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I swallow the lump rising in my throat. “I still need to try.”

He watches me, eyes unreadable, and motions toward the seat. “If you want your sister back, I will give you a chance to get her.” I reluctantly sit. “Tomorrow, we leave. There are two kingdoms close to mine. If she’s in either, you’ll have your chance to look for her. If you find her, I’ll buy her back for you.”

I look up, hope and dread warring in my chest. “Which kingdoms will we pass through?”

“First will be Malachor, the demon kingdom. Then Avelvorn, the elven kingdom. After that, there are no more stops.” He flicks a glance at Eagan. “I make no promises. If your sister is not there, you’ll consider her lost.”

A part of me is relieved at his words. At least there’s a sliver of hope. That’s more than I had before I was dragged here, and hopefully I can find out why the kingdoms are sinking.

“And you’ll really let me search for her?”

He shrugs. “It’s of no consequence to me.” He watches me carefully as I chew my lip, and I wonder if I would be pushing my luck by asking for more. “Is that all?” he says, his gaze pinning me as I struggle to answer. He knows I want something else; I can see it in the curve of his mouth, the way his red eyes watch me. “Speak, little mortal,” he murmurs. “What do you want in exchange for your obedience? Is it just your sister you’re desperate for, or is there something else?” He tilts his head as my heart skips a beat. “Perhaps someone else.”

I swallow thickly.

“So there is someone else?” he says, reading my reactions easily. Something dark and cruel crosses his features, and my heart stutters. In that instant, Arlo’s face flickers through my mind. I force myself to look away.

Kylian considers me for a moment, and I know I never should have hesitated. “Virgin blood is very . . . distinct. This wouldn’t be a man you’re asking me for, would it? Surely you wouldn’t be so foolish.” His smile turns cruel. “There is nothing you can hide. If you refuse to come with me for the sake of another man, I’ll find him. And I promise, Alessia, he’ll wish he’d never sought your affection. Do you understand?”

I lift my chin, some last scraps of bravado rising. “Why would it matter to you if I had a boyfriend?” I snap. “If you’re thinking I’d ever sleep with you, you’re delusional.”

He laughs, the sound dark and humorless. “Careful, little mortal. I’m a very possessive man. You belong to me now, in every way. Don’t make me prove it.” He leans forward slightly. “If there is someone waiting for you somewhere, some pretty little fantasy you think you’ll run back to once you’ve found your sister, I would advise you to let it go.”

A chill runs through me, colder than any winter night on the farm. For a heartbeat, I can’t breathe.

I swallow and drop my gaze, hating myself for the guilt warring in my chest as I finally force out, “It’s my sister. I just want my sister safe.”

Mentioning Arlo might just get him killed.

“Good. Now eat. Then we need to do something about your clothes since they destroyed yours. You also need to shower—you reek.”

I bristle at his words. “Gee, I’m sorry. I didn’t have time to perfume myself between being enslaved and dragged across an island. If I had known my scent wasn’t to your liking, I would have rustled up the best pig dung fit for a servant and slathered that on just for you.”

His lips quirk in the corners like he is fighting a smile.

“Eat, Alessia.”

He knows my name. Of course he does, or they wouldn’t have found me. I’m cursing myself for not giving them a fake name at the blood bank.

He nudges the platter toward me. My hands shake as I reach for a slice of bread. The crust is still warm, dusted with salt and spice. I tear off a chunk, shoving it into my mouth before I can change my mind.

He watches, as if weighing every bite I chew, possibly adding that to my debts. When the plate is nearly empty, he finally speaks again.

“You’ll shower when you’re done. We’ll be leaving just before sunrise.” He motions toward the bed on the other side of the room.

One bed. Not two.

I freeze with a piece of bread halfway to my mouth.

“I’m not fucking you. I already told you this,” I say sharply.

His brows rise. “What a vulgar little mouth you have.”

“Changes nothing. If that is what you want me for, I will fight you.”

“Did I ask you to have sex with me?”

“You just implied—”