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Faye took a labored breath, stirring the soup she had no intention of eating before turning to Sadi— the kinder of her two jailers. “I can’t give him what he wants if I don’t know what it is. Tell me what it is so I can go home.” Darkness, she was so tired. “Just tell me what he wants.”
Sadi lowered her gaze, petting the soul shard embedded in her articulated ring that looked more like armor. Faye bit the inside of her lip, keeping perfectly still. The Familiar was wavering.
Her gaze flicked up, meeting Faye’s. She parted her lips but said nothing before glancing back down. She muttered words too low for Faye to hear. It sounded like a prayer, something about walking the twisted path of madness.
Sadi met her gaze once more, clasping her hands in her lap before saying, “You’re fated to him.”
Rune stood, phasing out of his study the moment he heard Sadi’s damning words. He materialized beside her and glared coldly at Faye. The mortal refused to eat, or don the clothing he’d acquired for her, or even bathe. He glanced at Sadi who greeted him with a weak smile.
“If you would leave us,” he said, planning on exchanging words with her at a later time. Sadi stood and vanished as Rune turned his attention to Faye. “A spell has tied a fated bond between us. That is the reason you are here.”
The minx met his gaze and visibly recoiled, dropping her spoon. “Fated? As in your mate?”
The peasant deemedhimill-suited for her. “I assure you. The feeling is mutual.”
If you don’t want her, get out of the way.The Ra’Voshnik circled the edges of his mind. It disagreed with his methods, constantly demanding he return Faye’s sister. Rune dragged it away, cruelly sinking his claws into it until its cries were silenced while the minx stammered, “Butyou’renot a Familiar.”
“I am aware. This is a spell tying me to you, blessing me with your mortality. I mean to break it and be free of you.” She flinched, dropping his gaze. Her pain intensified the bothersome twinge in his chest. It gnawed deeper, leaving him feeling hollow.
“What if you really are fated to me?” Faye asked quietly, lifting the blanket to cover her chest.
“Impossible. You are mortal.”
Her gaze shot to him. “I’m twenty-five. I could still be immortal.”
Rune shook his head once. “Sadi investigated your line. We have confirmed your mortality.”
The minx pulled her knees to her chest, curling forward. “I want to go home.”
The Ra’Voshnik roared from its confines, pressing him to comfort his mate. To sit beside her and take her in his arms. Soothe her and brush her hurt away. While the rational mind that kept him among the living for thirty centuries demanded he distance himself from her. His thoughts and emotions stood in conflict, paining something deep within him. He moved her tray closer, grating, “Eat.”
Her back straightened, and she glared at him with glassy eyes. “Death in one will claim you both.” Surprise momentarily crossed his features and the minx smiled bitterly. “Sparrow taught me that. You need me alive. Take me to my sister, or I will escort us both to the Darkness.”
“I will escort you to Anaria to see your sister, but you will remain with me under my protection until I break the tie between us.”
“I won’t eat as long as you keep me here.”
Rune took Sadi’s seat and leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees. At her level, he held her gaze. “Understand me. I have lived for a very long time. I will not surrender my life to your care.”
The minx shifted her shoulders, looking him up and down before saying, “You have no choice in the matter.”
“I have attempted to allow you dignity since you are a dark-blood.”
“I’m not a dark-blood,” she hissed.
A growl rumbled from his throat and Faye stilled. She hid it well, but he could hear the increasing rhythm of her heart. “You are a dark-blood. It is time you acted like one.”
“If you don’t let me go home, we will return to the Darkness together.”
“Do not push me. I am more than capable of keeping you alive. It will be unpleasant, and you will never see your sister again.” Her complexion blanched, but she stubbornly stared at him, remaining silent. “Do we understand each other?”
The minx nodded and looked away. “I want to spend a few hours each day in Anaria.”
“We can discuss a schedule after you have eaten.”
“I’ll eat in Anaria.” Rune leaned back in his chair, and the minx slumped her shoulders. “You’ve kept me from my sister for four days. Please, I promise I’ll eat there.”
“I will take you back to Anaria after I look into your mind.”
