Chapter 8 Khiona
Andar claimed he didn’t need to eat because his bond with the lamp suspended his digestive system.
I narrowed my eyes. “So you haven’t eaten for decades?”
He shrugged. “Centuries.”
Centuries? How many masters had he had in that time? A question for another time. “Do you choose not to eat or are you incapable of it?”
His eyes skirted to the pile of dried meat, dried fruit, and crackers. “I am not capable of eating that.”
I folded my arms. “Spoken like a fae.”
He raised a brow. “I am fae.”
I’d eaten raw fish for decades to stay alive. He could certainly handle a little dried food. “If I have to eat this, you should too.”
He linked his hands behind his back and spread his feet to shoulder width, like a soldier bracing for a reprimand. “I have not missed thousands of meals over hundreds of years to break a fast with dried rations. You should eat to maintain your strength. I will be fine.”
“And how fine will you be if I break your bond with the lamp? Will you not need sustenance then?”
His emotionless eyes jerked to mine as his jaw fell.
He snapped it up and dipped his head. “If you choose to break that bond, I suspect I will be obligated to eat something. But since that is not the case tonight, I will forbear.” His lips twitched into a smirk.
“Also, should you break my bond with the lamp, I will have access to my own magic, which means I’ll be able to improve the flavor and state of any food we encounter. ”
I stared at the trail rations. He could improve the flavor and state of them? Perhaps I should free him this instant.
But I refused to make such a big decision on an empty stomach at the end of a long day. Surely there would be unforeseen complications, and I would think through the decision better in the morning.
I sighed. “Suit yourself.” The dried peach slices were not as awful as they looked, and the flavor energized me. It awakened parts of me that had slept for decades, numb to the never-ending taste of fish. I waved it at Andar. “It’s not as bad as it looks.”
He shook his head. “I’ll wait.”
I snatched a handful of dried peaches and headed toward the icy railing that led upstairs to the second floor. If he wasn’t going to eat with me, I needed him to disappear so I could process the day and think about his request.
I waved him toward me. “Come.”
He followed me up the stairs, down the frozen hall, and into an elegant bedroom made of ice.
The beds had no blankets, of course. Frozen water did not make soft covers.
But he’d said his bond to the lamp prevented discomfort from temperature, and he was fae so he could not lie.
I stood in the doorframe and gestured him inside.
Stopping in the doorframe, he stood only inches away from me. “You want me to spend the night in here?”
We were close enough that his breath heated the air around my face.
There was no way I’d be able to hide how his appeal for freedom made me hope I could garner his loyalty.
His loyalty, his friendship, his approval, his…
admiration. Things that had always been out of my reach, despite the power I’d wielded.
Things that would be worth almost as much as the revenge I craved with every scrap of my existence.
Things that made the crystal walls around my heart tremble.
“It seemed appropriate for us each to have our own room,” I whispered, not wanting my cool breath to chill him.
His bright blue eyes held mine. “Usually my masters release me to the lamp when they no longer need my services.”
“Perhaps I’d prefer your company.” I snapped my teeth together. How had I said that aloud?
He raised a brow. “If I’m sleeping in here, I’m not really keeping you company.”
A blush ran up the back of my neck. I had to keep my desires for companionship hidden better. Letting him know how much I craved something as simple as a friendship would give him far too much leverage over me. “Would you prefer the lamp?” I asked quickly, hoping to cover my embarrassment.
“No.” He spoke slower, as if relishing the awkward moment.
“Then enjoy the space.” I waved at the room, and then marched away.