Page 33 of Hunted
Fate Bond.
The thought came at me quickly, like a punch to the gut. This time, it wasn’t I who had said the words, but Valerian. Did he know? Had he identified our bond, too? What did that mean? My mind started racing. I realized I hadn’t said anything, so I stammered, struggling to find a few words to offer him.
“I appreciate you,” I blurted. “I mean, I appreciate your help.” I shook my head. “I think, maybe, I didn’t pick the right words earlier.”
He angled his head to the side. “No?”
“No. What I meant to say was… I’m sick of people treating me like I’m worthless.”
“Worthless…”
“Like I can’t do anything. Like I can’t fend for myself or make my own decisions. My whole life I’ve been cooped up in a castle, waiting for the Royal Selection to come along so I can get married off to some loser Fae Lordling I’m going to hate for the rest of my days. Did you know, my parents wouldn’t even let me leave the castle on my own? I had to sneak out if I wanted to feel the snow under my feet, and we live in aliteral snow kingdom.”
Valerian simply stared at me, his eyes low, his expression tight. It suddenly hit me.
“I’ve done it again,” I said, my hand rising up to my chin.
“What have you done?” he asked.
“I’ve made this all about me. Not only did I take your comment earlier and make it about me, but I also took this conversation and made it about me.”
“You’re a Princess,” he said, with a slight shrug.
I frowned at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means I’m not surprised, which also means I’m not offended.”
My chest tightened. “What, so, you’re saying because I’m a Princess, I’m also a conceited, spoiled, brat who can’t think about anyone’s problems but her own?”
Valerian’s eyes moved to the left, then to the right, then settled back onto me again. “With due respect… yes. But it’s not your fault.”
“Not my fault?”
“You were born in a castle, surrounded by an army of people who wanted nothing but the best for you. People who fed you. Clothed you. Taught you. Kept you safe from everyday dangers most of the people who live outside of castle walls have to contend with. Poverty. Strife. Crime. Our lives have been running in the opposite direction from the moment we were born, but these weren’t choices we made. What matters are the choices we have made since, and the choices we will make tomorrow.”
He had barely said a few words an hour ago, but here he was now, talking up a storm. I had caused this. It had been my choice to come in here and stir all this up. Could I be annoyed at him for basically calling me out about my privilege?
Yes.
Yes, I could.
Did I have the right to?
No.
No, I didn’t.
“I didn’t come in here to get lectured,” I finally said.
“And I am not lecturing you,” he said.
“How is this not a lecture?”
He shook his head. “You are a walking contradiction, Amara.”
“Oh, really? Explain that to me.”
“You have known a life many would kill to claim as their own. You have had butlers, and maids, and private tutors. You have known riches, fine food, and have enjoyed access to an almost unlimited font of magic the rest of us do not have access to. And still, you complain that you were never given true freedom.” He took a step toward me. “Do you even know what real freedom is?”