Blunt ears.
“You’re Oreans,” I slur, body braced against the wall behind me.
“Shouldn’t be that surprising, since we’re inOrea,” the man retorts.
“Why were you beaten?” the woman asks.
“I was beaten?” I rasp before spitting out a glob of blood. “Huh. That explains the agonizing pain.”
They stare at me. “You should see the other guys,” I say, but when I try to smile, I notice that my lips are split, so it just makes them split more.
No smiling. Add that to the list right under no walking, no breathing, and no moving. That should cover it.
“So, who are you?” I ask.
“Queen Malina Colier,” the woman says, and despite her disheveled and bound appearance, I believe her. There’s just something regal about her. I mean, who else but a royal would be sitting up so straight while tied up? Her posture is excellent.
“An Orean royal,” I muse, voice raw. I must’ve screamed while I was being beaten. I don’t really recollect.
Heaving in as big a breath as I’m capable of, I start edging my way over to them in very,veryslow increments. Inch by inch, they watch me warily while I try really hard not to pass out.
By the time I make it in front of the woman, I’m dripping sweat despite the cold, and I’m panting so hard my ribs are getting bruises on top of their bruises.
“What are you doing?” she asks sharply when I palm the dagger that’s still blessedly caught up my sleeve.
Behind her, the man strains against the bindings, looking like he wants to tear free and strangle me. “Stay away from her, fae filth!” he spits.
“This one doesn’t like me,” I mumble before glancing at the woman. “Don’t worry, I’m a Vulmi.”
“What in the world does that mean?”
“It means we protect Oreans.”
My fingers ache, but I manage to grip the hilt of the dagger, and then I start to saw at the thick bindings around her. It’s not easy or quick, but I know I need to get them out of here, so even though every drag hurts, I grit my teeth and bear it.
Because if I can just do thisonething…then at least I won’t die for nothing. At least I’ll have helped, even if only a little. I didn’t kill a Stone King or save thousands of Oreans, but I can set these two free and give them another chance. If I do that, the goddesses will know I tried my best. Maybe Droni can give this Orean queen a little bit of favor instead—that would be alright with me.
I saw harder and harder, eyes watering from the pain in my beaten body, but finally, the strap slices apart. The woman tears off the bindings the rest of the way and then takes the dagger from my limp hand.
Fortunately, she doesn’t stab me with it. She races over to the man and gets him free next. She doesn’t manage to do it any quicker than I did, so that gives me a little confidence boost, which is lovely.
When they’re both free, the man comes around where I’ve flopped against the pillar.
“How do we get these off?” he demands, shaking his hand.
My eyes drag up to the gray cuffs around both their wrists. I saw those same cuffs on Wick and Auren. Some sort of magical cork, keeping their powers plugged up.
“I don’t know,” I admit before peering at them. “You two have magic? What kind?” I ask croakily.
Even though I’ve released them, they don’t answer me. Fair enough. Even though I’m a Vulmi, Iamstill fae. Judging on how I found them tied up, and that our kind is invading their world, they’re probably not too keen to trust me.
I notice the Orean queen doesn’t give me back the dagger either. Instead, she opts to tuck it into the pocket of her pretty dress.
Good for her.
“Can’t help with the cuffs, I’m afraid,” I tell the man before I cough up a little blood.
That’s probably not a great sign.
