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Sensitive was not a word she would ever use to describe the highest-ranked officer in the realm. Marindal was full of surprises outside her secluded territory. “I wonder what happened,” she said.
“I don’t know. I’ll try to find out more.” He kissed the top of her head. “Apparently, she loved him very much. Who would have thought, right?”
Liora wriggled around until she sat up and faced him. His tender gray eyes gazed upon her with the utmost affection, and she studied the face she had grown to adore. The fine hair flopping so carelessly over his brow, the narrow cheekbones, the curve of the lips which kissed her with such fervor…everything about him was etched into her soul, his outer appearance as well as his inner assets.
She drew her thumb across the side of his face, much like she had done during one of their first meetings. There was no doubting the bond between them was special. As much as she had forgotten over the course of her lifetime, she vowed to always remember everything he had done for her and how much he had meant. Because of her love for him, she would let him go and allow him to return to the life he’d known before she had disrupted it.
Moving forward meant moving on, she realized, and her chest constricted with sentimental tightness. Her breath caught in her throat as she blinked back forming tears. Without warning, she found herself sitting on the cellar floor, alone in the room save for the incandescent sphere. Confused, she looked around to see if her mind was playing tricks on her. Had she really lost control of the dream so soon?
Dazed and unsure of what had gone wrong, she climbed the stairs and filled a glass with cold water from the faucet. The refreshing drink helped soothe the surprise at being back at home so unexpectedly. Her mission for freedom was always her top priority, though, and as soon as she downed another glass of water, she changed into a pair of pants and headed out the door.
Crisp air filled her lungs as she repeated the route she’d been practicing every day. Her legs propelled her toward every foothold, her hands gripping the hardened bark she knew by rote. For each excursion up the tree, she set her goal a little higher, and she fought against the multiple forces dragging her back down.
Once she reached the maximum height she could attain, Liora snapped a twig off the nearest branch. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed it into the air in front of her. It bounced against an invisible barrier and plummeted to the ground. Reminding herself not to watch it fall, she broke off another piece. She used her free hand to hold on to the tree for balance while she threw the twig in a high arc using an underhand motion. The stick hit the shield several feet higher than the first point of impact. It floated in mid-air for a prolonged moment before it dropped, and she didn’t know which side it was on. She was getting closer.
“Don’t look down,” she murmured. The bangle on her left wrist felt unbearably tight, the edges of the metal digging into her skin. Ignoring the pain, she grabbed the next branch and pulled herself up. She lay on her stomach and wrapped her arms and legs around the sturdy limb. “Don’t look down, don’t look down,” she repeated as she inched her way out.
Every part of her quaked uncontrollably, and she was afraid to let go of the branch for a split second. One wrong move would mean certain death. Not only would she have failed, Stephen would be stuck in Marindal forever. Clutching the wood below her with every ounce of strength, she lifted her hand and reached out as far as she could go.
Her fingertips glided over the magical enclosure keeping her imprisoned. It felt different from the last time she’d beaten her fists against it. Poking and prodding at it, she felt resistance before her fingers popped through to the other side. She gasped, nearly losing her balance, and jerked her hand back.
Freedom was in sight. Her chosen path dangled in front of her nose, enticing her. She willed herself to climb to her feet, to make the last leap out of her confinement. Paralyzed by a combination of the fear of falling and the metaphysical chains binding her to the sphere, she was unable to close the gap. Though she had grown stronger, she was not yet at the point of overcoming all which held her captive.
Performing her actions in reverse, Liora scooted back to the center of the tree and navigated her way down to the ground. She was in good spirits as she ambled back to the cottage, contemplating what finally hovered within her grasp. Her days in Marindal were numbered, and she was eager to start building her life on her own terms.
Thirvar waited for her inside, his intimidating frame squeezed into one of the chairs at the table. “Out for an evening constitutional?” he asked.
She stumbled through the doorway, but caught herself in time. Showing no outward signs of fear, she matched his snide tone in her response. “Yes, my lord. It gets awfully stuffy in here sometimes. I needed a little fresh air.”
His gaze traveled down her body, and he nodded at her chosen attire. “You are dressed inappropriately for a woman in my kingdom.”
“I’m sorry, sir. It’s a bit chilly outside, and the pants also protect my legs from any scratchy weeds or fallen branches.” She tugged at the snug fabric. “Had I known you were coming, I would have been sure to make myself look presentable for you.”
“Mm-hmm.”
She had no idea if he believed her excuses, so she tried to change the subject. “Is there a problem, my lord? I checked the shield earlier today and I did not see any weakened areas.”
Thirvar rose from his seat and crossed the small living space. He stood directly in front of her, dwarfing her with his incredible size. There was a time she would have bowed her head, either out of deference or dread for what he would have to say. Today, she met his icy glare with one of her own.
“Liora, Liora…” He clicked his tongue and shook his head. “If I can’t trust you here by yourself, I’m afraid I might have to bring you to the castle. And since I can’t always keep an eye on you myself, the dungeon may be the only suitable place.”
His threat had no effect on her. “With all due respect, sir, I have been performing my duties as instructed. I’m sure the quality of my work would suffer if I were housed in such dismal accommodations.”
The fathomless brown eyes never blinked as he twirled one of her golden waves around a single, meaty finger. “Be careful, Liora. You haven’t completely regained my trust after that expedition of yours. I’m still not happy with you.”
“I can’t speak for your happiness, but I will continue to do my job. No more, no less.”
Before the last word left her mouth, he shoved her to the wall. His body pressed against hers, and his forearm leaned into her throat. “I think my little pet is forgetting who her master is. My word is law, and if I ask you to please me, you will acquiesce.”
She couldn’t speak and she couldn’t scream. Even if she forced out a sound, there was no one nearby to help her. His free hand resumed toying with the lock of hair, his fingers combing through her tresses. She believed he wouldn’t kill her but, as he had proven before, there were plenty of ways to make her miserable. While defiance had worked in her favor to save Stephen, she wasn’t positive the outcome would be the same should she try it again. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back against the wall, accepting defeat and submitting to his will.
Thirvar laughed. “Smart move, my sweet.”
He released his hold on her. When she opened her eyes, she saw a pitiless grin spread beneath the titian curls of his mustache. “I will concede that a pretty thing such as yourself has no place in my dungeon. However, upon my return to the castle, I shall be sending a guard out here to your door. We really can’t be too careful when it comes to your strolls through the woods.”
Liora sank to the floor as he stomped out of the house, struggling to catch her breath and come to terms with what had transpired. He had succeeded in rattling her nerves, yet he would never break her spirit. Whatever he may throw her way, she could fight it and persevere. She was strong. His defeat was imminent.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
