Chapter 10
I’d never been so cold in my life.
Even with the plethora of sticks and wood next to the fireplace, I hadn’t been able to get a fire going that might have provided some relief from the chill air.
Instead, I put on the warmest clothes I could find in the closet—thankfully whatever poor soul had been here before me was the same size—and shoved myself beneath the blankets on the bed. And yet I couldn’t stop shivering.
The cold was like a living, breathing thing.
It crept along the walls and floors, seeping beneath the covers and digging its claws into my skin.
I even tried putting a bunch of lit candles next to the bed, hoping it would warm the air around me, but it appeared the air itself sucked the heat from the flames before I could even enjoy an ounce of warmth.
I never thought I’d miss the heat and humidity at home.
Home.
Tears welled in my eyes. I wanted to go home. Desperately. Missing my family was a deep ache that made my bones hurt. What were they doing now? Had my father hurt them? Maybe my disappearance was enough to spur my mom to finally take them and leave again, though that was probably wishful thinking.
Another shiver quaked my body, bringing me back to the present.
The cold was enough that it kept me firmly inside my room all night long, my body shaking too much to even try to walk around, as much as I wanted to.
At one point, panic had consumed me so completely that I nearly let myself walk right out the castle doors, into the winter tundra beyond to try to find a way home.
The urge to run, to get away, was like a jolt of electricity through my body. And yet every time I tried to move toward the door, to escape, the cold felt so heavy I could barely move a muscle. All I could do was stay in bed, shivering beneath the blankets.
I had no idea what hour it was since the entire time I’d been here it had remained dark outside. Was there no such thing as the sun? It was just those two infernal moons that hadn’t moved in hours.
It could have been the middle of the night or midmorning for all my shaking body knew. I had finally succumbed to a fitful sleep when a knock came at the door, forcing me awake again. My eyes burned, blinking against the dark.
I assumed it was either Nico or Rhydian since I hadn’t seen anyone else yet, but in either case, I had no interest in talking to them.
Clearly that didn’t matter because a moment later, Rhydian opened the door—the door I had locked—and came inside.
I bolted upright in bed. The words “Get out” sat on my tongue, but instinct had my lips pressing together. My mouth went dry, and I tried to swallow but it was impossible. Words stuck in my throat, and I had the sudden sense that I was in grave danger in his presence.
That fearful, submissive side of me clawed her way to the surface, the same as when I’d faced my father’s abuse.
I finally swallowed the lump and managed to croak, “Please leave.” My fingers twisted into the blanket that I held to my chest.
He cocked his head as if he didn’t hear me.
Though my voice was weak and quiet, the words I wanted to say finally squeaked out. “Get out.”
This, he heard.
In a single blink, he was in my face, those gold-ringed eyes so close to mine.
“If you had any idea who I am, you’d be on the floor kissing my feet and begging for your life for such disrespect.”
“Maybe you should tell me who you are then so I can properly cower before you.”
The words were past my lips before I could stop them, fueled by years and years of repressed anger. As soon as they were spoken, the blood drained from my face, and I braced myself. Surely, he would hurt me now.
As if no one had ever talked back to him before, Rhydian blinked several times before the corner of his mouth twitched. Okay, not the reaction I was expecting. I thought maybe he’d hit me or drag me down and lock me in a dungeon, like my father would have done if I’d talked to him in such a way.
There was one time I had dared to tell my father no, and he had responded by locking me in the cellar for two days without water.
But Rhydian fighting a smile? Hadn’t expected that.
Instead of responding, Rhydian took a step backward, allowing my body to calm down, and looked around my room. Ever so slowly, he walked around the perimeter, inspecting the walls, the floors, even running his finger across the various tables like he was checking for dust.
The silence built as I watched him move until I couldn’t take it anymore.
“I’m surprised you didn’t put me in a moldy prison cell. Why would a kidnapper give me such a nice place to stay?”
Rhydian halted, shooting a glare my way. “Would you prefer a cell?” He opened his arms wide. “I have plenty to spare beneath the castle.”
I tried not to take the bait, tried not to be terrified of him actually putting me in a cell.
Sucking in a silent breath, I said, “I’m confused. Am I a prisoner or not? You brought me here against my will after all.”
“You’re…” He hesitated for a moment, stroking at the stubble on his jaw. “You’re neither a prisoner nor a guest.”
“What does that even mean? How can I be neither of them?”
“Seeing as I never intended you to come to Eroth in the first place, you’re not my prisoner, and since I don’t actually want you around either, you’re not my guest. You’re just…here.”
“Wow. Glad we cleared that up.”
“Are you always this annoying, human?”
“Are you always this unbearable?” I retorted, instantly biting my tongue. I needed to control myself or I really would be thrown in a cell.
He may not have physically hurt me yet, but Rhydian was tall, muscular, and had deadly magic. It was extremely stupid to antagonize him.
And yet I couldn’t help it.
Why was it so difficult to control my tongue around him?
Rhydian took a step toward me, and I tensed, drawing as far away as I could, even though I was still on the bed.
He didn’t miss my reaction. His brow lowered over his eyes. “I’m not going to hurt you, Maren. I told you that.”
It took a minute for the words to croak from my mouth. “I don’t believe you.”
His lips twisted into a scowl, but I changed the subject before he could say anything.
“Will you tell me about your magic?”
Rhydian’s face darkened, and he turned his body partially away like he wanted to keep something hidden. “What do you want to know?”
I started with the obvious. “You killed a man.” I watched for a reaction from him—remorse or regret or even glee—but saw nothing. He appeared to be a master at controlling his expression.
“Yes,” he said simply. As if there was anything simple about killing a man, let alone without laying a finger on him.
“Does everyone in Broth have golden death rays?”
Rhydian’s eyes narrowed. “It’s Eroth. And they’re not golden death rays. It’s just the color my magic takes. And yes, if there were any Fae left in this kingdom, they’d all have gold magic.”
“So you’re all killers then?”
Now he full-on scowled, and I felt a burst of pleasure at finally drawing a reaction out of him.
“I don’t know why you’re so focused on this when I saved your life,” he snapped.
“I wouldn’t consider bringing me to a place where I’m going to die saving my life.”
Rhydian clicked his tongue. “You humans are such ungrateful creatures.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m sorry, should I be thanking you that I’m going to die? That my family is unprotected without me there?”
I was hoping that by bringing up my family, he’d show even a sliver of remorse and let me go home, but no such luck. His face remained blank—almost bored.
“You’d be thanking me if you knew what that man’s intentions for you were,” he finally replied, his voice low. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make goosebumps rise on my arms. “At least here, the remainder of your short life won’t be that kind of misery and pain.”
“It depends on your definition of misery and pain,” I retorted. “And I suppose you aren’t going to tell me the kidnapper’s intentions either.”
His eyes darkened. “I think it’s better that I don’t.”
My stomach sank at the tone in his voice while simultaneously, and inexplicably, tightening.
That is definitely not an acceptable reaction to his voice, Maren.
My arms wrapped around my stomach, hugging myself. Starting to feel defeated, I asked, “Are you going to tell me anything?”
“I’ve already told you everything you need to know.”
Rhydian started walking toward the door like he was going to leave.
“Wait,” I blurted, desperate for him not to leave yet. He kept walking, ignoring me entirely. “The only thing you’ve told me is that I can’t leave this place, and if I do, I’ll die.”
He stopped at the door, one hand on the knob, and looked over his shoulder at me.
The gold in his eyes flashed in the dim light.
I swore indecision was written all over his face.
Maybe he actually wanted to tell me something worthwhile but was withholding it for some reason.
Or maybe I was just seeing what I wanted to see.
Rhydian blinked, any indecision flickering away.
“That’s all you need to know.”
Then he was gone.