Chapter 13 Ariana #2
“How was Olive this morning?” Clause asked after swallowing a bite of whatever he had on his plate.
“It was fine.” My eyes met his, and I was uncertain how much he knew, whether this was some sort of test. Someone so controlled, like him, likely kept himself well informed.
He probably already knew the details. I placed the cheese on top of the bread.
“I think I made her uncomfortable.” My attention shifted to the bread in my hands as I took a bite.
Clause chuckled. “Usually, it’s the other way around.
Olive makes others uncomfortable because of her gifts.
” He studied me a moment. “What did you say to her?” The question could have been a test. The Sidhe King asking regarding something he already knew the answer to, just to see what I would say.
The way his subjects seemed to be around him; I would have bet that Olive told him all about our conversation if he had.
I swallowed, choosing to openly show my hand. There was likely no point in hiding it, and if anything maybe honesty would work in my favor. “I asked her that if I freed the people here, would they want to leave?”
“Interesting.” He tilted his head, viewing me. Those cold gray eyes portrayed nothing that was going on in his head. “You asked her such a question, without simply assuming the people here would go running at the opportunity of leaving? I thought you viewed me as an abominable leader.”
“Just because I do, doesn’t mean others do too. I would like to know how your people feel about you. Apparently, that question may make them uncomfortable.”
He took a sip of water. “And if I asked you such a thing while you were under the rule of your father. Would the question not make you uncomfortable?”
“Only because he was an abominable leader.”
Clause’s lips quirked at the side. “And if I ask some of your people this same question today. You do not think it may make them uncomfortable? All of them would simply agree with no concerns?”
I didn’t respond, because I didn’t know. Such a question would likely make most uneasy. He was unfortunately correct about that. So instead of answering him, I asked him something else. “I doubt you allow most others to talk like this to you or about you. So why are you letting me?”
The pressure of his gaze not once lightened. It remained heavily centered on me. “You’re right. Most would never dream of it. But you are a visitor, not a citizen, and so I encourage your curiosity.” Though he gave an answer, I felt as though there was more he wasn’t sharing.
I leaned back in my seat, viewing him, refusing to shy away from the all-consuming presence he commanded. “What game are you playing here?”
His head tilted. “I assure you. It is no game.”
I didn’t believe it. “I just, I don’t understand. You force my hand into coming here. Why? It is not just to prevent the Bavadrins and Lysians from joining to start a war against you. You allow me to challenge you when no one else can get away with something like that. Why?”
He leaned forward then, his gaze searching mine as though he could see into my soul. It was an unnerving thought. “I see you as more of an equal than anyone else I have met in my long life.”
A smile found its way to my lips at the ridiculousness of his comment.
Did he expect this line to work on me? I could have laughed.
Clause saw himself as a god, an absolute.
It surprised me he didn’t pretend he was one of the Spirits himself.
“You do not see me as an equal. The first time I came here, you had Malavika put on a show in order to show you my conjuring. You see me as a puppet.”
His gaze narrowed ever so slightly, growing a sharp edge. “That was before I fully understood what you are.”
“What am I?” I pressed. This entire conversation had taken a turn.
“Remarkable.” The word was a compliment and said with such certainty. “You are who you have always been.”
My cheeks warmed with the discomfort of how forward he seemed, yet not forward at all. “That isn’t an answer. You are dancing around all of my questions.”
Clause leaned back in his chair, taking with him a sliver of the pressure surrounding me.
He viewed me a moment before finally offering an answer.
“When you first came here, and I touched you. I influenced your feelings through your conjuring, and you took back control from me. That does not happen.”
“Never?” My mouth grew dry. What did that mean?
He slowly moved his head from side to side, not a single silvery white hair out of place.
It was brushed back, as if to harshen the brutal angles of his face.
He was the embodiment of a disciplined control.
“Only with you. Amazingly, I found this girl who has gone unnoticed and who has the power to withstand and challenge my sway. She knows herself enough to do so. You are exquisite, Ariana.”
“Yet my mist cannot touch you,” I stated, for I was not truly immune to him.
“Not unless I desire it to.”
My pulse raced at the thought that he somehow considered me powerful just for knowing my mind. Then it spiked even further as another thought entered. “If I actually wanted to leave, would you allow it?” I asked.
His gaze narrowed, and my heart skipped a beat.
I found myself speaking again before he even answered. “If no one has ever withstood whatever you did before, am I viewed as a threat?”
“If you are a threat, then I would like the opportunity to have you understand,” he simply said.
“Understand what?”
“Me.”
I shook my head, not knowing where this was going.
He wanted for me to understand him? Perhaps I would have tried to, if there was an ounce of compassion in his icy heart.
Instead, he took life without a second thought, and played games with those who still lived.
Understanding was not something he sought.
Absolute control was the only thing he accepted.
“I am finished answering questions for this morning,” he said, placing his napkin on the table.
My heart was in my throat and I didn’t know whether I should back down or push forward. Neither decision was great. Ultimately, the tension inside my mind won. “I only have one more. Where is Iona?”
“She is busy.” His jaw tensed for just a moment before his eyes softened.
“Doing what?”
“You are so inquisitive. So curious about things, it’s refreshing.” His gaze moved over my face. “Your servant friends cleaned out the small room in their compound for you. Seems that they welcome your presence there.”
“They did?” I looked at him in surprise. It was very clear that he shifted the conversation, and he did it well, for my interest was stolen. However, the other questions, those he did his best to avoid truly answering were not going to be forgotten. I would find the truth.
He nodded. “Soren got some supplies, healing herbs and such, and is probably there now unpacking and trying to figure out where you want things.”
“Is breakfast over?” I asked, placing my napkin on the table. A strong desire to go there and see what was being done came over me.
“It is if you want it to be,” he answered and I stood at once, the chair scraping across the floor.
“Do you wish for me to take you there?” He joined me in standing.
I shook my head no. “I know the way.” I also needed a break from the stagnant air that surrounded him.
Clause smiled just before I turned away and finally left him, determined to someday soon find the answers to my questions.