“Butnotbabies.”
Sheshakesher headdumbly.
“Okay, fair,”I say.“But I’m certain I can fix him.Once I introduce him to the lovely flavours of –”
“Arienna –”
“No!”I cut in.“You already made me get rid of Hyatt.”
“Another monster.”
I ignore her.“Wehavea connection.”
She rollshereyes.“You thought the same about Karl.And Jack.And Simon.AndPatrick.And –”
“Not like this.”Isigh dreamily.“I think he might be my lifemate.”The literal other half of my soul –taken by the gods at the beginning of time and then flung out into the world for us to find.
She snorts.“Again.Karl.Jack.Simon –”
“Fabia!”
“Arienna!”shesays, exasperated.“Look.I love you.I’ll follow you into the dumbest of places, like here, because I know I can always get you out.But this is not Brownston.You can’t just say sorry.You’re going to be shackled to a madman who eats children and has massacred numerous towns and villages.He is the boogeyman, the most devilish of devils.There is no one worse than him, and I willnotsee you whittle away over time, snuffed out by his darkness.”
I swallow.My pulse hammersunder the emotion in her eyes.“I love you too,” I murmur.“But I can change him.”
“You can’t.Men like that don’t change.”She letsout a slowexhale, then offersme her hand.“So please, Arienna, just give me a leg up.”
I look at the door Nicholas exitedthrough.The onemy kinghad left through too.A pull in my chest wantsme to follow him.Itisa primal need Ican’tignore, and IknowIamright this time.Heismy lifemate.
I look at Fabia.
But sheismy best friend.
Nodding, I drop the towel and head towards her.I place my hands together and lockmy fingersas I standdirectly below the vent.
Fabia staresat me for a second, a lifetime of feelings passing through that look.I smile softly.Sodoesshe.Then she placesone hand on my shoulder and her foot in my hands.With a deep breath, she stepsup and reachesfor the vent.
Digging a hand into her trouser pocket, she pullsout the multi-gadget she always carrieswith her; I made it for her for her thirteenth birthday.After a few seconds, she liftsthe vent off, stepsdown, placesit on the floor, and thengoesright back up.She haulsherself through thetinyhole until only her legsaresticking out.I watch as sheshimmiesforward and then stops.
“Mmhmmffmph.”
I tilt my head, trying to make out her words.“I didn’tquite get that.What?”
More muffled noises reach my ears.
“Sorry, I still can’t –”
Her legs kickatthe wall, saying what her mouthcannot.Oh.
Oh!
Goosebumpsbreakout across my skin.I look around thesparoom, my heart racing.I need to find something to barricade the door.If Nicholascomesin andcatchesFabia trying to escape… I shudder, not wanting to think about what punishment that would bring.
“Hold on,” Isayas I rush over to the closet and start pulling things out.Fluffy robes.Towels.Mats.Slippers.All of little use.Ugh.Whereistheboxofsextoysand lubeone useswhile having a bath?I need something to help her wiggle out of there.Stepping back, I place my hands on my hips and scowlat the pile before me.Think, think, think.How can I use any of this?
A knock soundson the door.I jump afewmillimetresin the air.My heart followssuit, lodging in my throat.
“Are you two done yet?”
