She lifted her head, brow furrowing slightly. “Did you not choose to walk down here? Seems you controlled how soon you saw me considering I cannot go anywhere.”
“That’s not… I meant so soon after you left the castle yesterday. Our bargain came to fruition sooner than expected.”
Her lips pursed, and she shifted where she sat, the blanket slipping down her shoulder.
“I brought you fresh clothing,” he offered, holding up the package.
She glanced at the parchment-wrapped bundle and then back at him. “Why?”
“Because your clothing is torn to nothing.”
Kailia looked down as though she were just realizing that was a true statement. Then she pulled the blanket tighter around herself.
“And what must I do to have that clothing?” she asked, the words dripping with derision.
“I’m glad you asked. We do have some negotiations to tend to,” he replied, dropping the clothing bundle at his feet. Keeping hold of the other bag, he reached inside and pulled out a roll with cinnamon and frosting. “Want one?”
“No,” she snapped, and he shrugged, bringing the sweet treat to his mouth. She watched the movement, gaze glued to the food.
Swallowing his bite, he said, “We have a lot to talk about, Kailia. Do you really want to do so with a set of bars between us?”
“I didn’t make these arrangements.”
“You didn’t?”
“No,” she scoffed, shifting on the pallet of straw once more.
“Did I not tell you if you stabbed me again, you’d end up in these cells? And did you not stab me again?” he asked, taking another bite of the roll.
“Which has fulfilled our bargain,” she retorted.
“Exactly. So we need to make a new one.”
“No.”
He shrugged again. “Then you remain behind these bars.”
“It’s comfortable enough. I’ve stayed in much worse,” she said airily.
His lips turned up into something sinister. “I can ensure that is no longer the case.”
“That’s not the threat you think it is,” she muttered.
Not sure what to make of that, he took his time finishing the cinnamon roll while he watched her. Her eyes stayed trained onhim, features giving nothing away. She had no tells as she sat there. No, she only reacted when she was touched unexpectedly.
He’d had suspicions as they’d walked the gardens a few days ago. Watching her lose complete control when Razik had picked her up though? It was all the confirmation he needed; now he wanted to knowwhy.But that was a conversation for another time. Once he’d gained her trust. Right now, he needed her to agree to his proposal. The rest could come later.
Stepping closer still, his voice was low as he said, “I have a warm bath being drawn for you as we speak. We agree to a new bargain, and I can take you to it.”
“I made that mistake once. I won’t make it again,” she replied.
“You would rather stay in there? Unable to access your magic? I know you’re not in manacles, but the bars themselves will slowly drain your reserves. In the meantime, innocent people will continue to die because you refuse to help us,” Cethin said. “We come to an agreement, or you face a trial for attempting to murder the king.”
“You set this all up,” she seethed, suddenly shooting to her feet. “This was your plan all along!” When he didn’t offer a denial and simply stared back at her, she scoffed. Coming to the bars, she stuck her arm through, the blanket dropping to the floor. “Give me the clothes. I won’t walk through your castle on display. Or is that what you wish as well?”
“I don’t want anyone seeing you like this,” Cethin growled.
Because there was far too much skin showing. Her entire midriff was exposed. One sleeve of her tunic was completely gone. One leg of her pants had so many rips it may as well not even be there. The other was torn completely up the side clear to her hip. If she turned to the side a fraction, he was definitely seeing the curves of her ass.
