Chapter 11 #2
“Just ordering her to cooperate, High Inquisitor Pryce,” Jaxon said smoothly. His thumb stroked the small of her back, tracing the knobs of her spine.
“That isn’t necessary, Jaxon,” Garrick Shaw said. “I’m sure Miss Starwind will realize quickly that cooperation is in her best interest. Go ahead and remove her hood now.”
The room could have been another cell if it had bars.
Araya blinked hard, her eyes burning at the sudden rush of golden light from the aetherlamps.
Solid stone walls pressed in on her from every side, the cramped space dominated by a rough wooden table, its scarred surface laden with a spread of bread and cured meats and boiled eggs.
It must be breakfast then—she’d been here overnight.
“Miss Starwind.” Garrick set his tin cup down beside the battered tea service. “I’m so glad to see you made it through last night’s ordeal unscathed.”
“Not entirely,” Baran grunted from the place at Garrick’s right. “Otherwise your son wouldn’t be squawking about her needing a healer, gods damn the security risks.”
“Are you alright?” Kai asked from the other end of the table. He was the only one to look straight at her, his expression twisted with guilt.
Araya pressed her lips together, pretending she didn’t see him staring at her like a struck dog. He’d made his choices. He would find no forgiveness from her here.
“She’ll live,” Jaxon answered for her with a scowl. “But my father always stressed the importance of caring for my possessions. She needs proper medical care—”
“She’s an asset now,” Pryce said. “Not some pampered house pet. If I had my way, a scratch on her foot would be the least of her complaints.”
Araya’s eyes widened, indignation flaring hot. “I haven’t complained once,” she snapped. “If you—”
“Araya.” Jaxon’s hand fell heavily on her shoulder, squeezing tight. “Stop talking.”
Araya coughed, choking on the words that caught in her throat before her mind could catch up with the command. Her eyes watered, her face burning at the indignity of it. Jaxon had silenced her—as effectively as cutting out her tongue.
“Far too outspoken for my tastes.” Pryce clicked his tongue, rising from his seat. “But this sor’vael is intriguing. Why aren’t we doing this to all of them? Seems like it could solve a few problems.”
Problems. Araya glared at him, bile burning the back of her throat. Problems like the fact that some fae females would rather live in poverty and squalor than submit themselves willingly to a human man. Men like him.
“It’s impractical and ineffective on a mass scale, sir,” Kai said, his voice quiet.
“Each fae would have to be linked with one human—a mage strong enough in their own magic to compel without the help of amplifiers. Our records show that without careful handling, many fae living under sor’vael go mad.
Some even kill themselves. If you value her as an asset, my professional recommendation is that you proceed cautiously here. ”
Araya flinched, a shiver skating over her skin. Kai was looking at Pryce, his expression carefully neutral, but she couldn’t help but feel like he’d been speaking to her. Was that what she had to look forward to? Madness—followed by death at her own hand or Jaxon’s once he tired of her?
“Hmm.” Pryce hummed, taking a step back. “I guess we could cut out all their tongues and get the same result then.”
“You could,” Garrick agreed from the head of the table.
“But then they wouldn’t be able to answer questions, testify, or communicate anything of value.
Honestly, Baran, hasn’t anyone ever told you that you catch more flies with honey?
” He waved a hand at Jaxon. “Unbind her tongue. I’m sure Miss Starwind will behave. ”
Jaxon squeezed her shoulder once before letting his hand drop, taking the compulsion with it.
Araya swallowed hard, rubbing her throat.
She resisted the urge to test her voice immediately, caught between Jaxon at her back and Pryce’s predatory attention.
They wanted something from her. That was the only reason she was here instead of still locked up in that cell.
“I’m sure you’re aware that there was a disturbance at the Shaw estate last night,” Pryce said, his gaze burning into her skin. “Fae rebels attacked the house, causing half the structure to fall into the tunnels below. Do you know anything about that?”
“The Arcanum says there is no fae rebellion,” Araya answered.
Jaxon’s hand tightened on her waist. “Don’t be tricky, Starling,” he warned softly. “Not with him.” More loudly, he answered for her, “She was unconscious for the past three days. I don’t see how she could have known anything.”
“What about her bond with Shadowbane?” Pryce asked.
Jaxon stiffened. “Her sor’vael prevents her from accessing it,” he said.
“And you’re sure it worked?”
Jaxon didn’t answer.
“So no, you’re not sure.” Pryce sighed deeply. “Miss Starwind, can you confirm whether Commander Shaw’s order prevented you from accessing your bond with the fae prince?”
“He’s a king now,” Araya whispered, ignoring Jaxon’s hissed warning. “And yes, it did.”
“Very good.” Pryce studied her, his scrutiny making her skin crawl. “And do you love King Shadowbane, Miss Starwind?”
Araya straightened, lifting her chin. “More than I’ve ever loved anyone.”
Jaxon’s grip on her hip tightened painfully, but Pryce spoke again before he could retaliate.
“That’s excellent, Miss Starwind.” He leaned against the table, his gaze never wavering from hers.
“I think we can help each other here. Loren Shadowbane was at the Shaw estate last night. In his struggle with Commander Shaw, he was seen falling into the sinkhole that was formed when the structure collapsed.”
Araya’s breath caught in her throat. She’d seen the destruction. If Loren had been caught in that—
“Is he dead?” she asked, both dreading and desperate to know the answer.
“We don’t know,” Pryce said, his measured voice betraying nothing. “His body hasn’t been recovered, but cleanup is ongoing. He could be dead—or badly wounded, crushed beneath the rubble.”
Araya swallowed back her tears. The bond sat in her chest, so close and yet so far out of reach. But she couldn’t look weak. Not here.