That does it. She’s up in an instant, swatting my hand away and tripping over the blankets to scramble across the room. It’s good to see she’s healed so well.
She reaches for the handle on the door, but Iblurto the space in front of her before she can yank it open.
Awestruck by the display of magic that’s certain to be unlike anything she’s ever seen, she freezes long enough for me to grab her arm and pull her into me.
She smells divine, like something I’ll never get enough time to enjoy. Spiced flowers and citrus, and I can’t get the scent deep enough into my brain to be satisfied.
How silly of me to think this would be simple.
Arina
I TRY TO scream, but the sound is muffled under a gloved hand as it clamps over my mouth. Taking a sharp inhale through my nose barely satisfies my desire for air. I cannot breathe.
The scent of bergamot and amberwood hits my senses and sets fire in my throat. Raiden is whispering soothing words into my ear, but none of them make any sense. A tingle runs down my neck and through my spine.This motherfucker.
His nose is at the base of my ear, and tears gather in my eyes.
I try to fight, thrashing against the brick wall of a man, but it’s no use. Finally, I go limp.
“Good girl,” he whispers at my temple. “I’m going to release you, but you have to promise not to run. Can you do that?”
I nod so hard I’m shocked my neck doesn’t snap. Anything to get his hand off my mouth.
The moment he releases me, I flip around, ready to strike. He snatches my wrist mid-air as I swing for his chin.
“That won’t do, mikró fidáki. Keep your tiny, violent fists to yourself.” He twists my arm at an uncomfortable angle, forcing me to truly look at him.
The moment my father’s language leaves his mouth, I stiffen. Mother used to read the children’s books from Ophis Isle to me. They were written in the language he’s speaking now, and I want to know where he learned it.
“I wouldn’t have to resort to my fists if you would give me back my dagger,” I snap at him.
“The people out there will not hesitate to take your life for even the smallest of missteps. You’ve murdered one of us, and they aren’t thrilled about it.”
“Out of necessity! Becauseyoumade me!” I yell. “I’m not going to do anything to make your life easier.” I gather all the saliva in my mouth and expel it directly at his face. In his shock, he releases my arm to wipe the spit from his eyes, and I take the opportunity to run.
His laugh is jolting, and I don’t make it even one step over the threshold before thick, strong arms wrap around my middle and pull me back into the room.
“I didn’t want to have to force you, but this would be no fun if you didn’t fight back,” he whispers into my ear as he closes and locks the door once more, keeping one arm securely around my waist. The man is immovable.
I curse.
He turns me, leaning one arm over my head as his thumb brushes over my bottom lip, sending fear coursing through me as he says, “Such a pretty mouth saying such filthy words. You must behave, mikró fidáki. Promise me.”
“If I promise, then will you answer a question?” I barter as I catch my breath, hoping to get something from him in return.
He steps back, flourishing his hand out to encourage me to ask my question.
“Why do you keep calling me that?”
“It means—”
“I know what the fuck it means. I want to knowwhy.” Why are you speaking in my father’s tongue?
He considers me for a moment, and I know he’s not being honest when he says, “You’re full of venom and bite whenprovoked. Let’s not pretend you’re anything less than a lethal little snake.”
“That’s not an answer. How do you know that language?” As far as I knew, there wasn’t anything left of Ophis Isle. The people from there were wiped out, and their language with them. How then, does this male know how to speak the language of the island of snakes?
“Because it’s not the answer you wanted?”
