Reaching for the spoon, I scoop up some of the creamy oats. But instead of bringing it to her lips, I bring it to my own. “Look.” I swallow the mouthful so she can see it’s safe. “There’s no need to be afraid. I just need you to eat something. Can you do that for me? Please.”
Suspicion pulls at her brow, but eventually she takes the spoon from my outstretched hand. “If I eat something, will you let Claren come with us to the night market?”
“Of course.” I don’t care anymore. I won’t let her starve herself.
When she swallows her first mouthful, I almost sigh with relief. After a few spoonfuls, she pauses. “And…”
“Yes?” I urge her.
“I want something with chocolate in it. I told you before that no meal is complete without dessert. You’ve only brought me porridge and fruit.”
I want to roll my eyes, but the colour is already returning to her cheeks, so I don’t waste a second to call for the servants.
13
DAHLIA
Tauren’s carriage is much nicer than the one that took me from my sisters. The walls are carved from a deep brown wood and the seats inside are lined with wine-coloured velvet. There’s even a tray of chocolates on the table between the seats, which I make Tauren sample first before helping myself to the rest.
By the time Claren joins us, there’s only an empty tray left.Whoops.
“Claren,” Tauren acknowledges as his little brother steps inside.
He takes the seat beside Tauren, squishing himself against the wall of the carriage. I really don’t know how I missed that they were brothers before. Aside from the age difference and hair colours, they’re almost identical.
“Hello, Claren.” I smile warmly at him. Pumpkin barks from my lap.
“You have a dog?” His eyes light up. “You didn’t tell me you had a dog.”
“I didn’t until tonight.” I pass her into his lap so he can say hello. “Your brother surprised me with her when I woke up. Isn’t she lovely?”
“She is,” he chuckles as Pumpkin tries her best to lick his face off. “Where did you find her?” He turns to Tauren, who seems far more interested in watching the trees through the window.
“A friend,” he says dismissively.
Claren laughs quietly. “Didn’t know you had any of those.”
Tauren shoots him a look that makes him shrink into his seat.
I glare at him. After breakfast, Tauren insisted on spending the rest of the morning with me (or moonrise, as they call it here). He followed me while I took Pumpkin for a walk around the castle, then made sure I joined him for lunch at midmoon. While we ate, he told me about his court and how their main trade is spy work. Apparently, rulers across the realm will pay handsomely for demons to spy on their enemies or train their own spies.
I was only half-listening to everything he was telling me, and I think Tauren could tell. It’s hard to enjoy a conversation with someone who whipped you last night.Big surprise there.Even if they try to bribe you the following moonrise with a puppy and several trays of chocolates.
But for some reason, now Claren is here, I’m feeling far more confident.
Confident enough to bully Tauren the same way he bullies his sweet little brother.
“So, Claren…” I grin. He lifts his gaze to me. “After our chat yesterday, I was thinking… you’re probably the smartest person I know.”
“Really?” Claren brightens.
Tauren gives me a look, but I ignore him, relaxing into my seat as the carriage lurches into motion. “Of course you are. So I wanted to ask you, what makes a demon a demon? How are you different from, say… a faerie? I’dloveit if you could teach me.”
“Oh…” His cheeks turn pink. “Well I suppose we’re not so different, really. But if faeries are the magical beings of the day, then we’re the creatures of the night. Faeries draw their power from life; they need flowers and plants surrounding them to stay strong. While demons draw their power from death. It’s why the land surrounding our castle is so dark and lifeless. We need death to keep us alive.”
“Huh, that’s so interesting.” It actually is. No lie there. “I wish I was as clever as you. Don’t you, Tauren? Wish you were clever?”
He passes me a warning look. “What are you implying?”
