Her cheeks reddened. “We don’t waste our time learning about beasts.”
I stepped closer, causing her to back up against the stone wall, her body going rigid. “The only beast I see is the one with a collar around its neck just like the dogs you humans keep as pets. Youwillobey me, or I will break you into submission.”
“You killed my husband,” she said in a hoarse tone. “I’m already broken!”
Her words cut like a blade, her voice raw with grief. I paused, recognizing her grief. Once, that same pain had filled my every thought. I knew what it was like to lose everything at once. And I didn’t necessarily want to break her, but I did need her to stop fighting with me.
“I chose mercy,” I said in a gentler voice. “He chose violence.”
She clamped her mouth shut, her eyes brimming with tears.
I’d never met anyone who mirrored my own pain, and the reflection made me pause. Yes, I’d known fae who had loved and lost, but when those loved ones were taken from you in an act of cruelty, the pain never faded.
“The kitchens are this way.” Stepping back, I motioned for her to go up the stairs.
The kitchens were empty at this hour.
I pointed to one of the stools by the large center island of the kitchen, which was arrayed with hanging pots and pans and vegetables that had been left out, all the good food locked away.
“Sit,” I ordered.
I grabbed one of the cotton rags from the clean basket near the sink and turned on the water to soak it. When I walked over to her, she froze.
I lifted the wet rag to her skin. “I need to see how deep they are.”
“I'm fine.”
“You're not fine. Stop being so stubborn.” I took her arm, patting the rag against her, removing the blood and inspecting the thin scratches.
The warden had been toying with her. She was lucky.
I’d have to address the redcaps again and ensure they did not take any prisoners without my authorization. It wasn’t their fault completely. Humans were forbidden in the castle, and I had let one in without addressing my entire court. Something I would need to rectify soon.
“They don't look deep. A little salve and you'll be fine.” I moved to the one by her neck and she twisted away, shutting her eyes as if she couldn't dare to see me this close.
I gently pressed the rag to her collarbone, and she hissed. This one was a little deeper than the others.
Her stomach grumbled loudly.
“Did you eat anything today?” I asked, dropping the rag to the table.
She shook her head.
“I'll get you something to eat and then have one of the servants bring you a medicated balm. It will help with the healing process. Now, one thing about being king,” I said as I pulled out the master key ring, “and being in the king’s company, is you have access to the dessert pantry.”
“Dessert pantry?” she repeated.
I flipped through the key ring, looking for the key that opened the pantry. “Here it is.”
Taking the key, I walked to the door, which almost didn't appear to be a door; the paneling around the arch held a single hole in the wall, signifying the opening. The human followed behind me, her curiosity piqued.
“Our castle chef is very good and doesn’t allow his pastries to be eaten outside of mealtimes, and well, fae tend to have terrible manners, especially the brownies. Though they make wonderful house servants, they have an obsession with sweets.”
I put the key in the lock and turned it, then shoved the keys back into my pocket. The archway in the wall lit and the door swung open, a cold breeze blowing out.
I stepped in, wondering where the icebox pixie was. Unlike the three pixies who hovered over me like a mother hen, my icebox pixie didn't care for the company of others. As long as she was allowed all the sugar she could have, Nami was happy to stay in this room, keeping our food cold.
“It's freezing in here,” Deirdre said behind me, following me into the room.
