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He pulls his dagger from the scabbard. “It wasn’t for sex, Astra. You think I’d waste my time with a bland human, when gorgeous fae fall at my feet?”
Human. He still dares call me human, knowing what I am, having used me for what I am. I’m guessing somehow I activated his dagger’s beacon stones. What I can’t understand is how he knew I’d be able to do that, how come it took him so long to bring me here. It doesn’t make sense.
He narrows his eyes. “If I were you, I’d be more careful with your secrets. And I’d stop opening my legs to any fool who’s mildly polite to you.”
Before I can even digest his absurd words, my hand moves to his face. For some reason he doesn’t block it, and my palm slaps his cheek so hard it leaves a white mark.
He touches his face, but sneers. “That’s it? That’s it? Can’t even slap properly, Astra?”
“I won’t soil my hand with you anymore. You don’t even deserve my anger.”
I want to leave—disappear, and never see him again, and yet I doubt I can even remove the rock blocking the sanctuary’s entrance, let alone find my way back to Krastel. My legs are trembling and my stomach is revolving, but I stand still, chin up. I’m not the one who needs to be ashamed here. Not that it helps me feel any better in this reality that doesn’t make any sense.
The corner of his mouth lifts, and then he stares behind me. I turn to look, but my eyes must be going crazy. It can’t be.
Coming out of the stairs, I see Otavio. Otavio, of all people, then Azur, and a tall, dark-haired fae man, followed by six blue-skinned pixies with translucent, shimmery wings.
“Let her go!” Otavio roars.
I don’t know if I’m flattered or puzzled. It’s not like anyone’s holding me. Right as this thought crosses my mind, strong arms pull me back, and then I’m pressed against Marlak’s body, a sharp silver dagger against my neck.
“Or what?” he asks. “Let me go or I’ll kill her.”
My hearing is muffled, my vision blurry, my senses numb, so numb. Fear hovers around me, but it’s distant, strange. Everything is strange. Still, I realize Marlak’s grip is quite loose. So loose, almost like he doesn’t know how to fight.
The tall fae walks towards us. He has black hair and eyes… Those eyes. They’re brown, but the shape… That has to be Renel, Marlak’s brother. They’re so similar, except that Renel’s hair is wavy and long, and he doesn’t have any burn scars. He’s also tall and slim, whereas Marlak is bulkier, even though he’s also tall.
Renel says, “Stop it. Let her go and I won’t kill you.”
Marlak chuckles. “You think you can?”
“Oh, yes, I do.” Renel raises his hand, showing a ring on it. A ring with a stone that looks like a stormy sky.
Shit. The Shadow Ring. I mean, I don’t know why I’m thinking shit. Let’s rephrase it: yay, the Shadow Ring. It means Marlak can’t use his magic. He still has a dagger, though.
I can deal with a dagger. I elbow and headbutt Marlak at the same time, then crouch to escape his clutch, and run towards Otavio, like a little girl rushing to the safety of one of her parents’ arms, except that I don’t want to hug him. I still have my sword, but I’m not foolish enough to try to fight Marlak with it.
“You’re safe, Astra,” Otavio whispers.
I nod, then turn to look at Marlak. He’s on the ground, kneeling, while Azur has a sword pointed at him, while three pixies surround them.
“Fight me, brother,” Marlak says. “One to one. No magic. Fight me, and let’s end this once and for all.”
“I don’t have anything to prove,” Renel says.
Marlak’s eyes are pure hatred staring at his brother. “Or any honor to uphold.”
Renel clicks his tongue. “Don’t you dare talk about honor. Don’t you dare talk about upholding anything. You know nothing about responsibility, duty, integrity.” He points at me. “You took advantage of an innocent girl for your selfish goals, Marlak. You should be ashamed of yourself.”
“Then fight me,” Marlak insists. “Prove you have honor, prove you deserve the crown. Let’s end this nonsense here.”
“We just got started, brother. Nothing’s ending. And I’ll make sure you’ll never threaten me again.” Renel turns to the pixies near us. “Take our guests back to the castle.”
Two pixies come to me and Otavio.
“It’s fine, Astra,” my master says. “Don’t be afraid.”
He follows one of the pixies, and I believe I have to do the same, but I want to stay and see what happens, I want to… I don’t even know what I want, but my heart is beating fast inside my chest. It’s the stupidest heart of all time, because it’s afraid they’ll hurt Marlak. It’s better for me to leave.
