without putting any extra thought into what he was becoming. I made excuses for him, because I didn’t think it mattered. He wanted to please his parents, and adopting their views without question made him believe he was earning their love.”
I shrugged. “Then we turned sixteen, and things started to change. He’d give someone a hand, but only if they were from our social class or in a similar station of power. He’d welcome anyone as a friend, so long as they weren’t what he considered beneath him. He’d give the shirt off his back for you, if he thought you an equal. Unfortunately, as time went on, the list of people he determined his equal dwindled to nearly nothing.”
“Did you consider ignoring it? Was it worth losing someone that close to you, just because they didn’t agree with your political views?” Emma asked.
“I tried. For years, I overlooked many of the things Eli did, just to try and save our relationship. But you can’t divide a person from their political views if that opinion begins hurting people, Emma. There came a point when there was no way to separate Elijah from the person he was from what he believed. Sure, he was gentle with those around him. Then he began advocating for the mistreatment of immigrants and the lower class, because he thought they owed him something. You can’t be a good person if you uplift those you deem worthy and spit in the eye of those you don’t. Respect isn’t earned. It’s given.”
I put a fist to my mouth. “Stefan was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Elijah was always jealous of the bond we had, and Stefan never acted like an entitled little prick, like Eli had the tendency to do. Elijah said I was choosing Stefan over him, and we had an argument. I told Elijah his views were archaic and despicable, and they had no place in modern fae society. He accused me of trying to force him to my opinion. He took it as a grave insult I thought he was in the wrong, and if you know anything about Malovians, they always have to be right.”
“How is it not obvious to him that he was wrong, though?” Emma asked. “It’s the simplest virtue of all to believe everyone should have equal rights and opportunities.”
“He convinced himself otherwise, at any cost— even at the cost of his soul. Evil people always think they’re right, Emma. They believe they’re serving the greatest good. I’m certain Eli believes in his heart the changes he wants to make to our world will benefit our people instead of hurt them.”
I made a scoffing noise. “He had the gall to accuse me of being offensive and hurtful. I did no such thing. It’s not hurtful to call someone out on their bullshit. If anything, it’s an act of love. And I did it to save Eli from himself, for all the good it did.”
“So what’s the difference, then, between you and him? You had similar lives, but turned out differently. Why?”
“I was willing to see things from a different perspective. I think when I lost my leg was the big turning point. Once you become disabled, your entire view on the world changes. Even as a prince, I had insight to disadvantages that oppressed people face. Once I became an amputee, I couldn’t pull the wool over my eyes anymore. I couldn’t continue to pretend the royals had it right, and there wasn’t a need for our society to change. So after my father died, I turned away from the traditional ideals our fae ancestors held. Eli clung to them. When I refused to join in on his twisted way of thinking, he took it as me condemning his actions, turning my back on our ancestors. I’m certain he believes I’ve abandoned him, too. It’s why he hates me so. In his eyes, I’m ashamed of the family.”
Emma gave a huff. “What a narcissistic bastard. Not everything’s about him.”
“He’s not alone, though, which is why he’s dangerous,” I added. “The Circle thinks that way. Gabby thinks that way. Along with thousands of other fae who stick to the old ways of our ancestors, regardless of whether they’re morally sound or not. Any attempt to be progressive or come up with a new way is seen as attacking our way of life. Even if the old way causes suffering for others.”