She scuffed her slipper on the ground and muttered, “Thank you, but I can manage on my own.”
“Yes, you managed the duke and your father very well on your own. I believe Duke Howard was cowering in fear when I interrupted the pair of you.”
She stiffened. “That was different.”
“Perhaps I should not have bothered. Perhaps I should turn you out right now and allow you to navigate the horrors of this world on your own, if you are so resentful of my help.”
The words hit her like chips of ice. Without his protection, she’d be defenseless against creatures like the one who had attacked her. But then, would there be as much danger if she lived in a human city, far from here?
Her mind reeled.
She thought about the bodies in the castle daily.
She had avoided other rooms in the cellars, afraid of what she would find, but sometimes she would find herself staring off into space, wondering if she had made a deal with the worst being to have ever existed.
Carefully, she said, “Whatever you think is best, Caspian. If you want to release me from our contract and send me away, I would understand.”
Her mind raced, jumping from one idea to another: the inn she’d marked in Veridas, the state of her funds, the dangers of travelling alone—she’d manage. Somehow she’d manage. If he released her from their bargain—anything was better than winding up in a demon’s cellar.
He surveyed her for a moment. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Me to release you from our bargain.”
She lifted her chin and said nothing.
His voice became bitter as he said, “I will not allow you to leave. We will have our three months together,Elizabeth, and I intend to enjoy you thoroughly before I let you go.” He leaned over her, tucking a rain-slicked piece of her hair behind her ear, the gesture possessive. “Until then, I ownyou.”
Her lips thinned in anger. “A good man would not say such things.”
“A good man dies fast in a world such as ours.”
She glared up at him. “Well, I happen to disagree.”
“Then I think you are blissfully naive.” His eyes dropped to her lips when she didn’t give in to another jab. “Nothing to say? No retort bubbling behind those lips?”
There would be no winning with him, and he seemed intent on arguing with her no matter what she said, so she said nothing, her gaze turning flinty. She wasnotnaive.
He narrowed his gaze in apparent dislike. “Tell me what you are thinking so hard about right now. Tell me what thoughts are racing behind those sapphire eyes.”
She was silent for a long moment. She looked up, raindrops falling on her face as she realized that there would never be any winning with him. No matter what she said, there would be no words to convince him that what he said was unkind, so she held her breath. Finally, she said, “I think that it’s getting dark.” She paused, clearing her throat. “And I would like to go back inside.”
He raised a brow. “I doubt that’s really what you were thinking, but I’ll indulge you. I’ll even be kind enough not to rip the thoughts from your mind to tell if you’re lying.”
She kept her expression carefully guarded. Waiting for him to dismiss her so she could be rid of him.
He sounded like he spoke through gritted teeth as he said, “I could be persuaded to take you for a ride in my carriage later, if you wanted. Just me and you.”
She blinked in surprise at the offer. “I’m sure you have much better things to do tonight.”
“I do.” He frowned. “But it’s alright.”
“I wouldn’t want to impose upon your night.” Without waiting for permission, she curtsied with icy politeness. “Have a good evening, Caspian.”
She turned on her heel and strode inside, leaving him standing there alone.
Picking up her book from the alcove, she held it carefully, taking care not to get it wet from the rain on her dress.
Glancing back at the door, she saw Caspian, still standing in the rain, his hair damp and plastered to his forehead, staring at her.
She smiled tensely before fleeing to her chamber.
