Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
I woke to the sound of chirping from the branches above. I peeled open one eye and then the other, slowly taking in the scene. It seemed like a gentle rain of tiny yellow pine nuts had descended in the night, gathering in my hair. I looked down at my chest to find a fur rug over me. I ran my fingers along the black leather edges… Ronan.
Bringing it up to my nose, I inhaled deeply. His smell saturated it—the rich, warm notes of cedarwood wrapped around me like an embrace. I peered into the distance, searching for him. The remnants of the fire glowed faintly against the early light, and smoke lingered in the air. They must have been asleep in their tents. I marvelled at the fact I had fallen asleep at all. Even though the weather was warmer here, the ground had dampened in the night, leaving my lower half clammy and cool.
I felt a small tugging at my hair, followed by a nibbling sound above as more pine nut crumbs showered down, this time landing on the tip of my nose.
“Achoo!” came a tiny squeak, followed by a giggle. I stilled as something cold and wet tickled my ear. “A-A-Achoo!”
There it was again! “Oh my goodness! What in the worlds?” I squeaked and shook my hair, trying to brush whatever it was away with my bound hands. I was too slow, and the ropes restrained my mobility.
“My allergies always act up this time of the year.” The creature winked, and I gasped as the tiny humanoid hovered inches from my face, rapidly fluttering her little blue, dragonfly-like wings. Pressing myself against the tree, I tried to create as much distance between us as possible. “Hello,” it said.
“You’re a?—”
“Sprite.” She came closer until she perched on my shoulder. I felt the weight of her small body as her feet shifted, trying to steady herself. Her wings brushed against my neck, and it tickled. Sighing, she took a deep breath and pressed her nose against my skin. Smelling me. Then she fluttered onto my knee, and I blinked. It felt like I was dreaming.
“And you are a halfling?” She didn’t wait for an answer before clapping her hands together.
“Shhh,” I hissed, looking around. “Please, you must be quiet.”
“I knew it! I knew it!” she squeaked. “I smelled you all the way from up there.” I followed her pointed gaze to where more sprites fluttered overhead, their home nestled and hidden in the tree branches. She emitted a radiant glow, and her yellowish skin glimmered in the morning light.
I thought I had witnessed everything in Faerie, but I was profoundly mistaken because right before my eyes, a sprite floated—a real-life tree sprite. Gods, I wanted to pinch myself.
“B-B-But—” She flew up to my eyes and pulled my eyelid, holding it open.
“Ouch!” I winced as she prodded at me with her little fingers. “What are you doing?”
“A half-blood hasn’t walked our lands in centuries! Where did you come from?” She scrunched up her face and furrowed her brow, confused. She crossed her legs, one over the other, like she was sitting on an invisible chair. She rested her chin on her hand. I rubbed my watering eye.
“Oh goodness me! I’m so sorry about that! Here, let me help you.” She turned away, using her wings to direct the wind onto my face. I squinted, laughing as the tips of her wings tickled my nose.
“Thank you. Yes, I think that may be helping,” I said. She spun in the air, revelling in the positive attention. Sparkles of gold dust shot out from her body, creating a delightful spectacle.
Descending to my bound hands, she tugged at the rope. I shrieked as the enchanted rope tightened like it had the night before. “Please don’t. I’ve already tried; it’s useless!” I told her, attempting to straighten my aching back. “What is your name?”
“My name is Harriet, but you can call me Hatti.”
“Hatti.” I smiled at her. “I like that name.”
She giggled in response before asking in her high-pitched tone, “Who did this to you?” She was an adorable little thing. “You can tell me, princess!”
“Princess! Oh, my dear, I am far from a princess,” I laughed.
“You may not be now, but you will be,” she sang.
“No, you must be mistaken?—”
“It’s as the prophecy says.” She pressed her index finger to her lips and then began to sing.
“Born from fire, of noble blood,
Part mortal, part immortal, as foretold above.
To save the realm, they must embrace their fate,
In death reborn, uniting the Kingdoms await.”
Chills ran through me. I could have sworn I’d heard it somewhere before, but I couldn’t have. “Who foretold this prophecy?”
“Why, the Seer, of course! Who else?” Hatti acted like such a thing was common knowledge. She pulled something from her chest and put it into her mouth, chewing.
“Hattie,” I pleaded, looking deep into her little eyes. This prophecy was important—I didn’t know why exactly, but I knew I was getting close, though to what, I did not know.
“Where can I find the Seer you speak of?”
“Rumour has it, the Seer disappeared years ago.” The little sprite paused for dramatic effect and peered around her shoulder, her eyes wide with knowing. “He is now the mortal king’s property to use whenever he sees fit.”
“How does a mortal king have such power?”
“King Theon isn’t the one with the power, though he likes to think he’s in control. He is just a puppet. Geoffrey is the one in charge. Did you know he captures sprites like me?” She looked away with worry-filled eyes. “He has a thing for creatures, both small and large. He keeps them caged like animals and uses them whenever he pleases.” I thought back to the Yarristaga’s and the chains around their necks.
“Where does he keep them all?” I asked, feeling sick to my stomach.
“He keeps them in the Obsidian Dungeons,” she whispered, twisting her face into a cruel expression. “He had me trapped one day,” she revealed, her voice trembling. “I was waiting, knowing he would come for me, but someone rescued me before he could. Can I share a secret?” She placed her finger on her lips, and I nodded instantly.
“It wasn’t just anyone who saved me. It was the prince, the one with black hair and eyes like silver. He freed me just in time and made me promise never to disclose this to anyone.”
My gaze drifted into the distance, my mind churning. Silver eyes? “Wait, are you referring to Ronan?”
She gasped, her wings freezing mid-flutter. With exaggerated drama, she pressed a hand to her forehead and leaned in, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. She had it all wrong; Ronan was no prince. I offered her a sympathetic smile. She was adorable, yes, but her thoughts flitted like a moth around a flame. She had, after all, addressed me as the mortal princess and essentially proclaimed me as the chosen one. Were all fire sprites this scattered? “Have you seen him?” she asked.
“Oh yes, I’ve seen him, Hatti. He’s the one who bound me to this tree! He is with Geoffrey,” I explained with a touch of disdain.
She shook her head in disbelief, choosing to ignore my words. “No, he saved me and many of my friends on the day we were captured.”
“You must be thinking of someone else—” Voices startled us, and Hattie jumped.
“Oh, I must go! Please be safe. If the prince is indeed here, as you claim, consider yourself fortunate. I have complete faith that he will aid you, just as he did for me.” With that, she vanished. I gazed up at the sprites’ abode, but it gradually faded as if it had never existed.
Crunching footsteps hinted at an approaching presence, and I narrowed my eyes in anticipation.
“Good morning, Aleithra.” Ronan stood across from me, holding a wooden flask. Wisps of steam rose from it, forming a delicate dance in the morning air.
“Speak for yourself,” I shot back, my voice dripping with sarcasm as I challenged him.
Ronan’s keen observation followed. “I can see you still haven’t touched any of the food Silas and Henry brought you last night.”
Vague recollections of the two brothers visiting me at different intervals throughout the night resurfaced. My gaze shifted to the water and the piece of bread they had carefully placed beside me.
“Do yourself a favour, Miss Stubborn, and eat something, would you?” Ronan’s concern was evident in both his words and expression.
“No!” I vehemently refused.
“And why is that?” he asked curiously.
“I don’t trust you or your friends,” I asserted.
“Do you think we would go to all this trouble to retrieve you, only to poison you? And what would that achieve?” he countered logically. He was right. If they wanted me dead, they would have killed me already. I glared at him blankly as he took another sip from the flask.
“Fine. I will just have to carry you when you pass out from dehydration,” he remarked with a hint of humour.
“Where are you taking me, Ronan?”
“We have some business to take care of in Fortestule,” he replied cryptically.
“Fortestule?” I exclaimed. My heart pounded as I struggled to stand, but failed instantly. “No, you need to take me straight to the king. He has my brother. I don’t have time to be gallivanting through the Faerie countryside!”
Ronan’s gaze softened, but his voice remained hushed, adding an air of secrecy to our conversation. “It’s going to take two days to travel to the wall?—”
“Two days?” I interrupted, my frustration boiling over. “I don’t have two days! Every moment we waste, my brother suffers. Don’t you understand that?” I pressed, seeking answers. Ronan paused for a moment, considering my words. He shrugged. “I don’t have a choice.”
I snapped my gaze from his and clenched my jaw, utter bewilderment flickering across my features. Then I snapped my head back at him, my eyes blazing with anger.
“You make me sick, you know that? How can you sleep at night, knowing those innocent people are suffering at the hands of the king, and all for what? Hmm? All because they were born with abilities? They are your people, Ronan! Why are you doing this?” Frustration and disbelief laced my voice as I stared intently at him, truly seeing him for the first time. I braced for his response, expecting a snide remark or a defence of his actions, maybe to convince me I was mistaken, and he was acting for the greater good—anything to alter my perception of the man I had first encountered in that tavern, which felt like lifetimes ago now.
“I have done things,” he began, his voice barely above a whisper. Shadows darkened his eyes. “I have done things I will have to live with for the rest of my life. Things that make me question what kind of man I am. You ask how I sleep at night—I can’t. Every time I close my eyes, I’m reminded over and over again of the one reason I am doing this. I’m not proud of myself.”
Silence hung between us, heavy and suffocating. I tried to speak, but my voice faltered, and my heart felt like it shattered. He paused as he turned to leave, casting a quick glance over his shoulder before meeting my gaze. “I just wanted to tell let you know we’ll be departing soon. And, Aleithra… you’ll be riding with me.”
Nightfall swiftly descended, casting a hush on the surroundings as the trees surrendered to silence. The rhythmic swaying of the horse added to my fatigue as I struggled to stay awake. My eyelids betrayed me by drooping shut, causing me to unintentionally lean into the comforting warmth of the person behind me. Every time I woke up, I became acutely aware of Ronan’s presence. I promptly straightened, snapping back into a rigid, upright position to re-establish the distance between us. I fixed my gaze ahead, determined to stay alert and upright.
“It’s okay, you know. You can rest. I’m here; I won’t let you fall,” Ronan reassured me. I scoffed, adjusting my tied hands and shifting my weight in the saddle. Getting comfortable was a luxury I couldn’t afford. Having sensed I didn’t want to speak to him, Ronan said nothing more for the rest of the journey, except when he passed me his water flask and demanded I take a sip. In those moments when our eyes met, I permitted his gaze to linger briefly.
I tried to block him out for most of the ride yet wondered what he was thinking as thoughts of our last conversation replayed in my mind. Why had he chosen this path? Surely, there was more to it, and I had the overwhelming urge to find out.
The pale, silvery moon lit the night sky, along with a chorus of stars that highlighted the small town of Fortestule. We had arrived. Ronan’s arms tightened around me as we neared the arched gates. Following Geoffrey, the cobblestone road clicked with the rhythmic clonking of our horse’s hooves. As my gaze wandered, I absorbed the surroundings—the narrow streets, homes, and shops lining our path, adding to the light that painted the scene before us.
Faces peered down at us from the windows above, having drawn their curtains back in curiosity and wonder, alarming them of distant travellers. I felt Ronan’s body against mine as he leaned forward to whisper, “Fortestule is governed by dwarves.” I thought of Brennan and his family and wondered if he had grown up in a place like this.
“Dwarven cities run throughout the mountain ranges and caverns beneath the surface. They prefer to live underground, but they use this town to trade. Whatever you need—farming, bladesmiths, jewellery, masonry, you name it—the best of the best can be found here.”
I inhaled the musty smell of hay and metal, surprised to discover that Faerie, too, had places resembling mortal lands. I wasn’t sure what I expected, but this was far from it. Approaching the market square, a cacophony of sounds filled the air, transforming the serene town into a lively community. Dwarves and fae alike ambled through the streets, some laden with bags of wheat or logs of wood, while others strolled leisurely, hand in hand, engrossed in conversation. Our presence didn’t go unnoticed, though. Heads turned, and eyes fixed on me—a shackled stranger, a human prisoner from beyond the wall.
A child passed me and pointed. I overheard his mother telling him not to stare. As I glanced back at them, the mother ushered him into a nearby marquee, practically pushing him through the doorway. Confusion furrowed my brows. It wasn’t my captors they were staring at—it was me.
When a dwarven lady gasped, I flinched. Ronan pulled me in closer, and to my surprise, I let him. His touch had an oddly calming effect that helped my unease.
“Why are they all looking at me like they’ve seen a monster?”
“A mortal hasn’t walked in our land in centuries—they are merely curious.”
“Curious!” I exclaimed, glancing between the lady with her hand over her mouth and searching for the child who had run away. “That is not curiosity, Ronan! They fear me!”
“They only fear what they don’t know, Aleithra.”
Geoffrey brought us to a halt and dismounted from his horse. He handed the reins to Silas and walked to the nearest stall. There, an older, bald-headed man with a thick red beard stood with what appeared to be his young daughter, selling seedlings, fruits, and vegetables. Geoffrey asked a question, and the man responded with expressive hand gestures, pointing down the road to the right. Geoffrey nodded, exchanging a gold coin with the man, before turning to Ronan and motioning for him to join. Ronan dismounted his horse, leaving me behind. Yet they were within earshot, allowing me to overhear their conversation.
“I need to attend to some personal matters. We’ll meet as planned in two days’ time, Ronan. Don’t disappoint us,” Geoffrey said firmly.
“I understand, Geoffrey. We’ve been through this before.” Ronan reassured him, and when he walked back to me, his expression conveyed a complex blend of emotions—anger, frustration, and something unspoken yet deeply felt. It was a look that communicated a sense of urgency and helplessness, as if time was slipping away, though from what exactly remained a mystery.
Scarlett glanced at Ronan and then at me like she had figured something out. Realisation dawned on her features, and the look she gave me now was like she was facing a ghost for the very first time.
“I also have something I need to do,” Scarlett said, glancing at Ronan. “I’ll meet you guys in the morning.”
“Oh, come on, Scarlett. Come with us. We can have a drink,” Henry urged.
“No, Henry.” Scarlett spun to face him, her tone leaving no room for argument. “I need to take care of this tonight. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
“Okay,” he said, throwing his hands in the air.
Ronan gave her a curt nod before swiftly mounting the horse and sitting behind me, giving it a gentle kick to urge him forward. With skilful guidance, he steered him along the path. I stole a quick look over my shoulder, watching Scarlett retreat until vanishing from sight.
“You should have asked her to come with you, Ronan,” I said, a frustrated edge in my voice. I felt his gaze on me and assumed it to be a blend of curiosity and mild annoyance.
“And why is that?” he replied, his tone guarded.
“Because she wanted you to,” I said softly, recalling the longing in her eyes. “I saw it in the way she looked at you and how she hesitated before walking away. She needed you to give her a reason to stay.”
I felt his head shake. “I appreciate your concern, but if she wanted to come along, she would have. I told you, Aleithra, there is nothing between us. I had no reason to ask her to stay.”
I laughed and scoffed at the same time. “Men, you really can be daft sometimes. Do you know that?”
It was darker at this end of the town, and I felt the atmosphere change with it. We were alone, except for a few surrounding supply stores. There was only one reason you would travel down this way; it was home to the only tavern and inn in town. Adjacent to it was a spacious stable, twice the size of the inn, to accommodate the horses of travellers passing through these lands. The inn displayed a flashing sign declaring ‘Rooms for Rent’ despite the handwritten note underneath reading ‘Not Available.’
Ronan helped me to dismount, steadying me when my feet touched the ground. I stumbled into his chest. My lack of practise in horse riding made me feel unsteady. Before I could put distance between us, Ronan’s hand gently brushed a strand of hair off my cheekbone while the other remained firmly on my hips. I couldn’t tell if it was my fatigue from the long journey or his closeness, but the touch of his fingers on my skin comforted me, and a warm sensation filled the pit of my stomach. Heat rose to my cheeks. He paused, as if sensing the same. The sound of feet running interrupted the moment, and we turned in unison to find a boy before us. He halted and lowered his head at once, staring at the ground.
“I… I apologise. I didn’t mean to interrupt. My father sent me to retrieve your horse.”
Ronan stepped away from me; the sudden absence of his presence left me cold and unsettled. A small cough escaped my mouth, and the intensity of the moment made my hands tremble. Steady yourself, Jayne!
I watched Ronan run his hand down the horse’s nose and whisper something into its ear before handing the reins to the boy. The golden horse stamped its foot in what felt like a protest. “Whoahh,” the boy sang; his feet slid in the dirt as he tried to gain his grip.
“Hey, kid.” Ronan tossed him a small bag that clinked with coins. The horse recoiled as the boy lunged for the pouch with his free hand, his eyes widening as he glanced between the bag and Ronan. I couldn’t help but smile. “I’ll be collecting her at daybreak. Be sure to have her ready for me!”
“Yes, sir!”
Ronan turned toward me and began removing his cloak. I eyed him suspiciously.
“What are you doing?” He gave the cloak a quick shake before draping it around my shoulders.
“Leave this on until I tell you otherwise. Understood?”
I nodded, feeling the weight of his hands. Sensing his intense gaze, I turned my head and pulled my hood up. “Why is this necessary?”
“One look at you, and the men in there will…” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “Let’s just say I’m not in the mood to kill anybody tonight.”
I rolled my eyes and sighed, lacking the energy to continue arguing with him. Fatigue weighed on me, and I needed to bathe. I pointed up at the sign with my still-tied hands hidden beneath the cloak. “But it says there are no rooms available,” I informed him.
Before Ronan could respond, Henry intervened, coming to stand between us. “That doesn’t apply to us.” A giant smile stretched his face before throwing me a playful wink. Silas snorted and rolled his eyes. I concealed my smile and stole a glance at the two brothers. Henry, it seemed, was the mischievous one, though I sensed little about Silas. “Let’s go!”
“Wait, I’m confused?”
Ronan placed his hand on my lower back, guiding me through the door. The bell jingled as we entered, and I was greeted by a strong fragrance of smoke and wood. Behind the desk was a dwarven woman. She didn’t lift her head to greet us. Instead, her brows furrowed even deeper as she studied the paper before her.
“One minute, please,” she said, still not looking up. Her eyes focused on the paperwork. We stood in silence, waiting for her acknowledgment. The awkwardness lingered until Henry shattered the silence by leaping onto her desk, standing on it with an air of nonchalance.
“I must say, the service around here has significantly deteriorated since our last visit,” Henry exclaimed, his voice echoing through the room.
Her head shot up, clearly surprised. Her eyes darted between Henry and the rest of us in the room before she brought her hand up to her mouth with a gasp. She ran around the counter to Henry, who jumped down and greeted her warmly, stooping to plant a kiss on both of her cheeks. Silas, ever the observer, lingered in the background. However, I couldn’t help but notice a subtle upturn to the corner of his mouth. “It’s great to see you, Pippa.”
“And where have you boys been? It’s been almost six months since your last visit,” she exclaimed, reaching for Silas and pulling him into a warm hug. It was a spectacle to witness Silas, a sturdy man, being engulfed and embraced by the diminutive, cheerful woman.
“We’ve been working, you know. That thing that earns you big coin,” Henry replied, smirking.
Thieves. These men were nothing more than common thieves. And yet, Pippa laughed and slapped him on the back. I stood there, observing the easy banter between them. It appeared she had known these two for years.
“What can I get you boys? Can I organise some drinks, maybe a few ladies? Hmm, I bet it’s been a while,” she teased, wiggling her brows in a playful manner. The dimly lit ambiance of the bar amplified her mischievous grin as she leaned against the counter, awaiting their response. The clinking of glasses and murmurs of patrons created a lively backdrop, and I coughed under my breath, shooting them a disapproving glance.
Pippa turned to face us. Squinting, she planted her hands on her hips and took a step closer.
“Ronan, is that really you?” I glanced at Ronan, catching the smile on his lips. Before he could answer, she joyfully extended her hands and ran toward him. I sidestepped so she could envelop him in a bear hug and twirl him in the air.
“Oh my,” I uttered, covering my mouth with my hand. Ronan, usually stoic, couldn’t suppress a chuckle. It was a rare glimpse of a lighter side to him, and it was the first time I had witnessed anything other than his usual seriousness. I tilted my head at the sight of his dimples making an unexpected appearance. There was something familiar about him, a resemblance to someone I couldn’t quite pinpoint.
Pippa eventually returned him to solid ground, and Ronan seemed somewhat unbalanced, the opposite of his usual composure. An unexpected warmth charged the atmosphere, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Ronan than met the eye. As we exchanged pleasantries, I found I was increasingly intrigued by the dynamics between him and this exuberant woman.
“And who do we have here?” She smiled at me curiously. “Have you brought a lady with you this time?”
“Oh, no, I’m not his—” Before I could finish, Ronan interjected by closing the space between us.
“This is Jayne…”
“She’s a beauty, Ronan.”
“It’s not—” I stammered, my face flushing. She continued smiling while studying the two of us. Feeling somewhat self-conscious, I lifted my hand to flatten my unruly hair. She was being kind, even though I likely looked the way I felt—like death.
She chuckled warmly. “Nice to meet you, Jayne. You two make a charming pair.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief, making me feel both flattered and uneasy. Ronan seemed unfazed and as composed as ever. While we exchanged pleasantries, I couldn’t help but wonder about the woman’s observations. There was more to her, and the subtle dynamics unfolding in this unexpected reunion intrigued me.
“How many nights will you be staying?”
“Just tonight. Are you able to make room for us?”
Pippa nodded, walking over to her desk. “Of course, honey! Anything you need.” She waved her hand through the air before sitting behind the tall wooden table. She opened a large book and placed her reading frames on the tip of her nose.
“No need for a room tonight; sleep isn’t on the agenda, is it, brother?” Henry chimed in, giving Silas a hearty pat on the back. Henry directed his gaze to the adjacent room where music blared, glasses clinked, and laughter echoed.
Ronan nodded knowingly. “Just please make sure you stay out of trouble tonight.”
Silas rolled his eyes and made a less-than-polite gesture with his finger.
“Of course. We’ll see you two in the morning.” Henry winked at us, emphasising his point with a playful finger gesture of his own, pretending to cast a spell on us.
Pippa called after them as they headed into the bustling tavern, “Be sure to tell Billy that the first rounds are on me!”
“I need two rooms, Pippa. They need to be adjoining, or at least next to each other.” Pippa’s gaze shifted between Ronan and me before looking down again. I held my breath, silently hoping she would find something—anything.
“Ronan, I’m sorry to say we’re at full capacity tonight.” She removed her glasses. “I’ve only got one room available, but rest assured, it has two beds.”
“That’s fine,” Ronan responded. I shook my head at him and widened my eyes, but he disregarded my silent objection. He stepped forward and leaned over to kiss Pippa on the cheek as she handed him a room key.
“Room 101,” she said, and he nodded appreciatively.
“Thank you for your trouble.”
Laughter and groans from neighbouring rooms filled the hallways as we passed. I inhaled deeply as Ronan inserted the key into the iron door labelled 101, silently hoping our room would be equipped with a bathing chamber to spare me from venturing into the communal chamber at the hall’s end, where the stench of decay and urine lingered, an odorous blend I keenly wished to avoid. Though perhaps I could attend to my needs another day.
“After you.” Ronan gestured inside, motioning me through the door.
A dim lantern flickered on the chest of drawers. I could barely discern my surroundings, and I collided with something that felt like a step, striking my shins.
“Bastard!” I yelped, stooping to grab my knee. I stumbled backward, colliding with a sturdy, warm presence as Ronan instinctively enveloped me in his arms, providing stability.
“Are you okay?” He lifted his hand gracefully, a simple motion that summoned the light of five more lanterns.
I gazed into his eyes and then pushed him away from me. “No, I am not okay, Ronan!” I asserted, throwing my bound hands in the air. “My brother was taken by the very people we’ve been fleeing from all our lives, the ones I swore to protect him from, and then I was thrust into Faerie, a realm I didn’t even know existed. I mean, talk about surprises! And just when things seemed promising, I got taken from my sister and kidnapped by a gang of rogue fae who have orders to deliver me to the king, along with the hearthstone, where I’ll likely be beheaded or who knows what else, because—surprise! I’m a halfling, something everyone is afraid of, and, oh, what else? I’m hungry, tired, and I’m on the brink of unleashing my full power on this place if you don’t free me from these bindings, for goodness sake!”
A heavy silence followed, and my chest rose and fell with rapid breaths. My words poured out in a frantic stream as I succumbed to the weight of my emotions. All I wanted was to curl up into a ball and hold myself. Would someone, anyone, allow me this brief moment of vulnerability? Ronan’s eyes softened, and he moved toward me yet hesitated as he drew nearer, conflict flickering across his features. It was as if he wanted to bridge the gap between us, but held back. He clenched his jaw, and his stance was unwavering, his feet planted firmly on the ground. Then, subtly, he clicked his fingers, and the tension in my hands released. The ropes fell to the ground.
I was free.
I took a deep breath and rotated my wrist. The lingering ache and numbness swiftly dissipated. A faint trickling noise emerged from the room to my left—running water? I turned toward the sound, but Ronan intervened, reaching for the hood of my cloak. Gently, he pushed it off my head and rested it on my shoulders.
I felt heavy once again and exposed, as if he could see more than just my face. “I’ll fetch you some clean clothes. Take your time. The bath is filling up,” he said. Sincerity laced his voice, hinting at something more. “And Jayne…” The way he said my name brought an intense wave of emotions. I bit my lip, suppressing the tears on the verge of escaping.
“Yes?”
“I understand why you don’t trust me, and honestly, you have every right not to. I’ve done things I’m not proud of—things I wish I could undo. I won’t pretend to be someone I’m not but believe me when I say this: I’d rather face death than see you harmed. You are safe with me. Do you understand?”
The thing was, deep down, I knew he meant what he said. I felt it the first time I laid eyes on him and continued to feel it in every moment we had spent together since then. The only thing I couldn’t work out was why he was doing all of this. There had to be a reason.
I nodded, and the weight of his words lingered. Before I turned away and headed to the chamber, the echoes of our conversation resonated in the quiet space between us.