“I would’ve sent Robert over to assess the situation. While Melisandre didn’t deserve to be harassed, those men were starving for magic. Would you fight for access to an Oasis if you were lost in the desert, dying of thirst? Not having magic makes one go mad.” He continued to stare at me, seeming to actually want an answer.
“I-I’m not sure. I don’t think I’d ever harm another being for my own benefit. But I’ve never been desperate enough to find out.”
I felt my privilege in that moment. I didn't know what hunger felt like, let alone what it would be like to lose something essential to my being. I knew grief, but I didn’t know that kind of loss. I played with the skirt of my dress, feeling like an impulsive, ill-mannered idiot.
“I understand the desire to help, but you must use more caution in this world. It’s brand new to you. It’s my fault for taking you off castle grounds so quickly.” He walked ahead of me back to the horses.
Ugh,disappointment—even worse than anger.
When we returned to my room, Galen paused at the threshold of the door. “I’m giving you the rest of the day off. My mother can wait.” Was this his idea of a peace offering? I gave a small smile at the news. He took that as an invitation to close the space between us and I scurried backwards.
“Don’t come any closer. And stop trying toseduceme. It’s wrong, now that I know you want my blood.AndI’m your prisoner.”
“You aren’t my prisoner. You’re ourguest.” He stood his ground.
“Is that so? Would you like to escort me back to the forest and help me go home?”
He sighed and took a step.
“Stop—stop right there. There’s no future for us. You said it yourself. Faeries and humans don’t belong together. I wantnothingto do with you. I just want to go home.”
His eyes narrowed. “You’renothuman. I’ll give you your space, but you won’t get rid of me that easily—and you’re not going home yet. You need to learn about your Fae heritage… and why it’s worth saving.” He backed up before turning and leaving. The door locked behind him.
Prisoner.
My only visitors the rest of the day were servants dropping off food and emptying my chamber pot. A large black cat snuck in with them at some point, curling up on the foot of the bed. I was happy to have the friend, though its presence made me even more homesick.
“Hello, little darling,” I cooed as it purred. “In Aurelius, we have castle cats who wander the hallways and catch pests,” I said, scratching its back until it fell onto its side, stretching across my unmade bed. “Is that your job too?” It stared at me with large, slanted gold eyes.
“If faeries are so powerful, why do they need kitties to catch their mice? Have they not found a magical solution?” I scooped up the cat andplopped it in my lap, continuing to stroke it until it curled into a ball, still vibrating with contentment. “I suppose the rats here might actually be people…spieseven.” I gulped. “Which means you could be a spy too.” I stared at the cat with a look of trepidation.
It peered up at me, holding my gaze, revealing nothing. I cautiously took it out of my lap, placing it back on the bed. It twitched its tail, still watching me.
“Are you a cat?” I asked. It blinked back. “Fine, keep your secrets.”
For gods sakes, I was losing my mind. It was just a cat. I hoped. I’d stop talking out loud to it, just to be safe… but I’d let it stay.
And it did stay… quietly lying by my side, as I cried myself to sleep.
ten
The Queen sent for me at sunrise. When the maids arrived, they fussed, making sure I looked presentable for Her Majesty. Did Galen know she’d summoned me? Had she learned the truth? I’d been counting on him being a buffer between us. My empty stomach roiled, making me regret not eating more last night.
Lusha dressed me in a navy gown with a high collar that covered most of my neck—a symbolic, if useless, layer of protection against the Queen. If she decided to drink my blood, there wouldn’t be much I could do about it. Would I fight back or just let her have me?
I straightened my spine and decided I’d fight if it came down to it—maybe I’d get one good swing in before she killed me.
By the time I’d been escorted to her private library, I’d thoroughly terrified myself with thoughts of what she might do. Despite the dread she elicited in me, the library ambiance was bright and elegant. I had a hunch she hadn’t designed this room. There was a warmth present, that so far I didn’t find her capable of. It seemed like she’d be more at home in a dark cavern… or a spider’s web.
Walnut bookcases lined the library on two sides. A floor-to-ceiling panoramic view of Merivale lake was the focal point of the room. Glittering aquamarine waters stretched beyond the horizon, farther than my eyes could see.
I took a seat in a worn leather chair that faced out towards the water. Turquoise waves sparkled in the distance. I watched boats sail by and wondered what it would be like to live the simple life of a fisherman. Werethey staring at the castle from their boats, wondering what it would be like to live such a grand life?
“No matter where you go, there you’ll be,”my mother used to say to me. She’d always believed in destiny. We could try and divert course, but we’d eventually end up right where we were meant to be. With that logic, there was no point in wishing to be somebody else. We couldn’t outrun destiny—we couldn’t outrun ourselves. Still, it would’ve been nice to beanyonebut me, at this particular moment.
I chewed on the thought, letting the view pull me into a state of temporary tranquility. My gaze fell to the black cat that had followed me here, like a tiny shadow. It lounged lazily on a cushioned seat by the bay windows, stretching before falling asleep in a ray of sunshine.
“Hello, Marigold,” Sylvia said tartly, making me swivel my head in surprise. She came in unannounced, flanked by several guards and servants. The Queen wore a voluminous black dress that snaked along the polished wood floors as she made her way towards me. A severe crown sat on her head—its pointed palisades sharp as daggers.
