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I shook my head, still unable to grasp the fact I was talking to an animal. “Who’s they?”
“King Harkin’s guards. Some of them will do anything for that cruel man, you know”—she shuddered—“and with the trials starting, everyone’s on edge.”
I inched closer to keep my voice hushed, curiosity getting the best of me. “Trials? What do you mean?”
Pipion hopped onto my lap, ignoring my question, and my back went rigid. Her tiny paws tickled my leg as she climbed up my dress and placed her paws on my forehead.
I went to flick her off me, unsure what she was doing, when a quick flash of light flooded the room. Once it’d receded, I touched my face, making sure nothing was missing or disfigured. Unlike when the faerie man cast his magic, this was painless.
“What did you do?”
Pipion held up her paws. “You were dirty. I figured you wouldn’t want to look like that in front of everyone. I can’t fix the smell, though.”
Everyone? I scanned the cell. “Are there other creatures in here that I can’t see?”
“I’ve always wanted to talk to a human.” She cocked her head. “But none of the other humans can hear me. I’ve tried countless times. Why can you?”
It was hard to be irritated with her elusiveness—not when her comment about the other humans had blood rushing to my ears. I could taste the small glimmer of hope hanging in the air.
“There are other humans here?” I kept my tone nonchalant and sat up straighter, not wanting to appear too eager.
“Yeah, they’re all in cages like you.”
“How long have they been here?” I asked. A pit formed in my stomach.
“A couple of moons, at least. Some for longer. I’m not sure.” Pipion’s ears twitched, and she darted to the metal bars on all fours.
“Have any of them been able to leave?”
“I’m afraid not.” Her bushy tail straightened. “He’s coming, I must go. It was nice meeting you, Elowyn. Hopefully, we can talk soon.” With that, Pipion snapped her paw and disappeared into the air, leaving me alone in the cell yet again.
I sank against the wall, confused.
I had to be going mad. There was no other explanation.
There was no time to find one either, as the faerie guard with the emerald eyes appeared at the door wearing the same uniform he had on the other day. My breath hitched—partly out of fear—but it was as if his presence sucked the air out of the cell. Dominance and power rolled off him, and I knew he could kill me in an instant if he wanted to.
“Get up.” He leaned against the cell door and crossed his arms—his silky voice dipped in malice.
My gaze traveled along his broad chest to the dagger at his hip. Then I obeyed and sat up, my head lulling to the side as I glared at him. I had to stay alive, but I wouldn’t submit to them fully.
He rested a palm on the dagger’s embellished hilt and sucked his teeth. “I will not ask you again. King Harkin and Prince Bowen request your presence in the throne room. Either you get up or I’ll drag you there myself.”
I fidgeted under his intense gaze—and, clenching my jaw, I stood on quivering legs. He loomed over me, making my tall stature seem insignificant in comparison. But I wouldn’t back down, not without a fight. So, with my shoulders squared, I refused.
“Is all this necessary?” I pointed to his sharp weapons attached to various parts of his body. “Surely you can’t be afraid of a human.”
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way. I’d prefer the latter, but it’s up to you.”
“You can’t believe I’d go with you voluntarily, can you?”
He shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
Before I could blink, the faerie guard was in my cell with his hand around my arm, a wicked gleam across his face.
I tried to weasel out of his grip, but his hold remained strong. “Let go of me!”
An irritated snarl rumbled deep in his chest as I hit and clawed at his chest. It didn’t faze him. If anything, it fueled his frustration. “These idiotic and suicidal attempts at escaping would be funny if it weren’t so irritating.”
