“And here’s your lunch,” I growl and chuck it at his back.
Keldarion catches it without turning around. He sits back down in his chair and raises a dark brow at me.
I fall back to my seat in a huff.
“Now that we’re all present,” Ezryn says, giving a deep sigh, “may our meeting begin?”
My meeting with the four fae princes. My stomach roils. This is a meeting of my fate, my future. And I can’t mess it up.
21
Rosalina
AllIcandois glare down at the delicious lunch in front of me.
Farron pushes up from his seat. “I want to start by saying… Rosalina. Uh, I mean, I want to apologize for what almost happened last night. I don’t have as good of a handle over the curse as the others.”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” Dayton says softly before I can respond.
“Well, thank you,” I say. “I would prefer not to be eaten by a wolf.”
“Then you should have followed the rules and stayed in your room,” Keldarion growls.
“And you should learn to control your temper!” Does this stupid fae need to have a say in everything? I grab a fluffy white roll and chuck it as hard as I can across the table.
He catches that too.
“You don’t have to fill my plate in return,” he says as he places the bread roll next to the apple.
“Sit down, Farron,” Ezryn says softly, then turns to me. “That rule wasn’t created to control you; it was to keep you safe.”
“I’d be safer at home,” I start. “If you’d only—”
Keldarion stands, palms flat on the table. “In case you’ve forgotten, you’re still a prisoner serving your father’s sentence. The others desire to give you liberties and freedom within the castle. If that is not to your satisfaction, then I’d be happy to escort you back to the dungeon.”
I sink in my seat and cross my arms. Of course he fucking would.
At my silence, Keldarion keeps his chilly gaze on me. “You will not leave your room at night. Furthermore—”
“I already know what you are! And what happens to the staff. Astrid literally showed me. Why do I have to stay put?”
Keldarion grinds his teeth. “Fine. But don’t go back to the dungeon. Farron remains locked up for the protection of everyone. Including himself.”
Farron keeps his head down, picking at his food. Dayton notices my attention and catches my gaze with a wide smirk. “And don’t stare at the animals. Makes them uncomfortable. Also, don’t try to eat them. I’ve had a few close calls before.”
“I wouldn’t—Wait, close calls?”
“You may go outside to the grounds during the day if escorted by Astrid or another member of the staff, but not beyond the bridge or the wall,” Keldarion continues his list of demands. “Also, you may take your breakfast and lunch where you will, but we willalldine together every evening.”
I open my mouth to complain but someone else beats me to it.
“Kel,” Ezryn says. “There may be times—”
“You said you wanted to bring order to this castle, Ezryn,” Keldarion says lowly. “Then take it. You can continue your little hunts after dark.”
Ezryn doesn’t reply, but his hands tighten into fists and I’m glad I positioned my throat far away from him. Ezryn may have cowed to the icy bastard easily, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of it.
“Why would I want to eat with any of you? You’re my jailers.”