My eyes narrowed. “Then who?”
Her jaw clamped closed and a fervor burned in her eyes just like when she’d stood in front of me and fought for her brother. Sheraised her chin and said, “I don’t think I’m going to answer that question.”
What? Why would she defy me? Heat rose in my veins and the temptation to strike her down with fire burned through me.
But I had promised her safety.
But her defiance was greater than I’d tolerate from any elf in my kingdom.
But I had promised.
I clenched my hands into fists and pushed the heat down, deeper inside my control. “Why not?” The words rumbled out, as if a drekkan inside me had taken over my voice box.
Her posture and voice exuded confidence and arrogance that would easily be cured by a few days in my dungeon, but… I felt her fear through the mistek bond. She challenged me even though it terrified her. Why?
Her words answered the question… and stunned me. “You are clearly angry about it. Arranging clothes for me was a kindness, and I will not have it rewarded with your wrath.”
“You would protect… an elf from…me?” The idea was backwards—Iprotected my elves. They didn’t need help from afaewho may or may not be connected to Radira, who may or may not have been connected to my parents’ deaths.
But she nodded.
And I remembered her brother. Koan and Jolter. And now an elf she would not name. She was making a habit of sparing people my anger. A new heat rose in my chest, and it had nothing to do with my magic. It was an illogical attraction to her ability to temper my anger. It was a bravery I had not seen before, and it rose like a phoenix while her own fears burned in the background.
It was beautiful.
“Can I ask a question now?” Her voice drew my mind back to my original purpose. I’d wanted to find out her intentions here, but I’d started with a meaningless interrogation.
“Yes,” I answered. She should have a question, and then I would ask one that mattered.
“Why do your people hate fae so much?” Her fear intensified as she asked the question.
That was an easy one. But first, I had to respond to her emotions. “You do not need to fear me.” Her eyebrows popped up. “I know that wasn’t your question, but I want you to know that I will keep my promise to you. I will not release my anger on you.”
She responded with a tight smile, but I felt her worry lessen.
Her question had a short answer. “My people have never trusted others, but we have a particularly upset history with fae. It was a fae that cursed me with the drekkan form and trapped our people within the barrier your brother temporarily damaged.”
Her head tipped to the side. “If you were trapped, why were you so angry that he disrupted it?”
My hands tightened into fists again. “We couldn’tusehis damage—it had already started fixing itself before you came through it. His crimes were more than just damaging the barrier. He also trespassed, attacked my roses, and lied about his actions. I do not trust him or his motives.”
Which brought me to my question. “And I need to know what your motives are here.”
Her brows wrinkled, emphasizing the confusion in her blue eyes. “Are you askingwhy I’m here?”
I clenched my fists again. This was the question that everything hung on. “Yes.”
She chuckled and shook her head, as if she couldn’t believe I’d asked such a thing. “I’m here as a deterrent for my brother, a living collateral so you can ensure his behavior with my potential death. I can’t imagine why that would keep you up at night.”
I would have laughed at her snark if I didn’t need to know more. “I realize that. But is there anything else you hope to accomplish while you are here? Do you have any other plans?”
I stopped talking and held my breath. After being impressed by her kindness and attracted to her bravery, I truly hoped her motives ended with what she’d said. I wanted to make her happy and comfortable, but I could not do it if I felt her lie now.
Her eyes skittered to the floor and her breathing sped up. The anxiety that had lessened a few moments ago burst into fear as great as when she’d breathed a terrified plea to not push her to her death.
She raised her gaze to mine. “I don't have plans, but I do have an additional hope.”
Her honesty helped me relax. I breathed more easily, but her voice trembled as she said, “I don't know how it will even be possible, but I'm hoping that I can find Motab—my mother—while I'm here. Though, I'm afraid that since everyone hates fae so much, she's probably hiding or disguised.”
