Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
A couple of days of travel did not seem long when the thing waiting for me at the end was a monster. I felt him in the room just beyond the threshold of his mountain castle.
Sorin of the Duns Clan stood at my side, lingering at the entry with me. Like before, he came to the border to escort me through the Sidhe lands. However, this time I was alone, apart from Willis's wolf. She was my tether to everything I knew and loved.
Sorin's gaze shifted to me while I stared at the massive open door. An inviting warmth seeped out of the castle, yet it offered no oasis. Instead, it threatened to smother me, taking my freedom. For on the other side stood my enemy.
The air around Clause remained as stagnant as I remembered the last time I had the displeasure of interacting with him. Its dark control seeped out of him, making its way towards me before I even saw him. Suffocating.
My entire body stiffened, and I could not bring myself to cross that threshold into his domain. Desperation clawed at my chest, wanting nothing more than the Sidhe King dead at my feet, or at least to have a healthy distance between us. The pressure of his presence intensified, and I knew that the space between us was shrinking even though I did not move.
Clause eventually came into view. His silver-white hair combed back, not a single piece out of place. He stood dressed in black from head to toe, immaculate and form-fitting. Gray, cold eyes met with mine and held. There is no warmth there, only a simmering edge, a danger. Yet I refused to back away. Instead, I squared my shoulders, keeping my head up.
"It's so good to see you again, Ariana," he said with a curve of his lips. The smile was void of any surprise. As if he always knew I would come to him. His gaze then dropped to the wolf at my side. "And you brought a friend."
I forced out a steady breath. "Since I could not bring a Bavadrin, I figured perhaps an animal. A companion from home." I tried to force my voice to come off warmer than I felt. Attempting to sound as though I desired his favor in this small matter. "It would mean a lot to me if you were to allow her to stay with me."
"Would it now?" That heavy gaze returned to me. The darkness in his eyes sparkled, clearly enjoying that he harbored the power when I asked something of him. That I allowed him to grant me something, to show me some type of favor.
I did what I could to keep from clenching my teeth. "Her name is Shay, and I have known her since she was just a pup. As long as she is allowed out, she can hunt for herself," I added trying to clarify that she wouldn't be a burden.
The King's head tilted. "If having a pet is what you desire, then I see no issue with it."
"Thank you." I dipped my gaze in thanks. The action caused my jaw to clench.
"Tell me, are you hungry?"
I looked back up at him. "Not quite." Never would I have an appetite around him. Nausea coiled in my stomach like a snake, tightening around the pain I held within.
