Hesitantly, I reached a hand over her shoulder, but before I had the chance to wake her, her eyes snapped open. She inhaled sharply, sitting straight up as if electrified by some unseen force. I snatched my hand away and staggered back a few steps.
We stared at each other for a moment, confused and half asleep, before she dropped her head to her free hand, slowing her breathing.
“Goddess, you scared me,” she mumbled.
“Scared you? You woke me from my sleep with all your groaning and thrashing,” I replied, waving a hand and grabbing the blanket from the floor. “I thought someone was attacking you.”
She remained silent, her forehead still resting on her hand.
“It was a… nightmare. Nothing more,” she said, tossing the blanket off and jerking at her restraint. “Well, I’m not going anywhere with my arm still tied, am I? Care to undo it now?”
Chapter Ten
Ara
It was a little before midday when I caught sight of the castle for the first time, pulling an audible gasp from my mouth.
“Welcome to Draig Hearth,” Rogue announced.
The castle was magnificent, dramatic, a towering structure that sat atop a steep incline with several spires reaching to the sky. One tower rose higher than the rest, swallowed by the low-hanging clouds. Along the south side of the castle, a dark red vine was creeping its way up, consuming the castle, giving it the appearance that it was engulfed in maroon flames.
As we neared it, the sound of raging waves and seagulls greeted us, even over the wind furiously whipping my hair. The smell of briny water hung in the air, thick with humidity. Studying the north side of the castle, it backed against a cliff that dropped off into an ocean.
Following the only road to the entrance, more guards appeared, making themselves known. They patrolled the path with swords strapped to each hip, dressed in blood-red tunics. While their shining black helmets hid their faces from me, I could feel their disdainful gazes glued to me as we passed. My eyes stayed locked on the gate ahead, but my pulse sped up with each step closer.
The only road in.
Glancing around, there was no other gate in or out. This was it and the other side was a cliff. Fear crawled up my spine, pulling me straighter, suddenly aware.
Once through these gates, I would never leave again. Not without Rogue’s approval.
Rogue shifted behind me, shattering my bubble of thought and reminding me he was there, touching me, leading me to my new cage.
It started with fidgeting, my fingers tapping on my thigh, but as we neared the steel gates, panic washed over me, drowning me in fear.
Snatching the reins, the horse halted, and I yanked to the side, attempting to turn him. Rogue quickly wrapped his hand around mine, regaining control.
“What are you doing?” he shouted, tightening an arm around my waist, and the walls of my cage closed in, narrowing down to his touch.
I jerked against him—in an attempt to dismount the horse or dislodge myself from his touch, I didn’t know—but it did nothing. He held me against him in a grip of steel and my mouth went dry as my breath escaped me.
“What is wrong with you?” he said, stopping the horse and grabbing my chin to turn me to him. As he saw my expression and glanced at the gates, understanding dawned on him. “Look at me.”
My eyes darted about, noticing every guard surrounding us as they inched closer to their king, gauging the situation.
“Look atme, Ara. Not my guards.” His grip tightened on my chin as he tilted my face up, forcing me to look into his eyes.
“I cannot go in there,” I whispered harshly, my voice shaking. “I cannot willingly go into another keep, another tower, another cage. I cannot—”
“Stop. I will not lock you in the tower,” he said, his voice stern and deliberate. Staring into his eyes, he seemed genuine enough and I took a trembling breath, nodding lightly as he released my chin.
Sitting forward, we continued through the gates. He steered us into the bailey before dismounting and handing the reins to a stable boy, not bothering to offer his hand this time. I hopped off, following him up the grand entrance. Two guards pulled the large, wooden doors open before him.
Walking into the entryway was like entering another world, another time.
It was ancient and lavish with floors made of black stone. Along every wall were dozens of golden candelabras of every shape and size, lit with tall, white candles, lighting the room with their hazy, flickering glow.
Straight ahead was a grand staircase with dark, wooden handrails that merged with the wall and continued upwards, forming an arch above the staircase. Every inch of the wood was carved with intricate designs. In a daze, I stepped closer, needing a better look at the one calling my attention.