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Eleven
Kelia
I’d been pacing in my room, thinking on everything I learned yesterday.
I knew little about dark fae, but I was sure that Queen Merelda wouldn’t let me leave unless I helped her, but this thing between her and Callum added a dangerous element I didn’t know how to navigate. Why did she needhim?
The servant had left out a black leather outfit, pants, and a tight fitted shirt. I pulled at my groin area, uncomfortable with the tight clothing. Besides the outfit, no one told me of the plan or when and where we were going.
And where was Callum?
I swung the door open, needing to speak with him. He nearly fell into the room. He righted himself, his hair pulled into a top knot and a black mask covering the top portion of his face except his eyes, making his light gaze too piercing and haunting to look at, but even with the covering, he seemed tired.
“What are you doing?” I asked, holding the door open.
“Making sure you don’t have any unwanted visitors,” he said, leaning against the doorway. “Battle gear suits you well.”
I went to close the door behind me, but he stopped it with his hands.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
His gaze darkened and he pushed me inside the room. “We’re safer together. Don’t ease up in this place. You’re being way too casual.”
Glancing down the hall, shadows danced along the ceiling, a mass that flashed a set of silver eyes before vanishing.
“We can work on your lessons while we wait.”
“Our lessons are unnecessary,” I stated, ignoring the excitement building inside me as Callum stalked across the room.
“There’s no touching in this one. Strictly talking.” He folded his arms, waiting for a response, his gaze constantly scanning the room.
“Will it be something useful?”
He moved dangerously close. “I would not waste your time otherwise. My survival is hinged on yours.”
With him hovering, I pushed against his chest, creating distance. “Then speak.”
“When you understand what a dark fae desires, it’s easy to manipulate that want and need to satisfy your own.” He placed one hand on the wall next to my head. “In the Underground the weak do not survive, and if you can’t understand how to conquer, you’ll be gobbled up before you leave the palace.”
“I highly doubt that.”
He moved to whisper by my ear, planting his other hand on the other side of the wall by my head. “Queen Merelda needs us more than we need her. Wait until she’s desperate, when she shows that emotion you always try to hide, and then you strike.”
My heart raced as his breath blew against my face, speaking so low I wondered if he thought the walls could hear us. “My mission here is clear. I can handle the queen.”
I went to push him away and he grabbed my arm, eyeing me dangerously, and with a wicked gleam. “Don’t underestimate her. You’ll kill us both.”
I shoved him back but not as hard as I normally would have. “Your concern is noted . . . and . . . appreciated.”
His eyes widened in shock as if me giving thanks was such an unnatural thing. I wasn’t without manners.
“You’ve taught me enough,” I said in a plain tone. “Once I retrieve the child, you will have your freedom as agreed.”
Callum nodded, his tense body relaxing as he rolled out his shoulders. “Well, I’m glad I’ve been useful.”
He spun around and headed for the door, opening it and checking the corridor before waving me ahead. Only when he exited the room, did I breathe. If Callum was worried for my safety than it meant we really were in danger.
Holding my head high, I gathered my thoughts and left the room. Callum waited in the hallway, a smirk on his face as if the worry he had shown only moments ago never existed.
