“No, no, because when Moth gets here, he’s going to snap you in half. So whatever this is about, just drop it. You’re not going to win.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, my lady. I have taken every measure—”
“He will come for me.” I take a step back. “I hate to admit it, but this isn’t my first rodeo.”
“But it will be your last.” He reaches out to comb the strands of my hair with extended claws, and I shrink away.
“Whatever you want from him—”
“Want from him?Again,you are the one who is mistaken.” He steps into the light of the window, tilting his head as if confused by my reaction to all of this. “I care very little of what that brooding creature wants. It is your desires that are in my best interest.”
“No, dude. No way, not interested,” I say, continuing to slide my thumbs across my keyboard.
“You …what?”
“We met literally once!”
“Twice.”
“Okay and?” Does he seriously not see how problematic all of this is?
“I do not understand.”
“Clearly!” I huff. “Look, I know things are different here than in the human realm butcome on!”
“You are safe now, Heather.” He reaches out as if to stroke my hair, and I back further away.
“Says myliteralkidnapper.”
“Kidnap—when we spoke at the ball, Iaskedfor your hand.” He says the words slowly, working through the puzzle out loud. “I knew the prince would not let you go so easily, so I have spent the last year planning, learning everything about my future bride while I bided my time.”
I didwhatnow?
No, no,no… he asked fora hand! I’m sure of it—like a favor or something. Not to literally marry him. I would have never agreed to that. I strain to remember the details of our interaction at the ball, but everything from that night is a hazy blur of brain fog and stress.There’s no way I agreed to be whisked away like this.
He paces the length of the room. It’s smaller than Queen Plume’s tower, with dark stone and things like swords,instruments, and painting supplies stashed in the corner. It’s strange. Why would he keep weapons inside a jail cell?
“No? You asked if I could give you a hand. Like, when a friend asks for a ride to the airport or help moving a couch.”Not to get married.
“Ah, then … will you help me move this … chair?” He pulls an ornate wooden chair across the room.
“And then you’ll take me back?”I ask, walking to the chair in question. It’s a tufted red velvet seat he could easily lift on his own. Carefully, I slide my phone up my sleeve before lifting the chair just a little.
“And then we’ll be good?” I clarify.
“Andthenwe will get married.” He smirks, and oh my God … I can already tell this is going to be impossible.
“I’m not helping you do shit!” I shout. Doing the only reasonable thing I can think of with the chair, I throw it at him.
“I mean, technically-speaking, you did move it,”he says, lightly kicking the wooden legs with the toe of his boot. “And vulgarity suits you.”
I didn’t think I could hate anyone more than my first kidnapper, Chris. Butthis guyis proving to be even more annoying.
“What do you want?” I ask, throwing my arms in the air.
“You, Heather. I think I have made that clear.”
“What … with threats, blackmail, and torture?”
