I glance at Rion and Ocean, hoping for confirmation, but they look at me just as bewildered as Thorne does. Apparently, that’s not the norm, but it seems when it comes to me, nothing is.
“Regardless, what did they say?” I ask, keeping the conversation on track, and Thorne shrugs. “Thorne?”
“They said I’m not guilty.”
“Did you use your magic or something? Is that why you’re not saying much?” Rion asks, and Thorne rolls his eyes.
“There’s a restriction in there so you can’t use your abilities,” he states, like it’s obvious, but I don’t say a word, staring him down as I try to figure out what he’s not saying. If he senses it, he doesn’t let on as he hikes his bag over his shoulder. It’s only when I still haven’t moved that it’s clear we’re not going anywhere just yet. He curses under his breath as he wipes a hand down his face. “The Sanctum asked me to spy on you, like they did with Kael.”
I suck in a breath, but I’m not really surprised. “And you said yes?” I clarify, and he shakes his head, making my eyebrows furrow in confusion. “Why not? That would have been easy.”
“Because you are the mate of a shadow fae. Not just any shadow fae, either. A prince. You are the other half of me. I will never put you in harm’s way. Ever. Especially not for something as simple as that.”
I gape at him, disbelief creeping in as I try to swallow back the emotions clogging my throat.
“Stop talking dirty to her, Thorne. She’s going to self-combust,” Ocean teases, tugging me from mythoughts as Rion grins and Thorne rolls his eyes again.
“So what happened?” I rasp, my attempt at remaining unfazed by his declaration falling flat.
“I reminded them that I’m here by choice.”
“I bet they didn’t like that,” Rion muses, and Thorne shrugs.
“They didn’t. So, I made them forget.”
I rear back, but Rion speaks before I can. “What happened to there being a restraint in place so you couldn’t use magic?”
“There is. In the room. So I did it outside of the room.” He musters a rare smile that looks almost deranged, and all I can do is shake my head at him.
“And Willow?” Ocean asks, and I grunt.
“I’m going to kill her,” I vow, making Thorne’s smile grow.
“I’m going to enjoy watching it.”
“That is about the most sadistic grin I have ever seen. He’s as psychotic as us. I like it,” Ocean declares while Rion pouts.
“What about me?”
“You’re tolerable,” she retorts with ease, making a huff of laughter part my lips.
Rion grumbles under his breath, but I turn my attention to the bag on Thorne’s shoulder.
“What’s in the bag?”
He follows my line of sight, his face growing more solemn as he clears his throat. “Food, so we can get out of here and solve this damn riddle.”
Moments ago, I was on the cusp of crying at the thought of food, but now that he’s here with me, it feels a little more tolerable. Besides, with the mention of solving the riddle, I know I’m going to need the stamina.
“Where?” I ask, and he points over his shoulder.
“The library.”
“I thought that burned down?” Ocean asks, voicing my thoughts, and he nods.
“Magic, Ocean. Aren’t you a witch?” Thorne muses, leaving my best friend to splutter for a moment.
“Okay, and what food exactly?” she asks, redirecting the topic as she plants her hands on her hips, cocking her brow at him for good measure.
