I battle them purely to get air in my lungs. “My mate wants her pixie back. Where are you keeping her?”
Pompous as ever, Cael says, “The dark pixie is within my care, just as Danielle should be, before you do something else you’ll regret.”
My hands close into fists, but I opt for levity. “Something I’llregret? How oddly charming, Cael. Do you believe me capable ofregretnow? Tell me, does that convey character growth for me—or for you?”
His hand reaches, gripping my chin tight enough that his nails pierce my flesh.
I tut. “Cael,please. I’m mated now. Do control yourself.”
“Revolting,” he mutters.
My heart pinches.
Danielle’s pain heightens, and a shot of nerves overshadows the sting of Cael’s general demeanor where it involves me these days.
How I wish I didn’t remember a time when things were different. When he cared about me. When he dared to love me. Even if pity and self-righteousness taint everything in that past, there was still…
There was still a bond of brotherhood.
Friendship.
I wanted to care about him.
I wanted to begood enoughfor him.
I worked so hard—futilely.
Always…always…futilely.
Cael releases me, and my chin dips, exhaustion making it impossible to hold up my head.
All I want right now is to be with my mate and for my mate to be well.
I don’t need to care about this man anymore.
So, to that end, I cease antagonizing and opt for a humbleness based in sincerity. “Please, Cael. Where is Frelsi? Danielle wants her back.”
He does not reply.
“Cael.Please. I would much rather be home with my mate right now. She is…unwell.”
“Unwell?” he echoes.
I strain myself toward calm, fight these cursed magic binds for air, and let the breath out slowly. “Her mother had her on hormones most of her life. Now that she’s free of them, there has been a rather harsh withdrawal side effect. I am only here to retrieve the hatchling and bring her home to her origin. Whatever your emotions are toward me, those two belong together. They should not be kept apart like this. Imagine withholding Alexios from Alana.” I take another labored breath. “And if youdareto suggest that the solution should be to bring my mate to you again, I will quite swiftly be inclined to lose all the patience I have found.”
Cael makes a low sound, then the magic binds loosen and fall away. Dropped back to the floor, I stand there a moment, flex my fingers, and let my brow furrow.
“What?” Cael asks.
“I…did not expect blatant honesty to work.”
Cael scoffs and turns. “Why am I not surprised?” Lifting two fingers, he motions. “Come. The dark pixie is this way.”
Hesitant, I follow the shush of Cael’s robes as they lead me deeper into his palace, then down…into the cool belly of a dungeon.
The vibration of our steps ricocheting off the iron bars catches me off guard. “You have adungeon?”
“Yes? Wouldn’t most castles?”
