“Of course I did. I always will.” He grabbed her chin. “I am never far from you and your precious powers. Remember that.” She nodded. “The ball is a mere week away. Have you done it? Did you get it?”
Eira wondered if this was a test. If he truly had no idea since she’d hidden the piece of plaster so well. “Yes, I got what the Champion asked of me.”
A grin that showed far too much teeth spread across his face. “Good, pet. Good. Where is it?”
“I don’t have it with me. I wouldn’t risk—”
“I didn’t ask if you had it, I asked where it was.”
“Hidden safely back in the manor.” She avoided being too specific.
“Good. I imagine the Raspian lovers you are forced to associate with will be held up here for a while. Maybe I should go and retrieve it.”
“No!”
“No?” His grin fell, darkness shrouding his face as the shadows seemed to grow longer around him. If there was anyone who loved a dark god…it was him. “You’d dare—”
Eira grabbed his hand with both of hers. “It’s too much of a risk. I’d lose my purpose if something happened to you. You are my guide and guardian.”
“Oh, you sweet thing.” He ran his knuckles down her cheek. “They would never catch me.”
“The manor is well guarded. They’ve only increased the defenses since I returned.”Don’t go rummaging around my room. By the love of the Mother, I don’t wantyouin my room, Eira mentally screamed. “I would be too worried if you went. Let me bring it to you.”
He chuckled darkly. “I was merely testing your devotion to me. Everything is going according to plan. You’ll do your part when the time comes; there’s no need to rush.” He had the most horrible smile. “But do not fear for me. Even if I were to go into the manor, they will never catch me, and do you want to know why?”
“Why?” Her hands were coated in a thin layer of sweat. Her pulse was racing.
Ferro leaned close to her, making her heart beat faster. “I’ll let you in on a little secret… That place is part of my inheritance. I’d play there as a child.”
“What?” Eira gasped.
“It was mine before they took everything from my family. The witch Lumeria tried to eradicate my family’s name, our legacy, off this earth.”
“H-How dare she!” Her voice quivered slightly. Eira hoped he didn’t notice how shaken she was at the thought of him being associated with the manor she was staying in.
“Yes, but there is one thing she can’t take—none of them can.” His hand moved behind her head, nails digging into her scalp as he grabbed her hair and yanked her so his eyes could be level with hers. Eira stayed silent, struggling to keep her face passive as her eyes watered from the pain of her hair nearly being ripped out. “My birthright as the Champion’s general, as his right hand, as the one who will bring true light to this world. And once you absolve my father, I will take you with me into the world of Her brightness. No one else shall have a right to your power but me.” His words stung her face. Eira shuddered in horror as she looked up into the eyes of a madman. To think, she’d once found him desirable.
“Glory to the Champion,” Eira whispered. It felt like far too much time had passed for no one to check on her. But no one had a reason to suspect she was trapped with Ferro.
“Glory, indeed,” he said with a snarl and released her. “To think, when I first met you I saw you as nothing more than a silly girl to be used. Now, you will become so much more to me.” He ran a finger down her cheek, trailing around her neck, and leaned forward to whisper into her ear. “Stay well, pet. Imagine my leash right here, tight around your throat. You breathe only for me. You act only for me. You are mine.”
Eira inhaled sharply, and by the time she exhaled, he was gone. Only a flash of light and the rustling of velvet to betray he’d ever been there in the first place. She stumbled backward, one step, then two more. Her back hit the wall. The space was suddenly too small. Everywhere was closing in on her.
You are mine. The words were a raw and brutal form of possession. Ferro had truly taken to heart that her life was his to own—to do with as he pleased. Even if that ownership wasn’t possessive, but stemmed from his lust for power…what would Ferro do if he found out about Cullen? He would no doubt see Cullen as a threat to his control.
What had she done? What danger did her love put Cullen in? His life might be the cost of indulging her fantasies.
Eira raised a hand to her mouth, fighting back the feeling of wanting to retch. She drew shuddering breaths in and out through her nose. She had to get herself under control. She had to pull herself together, and put on a brave face.
This was the gamble you made. This was the choice you made. She repeated the sentiments over and over. If she chose this then it meant she could handle it, right? The attendants would be here any moment. She had to get herself—
The curtain opened to reveal one of the smiling morphi assistants. But her expression quickly fell.
“Oh my, are you all right?” The woman rushed over to her.
“I…yes—” Eira swallowed down bile and disgust with herself “—I am. I just felt dizzy and a bit sick for a moment is all. I might have eaten something strange for breakfast.” She made an attempt at a smile. Judging from the attendant’s expression, she didn’t do a good job of it.
“You’re very pale.” The attendant frowned. “Would you like me to fetch a healer?”
