That’s a switch.
A small amount,I said sternly.Enough for me to travel from here to our suite for the night. I’ll return before he arrives in the morning and will act contrite enough to convince him I’ve repented.
What does traveling entail?
My shell remains here but the rest of me leaves.
She stepped back, frowning.What happens to yourshellif someone tries to kill you?
We don’t want to think about that.
You’ll be vulnerable.
I’m always vulnerable.
Not if I’m with you.She slid her blade back into the sheath and stormed around the cell, clearly thinking.
Don’t try to fix this, I said.He needs to believe I’m dutifully chastened.
I won’t allow this.
You don’t have a choice. Let him think he’s won.
This changes the dynamics. The high advisor is already itching to step into your place.
He doesn’t have the guts or the power to do so.
He took some of mine.
“What?” I barked. “Tell me everything.”
When she did, I snarled and hauled on my chains, though all that did was make fresh blood trickle from the wounds on my wrists and ankles.
“Don’t,” she whimpered, sliding her fingertips gently across the wound on my right wrist. Heat seared along with her touch, and the pain instantly went away.
This woman had so much power, so much love to give. It still hollowed out my heart to see that she loved me.
I would do all I could to be worthy of her love.
I would sacrifice everything to end this.
High Advisor Adwarin suspects I’m more than a simple Nullen, and he’s right.She strode right up to me and levitated, another skill I hadn’t yet taught her and she shouldn’t be able to do. She gently cupped my face, tilting my head to make me meet her eyes.What else haven’t you shared with me?
I tell you all I can. You know this.
One day, you’ll need to tell me everything.
I will. I promise you this. Soon there will no longer be any secrets between us.
“Vexxion.” Pure frustration came through in her voice. I’d planted it there. I’d soon pay the price for holding things back.
The high advisor needed to die and soon, though I’d have to be careful with him. Despite flinging him against the wall, the kingliked him for some reason. He wouldn’t allow me to smear his blood across the fae realm. If I did something like that, my punishment here would seem paltry in comparison. I couldn’t risk being hurt that badly, not when we were close to ending this forever.
I’d take care of him, however, and dropping from the fifth to the first level of the foyer was nothing compared to what I’d do to him for daring to touch my fury.
Unable to hold eye contact for fear she’d see something she shouldn’t, I eased out of her grip.
Give me a fraction of your power, and we’ll leave for the night,I said. Travelers moved only with their souls, but our bond was different. I’d be able to hold her, reassure her. Find comfort myself.Tomorrow, I’ll stomp around and show everyone he’s the only one who can do this to me. He’ll feel vindicated and full of himself. I’ll crush a few hands or stab a high lord or two to prove the controller is still someone to be reckoned with.
