Scapegoat

"It's a lie! She's lying to you right now!" Islinda shouted, desperation pushing her to defend herself. "I would never harm Aldric! It's all Elena's doing, and she's trying to frame me for it! Do not listen to her!"

Islinda was still screaming at the top of her lungs when the high Fae walked over to her. Before she could get the next words out, a slap cracked through the air, her head whipping from the impact. 

"Shut up this instant, human!" the high lord ordered her.

The force of the slap echoed in the room, stunning everyone present. Islinda saw stars and her ears rang like a bell. She had been hit a number of times since she came to the Fae realm but none hurt like this.