39. The Dark Manor #2
“My Lord,” she said breathlessly, “There is a messenger downstairs who claims the missive is urgent, and sent from Vosgaarde.”
My heart skipped. Voski? The queen?
“Bring the missive to me.”
“The messenger has been charged with placing it in your hands directly, sir,” the maid murmured without meeting his eyes.
Breckon swore again, pushed to his feet once more, the bathwater tinkling and splashing as he stood, adjusted himself, then stepped out on the mat the maid laid down for him.
“Do not let her move freely,” he muttered through his teeth, gripping the cigar in his lips, and wrapping the towel around his waist once more.
Then he raised his voice, though the door was open and the guards outside could have heard him the first time.
“Do not let her move freely. Escort her directly to her chambers, then await my instruction. Bring her any food or clothing she might wish—other than a weapon. But do not leave her presence until I have seen her and given orders.”
A servant hurried in with a robe which he shrugged on, muttering. As soon as he disappeared into the hallway, one of the guards leaned forward to grasp the door and pull it closed. I covered myself and breathed until the door latched. Then I slumped.
But the maid immediately leaned over me.
“Quickly. Quickly. We don’t have much time.
If you’re still here when he returns, it could go badly for you,” she whispered, her lips right next to my ear as she urged me to my feet and wrapped a towel around me.
“I put the herbs and blade where he said, but replaced the blade with a dull one from the kitchen. You’ll find yours under the mattress in your chambers.
But you will need to move it from there and find a better hiding spot. I didn’t have time.”
I nodded, shocked and helped her dry me. “Why would you help me?” I breathed when we were both bent over to dry my legs.
“Because he’s a bastard, and no one should have to be touched by him who didn’t invite it.”
I blinked and straightened with her. She met my eyes for a moment, then picked up the white, folded garment and shook it out.
I stood there, dumbly, as I realized this woman had likely been raped—or at the very least, her privacy violated—and was attempting to help me avoid the same fate.
“You’re—”
“There’s no time. Quickly!”
She threw the long nightdress over my head and helped me get my arms into the sleeves, then tied it high at my throat, and hurried me toward the door. But I pulled her to a stop before she reached it.
“Wait—”
“There’s no time!”
“Tell me your name!”
She blinked and looked at me, apparently shocked by the simple question. Then she swallowed. “Jade,” she whispered. “But please… tell no one.”
Then she pulled me forward again, her expression blanked before she opened the door and spoke to the guards in a brisk tone.
“To the Mistress’s chambers, please.”
The chamber was only two more doors down and comprised of two rooms, and a large changing area.
It was a beautiful suite, decorated in rosewood and creams. But before I could comment on the excellent job the staff had done, the door swung open again, and Breckon strode in as if the room was his. Which I supposed, it was.
“Everything you need for this life has been provided, but don’t get ideas about escape,” he said as if we’d already been speaking, walking through the room and showing me things as he spoke of them.
“The servants have been warned that any attempt to assist you outside of my instructions will lead to their immediate punishment—and dismissal. But of course, there won’t be problems, will there, Lady Grace?
” He shot me a pointed look. “The guards will remain in the room when you have visitors, and outside the door when I visit you, or you are alone.” He turned to face me, one hand on the wide windowsill at the other end of the room, the other stuffed into the pocket of his robe.
He tipped his chin at the guards, and they hurried out, taking Jade with them.
The door was shut firmly behind them, leaving me alone with him.
He didn’t move, but I backed away.
His gaze became flat.
“The clothing we’ve collected is sufficient for activity on the estate, but will be removed if you attempt escape. The windows are nailed shut. The moment I catch wind of even a hint that you are attempting to scheme, I will lock that door and not allow you out, even with guards. Am I understood?”
I nodded, breathing quickly, and mentally scrambling for anything I’d learned at the Keep that might help me here.
His eyes narrowed. “You’ll remain untouched until you bleed—or four weeks have passed.”
I swallowed hard, but he turned to look out the window.
“The servants will feed you. The guards will take you riding. And the housekeeper will assist you in planning our wedding.” He turned to face me again, his gaze glinting like a blade. “A task to which I’m certain you’ll give eager attendance.”
I nodded again.
He smiled, but his lips were thin. “At breakfast each morning your herbs will be provided to you by my man. He is under no confusion: He will watch you cut and take them, then he will return the herbs and blade to my chambers. You and I will take the lunch and dinner meals together. Other than that, you will be expected to host in the event we receive visitors, and remain at my side throughout, should that occur. I know that you’ve been well raised and educated, Grace.
I know you understand what it means to run a household, and will do so with the grace of your name. Do you have any questions?”
I shook my head. “No,” I whispered.
“Very good.” He strode across the room, his robe swinging apart at the front, almost to upper-thigh. I swallowed as he grasped the doorknob, but didn’t open it. “Don’t conjure ideas of flight. This door will be locked any moment I am not in attendance.”
Then he turned the knob, stepped out, pulling it closed behind him again. And the sound of the lock clunking home echoed in his wake.
I stood there, trembling, as the walls closed in.
“No!” I ran to the door and grasped the knob, turning again and again. It creaked and squeaked, but wouldn’t turn beyond an inch. I rattled the door, slamming an open palm against it.
“Please! Please, you don’t have to lock it! There are guards. Please! Breckon—please!”
I shook, and pleaded, and wept. But there was no sound. Either the guards couldn’t hear me through the thick door, or didn’t care. Or simply had orders to ignore me.
Precisely nothing occurred, until I slumped in defeat, sliding to sit on the carpet, begging and pleading with God to make this nightmare stop.
I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t breathe.
This was, quite literally, my worst nightmare.
I hugged myself, held my insides together as they threatened to shatter and fly apart.
‘Grace… Grace, be still.’
It was Koa in my head.
I sat with my back to the door. My hands fisted in the skirts of the voluminous nightdress I’d been given.
‘He’s locked me in, Koa.’
‘I will flame you out—’
For one, brief, glorious second I imagined it—letting her come to my aid. Steal me away.
She’d do it. I had no doubt. Koa was feral, accustomed to both defending and hunting for herself. The people—this building—were no match for her.
But a moment later, I also saw the fallout. Breckon likely was no longer anywhere near this chamber. To get me away, she’d have to leave him. And his pursuit would be vindictive—and quite possibly bring two nations to war.
If I ever wanted any chance at a life of peace with Voski…
‘No! No, you can’t,’ I hushed to her. ‘We have to—I have to… just give me a moment to figure this out. Please, Koa, just speak to me. Words, or images, whatever you see. Whatever you know. Just speak to me. Things that are true. Please.’
And she did.
She had no news of Kham or Voski, and they hadn’t drawn close enough to reach her mind, but she felt her mate moving toward her and she was certain he would find her.
She’d circled the estate several times already, from high above, and had located every building and person. She would find me anywhere.
The evening was beautiful outside, and she gave me clear skies, and the wind in my face and…
I blew out a breath, then inhaled slowly.
Eyes closed, I tried to sense Voski. Desperate to be out of these walls, away from this house.
But there was nothing I could do. I stretched.
I reached. Aching. Pleading with God to make him clear to me.
Yet, all I knew for certain was that he existed, somewhere south of here.
But Koa knew.
‘He comes for you. As my mate comes for me. They come, Firebird.’
I nodded, and tried again. And again. I stretched my mind to its limits, reaching for him across the void, keeping my eyes screwed tightly closed. And I kept trying. I would keep trying. I wouldn’t stop.
I would get out of here, and back to him, no matter what it took.