Frelsi looks that way, then back at me. Her head flops. “So?”
This has occurred, often, since Frelsi came into existence sometime in mid-April, but the differences between how I think and how a faerie does sting right now. Fundamentally, we are not the same. And not knowing the differences in our thoughts is dangerous when my future relies on manipulating one of her kind.
She says, “A pretty, powerful faerie man has made you his pretty, powerless pet. I don’t thinkyouunderstand the situation.” She settles herself on my lap, kneeling on my knee and looking up at me—evil. “Play nice with him. Wrap him around your cute little finger. Then, we can ask him to take our vengeance on your mother and that—” She swears. “—fiancé she planned for you.”
“I don’twantrevenge. Iwantfreedom.”
“There is no freedom while you live afraid of them. Understand this, Dani: beyond this cage, outside this world, those monsters still control you. You’ve been looking over your shoulder for weeks, terrified and paranoid. They must eitherdieor be taught to fearyouif ever you plan to live out there in peace. I believe this man would give you those options, and countless others. I like him.”
“Of course you do, you little unseelie nightmare,” I hiss.
She gasps. “Howdareyou compliment me at a time like this. We’re talking seriously. And you know I can’t handle positive affirmations!” Her face explodes with heat, and she falls forward, rolling against my skirt in her embarrassment. “Distracting me from our very important discourse. Socruel.”
Playing nicewith yet another man in a position of power over me is the last thing I wanted to do after I got the courage to leave.Playing niceis all I’ve done for my entire life.
Even now, I hear my mother’s voice in the back of my head, imposing and selfish and actuallycruel.
Do this shoot, Danielle. It’ll make us a lot of money, Danielle. Flirt with your coworker, Danielle. Scandals help us gain more popularity, Danielle. Oh, do be more interesting, Danielle. Make it believable, Danielle. Kiss him.
Never mind that I’d never kissed a man before people were taking pictures of me doing it.
At least he’s attractive, right, Danielle?
My stomach sours, and I cast a look at the tray of food the faerie man abandoned beyond these golden bars.
Horrifyingly, the question repeats itself, but this time it does not carry the echo of my mother’s voice.
At least he’s attractive.
Right,Danielle?
I could seduce him. I could try, anyway.
It stands that no matter how skimpy some of the clothes I’ve been forced to wear have been, I have never been forced to goall the wayfor the camera. Obviously. My mother’s pride forbade her from being seen as a woman who sold her only daughter intothatsort of service.
Nothing at all here protects me, and unlike with the men I’ve used to get this far, there’s no chance I’ll be able to slip away before the worst of my lying promises become the expectation.
Do I just accept my fate and opt for peace with it?
Escaping from my mother, a human woman, was hard enough.
Escaping from a powerful faerie…
It’s impossible. His magic would no doubt be able to find me, no matter where I go, no matter how far I run.
I’d have tokillhim.
And I already know that when it comes to fight or flight, Ifawn.
“Dani,” Frelsi whines, falling onto her side, “I can sense the light leaving you.”
Dull, I murmur, “You don’t say?”
“I hate when you get like this.”
I smile; it’s picture perfect. Just like it always has to be. For the cameras. “Why?”
“Doll Dani is creepy.”
