“I’d rather be Ruarc’s seventh wife than go back to my pack as a human,” I declared defiantly.
Sia’s expression darkened, and the ominous purple dot in his eyes reappeared. “You did not just say that,” he growled.
“Yes, Crinka. You did not just say that,” Massa chimed in as he lounged on his bed, his legs crossed. I couldn’t fathom why he was still present. Sia and I were in the middle of a conversation, and a bit of privacy would have been appreciated.
“Of course not,” I responded, glaring at Massa. “I don’t want to be a bloodsucker.”
“Well, that’s a bummer,” Massa remarked casually. “I’m sure you would have looked badass with red eyes. It would totally match your hair.”
“But Hanos didn’t have red eyes, Massa.”
“That’s because he wears contact lenses. And add ‘king’ the next time you refer to my uncle. The walls have ears, you know.”
“And eyes,” I retorted. “Not contact lenses.”
“A vampire is no doe.”
“I don’t care.”
“When you’re done bickering with my brother, go ahead and pack your bags,” Sia said coolly.
“I can’t believe you’re the one saying this to me. Just a few days ago, you were begging me to stay, and today you’re asking me to leave. The hell?”
“I don’t want to argue with you, Crinka, so just leave,” he said, and I let out a tired yawn. I had just woken up from sleep, but I still felt exhausted.
“Well, let’s not argue, then. I’m staying, and that’s final.”
“Crinka, listen to me.”
“I only listen to people who make sense. You’re not making sense right now.”
He groaned. “Will you stop being so obstinate and just know your place?”
“I know my place, Sia, and it’s beside you.”
“No, it’s not. Crinka, you and I might share a blood bond, but it doesn’t mean we’re equals. You are way beneath me, and I wonder what ever made me bond with you in the first place.”
I shook my head, refusing to believe his words. “You’re lying. You… You called me your queen.”
He scoffed. “I only did that to get in your pants.”
I staggered back, my heart heavy. This couldn’t be true. He must be lying.
“You’re lying, Sia. I know it! Why… Why are you doing this?”
“I don’t owe you any explanation.”
“The hell you don’t. You owe me a damn explanation, Sia. You can’t just drop something like this and not explain it to me. Why are you being so cruel? I’m the mean one in this relationship, and you… You’re supposed to be the good one.”
He smirked, and it was a malicious expression. “Ever heard of switching sides? Well, I just did. Pack your bags and go back home.”
“No. Home is where the heart is, and right now, my heart is with you.”
“You’re really foolish, Crinka. Giving your heart to a man you don’t even know.”
“I know you, Sia, and I know that this… this isn’t you. So please stop. Don’t ask me to leave; I beg you. I’ve come this far, and I can’t just go back.”
“You can, Crinka. I’ll help you. Now go to my room, pack your damn bags, and I’ll send you out of the iced mountains.”
“I’m not going anywhere. Why are you speaking as if you’ve forgotten that we’re blood-bonded? I can’t leave you, Sia. I’d die if I did.”
“Then die so we can have our peace!” he roared.
That was the last straw. I joined Massa on the bed, staring at Sia in shock. For him to look me in the eye and wish me dead was heart-wrenching. Massa cast me an apologetic look.
“Do you… Do you hate me so much that you wish me death?” I asked quietly.
He snorted. “Of course, I hate you. Loving you isn’t even an option.”
I shook my head, still in denial. “You… You said you care about me, Sia.”
“Like I said earlier, it was just to get in your pants, Crinka.”
I rose to my feet and slapped him. He glared at me furiously, holding his face.
“I… I don’t regret coming into your life or marking you. What I regret, however, is falling in love with a man like you. I’ll leave, and when I do, don’t you dare come looking for me. I’ll move on, find someone who’s probably better than you and Ruarc put together. He’ll love me, and I’ll love him too. I’ll forget you and everything about you. And if I can’t…”, I pause, wiping away a tear. ‘ll forget you and everything about you. And if I can’t…” I paused, wiping away a tear. “If I can’t forget you, Sia Lancaster, I’ll take the memories of our time together to my grave. Goodbye.”
Angry, hurt, and heartbroken, I turned on my heel and walked away.
…
“Where do you think you’re going, Clepp?”
I halted in my tracks, my heart racing. I had hoped no one would notice me leaving. I pushed the small luggage behind me, smiling nervously at Thjis. His brow was raised, arms folded behind his back as he peered at me from where he stood on the grand staircase, waiting for a reply.
I gave him one once I had collected myself. “Um… I was going for a walk.”
“And this walk requires you to come to the palace? I wasn’t born yesterday, Clepp. I know you’re trying to escape.”
“I think ‘leaving’ is the right word.”
“Do you actually think that you can come here, invade my palace, steal my intel, and then leave here alive?”
My heart thumped in my chest, and it was a wonder it was still beating. “I’m not… I didn’t steal any intel. I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
“Of course, you would deny it. You’re no different from your father,” he spat out.
“What do you mean? How do you know my father?”
“Everyone who was born in my time knows your father, but not everyone knows you are his daughter. I’ll tell you the story another day if you’ll be alive to see another day. You there, seize her and take her to the dungeons.”
My eyes widened as two guards seized my arms. Their grip was tight, and I let out a cry of pain. “Thjis! It hasn’t come to this,” I cried out.
“You’ve got guts, Clepp, calling me by my name. Even my sons don’t do that. Take her to the other dungeons, the one reserved for people like her.”
The men dragged me away from the iced doors, past the grand staircase, and towards a set of wooden doors. I was surprised because I thought all doors were carved from ice. The guard to my left pushed it open, and there was a small, dimly lit bulb hanging from a thin strip of wire – the only source of light in the dark. There was a set of stairs leading down to whoever knew where. The guard gestured for me to climb the stairs. I swallowed.
“You want me to go down there alone?”
He nodded, shutting the door. I heard the lock twist, and I resisted the urge to cry for help. I took one step after another. The stairs led downward, and I was exhausted by the time I descended the last step. Down here it was dusty, and the lights were even dimmer. I could see clearly, and this place reminded me of Prita’s cave.
The walls were cracked, and from where I stood, I could see skulls on the floor, bones, and sand. Lots of sand. I walked further, taking careful steps. Most of the cells had bones, and the bars meant to hold the prisoners had come off. It made me wonder how they intended to keep people here.
I was grabbed from behind, and I let out a yell. A gloved hand was pressed to my mouth, and I nearly vomited.
“Who are you?”
The voice was nasal. I slapped the hand away, turning harshly to face the man.
“Crinka. Prince Nasia’s concubine.”
“So, you’re the one who’s got the maids talking. What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with your prince?”
“He… The king sent me down here. Are you locking me up or not?”
He eyed me. “Look at you, getting eager to be jailed. Look, I’m going to do you a favor and not chain you.”
“On what condition?” I questioned, eyeing him cautiously.
“You… let me have a taste. It’s not every day a concubine is sent down here. You let me have you, and I won’t chain you.”
I resisted the urge to vomit. “I’m not interested in warming your bed. Now get me your chains, or should I get them myself?” I asked confidently, even though I was scared. This man might rape me or even beat me up for refusing his offer, but I was shocked when he did none of those. Instead, he picked up some clothes, a dark reddish shirt with holes in it.
“Wear this.”
“Why? I’ll just stick to my clothes.”
“You’re under no permission to be bargaining with me, woman. Take off your nice clothes and put this on. You don’t want to do that? Then let me explore your damn body.”
I bit my lip. One round with him would not hurt, but what if he got addicted and kept demanding more? No, I wouldn’t let this man anywhere near my body. It was mine.
I took the cloth from him and went to a corner to put it on. I hastily put on the shirt, hating the way it stuck to my skin.
The man eyed me like I was raw meat when I walked up to him, handing him my clothes. “I’ve worn it. Happy?”
His smile was devilish as he took them from me. “Very.”
He led me towards a cell, where the bars were intact. He pushed me in before locking the door. “It’s going to get lonely in here, girlie. If you ever need company, just call out my name, and I’ll be here to give you what you need.”
“What’s your name?”
“Mosle.”
I didn’t fancy Mosle, and I wasn’t interested in his offer. But if in five days no one came to get me out of here, I might just have to accept his proposal.