My throat burns so intensely, I struggle to speak. I’m touched by his gesture. I don’t want to be moved by his kindness, but I am. Well, perhaps I was the one who quickly reached an erroneous conclusion without taking the time to learn the actual truth. Perhaps Merak isn’t like my birth father at all. My birth father would’ve never purchased books containing maps and trade routes for me after wrongly accusing me of plotting to run away.
“Thank you, Merak,” I finally say, though my voice comes out strained.
The only other man who’s ever bought me a gift of any sort is my stepfather. Perhaps I shouldn’t accept the books from Merak, but I cannot bring myself to refuse them.
He nods and gestures toward the stairs. The proprietor stands awkwardly nearby, presumably waiting to show us to our suite. The suite we will share for five nights.
“Come. Let us retire to our suite. I know you must be eager to wash the dust from yourself and put on clean clothes.” He steps back and holds out his hand.
I stare at his offered hand for a moment too long. Eventually, he clears his throat and gives me an expectant look that’s also mildly gentle and encouraging. I sense that he’s not used to being so patient and accommodating, but for some reason, he’s making an effort for me. Why?
Is it because he’s lonely?
Is it because he longs for companionship?
He could be stern and order me around. He could drag me around by my hair rather than wait for me to come with him willingly. He’s spoken to me harshly a few times, but he hasn’t been physically rough with me. Not yet. I pray he keeps his promise not to hurt me. I pray it’s not some sort of trick.
Finally, I place my hand in Merak’s much larger one. Though his hand is cool to the touch, and a shiver quickly courses through me, it’s not due to the coldness that emanates from him.
It’s because of the tension that flares between us as his eyes gleam with pleasure and he pulls me closer.
I can’t seem to draw in a full breath as I stare up at him.
My pulse quickens and heated throbs affect me between my thighs.
Tempted. In all my life, I have never felt so drawn to a male or tempted by him. I try to force in a deep breath, but I don’t quite manage it, and I start to feel deliriously lightheaded. My scalp prickles with sensation, and warmth undulates through me. It’s heady and seductive, and I almost wish he would kiss me right now. Almost.
I quickly remind myself that he’s a highborn fae male from the Winter Court. He’s powerful and deadly, and during his time in the army, he’s probably killed thousands of humans. I should hate him.
Yet try as I might, I can’t summon an ounce of hatred for him.
Fear, yes. I still fear him on some level, even though in other ways, I’m starting to feel safe with him. Even starting to trust him. I pray it’s not just wishful thinking. I pray it’s not just my stupid, lonely heart reaching out for something that isn’t really there.
Worse than being a highborn fae male from the Winter Court, a natural enemy of my people, he is my master. He paid twenty pieces of silver for me, and more than once he’s stated that he will never let me go. He truly believes he has the right to own me. While I knew slavery existed in some parts of the realm, if it was present in Braemar, I never witnessed any evidence of it. Nor did I ever imagine that I might one day become a slave myself.
As I stare into Merak’s dark eyes, I wonder what the future will hold. Will I remain with him always, a captive he keeps in a gilded cage, as the Winter Court army continues to conquer human and orc cities?
Once the final human and orc cities are under fae rule, what will happen then? Will he take me to live with him somewhere? The fae are leaving the four main courts to follow the spread of ussha, so it is doubtful that he’ll take me to the fading Winter Court. But where? Where will we go?
I think of Braemar. Could I ever convince him to visit my home city? I would give almost anything to see my family again. If I stay with him, remain obedient, and don’t try to escape, might I garner his favor enough to be granted such a request? I tuck this idea away, intending to consider it later.
He tightens his hold on my hand and starts leading me toward the stairs. The proprietor scurries ahead of us, intent to lead the way. As we ascend the staircase, I continue to lookaround the inn, taking in the artwork, the elaborate carvings in the archways, and the view from each window we pass.
There are many windows in the inn, most providing a breathtaking view of the mountainous landscape, and I can’t stop admiring the floating ice clouds. Until today, I never knew such a place existed as Ellonnar, a picturesque fae town nestled in the mountains at what feels like the very edge of the known realm. Is this place even on the maps? I make a note to check the books Merak gifted me.
After passing several landings, we finally reach the top floor of the inn, and when I spot only one door in the hallway, I quickly realize the suite Merak rented must take up the entire floor. When the skinny fae male opens the door and ushers us in, I realize I’m right. I stare, utterly stunned, at the largest and most opulent room I’ve ever seen.
The fabrics covering the sofas and chairs are colorful, the sheer curtains glimmer like starlight, and the polished, wooden furniture is so ornate that each piece was clearly crafted by a skilled artisan.
I also glimpse the same crystal dishes filled with ussha-blessed fruits that I saw downstairs, as well as blown-glass bowls filled with all sorts of candy, including the same peppermints I swiped earlier.
There’s also a full kitchen, including a woodstove for cooking. Dozens of jars filled with rice, beans, flour, sugar, and many other ingredients I don’t recognize reside on the shelves. Bottles of wine and other spirits sit on a sturdy rack beside a table that holds crystal glasses in a variety of sizes.
Beyond the entryway, the kitchen, and the sitting room, I glimpse the library and several other rooms that I can’t quite see inside. I nearly gasp at the sight of the large windows that face the snow-capped mountains, and the massive balcony beyond that holds a table and several chairs.
Never in my life have I seen anything like this.
I would imagine this is how royalty lives.
