It was a dragon, sailing through clear skies, the sun large above him and the earth far below. My fingers ran along its wings, leaving a trail through the dust, the wood smooth and cool beneath my touch.
Rogue cleared his throat and I jerked my hand back, turning just as he glided past me, ascending the stairs.
“My guards will escort you to your chamber,” he said without looking back, waving his hand at the two guards remaining. They stalked towards me as Rogue turned the corner on the second level, leaving me at their mercy. They roughly grabbed my arms, dragging me to the staircase.
“Rogue.” I pulled my arm and they tightened to the point of pain. “That hurts,” I snapped at the guard to my right and he scowled, squeezing tighter. I gasped, jerking my arm. “Rogue! You said-You said I wouldn’t be locked in there.”
“Quiet, human, before we give you a reason to scream,” the guard to my left said, smirking.
My heart sank as nausea rolled in my gut.
Betrayal.
As they dragged me up the stairs, bruising my arms, I felt nothing but betrayal.
My cheeks flamed with anger and embarrassment as we rounded the top step and took a left around the corner. They pulled me down a long, empty hallway, leading me to a single door at the far end, nearly indistinguishable from the rest of the wall.
A guard pulled a key ring from his pocket, unlocked the door, and shoved me through, following behind me.
Frozen, my eyes shifted higher, higher, higher, continuing up the spiral staircase into darkness… into the keep. Large hands shoved again and I started the climb with my heart in my throat, eyes burning.
At the top of the staircase was another door, already open, revealing my chambers. It was a simple room with a wooden bed, a fireplace already lit, and a leather chair facing a large window overlooking the sea.
With one more shove, I fell forward, my knees cracking on the stone. My eyes watered at the sharp pain radiating through my legs.
“Don’t leave until told otherwise,” a guard ordered as they left, closing the door behind them.
My throat tightened at the click of a lock and I dropped my face to my hands with a sob. Closing in on myself, I gave myself five minutes.
Just five minutes. The same small amount of time it took me to follow Rogue out of the tavern. The same amount of time it took me to believe him. The same amount of time it took me to climb those infernal stairs.
Just five minutes, and then I inhaled deeply to steel my nerves and checked my boot. I released a breath of relief at the feel of the dagger. In a castle of Fae, at least I had that. Pulling it from my boot, I shoved it under the pillow before tugging the boots off and placing them by the fireplace.
Turning the chair, I plopped down, mesmerized as I watched the flames dance. My eyes followed their movement, their warmth, letting it carry me away as the rage set in. Rogue said a few simple words, promising to not lock me in the keep, and I foolishly believed him.
How had I gone from being confined to my father’s estate, safe, in Auryna to quite literally trapped in enemy territory not even two days later? All because I stupidly followed what I thought was my one chance at freedom.
What a cruel sense of irony fate has.
* * *
A few hours passed before I realized the fire never dulled or diminished. Sitting up, I turned my ear to the fire, listening for the distinct sound of burning wood, which was still audible. I crouched down, peeking into the fire. The logs were there, blackened, but otherwise untouched, crackling just as usual.
It must be enchanted.
With fascination, I glanced about the room, looking for anything else that might be enchanted, and paused at the window. There were no glass panes, and yet, even though it was raining, no water entered through the window, not even a breeze.
Strolling over, I slowly reached my hand out through the opening. About six inches from the windowsill, I hit a solid, invisible wall. Cautiously, I slid my hand up and around, exploring for gaps, but it connected to the wall on all sides and remained solid as stone, no matter how hard I pushed.
Huh, I guess they don’t want anyone throwing themselves from the window.
Standing on my tiptoes, I peeked over the edge, just enough to see the waves crashing on jagged rocks below.
Just then, my door opened. I whipped around, met with a small woman, clearly Fae. My body tensed as my eyes darted to the dagger under my pillow.
She was short with pointed ears and deep violet hair. Walking with her head hanging low, she carried a tray of food to the bed, gently sitting it on the edge with trembling hands before turning to me without raising her eyes from the floor.
“My name is Thana,” she said. “I am assigned to be your lady’s maid.”