I raised a hand to stop him from talking, noticing Lila’s face take on an ashen tone. Scaring her didn’t bother me, but I wanted my threats to be real. If Xander were to break her, it would be because she deserved it. Right now, I wasn’t certain that she did.
She balled her hands into fists, glaring between the both of us. “Then what do you want to do with me? People saw me disappear back home. They’ll be worried.”
I released her. “Not my concern. The night is late, and I haven’t decided what I plan to do. Just know that whatever we have in store for you will be far better than what you might find out there. You have no friends here, Lila. It’s unfortunate for you that you were sent here, but lucky for us. Just behave, and you will survive. And that will start with you not trying to escape or turning any more of my people into ice. I have a comfortable room you can stay in. If you do as you are told, you will stay there. If not, we have a cold, window-less basement you can sleep in.”
She grimaced, saying a word in a language I did not understand. “I don’t have anything to survive here. I have a business and friends.”
I would not be swayed by her sadness, but I could accommodate certain things. Having her dirty would not be pleasant for me. I snapped my fingers, and a thin tablet appeared in my hand. I pushed it out toward her. “Make a list of what you need. If we can’t find it here, then we can get it procured from your realm.”
She snatched it out of my hand. “You can go get deodorant from home but can’t send me back?”
“Sending you back is a very different and unlikely process.” I pointed my finger downward. “Make the list, now.”
She rolled her eyes and touched the tablet, it awakened, and she frowned. “How does this work? I thought the fae realm would be all medieval looking like in the books. How do you have electricity and flying cars?”
I scoffed at her. “Do you think you are the only one who can advance? Our world is run by magic and is far superior to your primitive world. Xander, show her how to use the device and then to her room. Give her Luca’s room, and you can take the guest room. Make sure she is secured. I’m going to bed. It’s been a long day.”
Xander jumped up and gave me a salute. “Yes, captain. Now, come here, darling, let me show you how our world works.”
I shook my head, catching her eyes before leaving. She stared at me with pure hatred, but there was a lace of confusion beneath them. I understood her predicament. Her fear and anger. However, she was ours for now. The sooner she accepted that, the better we would all be.
* * *
The next morning, I awoke early and headed for the kitchen. The housekeeper, Zelda, was already in the kitchen. She was an older woman, not even five feet, with long chestnut-colored hair she kept in a single braid down her back, displaying her pointed ears. Her large, round eyes were a bright pink and usually cheerful no matter what task I asked of her. Other than Xander, a cousin and another fellow soldier, Zelda had become one of my closest confidants. I had no concerns that she wouldn’t keep Lila’s presence a secret.
Zelda passed me a cup of tea the way I liked it prepared, and I greeted her in thanks. “Zelda, I’ll be having guests here for a while. Lieutenant Xander and a female companion. I know it’s rather late in the morning, but please prepare a nice-sized breakfast.”
Zelda gave a head nod, not so much as raising a brow at the mention of a female presence. I’d not been known to have women visitors long term, or any, for that matter. I didn’t trust many people, and only Xander and my roommate, Luca, stayed over. Usually, the women I was with did not stay the night.
Zelda began to bustle around the kitchen collecting pots and pans. She kept the pantries and our food-preserving container well stocked. She turned slightly to me as she placed meat, vegetables, fruits, breads, eggs, and cheese on the counter. “I’m glad you have company, Master Yosef. It’s good for you to be around others outside of your military duties. Good for Master Xander as well. I hope this companion has an even temperament.”
I almost laughed. She definitely did not. Zelda well understood Xander’s particular ways. His past was not an easy one, and it had taken its toll on his psyche. However, he had come a long way since joining the military, and I’d seen him evolve. The old Xander might have killed Lila before I could even get to them. The fact that he seemed as gentle as he was, showed his growth, although I wasn’t sure Lila would understand her fortune. I knew it was her very temperament as well that had given Xander pause. The bigger the challenge, the more fun. Of course, that also meant more pain for himself and whoever he was fighting. Lila would have her hands full. He was not lying when he said he would break her. I’d have to keep an eye on them.
Zelda paused her movements when I didn’t respond, her eyes cautious. “Might I ask where this companion came from? A fellow soldier, a fae from another land?”
I went to snatch a small piece of fruit from the counter, and Zelda waved me away and pointed to a chair at the circular wooden table across the room. I did as I was silently instructed as she prepared a small plate of fruit for me.
“She is from another realm,” I stated evenly.
Zelda presented me with the fruit plate, mouth forming into an O shape. She then turned back to the counter to finish. “What realm, may I ask?”
“Human. And she’s not a fae.”
I heard her take in a breath. “Why would you harbor a human? Have you been awarded her as a servant?”
“For now, she is my guest.”
“We don’t get many free humans in this land.”
“She’s not free. She will remain in my home for now.”
She gave me suspicious eyes. “By your tone, I assume the court is not aware.”
I shook my head, eyeing her. “I trust you will keep this secret.”
She bowed her head. “Of course. I’m actually not fond of the human ban in this court. There are other unseelie fae courts that allow human interaction beyond servitude.”
I picked up my tea and blew. “I have heard. They believe it’s more progressive and advancing to look at humans beyond just our enemies. Certain lands have alliances, and it has worked well. Maybe our court will get to that place one day, but it is not a priority. Not when we have to focus on other enemy lands right now.” I furrowed my brows, thinking of my most recent concerns.
