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“It depends. Before you, I would go three days without seeing anyone but Flora.” His jaw tightens after mentioning her name, and guilt slams into me like a ton of bricks falling onto my head.
“I’m sorry about her.”
“She knew what she was doing. Saving you was more important.”
“But why? Just because Taranus thinks I’m part of some prophecy?”
“You are the prize to be won, Ember.”
“You guys have your wires crossed. I told you I’m nobody.”
“And, as I told you, you’re wrong.” When I turn to him, he smiles softly. “Everyone is someone.”
“Everyone but me. Trust me.” Swallowing hard, I take a deep breath. “I’m sorry about being so angry yesterday. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”
“You’re trapped in a strange world where nearly everyone you’ve met has lied to you.”
“Have you? Lied to me.”
“Never,” he replies. “You’ll get nothing but truth from me, Ember.”
“Hmm.” Drawing my knees up to my chest, I wrap both arms around them. “Surprisingly, this is not the worst place I’ve ever slept.” My attempt at a joke is half-hearted at best, and based on Rafferty’s reaction, he certainly doesn’t see the humor.
“You said you were an orphan?”
“Never knew my parents. I was abandoned at an orphanage, but after multiple attempts at adopting me out, I tried to run away. Spent a month living on the streets, eating scraps from the garbage.” For others who hear the story, it brings horror. But that month was the most free I’d ever felt. At least, until I became an adult. Those few years of freedom before I was imprisoned by illness were pure bliss.
“That’s horrible.”
“It is what it is. Just pointing out that things can always be worse.”
“Worse than being held captive? I fear what your life was before here if it were truly worse.”
“I’m dying.” The words are out of my mouth before I can filter them. Very few times have I ever been so blunt about it, so honest—mainly because I despise the pitied looks from people when they find out the truth. “It’s not just that I’m sick; the disease is killing me.”
But Rafferty looks at me with no pity now. It’s refreshing. “You look fine to me.”
“It’s different here. I’ve spent the last five years searching for answers as to why my body was shutting down, and no one could tell me anything. Just before I left for Ireland, a doctor informed me that my life was nearing an end. That I needed to get my affairs in order and turn myself in for hospice care.” A tear slips down my cheek, and I rest my face on my knees. “I was hot all the time, sweaty, and unable to eat anything without puking it back up.”
“But you do not feel that way here?”
I shake my head. “Ever since I woke up in that forest, I’ve felt more like myself than I have in years. Honestly, before I realized what an asshole Taranus was, I would have given nearly anything to stay.”
A muscle in his jaw ticks. “And now? How do you feel now?”
It’s my turn to look angry now. “I would rather die than spend another moment with him.”
We settle back into silence, our breathing the only sound in the small space. Footsteps echo ahead, and I jump to my feet, reaching between my breasts and withdrawing the tonic. “Where can I hide this?” I whisper, loudly.
Rafferty reaches forward, so I hand it to him, and he tucks it behind him. I rush to the back of the cell as Rafferty remains seated. Though, even I notice how his muscles coil in preparation for a fight.
“How was your first night down here, human?” Conary’s voice grates on me like a dozen tiny blades as he comes into view at the bottom of the stairs. I don’t speak, though, mainly because I’m far too terrified of what his being down here means for me.
“What the hell do you want, Conary?” Rafferty questions, still not moving from his spot.
“Thought the soon-to-be queen could use some fresh clothes.” He holds them through the bars, staring straight at me. “Come and get them.”
“Just leave them and go.” Rafferty yawns and crosses both arms over his broad chest.
