissistic and out of touch with the world. The concerns of their constituents rarely registered the psyche of the council; they did what they pleased and damn be all.
    “Admit it, or I’m leaving,” he said coldly.
    I wanted to slap him is what I wanted to do. It went against every fiber of my body admitting such a thing. However, I did need his help. I bit my lip in frustration. I could concede I didn’t know everything.
    “Fine, I don’t know everything,” I grumbled.
    “There is a difference between everything and nothing,” he said.
    “Glad you speak English,” I said.
    “You must admit you know nothing for you know nothing. I cannot help you if you insist on clinging to ideals taught by outsiders,” he said.
    I rubbed my eyes, the smell of blood tickling my nose. What did I know? Next to nothing most likely. I took a deep breath. “For the moment, I know nothing,” I said.
    “Splendid, since we’ve established you know nothing, my second condition is you’ll trust me implicitly,” he said.
    It was my turn to settle back into my seat. I stared at him, bringing the bottle of vodka to my lips and swallowing a considerable amount before answering. “That’s just crazy.”
    “Nice to know you’re not stupid,” he said with a grin. “But if you want my help, you must trust me .”
    You couldn’t lie to an elf as you could to yourself. If I said it, agreed to it, I would have to mean it. This was a test, my first test. Trusting an elf was ludicrous. I had a better chance dealing with a demon. At least they were upfront with their agendas. But, I wasn’t lucky enough to live in a region ruled by demons.
    “Will you trust me?” I asked.
    “I trust few,” he said.
    I swallowed a bit more of vodka realizing that in this moment, honesty was the only course. “I’ve excellent instincts. I’ll trust you, but I’m not thrilled about it.”
    He smiled, his eyes crinkling slightly at the corners. “Good. Third condition …”
    “How many freaking conditions do you have?”
    “This is the final one. Since we’ve established you know nothing and trust me completely, you’ll do everything I say without hesitation.”
    “Bullshit.”
    He pursed his lips. “Are you always this difficult?”
    I thought about it for a minute. “I need a semblance of control over my life. How about I’ll do what you ask after you give me a valid reason?” I asked. I could do anything given a valid reason. It was following instructions blindly which I abhorred. I’d been there and done that, and it hadn’t gone well.
    “Fair enough, I myself like control. I’ll grant you one reason for every order,” he said tilting the bottle into his mouth.
    “Right. Now for my terms.”
    He spewed liquid out, wiping his hand across his mouth.
    “Excuse me?” he asked incredulously. Apparently, no one bothered haggling with him. I wasn’t giving him everything he wanted without getting something in return.
    “I’m not asking for your trust, but at least give me a chance to earn your trust,” I said thinking over several scenarios. He had to trust me on some level if