“Why are you telling me this?” I asked.
“I suppose I see a version of myself in you. That’s what I needed to hear, and what I wasn’t told, back when I was human. Exploitation is a two-way street. Walk it to your benefit.”
Sometimes I forgot Sitri had once been in my shoes; an insignificant human facing down lust and dishonesty incarnate. He had won out over the Princess who ruled this kingdom. Now he’d given me the weapon that could dethrone him, just as he dethroned her. Was this a fatal mistake, a ploy to gain my trust, or another lie veiled in false sympathy?
My brow furrowed. Questions built in my chest about his past, thePrincess, the bloody alliance that had overthrown her. When I opened my mouth to speak, Sitri cut me off.
“How much longer until you finish with that one?” he asked. “I have other obligations today.”
Annoyance rushed in, smothering my curiosity. “You’re just now mentioning this? Really?”
“We’ve been here for hours, darling. Maintaining alliances is a difficult thing when trade begins to break. Vapula has disrupted what little industry I supported. I must keep my guests happy.”
It was a timely reminder that Sitri ruled a world beyond my comprehension. He had allies. Supply lines. Ambassadors. Legates to lead his legions. He was a Prince, with Princely duties, whose actions brought consequences for thousands.
So unlike me, a stray human soul with so few responsibilities, I feared I might go mad.
I sighed and marked the last of my notes on a sheet of parchment. Into the basket it went, along with those that belonged to the other five devices I’d reverse-engineered today.
“Let’s call it here, then. I’m not starting another project just to abandon it halfway through.”
“Suit yourself. There is much to be done, and I won’t turn down a head start.”
Sitri tossed aside the metal object he was holding and sauntered away from the workbench. Out of sheer habit, I followed him through the door and onto the streets of Lantyca. “I’m glad you’ve been occupied while I spend my days bored out of my mind.”
I had expected him to be irate, or at least annoyed by my outward show of disrespect. Instead, Sitri began stroking his stubble-covered jaw.
“What would you have me supply to remedy the situation?”
That was a question I didn’t know how to answer.
Hobbies were never something I had in life. In the swirling vortex ofschooling, building connections and living up to impossible standards, I spent my time working hard—until I met Vapula, at least. Even if I’d asked for parties and been able to stomach their hellish guests, I doubted Sitri would approve. I hesitated to ask for tools meant for crafts I’d never learned. There was no electricity, no movies or TV, and live entertainment would surely be a gruesome affair. At last, I settled on the only answer that remained.
“Some books would be nice, if there are any to spare. Fiction or not, I don’t care. I’ll read whatever you have.”
He nodded.“A reasonable request. It may be a few days, as good books are a rarity in Hell, but I’m certain I can find something for you to read.”
“Thank you,” I said, my appreciation genuine.
Part of me had expected Sitri to decline, to refuse me even that small luxury, hoping to keep me under his thumb. He hadn’t. It was another sign of the trust he placed in me, trust I wasn’t sure I’d earned.
I glanced up at Sitri as he led me down the cobbled road to the center of Lantyca. How long would this last? No matter how good the conditions of my confinement, I was still his prisoner. I trusted him to look after me, to defend me when danger drew near.
Though when push came to shove, I couldn’t help but wonder just how far the Prince would go to get what he wanted from me.
