“Magical cuffs crafted by terra and verdant wielders. They disable their magic.”
“That’s… terrible.”
I don’t argue as we stroll farther through the quiet, dark maze.
After a while, Daegan’s voice breaks the silence, echoing through the halls. “Are you really going to try to set them free?”
I stop, turn, and look at him. His eyes appear so dark down here in this lighting they’re almost onyx. The fiery quality within them is nearly extinguished, like a dying flame. “Yes. You think I was lying? I thought you said you trust me.”
“I do,” he says, his gaze unflinching. “I just don’t fully understand it still,” he answers.
“Understand what, exactly?” I’m proud of my even, challenging tone.
“Why you’re doing this. All of this.”
“Why is that so hard for you to understand?”
“You’re a princess. Of the elves. I’ve hated you my whole life without ever knowing you. Your people rule over everyone in this land, practically unchallenged. Your king sits back on his throne and enjoys it all, while never having actually done anything to earn it. Why would you want to risk everything, risk the wrath of your father, risk the fall of your people, just to help save a world you don’t even know? You don’t have to do any of this. You can keep living your life in peace.”
I scowl at him, ignoring the minor flash of hurt I felt at his admission, my irritation taking over. “Would you give it up already?” I say, dropping my hands to my sides, my raised voice echoing loudly in the hollow hall.
His expression remains level.
“I’m so tired of you telling me how comfortable my life is. How easy I have it. I did not seek this out, but somehow, it found me nonetheless, and now it feels… like I’m meant to be here on this path. I don’t know why. And you think I can hear of all this suffering and simply walk away. I cannot. I. HAVE. A. FUCKING. HEART.”
When I finish, my breathing is fast and uneven, tight with anger.
Daegan’s jaw ticks as he gazes down at me under his heavy lids. His eyes flick to my heaving chest, then back up.
I shove past him, barely shifting his arm as I mutter, “Find your own way out, asshole.”
I storm all the way back to the secret entrance in the wall. When I reach it, I don’t look at either Rhydra or Gaethri as I yank it open. But just before I close it, I hear a gravelly chuckle, and Gaethri muttering something about a failed rendezvous.
I slam the door behind me.
The sound of his footsteps never followed.
Chapter 23
I’m up earlier than I would like to be, but I have a lot to do today. I have plans to bombard Adrian with my presence at the training grounds, so I dress in light black pants, boots, and a lightweight purple shirt that ties at the chest with tiny strings. I tie my hair into a long braid, dust just a little bit of color on my cheeks, and I’m satisfied. I’m tired of him giving me flaky answers, so I’m simply going to show up. I know he’s training today.
After that, it’s back to the library again. I don’t know if the dragon idiots will be there and I don’t care. I’m still irritated with them. I’m irritated with Raef simply for his association with Daegan. The prick. I’m sure I’m being irrational, but I want to stew in it a little longer.
But before all of that, I’m going to question my father about the prisoners. I couldn’t face him last night while I was in such a mood, and it was a late hour anyway. I don’t dare disturb him after dinner, nor do I want to witness whatever he gets up to at that hour anyway. I’ve heard stories that I’d rather block from my memory forever.
I fill my bag with all the essentials I may need for training and head out. I’ll be back before my library session for a bath.
When I approach his meeting rooms, the doors are closed and there’s a guard standing in front, indicating that he is in fact in there. It was a gamble showing up this early, hoping he’d be here before breakfast.
“May I have a word with the king?” I ask the guard. My tone isn’t as kind today as usual. I have less patience.
“He’s in a meeting with General Lyriel.”
“Then I’ll wait,” I say, moving to a far wall and leaning against it. The guard eyes me.
I pull a small fruit out of my bag and eat while I wait. It’s a little something to keep my energy up so I can skip breakfast and head straight to training after this.
After that I pull a book out to skim through while I wait, finishing a decent chunk of it before General Lyriel emerges. His red with silver-streaked hair is overly styled so it almost appears wet, and his wily, conniving eyes fall on me almost immediately as I stand. It’s not a friendly look.
