Her eyes snap back open, and I’m not sure if it’s the flames from the lanterns or something else, but they flicker for a moment. Something otherworldly swirls in her irises, making my heart race. “You may be the king for now, Roman Rudhek,” she whispers, leaning into the bars so her face is pressed against them, “but you willneverbe the man he is.”
She smiles, a wolfish grin that has the hairs on my arms raising before she backs away. “Is there anything else you wish to know, my king?”
My words lodge in my throat. Embarrassed at how intimidated this Enchantress has made me feel. Angry that I’ve let her get under my skin. I don’t answer her, I simply back away and head up the stairs. Her menacing laughter echoes throughout the chamber, and I have to hold my chest to steady myself.
Immediately, I’m no longer the King of Teravie. I am transported back to the helpless boy in my father’s study.
Get out of here, Roman.
My steps increase, taking two stairs at a time as clouds of dark press into my peripherals. Bursting through the door at the top of the stairs, I slam it shut. I don’t bother checking the lock before sprinting down the hallway and back to my chambers.
I shouldn’t have asked to know about Sorin.
I should have kept my mouth shut and let Galen take care of things his way, just as he always has.
Nine
Elora
Roman hasn’t been backsince our last encounter nearly a week ago and to my surprise, neither has Galen. The food, however, hasn’t stopped coming.
I run my fingers along the tip of the knife’s blade one more time before shoving it under my pillow. I have no idea if Roman left it wrapped in the loaf of bread intentionally, or if it was a mishap. Either way, I hold it close every night. Waiting for the right moment to use it.
I swallow down the rest of my meal before I begin my exercise. I know they’re only feeding me to keep me alive until they can find a way to harvest my magick, but I don’t care. The food has given me a false sense of hope and now that I’ve gone so long without, I leave nothing to waste.
With the dizziness of starvation gone, I begin to use my endless amount of time alone to think of a way to get out of this cell. I work on stretching and moving my body. Rebuilding strength in my knee where it was injured and making sure my bones aren’t too stiff.
Little by little pieces of my broken self start to come together. I don’t have any way of looking at myself, but for the first timein a long time I know I’d be proud of my reflection. I have been burned to bits, and instead of remaining as rubble, I have taken the opportunity to grow. They say the Phoenix rises from the ashes…but they make no mention of how badly it burns along the way. Is this my moment to rise? To fight through the pain of the flames in the hopes I’ll sprout wings? But what if the fire hasn’t gifted me wings. What if, instead, I have grown claws and teeth.
So sharpen my teeth, I will.
After how long it’s been, trying to reach out to Alaric seems futile. But seeing as how I’ve nothing better to do while I wait to be dragged back to that room, I try anyway.
Breathless from my exercise, I slide down until I’m sitting on the stone floor with my back pressed against the wall. The lantern flickers as I close my eyes and reach out for Alaric. The iron rubs against my wrists, a reminder that thiswon’twork.
And yet, I try anyway.
Can you hear me?
Alaric?
After a few more unsuccessful attempts, my shoulders sag as my eyes pop open.
“Curse these damn shackles.”
Be patient.
“No!” I scream and despite the soreness in my legs I stand and begin to pace. The vision of the knife under my pillow flashes in my mind.
No.
What I thought was left as a weapon to defend myself, I now realize is perhaps more of a test of will. I shake my head to rid it from the thought. Of the sharp point of the knife meeting the softest flesh of my wrist. I think of Roman and the satisfaction it would give.
“I need out of here!”
My voice echoes back to me, making me cringe as it hits my ears.
“I need air.” I claw at the shackles around my wrists, desperate for a reprieve but all it does is sting the areas that have already been ripped open.
