“It has been long enough,” Ludcarab’s voice broke the silent stand-off. “You’ve been on the formula for a month. You should be ready.”
Kara swallowed the bile that rose in her throat. The conversation Ludcarab and Alston had when they’d brought her here reverberated in her mind like a crashing gong.“It will do two things: ensure she is able to conceive and help make her mind even more susceptible to Tenia’s power.”She had no idea who Tenia was, nor did she particularly care, considering the woman had never shown up. She did, however, care about the fact that she’d continued to drink a liquid that a high fae claimed would make her able to conceive a child. Now, it looked as if the elf king had come to collect.
“You told me that you could give me everything,” she said through gritted teeth. “You said you could lay the world at my feet. That I would want for nothing. You said you would protect me like I’d never been protected before.” Her jaw clenched as she stared at him. “Is this how you treat someone you claim to be willing to do all those things for? To force yourself on me?”
The king took a deep breath and let out a sigh. He held out his hands in front of him, palms up as if in supplication. “Would I like for you to give yourself to me willingly? Of course. I have shown you kindness. I’ve provided for you. I’ve not harmed you. What more must I do in order for you to give yourself to me?”
All of those things were true, except hehadharmed her. He’d taken her from her home, fromhim, the one she couldn’t quite remember, but knew was her heart, her soul. There was an emptiness inside of her that she felt would swallow her whole. Kara fisted her hands at her side and straightened her spine. “There is nothing you could do. I will never willingly give myself to you.” Her chin rose as she watched emotions roll over his face. His lips pursed, making it obvious that he was not pleased with her response. His eyes narrowed, honing in on her as if she was his prey. She was pretty sure if she took a step back, he would pursue her.
He dropped his hands and then folded them behind his back. “That is unfortunate. Regardless…” He reached back with one of his hands and snapped his fingers toward the door. “We must move forward.” Several female elves walked in, all with their eyes on the floor. “Get her ready. Then bring her to my chambers. She is to be prepared as my queen.”
“As you wish,” the three women said in unison.
When Kara looked away from the females, she nearly stumbled back. Ludcarab had moved and she hadn’t even realized it. He stood so close she could feel his breath on her face when he leaned down. He cupped her cheek in his hand, and his fingers were ice cold. So unlike another hand that she remembered cupping the same cheek, one that had been warm and welcomed.
“This is happening, Kara,” he whispered. He made her name sound exotic as his voice took on an accent she didn’t recognize. “I promise you, it will be good. I will not hurt you. After tonight, you will be mine.” He pressed his lips to her forehead.
Kara felt tears welling up in her eyes but squeezed them tight, not wanting any to fall. When she opened them, a single drop rolled slowly down her cheek. “You might have my body,” she said as she took a step away from him and out of his touch, “but I will never be yours.”
“I’ve got nothing but time. And it is amazing what time can change.” He turned without another word and strode from the room.
Kara’s brain worked overtime. She watched the three women begin to move around the room. One pulled clothing from a closet, and another headed into the bathroom. Kara heard water running in the opulent bathtub. Moments later, a sweet aroma flowed from the bathroom as steam billowed out. Kara stared and wondered if they were going to try to boil her alive. How hot was that water to produce that much steam? And why was she worried about the damn temperature of the water when she’d just been told she’d be sleeping with Ludcarab that very night?
“Shock,” she muttered under her breath. “I’m in shock.” Kara took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She closed her eyes and tried for the millionth time to see the face of the man she knew meant the world to her but seemed just out of her reach.
“My lady.”
One of the three elves. Kara’s eyes snapped open, and she looked at the woman.
“My name is Dyna,” the she-elf said. Her flowing hair was a deep, rich red. Her eyes held something Kara couldn't identify—kindness or maybe sadness. “This is Coya.” Dyna motioned to another female attendant. This one was blessed with hair just as long but sleek black. “And that’s Reena.” She pointed to the third elf. This one had shorter hair that only reached the middle of her back instead of her waist. It was the same black as Coya’s. Both of the females bowed their heads to her but then went about their tasks without a word.
Kara nodded to them and then looked back at Dyna. “This is going to sound rude, but why do you work for him?” She motioned to the door where Ludcarab had walked through. “He’s a monster.”
Dyna dropped her eyes to the fabric in her hands. She went to the bed and laid out the dress—if you could call the tiny bundle of skimpy, see-through fabric a dress. After a few moments, she snorted. "I could ask you why you’re here, Kara.”
“I’m a prisoner,” Kara bit out, her temper rising at the thought of anyone thinking she would actually choose to be with someone like the elf king.
Dyna’s green eyes snapped to hers. “What makes you think we are not?” The elf held out her arm. Kara noticed something she hadn't seen before—tattoo-like bands around the woman's wrists. Kara glanced down at the similar marks that encircled her own wrists. Then she looked over at Reena and Coya. Both women held their arms out for inspection. The same patterns.
Shame filled Kara as she realized that she’d done exactly what she thought Dyna was doing to her. “I’m sorry,” Kara whispered. “I shouldn’t have assumed.”
Dyna waved her off. “We take no offense.” She motioned Kara toward the bathroom. “We all have a story, some uglier than others. But now is not the time to tell them. Right now you have to prepare yourself for your king.”
“He isnotmy king,” Kara said a little harsher than she meant to.
Dyna’s eyes narrowed, though she looked determined, not angry. “If you want to live, you will make him believe he is.”
Kara's eyes widened. When the elf didn't elaborate, Kara frowned and marched toward the steam-filled room. “He’s not hurt me since I’ve been here.”
Reena made a snorting sound, and Dyna clucked her tongue at the she-elf.
“What?” Reena said softly. “He’s been giving her that poison.”
“Hush!” Dyna snapped, her eyes like ice as she stared at Reena. “You would do well to remember that the walls have ears.” She looked at Coya and then Kara. “You wouldalldo well to remember that.”
Kara couldn’t help but glance around the room. This was something she hadn't considered. Were there cameras? Did they evenhavecameras in this nightmarish fantasy land she found herself? Perhaps they used other creatures. Were invisible pixies hiding on the walls, reporting back to Ludcarab about every move she made? Kara shook her head. She was being ridiculous. But she was also losing her mind, that much she knew. So maybe imagining pixies on the wall wasn’t such a stretch.
“Reena,” Dyna said, her voice firm. “Begin.”
