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16
BREE
Lord Worm pierced Rafe’s skin with the sharp side of his blade. Bree’s heart lurched forward like a horse desperately trying to free its hooves from squelching mud. Desperation and horror clawed at her throat, emitting as a strained hiss. They’d overstayed their welcome, and she’d heard the threat. The Worm would kill them both.
“I asked,” the Worm said, sneering at her, “why the hell are you still here?”
She held up her hands, pleading with him with her eyes. “I’m sorry. We lost track of time. It’s just so beautiful in here, and you have so many books.”
His dark eyes moved to the book she clutched to her chest. Curiosity flickered, but it was quickly replaced by rage. “I allow visitors to look. Not touch.”
“Oh.”
He stared her down. Slowly, she lowered the book to the shelf just behind her, though her fingers itched to snatch it back.
“Well, thank you for letting us look around,” she tried, wringing her hands. “We’ll just be going now. Apologies for staying a tad too long.”
He flashed his teeth, revealing a mouth full of sharpened fangs. Terror thrummed the vein in Bree’s neck, and a warning bell clanged in the back of her head. The Worm’s piercing eyes bored into her skull, melting her bones. And then something slammed into the back of her head.
Darkness dragged her under.
* * *
An elbow jammed into her side, and then something soft fluttered against her chin.
“Bree, Bree,” Rafe whispered into her ear.
She peeled her eyes open to find his face hovering above hers. Concern lined his eyes, and then he let out a tense breath. His hands roamed across her skin, from her arms to her neck to her hair, as if he desperately needed to feel every part of her to know she was okay.
For a moment, she closed her eyes and let him feel her, not ready to face the truth just yet. Lord Worm had cornered them in the library. A damp scent clogged her nostrils. A familiar scent. It reminded her of all those nights she’d spent locked up in Taveon’s dungeons.
“We’re behind bars, aren’t we?” she whispered, not yet daring to open her eyes again.
“I’m afraid so,” he said grimly, his hands pausing at her waist. His fingers tensed around her. “A guard came up behind you and knocked you out. Next thing I knew, the Worm had slammed his sword against my head, too.”
Strangely, Bree’s head felt fine. No headache, no lumpy bruise on the back of her head. Whatever he’d done to her, the fae magic in her body had healed it right up. And it was time to face the truth.
She sat up and glanced around. There wasn’t much to it. It was just like any other cell, and she hated that she was that accustomed to them. Barred walls. Damp, dark stone pathways just outside. Flickering torches that barely provided light. And one single, warped bed the two of them shared. At least the Worm had put them together.
Sighing, she slumped back down. “What are we going to do?”
“Kill him,” Rafe said bitterly.
She smiled. “If only we could. I don’t suppose you were able to get your hands on that book?”
“Unfortunately not.”
Hours passed. She and Rafe stayed on the mattress, tangled in each other’s arms, as they waited for the inevitable. Eventually, the Worm and his soldiers would come for them. Bree tried to focus on the present, on the feel of Rafferty’s arms around hers. She wanted to relish in her time with him before it was gone forever.
Pressing her damp cheek against his shirt, she tipped up her chin to gaze up at him. “I love you, Rafe. You know that, right?”
His eyes softened, despite the fear she knew he felt. “There is no limit to my love for you. You’re the moon in my sky. The stars that light up my nights. Thank you for brightening my life. No matter what happens now, I can die a happy man. Because I got this time with you.”
Tears plopped onto her cheeks. Her chest ached. Her entire body coiled tight. She never should have suggested they come to this place. It had been a wild thought, a snap decision. And it had always been a long shot anyway. Why had she thought coming to a library would make any difference at all?
They needed weapons. Not books.
A door at the end of the corridor opened, and Rafe curled an arm protectively around her, holding her tight against his chest. Bree’s heart pounded loud, rushing into her ears, drowning out even the footsteps she knew came their way. A determination rose up within her as a distant voice called out through the bond. She was so far from Taveon that it was difficult to hear him, but he seemed to scream and shout and rage, somehow knowing what was happening.
