The steps continue downwards and I focus on the changing color of the stones. They were a light gray, smooth rock when we first started our descent, but now they’re a coarse, charcoal grey with grit that sticks out enough to snag hair and clothing.
He doesn’t reply, instead he keeps his eyes trained forward.
The walls begin to dampen and white mildew clings to the stony surface. I shiver slightly and pull the sheet closer to me.
It feels like we should have met the main castle by now, especially as the heaviness in the air thickens.
“Who am I to meet?” Urgency fills my voice, the tone making the dull ache return to my throat. “Answer me damnit.”
He slows his pace before facing me, our heads nearly level as he stops on a lower step than me.
His eyes dance over me. I’m caught in his orbs before I notice his other features—the tightness of his lips and the dark shading that shadows under his eyes, even the stubble that’s more than a day long.
He looks similar to how he had in The Siltar Woods—haunted.
I curl my lip in disgust. I hope he remains plagued by what he’s done to me for the rest of his damned life.
My eyes harden as he continues to rake over my expression. Venomously, I ask, “Is this what your vow means then? Damnation?”
The green of his eyes flashes with an unnamed emotion. Good.
I bet he didn’t know I could strike with such hurt when cornered.
His smokey voice doesn’t skip a beat before replying, “Just follow me Alora. For once, gods, just listen to me.”
I lean back from him, not wanting to feel anything for the fiend that yet again, leads me to sure death.
He doesn’t give me time to reply, instead he turns his back and begins to quicken his stride, taking the torchlight with him as he takes the steps two at a time.
The fucker. He knows I hate the dark.
I trot after him, not wanting to be consumed in the tight space alone. I quickly catch up to him as we finally end our descent and walk along a straight corridor. The patter of our footsteps is the only thing that echoes in the eerie space.
My thoughts float back to what King Euron had threatened me with, the horror of it all, and worse, realizing he was speaking the truth.
I shiver with the thought of laying flayed open. What unspeakable horrors he would force me to do instead are equally disturbing.
Emotion begins to clench in my chest. What would King Euron demand me to do with my magic? What ghastly chores would one day make me do to turn my back on others, just as the man I follow now has?
The next words blurt out with a shaky breath, as I’m unable to contain them any longer.
“Kassiel, I beg you—” a soft sob cuts my sentence off before I can swallow it down. “Kill me rather than let him claim me. I’d sooner die than have him rip away my gentleness for others.”
He turns his head slightly, his free hand steadfast on a large door. His chin drops and all I can see is his profile in the torchlight.
“Alora,” he lets the space after my name draw out, “there is much you will never understand, and I am glad for it.”
My eyes burn with unshed tears mixed with anger.
He brings his hand to the latch of the door, nearly rusted closed, and begins to work the metal device free.
My thoughts silence as I reconsider the latch. Why in the gods would this door be rusted closed? Unless it wasn’t used frequently?
Which could only mean one thing. Whoever sent me down this path didn’t want anyone seeing me.
Icy dread almost has me crashing to the floor.
Conversations I’d overheard from the dinner echo in my memories. Talks of trading people with rarities to other regions and kingdoms to gain favor with the distant rulers.
