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“The Northlands are the heart of winter. It never warms up here. Oh, the snow recedes a bit, and a spare vegetation grows and flowers, but there’s never really any warmth here.”
“I know. I had just returned to my home from a journey here when Hyto captured me. While up here, I stayed with Howl’s people, down near the Skirts of Hel.” It was a calculated risk, mentioning the Great Winter Wolf Spirit, but I was willing to chance it.
Hanna dropped her comb. “Howl? You know the Elemental Lord?”
“Yes, I do.” I stood and turned to her. “He was gracious in his hospitality. He is a powerful friend. A powerful ally. I believe he’s near, isn’t he?”
Her gaze darting frightened glances toward the cage with her son in it, she paused for a moment, then retrieved the comb. “Your hair is nearly dry. Now you must dress and then attend the Master in his chamber.”
Crap. Not enough to push her into helping. I reached out, lightly touched her arm. “Please, please, help me. I can’t stand the thought of going to him. He’ll . . . I’m sure you’ve seen what he’s done with other—toys—haven’t you? How many survive? How many scream for help as he tears them apart? How many bones has he tossed to the side?”
Tears began to form in her eyes. “You look so much like my Sifonar. So much . . . but she is no longer here for me to protect. My son is, however.” Then, with a final shake of the head, she added, “I cannot help you. I can’t risk harm my own flesh and blood to help a stranger.”
I dropped my hand. Of course she couldn’t, and I knew it—knew it in my heart, in my gut. I didn’t expect her to sacrifice her son for me. “Yeah. And that’s exactly what I’m asking, isn’t it? I’m sorry. Of course you can’t help me. I wouldn’t compromise my sisters for a stranger.” Resigned, feeling numb, I shrugged out of the blanket. “Where are my clothes?”
“He wishes you to wear clothing of his choice.” Hanna reached out, holding tight to my wrist. “Please, don’t hate me,” she said, a pleading look on her face.
“I don’t.” I shook my head, and meant every word. “I don’t hate you, but you need to understand, I’m probably walking in to my death. And he’s setting up my husband—his own son—to die. Don’t you understand? Hyto is my father-in-law.”
A look washed across her face, a mixture of disgust and horror. “No. You are his family?”
“Apparently, to Hyto, family members don’t get free passes.” Hardening myself, I held out my arms. I’d have to be strong, have to cope with whatever was coming my way because right now I wasn’t seeing any way out of this. “Dress me.”
Hanna moved silently, avoiding my stare. She pulled out a silver thong. As I stepped into it, the silk of the material slid luxuriously against my skin, and my butt never felt quite so exposed, even when I was naked.
I felt like a prize cow, preparing to be paraded around the room before slaughter. Hanna then draped a sheer gown over my shoulders. It fastened in front with a jeweled clasp, so that my breasts rounded heavily over the top, exposed and full. I shivered as she dusted my nipples with a shimmering powder the color of ice.
As comfortable as I was in my body, the mere thought of Hyto seeing me naked made me sick to my stomach. I wanted to run and hide. Or maybe I should just jump off the edge of the world out on the ledge and go flying to my death. The thought gave me some comfort—if his torture was too painful, I could throw myself over the edge.
“You must eat before you go in.” She led me to a table, where I sat and she brought me a slab of toasted bread with a soft cheese spread thickly across the top. It had the slight fragrance of honey in it, and even though my stomach protested, I forced myself to eat. I’d need all the strength I could get. Hanna offered me a pint of ale and I drank that, too, wincing at the heavy taste of yeast.
“I can’t believe I’m here.” I stared into my stein. Maybe I could do like Chase and project myself onto the astral—in body. I could find my way home from here that way. But I’d never done so before without the help of the Moon Mother, or without someone else’s magic. It wasn’t one of my talents and I wasn’t sure how to go about it. But if Chase had managed . . . maybe I could, too?
Three bells rang, chiming through the cavern. Hanna frantically grabbed the stein away and pointed toward a hole in the corner. There were torn shreds of rough paper next to it. “Go to the bathroom, now. While you have the chance. The Master . . . rejoices in humiliation.” Her words were low but the meaning clear. “Hurry. That is the signal to bring you to him.”
I quickly used the rough outhouse and, shaking, washed my hands in the basin of cold water next to it.
Hoping against hope that a miracle would break through and save me, I stumbled behind Hanna as she led me through a maze of tunnels. It must have taken only minutes, but it felt like hours. Then, without warning, we were at the entrance to a gigantic chamber. A huge platform sat in the back of the room, and a smaller throne, sculpted from the very rock, sat in front of the dais. Instinctively, I knew that the platform was for Hyto when he was in dragon form.
As we stood in the entrance, a faint noise emanated from behind the platform. There, in the light of a fire that burned brightly to one side, stood Hyto in his flowing robes. His gaze caught mine from across the room and, never once looking away, he crossed the floor and settled on the throne. With a single motion, he gestured for me to move forward.
Hanna caught her breath and I heard a catch in her throat as she stroked my hair and whispered. “I’m sorry, Camille. I’m sorry. I hope . . . I’ll be here when you . . . if you . . .”
“If I survive,” I said slowly. And then, because there was nothing left for me to do, I moved forward, into the dragon’s lair.
A low drumbeat seemed to follow my footsteps—perhaps it was the beating of my heart—as I slowly approached Hyto. I was shaking so hard my teeth chattered. I wanted to cover my breasts, to cover my body, to slink away, but I knew that he wanted me to feel that way. He wanted to humiliate me, to break me, so I forced my shoulders back and did not look away.
As I approached him, his gaze fastened on my body, and his hair wove around him, waving like the arms of some wild creature, sinuous and terrifying—totally unlike how Smoky’s hair moved on its own.
“Ah, here she comes, with rosy cheeks and breasts so bare . . .” Hyto’s voice was thick with sarcasm as he leaned forward. “If you were a dragon, you’d be an ugly duckling. As it is, for a mortal, you are attractive enough.” He paused, and then suddenly one loop of hair shot forward and punched me in the stomach hard enough to knock me off my feet.
With a startled cry, I went stumbling against the rocks, feeling the backs of my thighs scrape on a sharp ledge. Hyto laughed.
“Stand up, girl. Now.”
I scrambled to my feet, trying to ignore the sting from his lash.
“Rule number one: When I address you, you will reply, ‘Yes, Master.’ Do you understand?” There was no room for negotiation in the command, and I knew better than to piss him off. Much better to pick and choose my battles, and this one wasn’t worth fighting.
