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“Fine, Captain, speak before I make you,” Asher matches Theo’s tone.
The muscles of Theo’s jaw flex, and he seems to debate with himself. The shadows squeeze his chin.
Not too hard.Just talk,Theo.
The pressure does the trick.
“Why are you doing this? Why provide me with anything if you plan to kill me? Isn’t that a waste of your precious resources?” his words are a taunt.
An unnerving chuckle comes from the shadow king. “I don’t need you dying from a festering infection before I figure out what to do with you.”
Concern flashes across Theo’s face, but only for an instant before it’s back to the mask of a stoic warrior. Releasing his face, the shadow waves the physician and healer forward.
Theo allows them near him. Nyx, Marcus, and Hiram don’t let go of Theo while he is being assessed. The physician checks him head to toe, lifting his shirt and pant legs to reveal unharmed tanned skin. I breathe a sigh of relief.
The physician and healer speak to Theo in low, gentle voices, and he nods or shakes his head to answer. Like me, his energy is waning after this horrendous day.
When they complete the examination, they turn to deliver their prognosis to Asher.
“A few cuts and bruises from what we can see, Your Excellency. We will bring him a salve to help with healing and any soreness he may have, ” confirms the healer, and the two turn and leave the room.
“Take him to the cell by the back entrance,” Asher commands the guards.
I try to push down all the emotions that erupt at the thought of Theo in my old cell.
“My king, do you think that is the best place?” Nyx lets go of Theo and walks up the steps of the dais, his face tense.
“Don’t question me, General,” Asher retorts. “There will be two guards posted outside his cell. Ask the kitchen to prepare a meal for him. Ensure the water in the cell is working and provide him with fresh clothes. Do I make myself clear?”
All the guards stiffen at the order and stand at attention.
“Good. Now go,” the king dismisses everyone with the final decree.
Theo digs his heels into the stone floor, trying to halt Marcus and Hiram from moving him out of the throne room. The scuffing of Theo’s boots on stone reverberates throughout the space as they haul him away and out of my sight.
The shadows surrounding Asher flicker, signaling that he is ready to move on. A moment later, they thin and skirt along the floor and out of the throne room, taking the king with them.
My resolve cracks and a whimper escapes me. Nyx comes to my side, wrapping me in his arms.
“Let’s get you to your chambers. I know you are tired, but we have a lot to discuss,” he whispers into my ear.
We break our embrace and walk silently back to my quarters.
We cross the threshold of my chambers, and I fall into a seat at my table.
“Lilith, you better start talking now before I go down to that cell and ask our new guest how he knows you,” Nyx shouts.
I stiffen at the thought of Nyx questioning Theo.
“That’s the thing, though. He wouldn’t be able to tell you,” I reply.
Nyx scrunches his face in confusion.
“It’s a long, painful story,” I say, motioning for him to take a seat in the chair on the other side of the table, and he does.
I take a deep breath and tell my best friend my deepest, darkest secrets. The ones that plague the nightmares I have never been able to tell him about.
