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Rune knocked once against the doorframe before entering. The peasant sat in the window staring out over his realm. He wondered what she thought of it. If she found the ever-twilight sky as soothing as he did and immediately growled at himself. He cared not if she found his realm pleasing.
Her torn robe offered him a view of the smooth skin of her back. The Ra’Voshnik rose, frantically circling his mind.Our queen is upset with you. Mend things with her. Rune dragged it down, silencing it. The fool creature would invite his death to his bed if he allowed it.
She watched his reflection. A defiant mask settled over her features as she straightened her back. “Are you going to keep me in this room forever?”
The Ra’Voshnik seized on her word.Ours forever,it feverishly whispered from the depths of his mind. Rune muttered a curse in High Tongue. The way the creature fawned over this mortal was unacceptable. “Cooperate, so I can be rid of you.”
She turned towards him then. The lightening in her midnight eyes flared, prepared to strike. “You do need me.”
“I do not need you.” The Ra’Voshnik fought him viciously, struggling to surface. It purred its desire, wanting her splayed beneath him. The misted veined shadows crept from beneath his eyes as he clenched his jaw, drawing it back. Rune thinned his lips. “You try my patience.”
She raised her chin as though to claim she’d won and turned to stare out the window once more.
“What is your name?” When she refused to reply, he added, “Would you rather I keep calling you mortal? Or perhaps pet?”
Her attention snapped to him. Her lovely lightning-streaked midnight gaze met his. She remained silent, likely debating her reply. Scheming minx. After long moments, she reluctantly answered, “Faye.”
Faye, the Ra’Voshnik purred her name, savoring the feel of it on its tongue.
“You need to eat.”
She glanced at the food then back at him. “I’m not hungry.”
“If you are attempting to wait me out, you will find I am quite the patient man.”
Her eyes narrowed at his remark. “You’re not a man.”
‘No,” he supposed he wasn’t. “Not in your sense of the word.” He glanced over the untouched food spread over the table, aware she watched his reflection. “Nothing offered appeals to you?”
“I don’t eat any of that.”
“Finish a meal, and I will allow you to pen a letter to your sister.”
“I’ll eat when I’m at my kitchen table.”
His gaze flicked upward for a moment before settling on her again. “You will eat here. You have no choice in the matter.”
She squared her shoulders and the corner of Rune’s mouth lifted. Such a proud thing for having so little.
“You need me more than I need you.”
Rune bristled. “I do notneedyou.”
Faye leaned forward. “Then let me go.”
“You shall be freed after my task is completed.”
“What is the task?” His lips thinned at her question.
“You will eat when you are hungry.” Rune turned. “I’ve arranged clothing and essentials to be brought in for you.”
“I don’t want it.”
Rune spoke over his shoulder as he left her room. “You will wear the clothing I purchased because I need to look upon you.”
Her spiteful words followed him into the hall. “No, I won’t.”
