Chapter 20
By some miracle, I don’t leave my room that night and fight with Rauk like I want to. It takes me quite a while to finally fall asleep, and that was only after I did as much as I could do in my room to tire myself out. I don’t think about Rauk as I fall asleep, but I do wonder if Auri was able to find a place to sleep. I sigh and punch my pillow. I’m sure her bed will be another thing Rauk will want to address.
The next morning, I’m up early. I get dressed quickly, thankful I took a bath last night. I make my way to the kitchen. I’m hoping to be able to speak to Elowen before Rauk gets there. Hopefully, he’ll be tired from wherever he’s been and sleep in. I step into the kitchen and scan the cooking area, looking for her. I nearly jump out of my skin when Rauk’s voice comes from behind me. “Looking for somebody?”
I whirl around. “What are you doing here?” I regret my question immediately.
“I live here.”
I huff. “You haven’t lately.” I cross my arms over my chest. I wasn’t ready to do this yet, but I’m definitely not walking away now. If he wants a fight, a fight he’s going to get. I’ve never backed down from a challenge, and I’m not about to start now. I’ve waited for him to return for three weeks! For three weeks, I’ve been stuck in this castle. The time with Elowen and Auri has been good, but not a day goes by that I don’t forget why I’m here and what’s happening while I’m gone. Before I can say anything, the door to the kitchen opens. Elowen walks in, takes one look at the two of us and turns right back around.
“Elowen,” I call out, stopping her.
She turns around and pats my hand. “Sorry. I love you, but no.” She disappears, leaving us in silence.
“She loves you?”
I turn around at his words. “Is that such a surprise?” I ask without any emotion. Those dark eyes study me, and I resist the urge to fidget. I’ve never been one to fidget under pressure; I don’t know why I am now.
“A little, yes.” I narrow my eyes at him. He sits in one of the chairs at the table and crosses his arms over his chest. “We have some time before my sister gets up. Why don’t we talk?”
“Talk?” I stare at him. “Talk?!”
He stares right back. “Yes, you know that thing where one person says something and then the other person says something?”
“Wow, thanks for explaining that,” I tell him in a dry tone.
“Would you just sit down so we can talk?”
I put a hand to my chest dramatically. “Well, when you putit so nicely...”
His scowl deepens. “You are impossible.”
I grin at that. “Thank you.”
He takes a deep breath. “Why did you take my sister outside, and why the—” he pauses a moment. “And why are you training her with weapons?”
I eye him a moment and then finally stalk over to the table, pull out a chair and sit. I cross my arms over my chest, mimicking his position. “I take her outside because she needs a life. Sitting in her room all day, every day, is not a life.” I look him dead in the eye, challenging him to argue.
“She’s not supposed to go outside,” he says through gritted teeth.
“Oh, I know,” I return. “We wouldn’t want to risk your precious ego by letting your kingdom know you have a sister that can’t walk.” Anger burns through me at the words, but I force them out anyway.
His eyes go cold. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I?” I challenge. I meet his stare before continuing. “I only took her out back, so you can get off your high horse.”
Those cold eyes meet mine, and he leans forward. “I don’t know who you think you are, but I am the king here in this land. But more than that, I am the head of this household; and I am my sister’s keeper. Do not take her outside again.” His words are slow and drawn out, as if I don’t understand him.
I don’t bat an eye. “No.”
“No, what?”
I shrug. “No. I’m not going to follow your orders. Your sister needs to go outside. She needs to learn to handle weapons. I’m not going to sit idly by and let you destroy her life and take her hope away.” I lean forward and brace my arms on the table. “She is just starting to show signs of life; you will not take that away from her.” I shove my chair back and stand to my feet and stride towards the door.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
His gritty voice catches me right before I leave the kitchen. I turn back. “No, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Talk to your sister. See whatshewants maybe, before you continue to destroy her life.” I push through the door, leaving him behind. I'm so frustrated, I head right for the front door. I hit the button and step outside the moment the door opens. I jog down the steps, throwing all caution to the wind and hoping I don’t slip and fall. I hit the ground in a jog. It doesn’t matter that there’s snow and ice everywhere; it doesn’t matter that I’m not dressed nearly warm enough to be out here. All that matters is that I need away from that place...away fromhim. I force myself to just move, not think.
