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Disgruntled after the attempted mutiny, Oberon stewed at the head of a T-shaped table in the White Tower’s Great Hall. Hours ago, he had sent the Thornton’s to the dungeon, having vowed to make an example of them. When that would happen, Stella wasn’t sure. With the evening approaching, she hoped he would sleep on his decision and reconsider.
On a small stage, elves re-enacted a jittery production of Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Zak, wearing a prop beard, played a mythical king whose mischievous assistant was causing havoc for four teenagers. It was Melvin’s idea to raise Oberon’s spirits. Despise the hilarity, the King wasn’t laughing.
Instead, he glared as his child-slaves scurried around him with silver platters. Pesta and Grim were there, among some of Oberon’s o
