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My jaw dropped, and I whirled around to face him. “How did you do that?”
Talon clicked his tongue. “Simple magic. You’ve broken the Iron Accords by coming onto our lands, you know.” He strolled over to me, my body turning to stone as he neared. “We’d be well within our rights to bring you back.”
“Go to hell,” I spat, remembering how to walk—my knee aching in response.
He chuckled. The light, sultry sound coated with condescension. “You won’t survive more than an hour after sunfall. Drop the ego and the act before you make this worse on yourself.”
“I think I’ll take my chances, thank you. Can you quit following me now?”
“So, that’s it? You’re going to give up? Go on a suicide mission? Throw in the towel? What about your mother?”
I turned on my heel, tilting my head back to meet his glare. “Don’t you dare bring my mother into this!”
“That’s who this is all about, isn’t it? Why you came here in the first place, no? Your childish impulses are clouding your judgment. You need to get back to the castle?—”
“You know nothing about me! Or my mother! Your king murdered four humans in front of hundreds of your kind for entertainment. Why would I stick around to be next?”
“Because you’re a fighter. I thought you were better than that.”
“Well.” I let out an incredulous laugh that had an edge of insanity to it. “You thought wrong.”
“Yeah? I know you’re a stubborn pain in the ass. One that not only survived an attack from a five-hundred-year-old wraith but also didn’t back down from a drowler, either. Now you’re telling me you draw the line at a couple of lowly tyrants?”
“While this has been enlightening, I have a time-sensitive journey to make. It’s been… it’s been something. I won’t forget about this soon enough. Thanks for everything.” I only made it a couple of steps before an arm snaked around my waist, pinning me to a hard, taut body. “What are you doing? Let go of me!” I jerked in his grip, but I was no match for Talon’s strength.
“You’re delirious if you think I’m going to let you wander off and die.” His breath caressed the shell of my ear. “You’re not the only one with something at stake here.”
I thrashed, slipping out of his grip, and tried to make a run for it, but he caught me by the hem of my shirt.
In one fluid motion, he twisted me around and threw me over his shoulder.
I slammed my fists into his back until I bruised my wrists, howling my annoyance.
I was simply a means to an end to get whatever it was he wanted. Of course he’d try to keep me from leaving, but I’m sure he’d have no problem getting whatever that was without me. Another wraith attack was welcome if it meant getting as far away from this realm—and this insufferable guard—as possible.
In violation of the Iron Accords, my ass, they wouldn’t waste resources for one measly human. Not during such an important trial.
I pounded on his back. “Let go of me, you barbaric son of a bitch!”
An invisible gag slapped over my mouth, preventing me from continuing, just like Breana in the throne room last week.
Talon stretched his neck as he carried me out of the forest like a sack of potatoes, and I seethed, muttering curse after curse at his back. I hated him—why did he have to volunteer to train me? I’d rather be in a ditch somewhere than over his damn shoulder. It was degrading. Mortifying.
I still had autonomy despite being a prisoner. I could understand if I did something deserving to be in this position—like kill a faerie. But all I was trying to do was help my mother. The horror.
“Not until you control yourself and stop acting like an infant.”
I flipped him my finger as he continued through the forest, keeping me perched over his shoulder until we reached the castle grounds. It couldn’t be any later than high noon when we stepped into the clearing. The birds were back to singing their cheerful melody, and the land glimmered in gold. I hadn’t realized how unnaturally dark it was in the forest until the sun blinded me. Or how cold I’d been until the sun bathed me again.
Talon flung me to my feet—the blood rushing back to my head—and I swayed.
“If I remove the gag, are you going to remain quiet, or are you going to make a scene and embarrass me?”
I pointed to my mouth, letting him know I couldn’t answer, and he sighed.
“Thumb up for yes, thumb down for no,” he finished.
We stared at each other, a silent challenge of wills as I contemplated if I should compromise. With much hesitation and defiance, I gave him a thumbs up, concluding if I was going to be forced to stay, I might as well keep what remaining pride I had left. Not that there was much.
