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“No.” Bree shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest. “You will get my room situation changed, and then I will tell you what Iknow.
“You really do like to make things difficult. Do you not, Bree Paine? I can see now why Prince Taveon has found it so difficult to controlyou.”
Bree frowned. “I am not his to control. And I’m not yours to control either. I am my own person, thank you verymuch.”
“Yes, yes.” He waved his hand, smiling. “Do not worry. I shall give you your newquarters.”
Lord Dagen unlocked the cell door, giving each end of the corridor a quick glance before motioning for Bree to join him. He’d gotten rid of the guards somehow, but she imagined it wouldn’t be long before they returned. Not that there was anything they could do to stop them at this point. Dagen had been the Hand of the King, and he was now the most senior member on the council. His word was law, at least until the next ruler ascended to the throne. If he wanted to move Bree to another room, there was nothing anyone could do to stopit.
He led her up the stairs, down another corridor, through another archway, and further along a hallway that was carpeted with swirls of reds and blacks. By her estimation, they were in the same building as they’d been in before, but as far away from the dungeon entrance as they couldbe.
Or at least she thought so. This place was a maze, one she knew she could easily get lost in for months if she went prowling around in the wrongdirection.
“These are your new quarters.” Lord Dagen pushed open a door and motioned Breeinside.
There was a single bed pressed up against a stone wall, and it was positioned between two windows that looked out on the world below. Through the foggy glass, the moon glowed bright and silver in the inky sky. Bree let out a long breath of relief, one so soul-consuming that her entire body relaxed at the end of it. She could see outside. The air coming in through the cracked window was fresh and cool and flowing with the scent ofpine.
It was a small room, with only the bed and a small oval table tucked into the corner. But she didn’t care. This was practically a five star luxury resort compared to where she’d spent the past couple ofweeks.
“This is perfect,” Bree said with a smile, sighing one more time as she scanned theroom.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the Lord staring at her. With a slight hitch in her breath, she cast a sideways glance his way. In the dark moonlit room, he looked far different than he normally did. There was something much softer about his appearance, as if a mask had fallen away to reveal the true male underneath. His dark eyes gleamed, flecks of gold lit up like beams of light shining from within. His golden hair curled around his pointed ears, the soft strands brushing against the back of hisneck.
“What are you doing?” Bree whispered, though she didn’t entirely know what she was asking. He was just standing there, afterall.
“I was only thinking that this room suits you.” A pause. “You have never looked more alive here than you do in this moment. And that includes the moment you were forced to dance in front of usall.”
Bree frowned at the memory. “Don’t lie. You probably loved seeing me humiliated in front of everyone. And then shot by order of the futureKing.”
He arched an eyebrow. “I have heard that rumor as well. You truly think the Prince ordered thatshot?”
“He admitted to it.” A bitter taste filled her mouth as she remembered the look of disdain on Taveon’s face when he’d told her exactly what he’ddone.
“No wonder you are willing to spy for me.” Dagen shifted toward her, and his large shoulder blocked out the firelight behind him. “I did wonder if you were merely attempting to play me at my own game, but I see now that you are sincere in this. I am sorry I doubted you. This room is yours, for as long as you stay here at thecastle.”
“The rest of my life then,” Bree said with afrown.
Dagen paused but then he stepped closer. “Now, I have given you your room. What is the information you havelearned?”
“Taveon said he’s going to name Conlan or Branok as his Hand. He wrote you off because...well, he doesn’t like you. And Rafe’s not on the short list because he’s not a political fae or whatever.” Bree shrugged. “I’m sorry it’s not a more exciting answer. It was pretty much what I expected him to say, don’t youthink?”
“Indeed.” Dagen let out a sigh. “Well, a deal is a deal. You now have better quarters. Perhaps you will grow to love this place and the fae withinit.”
“This place is an eyesore,” Bree said. “And the fae within it have been nothing but cruel to me. ExceptRafe.”
“And he is the only fae to have been kind to you?” Dagen arched an eyebrow. “No one else in the entirety of thiscastle?”
“No one else. So you can see why I’m not exactly crazy about calling this place my foreverhome.”
Dagen’s face clouded over, and he turned away. “I see. Well, enjoy your new quarters. I will get your belongings from the cell sent here. Send word when you have more information to share withme.”
