In the Shadows by Erica Cope Page A

breakfast. Mom will probably expect me home before noon.
                  I use a hand mirror and the large vanity in my bathroom to examine the seven staples on the back of my skull. The line is jagged, the silver staples standing out among the darkness of the dried blood. It’s still tender to the touch so I leave my hair down and loose, just carefully brushing the ends to get the tangles out.
                  When I make it down to the dining room, the mile-long mahogany wood table is occupied by only Alberico and a handful of other Light Elves, including Grey, all of whom I recognize from his council.
                  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt,” I tell Alberico.
                  “Don’t apologize,” he reassures me. “You have every right to be a part of this.”
                  He gestures for me to sit down.
                  “Are you sure?” I ask. Being around the council still makes me a little nervous. “I can always eat at home.”
                  “Nonsense. I’ve seen the kind of breakfast food you consume when at home. Please, join us.”
                  “Okay.”
                  “Make room for the princess,” Finnegan tells one of the Light Elves, who I think is called Regan, who obliges by offering up his seat. Finnegan smiles at me and I’m kind of shocked since I don’t think he’s ever done that before. Usually all I get from him are curt nods, the occasional glare, and of course, avoidance. But now that I think about it, he has seemed to warm up to me since that night I unknowingly led an impromptu attack on the Dark Elves. It was his idea after all to provide more protection for me while in the mortal world.
                  When I first met him, I really thought he despised me. But here he is smiling at me in a reassuring way that makes me think that maybe he approves of me being here after all, as though eating breakfast with the council members is proof that I’m willing to take a more active interest in the running of the castle and that nothing would make him happier. Perhaps he just needed to get to know me better. Maybe he finally realizes that I’m not planning to take the throne away from him and Isobel. Who knows? Whatever the reasoning behind his change of heart, at least he’s being nice to me now. 
                  I have little desire to be responsible for an entire kingdom. I can’t manage to keep a plant alive which is why my mom has never even allowed me to have a pet goldfish. There’s no way I’d ever be able to keep an entire group of people alive and thriving.
                  Not to mention the fact that my father will probably outlive me and even if he doesn’t, Isobel is a million times more suitable for the throne than I am and everyone knows it.
                  “Should we at least make an effort to form an alliance with the Móh'rhím? If the Dökkálfar attack, having the extra reinforcement would prove beneficial,” Finnegan offers.
                  “Yes, but you know how impossible they are. I can’t recall the last time we were able to get into contact with Herdis.”
                  “Princess, what do you think?”
                  I’m so startled that Finnegan is asking my opinion about something that I nearly choke on the chunk of apple scone I just bit off.
                  “What do I think about what?” I ask once I’ve stopped coughing. A few of the other Light Elves look just as shocked as I feel, on the other hand, Alberico seems pleased and mildly curious as to how I’m going to answer.
                  “Do you think it would be in the best interest of the castle to enlist outside help to aid for the fight against the Dökkálfar?”
                  “Like who?”