“You don't know me.” I argued, my voice low. But in reality it was true. Rhael had given me nothing tangible to believe he would actually grant me my freedom. There had been no contract, no names signed in blood. Instead, it was just his word.
Word I had clung to as truth until then. But hearing it out loud I felt like a fool for ever believing words would be anything more than sounds filling empty rooms.
“It is you who does not know what you are doing. Just like me, so innocent. A fighter though, that much I am certain of,” she whispered as she raised her hand. Cold, undead, fingers lingering on my neck over my scar.
“I know enough,” I snapped, stepping back from her touch, the chill left by her cold fingers lingering on my skin.
“You are a human, you know nothing. I will give you seven days to decide and then I will be back to find out what you know. To get you out of this prison should you wish” she opened her arms, gesturing back to the Vaetharyn castle. Its large, dark,imposing walls stretch behind her. In the dim light it looked like a thing of nightmares.
“And if I refuse?” I questioned, raising an eyebrow at her. For someone who did not know me, who did not even give me her name, this woman knew how to get under my skin, and it was more frustrating than I would care to admit. Especially since she had managed to unlock the doubt I had been keeping to myself for so long.
“You will not. Until next time Little Fire” she whispered and as soon as I blinked I found she was gone.
No footsteps sounded, nothing moved in the shadows to give me any indication of how she had moved from a second story ledge. Instead, I stood alone, my thoughts racing.
I should tell Rhael, I knew I should, but the memory of his fury and how he had disregarded me so easily stung in my chest. Whoever she was, she had been dangerous, but she could also be my chance at freedom if I chose to take it.
So, I chose silence, convincing myself telling Rhael would only cause more consequences for me and problems for him. I would rather keep my cards close to my chest as a chance to protect my heart, than bare everything and have the creature proven right. That I was a fool.
Chapter Eighteen
Silence welcomed me as I made my way back into the room. It was unnatural and heavy. Hundreds of voices silent, the music that had been playing when I left now stopped with nothing to replace it. Every person stood frozen, their eyes fixed on the raised dais as if one breath might turn the still scene into chaos.
My gaze followed theirs, seeing Rhael and Aasim stood locked into a staring contest. Rhael stood rigid beside the long table, his shoulders tight, and his jaw locked so hard I could see the muscle jumping beneath the skin.
At his feet lay the shattered remains of a goblet, the stem crushed and the bowl splintered into thousands of pieces. Blood slid slowly from his palm, dark, and dripping onto the floor. He didn't seem as if he was bothered, or if he had just not noticed.
Aasim stood across from him, his face calm as if he was in a fight he knew he could win. His expression was almost amused, light green eyes glowing with interest.
Without thinking I crossed the space of the room quickly, my skirts whispering over the dark stone. The moment Rhael heard my footsteps he turned his head. His dark eyes flicked over my face, as if he wasn't sure I was real.
The moment I reached them Rhael's arm came around me. Firm and possessive, pulling me into his side with such force it stole my breath. It was as if it was the most natural thing in the world to him, but it left my mind spinning. Confusion rippled through me, but I leant into him anyway, resting my hand against his chest.
Rhael’s usually steady heart thundered under my palm. He kept his bloody hand behind his back, wiping the wound on the side of his jacket, the dark fabric hiding the blood well.
I forced myself to breathe evenly, to appear composed as the two men continued to glare at one another in silence. Doubt clawed at my ribs, whilst the vampire’s words continued to push themselves around my brain. I wondered if this grip was possession, or just another show to put on. Whether his promises would endure when all of this was done?
“There she is. The Jewel of the Fae Court.” Aasim smiled as he saw me. His voice was smooth whilst he tilted his head. His long dreadlocks falling over his shoulder.
“Choose your next words wisely,” Rhael sneered, as his arm tightened fractionally around me. The gesture was unsettling, only adding to the confusion I felt.
“Straight to the point then, this will make it easier for me. Elara, my mind has remained unchanged. I would like for you to be my bride.” Aasim chuckled, unbothered by the anger I could feel rolling from Rhael in waves.
The room inhaled, one collective gasp that made me feel uncomfortable. Every single person turned to look at me. All of them wondered how a weak human had ensnared not one, but two, kings. I wanted to laugh out loud, if only they knew the truth. Rhael wanted me for his war and Aasim wanted me just to piss Rhael off.
“No.” Rhael said flatly before I even had a chance to blink. The word final, cutting between us, whispers now taking over the crowd below.
Some narrowed their eyes, whilst others fanned themselves with invisible cloth, as if they were so scandalised by the drama. Yet none of them looked away, like leeches, feeding on the scene before them. It gave them life, joy, and I hated it. Some deep and twisted part of me hated them.
“You refuse on her behalf? Does she not have a voice?” Aasim raised a brow, challenging Rhael in his own home. This was a dangerous game and as shadows licked over my skin, leaving a cold trail everywhere they touched, I knew Rhael was on edge.
“I refuse because she is mine,” Rhael growled, the word ringing out through the hall. My head snapped to face him, my hair whipping over my face. It was ownership, possession, but it was also something deeper. I felt my heart skip abeat, if I had been more foolish I would have smiled, leant into him more and relished in the word.
A fae claiming someone as their own was sacred, revered, but even then I knew he did not mean it. I could tell by the way his eyes didn't even shift to my direction, he refused to look at me because deep down even Rhael knew it was a lie.
I felt everyone stop their whispering, their eyes snapping to their King. Rhael did not flinch, nothing about him seemed diplomatic in that moment and it was the most dangerous I had ever seen him. For the first time I wondered if this is what fearing the Fae King felt like. He looked calm but I could tell from the look in his eyes that this was when he was his most volatile.
“How fascinating, yet it still does not change my decision. I want the human who looks so comfortable in your arms.” Aasim smiled, his voice booming through the space, echoing from the dark walls. My face turned into an uncontrolled scowl.
