Page 7

A blow sent my head snapping back against the stone, and I slumped forward, held up only by the chains as my vision blurred. Something hot and wet ran down the back of my neck.

“Try to keep his head intact so he can answer us. Lift his chin.” Serano’s face swam in front of me as he forced a small vial to my mouth. Someone held my head back as a warm trickle of liquid ran down my throat, burning its way through my chest and into my extremities.

Screams tore from my throat as my body knitted itself together, bones snapping back into place. Every muscle tensed to the point of breaking as I thrust against the wall at an unnatural angle, praying for it to stop until finally, it did.

Breathing hard, I gave my weight to my bonds and lifted my eyes enough to shoot promises of retribution at the man before me.

“Good. Now we have a new canvas to work with. Believe me, I can break and heal you all day long if that’s what it takes.”

“Where did you get that potion?” I ground out. There was only one place a healing of that strength and speed could be found, and the mountain elves would never agree to help or trade with the king. They were my mother’s people, and they were waiting for Nyah and me to return with the evil bastard’s head.

“The king supplies what’s needed. He is quite powerful.”

But he was not a god. Was it possible he had taken some poor elf captive and forced them to create these potions? Who else did he have in these dungeons praying for freedom?

“Where were we?” Serano sighed as though put out. “Ah yes, I want you to recount everything the princess’s shadow hand told you about the king, the princess, or Centos. Start talking or we’ll have to regrow some teeth next time. Terribly painful I’m told.”

Instead of answering, I focused on the tiny vial he waved in front of me, taunting me with the threat of more painful healing. But it was the color that sent shock waves of cold fear through me. The memory of the warm taste on my tongue suddenly made me heave despite the absence of anything in my stomach. It was no potion. It was blood he’d given me.

This was so much worse than having a captive brewing potions. This was taken directly from the veins of a mountain elf. It was the only blood that would have such an effect.

“You sick bastard,” I growled, struggling so hard against my chains that the stone where they connected began to crumble.

Serano’s eyes widened with fear as he leapt backward. But before I could tear myself from the wall, the butt of Rufus’ sword connected with my skull, and everything went black.

Four

Nyah

When I heard someone else in the room, I didn’t look up. Perhaps Rune had come to taunt me or give me false hope. I wished she would just dissolve me fully already. Left alone with only guilt and my memories was a torture I couldn’t continue to bear.

It wasn’t my sister’s voice that greeted me, but the deep sound of Torvo’s that made me lift my head in surprise.

“You are not easy to find, Nyah.”

I sprang to my feet and threw my arms around his neck. The relief of seeing another person was the greatest thing I’d ever felt.

“Rune said I couldn’t bring anyone here. Am I dreaming?” I asked, more endless tears falling as I backed up to take a look at him. He seemed the same as when I’d last seen him, except for the clothing that mirrored that of my father. The deep burgundy made his loose silver hair practically glow. Though he smiled at me, the tight lines marring his handsome face told me he was tense and on edge.

“Sort of,” he answered. “Rune is dreaming, which allowed me to use my magic. And since you are in her mind, I was able to reach you. That’s why I’m here. She would be very upset if she knew, but I had to find you.”

“What’s happening out there? Is Rivven alive? Galan? Tell me, please!” I grasped his hands, squeezing as I begged for information. Not knowing was driving me mad.

“As far as I know, Rivven is still a prisoner in the dungeons. As far as Galan, the king has put out a reward for his capture, but thus far, the search has come up empty. I am sorry. I wish I had more information.”

I nodded, trying to digest the information. Serano’s claim of capturing and torturing Galan had been as false as I’d suspected. A mere illusion. And if our friend hadn’t been discovered, dead or otherwise, it was likely good news. He was as clever as his nickname, The Gray Fox. But Rivven… My heart broke all over again picturing him in the dungeons below, so close and yet so far away. I’d seen what they did to people down there, and I’d never seen anyone escape.

“Thank you for coming,” I sobbed, unable to stop touching Torvo for fear he’d disappear. “I didn’t know. I swear I didn’t.”

“I believe you.”

For the first time since being locked in this pink frilly room, I took a real look around. Then, closing my eyes for barely a second lest I lose sight of my visitor and he disappear, I willed the space to change into something more to my liking as Rune had instructed. We appeared outside in the forest near Mirror Lake in Astridon, where the Imrati had taken place, tall trees reaching toward a cerulean sky. I focused again, and two leather chairs manifested in the clearing where we stood close to the lake’s shore. I’d succeeded in painting my prison with a more palatable guise.

Torvo sat at the edge of one seat and leaned forward, hands clasped in his lap. Again, he appeared to be trying hard to appear relaxed when the bulge of every muscle in his arms and legs told a different story. What wasn’t he saying? What was he trying to hide?

“You found me,” I prompted. I was more grateful than he’d ever know, but there had to be a reason the dream wielder had risked this, beyond missing me. I was only an illusion after all.

“Nyah, are you alright? Do you feel any different?” His gaze softened as did his words. I found it hard to meet his eyes and the pity I found there, so played with the edges of the training leathers I’d dressed myself in—feeling like I had an identity in my familiar garb.