We’d stayed in the ring after all the other Eyes had left. Until our noses were numb and our knuckles were raw and our sides were sore from blocking.
I shot him a glance, the orange, red, and yellow streaks funneling through the windows illuminating him in the alpenglow. My steps grew heavier as we left the naturally lit foyer into the stone-walled hall. I froze in front of my door.
“How am I supposed to go back to this cage?” I huffed out a cold laugh.
Dimples indented his cheek. “Because that’s what the queen has ordered.”
My muscles quivered, weak from being knocked to the ground so many times.
I let myself slouch against the doorframe.
Gunnar followed the movement. “You should get some rest.”
He was right: I should go inside, I should listen to him, I should avoid pissing Her Royal Highness off.
But the thrill from today, from this very moment, tore away reason, so instead, I blurted out, “Let’s do something.”
He raised a dark brow.
“I deserve a little fun,” I added. “I got the shit kicked out of me today.”
“And you were a total champ about it.” He bit his lip to hold in a smile.
“I won’t be in Iceland much longer—your queen is supposed to guide me to Jarðarbæli tomorrow. After that, I’m out.” I should get points for persistence, right?
“Providing encouragement in direct conflict with the queen’s orders is flirting with treason.” Clasping his hands, he walked backwards towards the elevator, dark eyes gleaming with mischief. “But if one was interested in having dinner and drinks outside their gilded prison with off-duty Eyes, one might head to the lower tunnels.”
The lower tunnels. Was Gunnar inviting me to… something? Butterflies whirled in my stomach. “Where might one find those?”
“Rumor has it they’re two floors beneath the main level.” Putting his palms up, he added with a smirk, “But what do I know?”
Hand hovering over the doorknob, I asked, “And when should one expect to be there?”
He seemed to weigh the risk of replying. Just as the elevator doors slid shut, he answered, “Eight thirty.”
Palms sweaty, I pushed open the door, warmth from the fire welcoming me immediately.
I hustled across the room, past the mirrored hutches and cabinets, in a blur of damp black nylon and messy brown hair.
My phone lay on the coffee table, where I’d left it. Finger tapping the screen, I huffed out a breath. Seven forty-five. No time at all to shower, change, and successfully find Gunnar’s meeting point.
“You’re back late.” The voice had me almost jumping out of my skin, but of course it was Eldi.
“Sorry, I…” Forgot you were there felt a bit rude to say. “I had a draining day.”
The flames billowed, almost playfully. “I can see that.”
There was so much I wanted to ask her, so much I wanted to tell her, but I didn’t have the time. Pulling off my shoes, I headed for the bedroom, the hardwood creaking beneath my hurried steps.
“Where are you off to now?”
“Dinner! With some of the Eyes.” Ripping off my hoodie, I craned my neck just past the doorframe. “The queen won’t care, right?”
Fiery shadows flickered off the floral wallpaper. “I can’t say she’ll be thrilled. All the more reason to go, in my opinion.”
“I like the way you think.”
I rushed into the bathroom and stopped on the threshold, the ivory stone cool beneath my toes. The tub was already filled. Steaming, with bubbles.
