Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
I woke early the next morning after tossing and turning all night in a fitful rest. Dreams had plagued me. Awful, horrible nightmares in which my uncle fully transformed into an unrecognizable monster.
In my dreams, the Stone had been there, ready for me to grab to save my uncle, but every time I tried to reach the beautiful starlight gem, it fell farther and farther away.
When I finally woke, a sheen of sweat covered me. Since no one could see me use my magic, I whisked the sweat away in a furious burst of self-cleansing despite the blue cuff that shackled my wrist, then I mentally contacted my aunt.
I scratched against her consciousness, and given how easy it was, I was startled to discover that wherever I’d been transported to wasn’t overly far from their residence. Most likely, I was still in Whiteolf, or just outside of it.
She answered slowly, as though she’d been in the middle of something. Prim?
Yes, it’s me. How is he?
Oh, my sweet girl. It’s so good to hear from you.
Her words turned choked. Timith still lives, surprisingly.
I thought he was going to die last night.
His heart was barely beating, but he pulled through, although he’s even more different today.
The fangs he’s grown are longer now. They grew more overnight, and this morning, he’s been mumbling over and over about how thirsty he is, but he won’t drink anything.
And at one point, I could have sworn that he was going to bite me when I accidentally got too close to him, but Jamie stopped him from connecting.
Jamie? He’s back there?
He is. He came back last night after taking Verin away.
He’s stationed inside our bedchambers to keep an eye on Timith.
He’s just across the room from me actually.
The Imperial Council said your uncle isn’t allowed to leave this house ever again.
I fear that they’re going to— Her words cut off, but she didn’t need to say it. We both knew what would happen.
The Imperial Council would kill Timith.
They wouldn’t allow a monster to roam the land and infect others. They’d probably burn him as well, just as Kole had done to the monster I’d seen in Inisville.
Oh, Gwen. This is all my fault. I squeezed my hands into fists. If only I’d used the Stone right away. If only I hadn’t trusted Kole, and I’d returned to Whiteolf alone. If only—
Prim, stop. Her tone was harsh. Don’t you dare be sorry. None of this is your fault. Like I said last night, we can’t fight them. This would have been the outcome no matter what. And if you want to blame someone, you should blame— She cut herself off.
What? Blame who?
She sighed deeply, then said in a calmer tone, Nothing. I just wish we’d protected you better and this had never happened.
My brow furrowed, and I was about to ask her what she meant by that, but she said in a rush, I have to go. Jamie needs something.
Okay, I’ll contact you soon so you can update me.
Gwenery pulled back, so I ended our connection abruptly.
Alone in my head once more, it suddenly struck me that she hadn’t asked where I’d been taken. But she’d also been busy.
Arms wrapping around myself, I rocked silently as an unsettled and scared feeling swept through me.
My uncle was turning into a fanged creature.
And I was caged in a resplendent chamber.
How is this my life?
Numbly, I got up to dress. Sunlight streamed into the chambers from the high windows, brightening more and more as each minute passed.
I wished I had an air element. If I did, I could have levitated to the ceiling by creating higher pressure beneath my soles to peer out the windows and truly see where I was.
Even though I was fairly certain I was still in Whiteolf, I had no idea where I’d been taken in our capital.
Grumbling, I put the same clothes on that I’d worn yesterday. The sturdy plain trousers and thick top had been ideal for traveling in the Wood while I’d hunted the Stone, but in this chambers’ decadent elegance, I looked entirely out of place.
A knock came on the door just as I finished, and I whirled around, expecting to see Betsee or the mysterious visitor who was said to be coming this morning.
But when the door opened, it was Kole.
My eyes widened that he’d truly returned, and a quick search of his attire revealed that the Stone wasn’t glowing through the material of his pocket anymore.
It felt like a punch to my gut all over again.
Kole had truly given the Wishing Stone to the Council, but no one had cast its wish yet.
When such an act occurred, according to Legends of Our Realm, a shockwave would occur that was so powerful it would coat the entire planet.
Everyone would know when the Stone’s wish had been cast.
Yet even though that hadn’t happened, I knew it was coming.
The warrior crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him. The second our eyes connected, he stopped.
Power vibrated around him, roiling violently beneath his Shield.
Even though I tried not to notice how appealing he looked, my gaze swept over his freshly shaven face and took in his clean clothes.
He wore his usual breeches and tunic. As always, his huge sword rose from behind his back.
He’d obviously spent the night wherever it was he went to bathe and change, and with his rugged good looks and startling Solis eyes, he was incredibly attractive.
Annoyingly so, and that strange thing in my chest vibrated in his presence.
Kole continued to stand by the door. Unmoving. But he watched me—intensely watched me—and even though not one facial muscle moved, his gaze was burning.
I abruptly released a breath. I didn’t know what to say or do around him anymore. The light teasing and easy banter that’d begun to sprout between us while we’d been hunting the Stone now seemed so trite and trivial.
The silence stretched. Since it was killing me, I said in a fake cheerful tone, “Looks like you’ve cleaned yourself up for the day.”
I kept my tone polite. I had to if I was going to survive seeing him.
The only way to deal with this would be to treat him with detached yet kind indifference.
I would have to begin treating him as I would any other fairy who I didn’t know or trust. Otherwise, my heart would break anew every time I saw him.
Kole’s face didn’t crack. Not even a little, but his eyes continued to burn. “Did you sleep all right?” he asked quietly.
“Oh, as calm as a babe.” I grinned so widely that it was ridiculous. “Best night of sleep I’ve ever had. Thank you so much for asking.”
His throat bobbed, and he took a step toward me but then stopped again. Harshly, he ran a hand through his hair. “Prim, please, I—” He growled quietly. “Gods, I wish I could explain. I wish I could return the Stone to you. I wish I—”
“It’s fine, Kole. Seriously, it’s fine.” My forced smile began to waver, and tears threatened to sting my eyes.
“You were just doing your job. I see that now, and I won’t hold that against you, but please, don’t talk anymore about it, and don’t pretend that I was anything other than your job. I’m holding on by a thread here.”
A flash of devastation rippled across his features, and his aura surged.
He opened his mouth to say something else, but I whirled away from him. My tears were threatening to choke me, so I didn’t speak further, and even though his energy was pounding against my back, he didn’t say anything either.
I was about to return to the couch, but another knock came on the door.
It opened with a flourish, and Betsee traipsed into the chambers carrying a tray of food and tea. “Good morning, my lady!” she called cheerfully.
Normally, that warm welcome would have had me beaming and returning the pleasant greeting, but as had happened last night, my usual positivity fell to the wayside.
“Good morning,” I replied woodenly.
Betsee’s smile faltered, but just as fast, she resumed her graceful stride and glided to the table near the couch to place the tray upon it.
“I see that you’re already dressed.” When she beheld my drab pants and top, her smile downturned. “I was hoping to dress you in something a little nicer if that’s all right with you?”
I shrugged. At this point, I wasn’t sure if it mattered. It seemed that my life was no longer my own.
“But why don’t you eat first while I peruse the wardrobe to see what we have on hand.” Betsee pulled a tiny vial from her pocket and dumped its contents over the tray. A strange fog rolled over the food and drink. Startled, all I could do was watch as the fog flashed a green light.
“What was that?”
Betsee corked the vial and slipped it back into her pocket. “Truthfully, I’m not entirely certain, but I was told that I must pour this over any food or drink I provide to you before you consume it.” With that, she swirled away and headed toward the wardrobe.
“It’s meant to keep you safe,” Kole called from his position near the door. “The green indicates that your food isn’t poisoned.”
“Oh.” My thoughts shifted to Verin, that strange potion, and the mysterious reason for why I’d been locked in this room. My heartbeat tripled, and I stiffly sat down and poured myself a cup of tea.
“Would you like me to choose your outfit for the day?” Betsee asked as her numerous hands swished through the wardrobe.
“There are several beautiful dresses in here. Most are day dresses, but some are so extravagant they take my breath away.” She pulled out a long eggplant gown.
“Such as this one. I’ve been dying to see it on someone. ”
I took a sip of the hot tea and tried to stop my hand from trembling. “Whatever you would like me to wear is fine. I don’t much care.” Betsee’s smile fell, and a flare of guilt fired within me. I softened my tone. “That eggplant gown is fine, and thank you for bringing me breakfast.”
“Oh, my lady. It’s my pleasure.” She kept a hold of the elegant gown, then moved to a dresser and began collecting underthings.