“Helpful for—”
She shushes me.
I lower my voice. “Helpful for what?”
“Later.” She moves closer and her smaller arms grab mine. “Just know that you aren’t alone.”
I’m not sure I want to know what she means, but I nod. She releases me and backs away, and I hurry into the bright hall. Looking left and right, I turn away from my rooms. I need to find Lucidia.
As usual the guards don’t look my way, which actually works to my benefit. Pulling the robe tighter I hurry along the corridor. Though I’m not certain, I feel like the parts of the palace behind me are fancier than the ones surrounding me now. That must mean I’m heading in the right direction. I turn a corner and continue my search, peering into rooms as I go. Most of them are unused bedrooms. They’re huge and ornate, likely reserved for visiting nobles, I’d guess. I hurry along, then turn another corner, and run face first into someone.
“Sorry!” I step back and look up into a pair of silver eyes.
“Consort. What a stroke of luck.” Lord Caroldon grabs my arms and pulls me into a room before I can even figure out what’s going on. “I’ve been hoping to get a chance tospeakwith you.”
He drags me farther inside. The blinds are drawn, the room steeped in shadow.
“Caroldon.” Another voice, this one angry.
“Let me go.” I kick and flail, my hair falling in my face as I see another fae edging toward me.
“I just want to talk.” Caroldon tightens his grip around my waist. “Be quiet, and I won’t hurt you.” Squeezing harder, he makes his point when I can’t get a breath.
“Okay,” I gasp in air and look up to find Varan, the king’s brother, in the room, as well. He closes the door with a kick. What are they doing together?
Caroldon sits me on a bed and stands in front of me, his gaze wandering down my body as I try to figure out how to get to the door before either of them catches me.
Varan licks his lips.
I realize my robe is loose from the struggle, so I pull it together.
“You came ready for me, I see. A whore through and through. No wonder the king chose you.” Caroldon grips my chin hard and wrenches my gaze up to his. “Varan, would you like to go first? I’ve had plenty of night realm changelings. She wandered into my web so easily, we may as well enjoy her.”
I try to scoot back, but Varan grips my robe and yanks me forward.
“You should have been mine.” His grip tightens as he glares at me with cruel golden eyes. “You should be sucking my cock as I sit on the crystal throne. Instead, you’re wandering the palace like a lost lamb, our traditions broken as you’re given privileges that should belong only to high fae.”
I lash out and scratch his face, then kick hard.
He catches my leg and yells as I shoot my other leg out.
“Vicious whore. You’ll learn how to treat your betters.” Caroldon reaches for me as the door bursts open.
Dilrubin bustles in with an armful of sheets and blankets. Peering around them, he blinks. “Oh, apologies, my lords. Methought this room was empty,” he says but doesn’t leave.
Varan releases me, and both high fae back away from me. I scurry across the bed and get to my feet, my hands fisted. I can’t keep them off me. They’re too strong, but I will never stop fighting.
Dilrubin steps further inside. “I should probably call the guards and let them know you’ve decided to claim these rooms instead of your guests’ chambers, Lord Caroldon. They’ll be able to move your belongings.”
“My rooms are fine.” Lord Caroldon points a long, thin finger at me. “You would do well to keep your mouth shut. Your mother still resides in my realm.” He turns and storms out, Varan at his heels.
When they’re gone, their footsteps faded, I sink onto the bed and grab the poster to keep from falling over.
Dilrubin drops the sheets and hurries over to me, his bulbous nose trembling. “Are you all right, my lady? I saw that night noble drag you in here, and I didn’t know what to do, so I just—”
“Thank you.” I reach out and take his gnarled hand. “Thank you.” It’s all I can say. My heart is still racing, and I want to scream, to fight, to do something to stop the monsters that cornered me here. I shudder as I remember the lust in their eyes, the violence.
“Should I fetch Caltinius, the changeling healer?” The concern in Dilrubin’s tone helps me to catch my breath, to stop the panic, and to think.
