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A tear came to her eye, and she roughly brushed it away. No. No, she couldn’t break down. Not here. Not now.
She turned her back on the father and daughter and waited for the crushing weight on her chest to alleviate. She couldn’t fix anything if she wallowed in what could have been. She wasn’t doing a great job just yet of fixing anything, but she wouldn’t be able to do anything if she gave up now.
“Oh, and who are you?” Danae asked, coming up behind her and putting her hand on her shoulder.
Kerrigan flinched from the girl’s touch.
“Day,” Constantine admonished. “She was with Flavia for days.”
Danae frowned. “I see. My apologies for touching you without your consent.”
Kerrigan nearly laughed in derision. As if anyone had ever asked her permission for anything here. “I was purchased. I didn’t know I had consent.”
Danae shot her father a reproving look. “I see you’ve made a mess of it.”
“What was I supposed to do? We’ll still have to make up the cost of her.”
“She’s traumatized.”
Constantine shrugged. “It was me or Tarcus.”
Danae raised a hand. “Say no more.”
“She’s not a new friend, Day,” he reminded her.
“I can hear you both,” Kerrigan snapped, taking another step away from them. “I can hear everything you’re saying. You don’t have to act like I’m not here. Just tell me what you’re going to do with me and be done with it.”
Constantine looked flustered by her outburst. So far, she hadn’t said much to him. His chest puffed out, and he seemed half-ready to yell at her, but Danae put herself between them. “Go deal with Evander. You made it home safe. That’s enough of a joyous occasion. I will help the girl.” She turned to face Kerrigan. “Your name? I apologize for not asking earlier.”
“Felicity,” Constantine barked.
Danae tilted her head. “Is it?”
“That’s what Flavia said.”
“You go by Felicity?” Danae asked skeptically. “It doesn’t quite fit.”
Kerrigan narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”
“Day,” Constantine warned.
“Nothing,” she said cheerfully, letting it go. “Felicity it is, but if you have another name … I would be happy to call you whatever you choose.”
Constantine grasped his daughter’s arm and drew her away. The air seemed to close off around them as he spoke to her. She waved him away, as if whatever he was saying was ridiculous and he didn’t need to worry. Kerrigan wished more than ever that she had her powers in that moment.
“Okay, I’m going to help you out. I bet you’re dying for a bath and a solid nap,” Danae said, breaking away. “My father said you’re still in magic burn. I can help speed it up, but it’ll be better for both of us if you sleep it off.”
In that moment, Kerrigan felt unbelievably tired. As if she could hardly keep her head up. She’d slept on horseback and under magic burn, but none of that had been restful.
Still, she felt wary of this man, his daughter, their life. She didn’t know what he wanted from her. She didn’t know what her next move was.
“And you’re not going to force yourself on me?” she asked.
Danae put a hand to her mouth and looked at her father with wide eyes.
Constantine’s were firmly on Kerrigan and didn’t waver as he seemed to look her over. “Is that what you’re worried about?”
“Isn’t that why you purchased me?”
He took a step forward, and all the air left her lungs as she had to tilt her head back to look at him.
“I do not have to force myself upon anyone,” he said, his voice lethally low.
“And your men?”
“My men follow my command.”
“I will kill anyone who touches me.” It was a promise, and fire danced in her eyes as she dared him to do just that.
He frowned down at her, as if she were a particularly difficult puzzle to solve. “I almost believe you.”
“You should,” she said with as much conviction as she could muster.
“Interesting.” He turned to Danae. “Take care of her.”
Then, he stepped away, leaving the room empty of oxygen in the wake of his absence.
8
The Two Worlds
Danae waved her father off. “Don’t mind him. He’s always like that.”
Danae looped her arm through Kerrigan’s. She pulled her eyes away from Constantine’s retreating back to look at his daughter. She was shocked to find that Danae didn’t have brown eyes, but they were so gray that they were almost colorless.
“Come on. This way. Let’s get you somewhere to rest.”
Danae pulled her out of the altar room.
“Why are you being so nice to me?” Kerrigan asked.
“Should I not be? You were put in a bad situation. I’m sure you’re terrified. I wouldn’t want to make any of that worse.”
Kerrigan considered the girl. She seemed sincere. There was no deception coming off of her, but Kerrigan had made enough mistakes since falling into Domara. She couldn’t afford another one.
