The Crystal Mines

41 Nik

The King arranged for as many of our people to reside in the guest wing as possible. Taury had come to visit with me briefly after I had run. After making sure I was alright, she explained that she gave up her room to her parents, choosing to stay with Garren. Callion offered to have Ameer stay with him, but he declined, wanting to stay with his brother. Faolan and Evander made their way to his rooms rather quickly, locking the door with a loud click. Taury giggled as she recalled throwing up a wall of air, blocking the sounds of their emotional reunion.

Jakota, Jiaxin and Lennox roomed together. Rion and Alden choose the room across from them. Eliza chose to sleep on the large couch in room with Rayze and Lilta. Sera, and Zither choose one of the suites near mine. I offered up my room to Sera and Zither so they could have more space, but they both responded with stunned quick shakes of their heads. Demanding I needed a whole ass set of rooms to myself after being tortured for so long. Ridiculous.

Once Taury could see I was no longer she left with a large hug and tears in her eyes. But those tears cleared quickly when she demanded food be brought up to me. It would be dinner time soon and the idea of food continued to elude me. I had been free from the Adrastos mines for nearly a whole day, and I still felt trapped. Pacing the room, my thoughts whirled in every direction.

Ameer was the prince of Aegran. Emyr was the princess of Ashburn. Callion was the prince of Salvare. Everyone I had met since being accepted into the university was a person of higher class. Yet here I was, being hunted by the most dangerous man I knew. Captured, tortured, forced to shift over and over. Drained of my blood to harvest crystals. For what? It made no sense. My mother never fecking mentioned a thing about having magic in our blood. And we haven't even discussed it beyond a jourmal she had kept. The man she was with was never my father. The only one that had any inkling who my father was, was killed in front of me by Erix. And now there was the matter of Atiweh, whoever the Fae she may be. My childhood best friend was in the dungeons below, magically knocked out for everyone's safety. Ugh!

I ran my hands through my hair. The pain of my fingers pulling the strands, was welcomed in a sick manner. My mind grasping for some control. On my arm, Achar's tail flicked, watching. Callion was paying attention to my mental fit. Godsdamn it. I covered the tattoo, hiding his view. A strong finger dragged delicately down my diamond mental wall, seeking access.

What? I so much as snapped at Callion.

Come to the courtyard we portalled to. And change into something more suitable. He demanded then left my mind space. More suitable? What was he playing at?

I whirled, frustration building. Stupid, troll of a male. Whatever a troll was. I eyed a sleeping Trife on my bed with the food I had asked for, nothing but crumbs and juices left. He was a messy eater. I made a mental note to finally ask him what a troll was when he woke up. I tore off the too fancy clothing in favor of some leather slacks and a tight shirt. I left my hair in the intricate braided knot Taury had woven earlier today and traded the soft flats for some boots I found in the bottom of the wardrobe. It seemed they had been planning for our arrival.

Upon exiting my rooms, I shut the door quietly, to not disturb Trife. After asking the guards where the courtyard was, they offered to lead me there. As we walked by the room in the hall, I could hear my friends talking, laughing, and crying. And very faintly, the sounds of pleasure dripping from Faolan and Evander's room, despite Taury's magic. I stifled a giggle, pleased with Faolan's happiness.

I asked of Mohan's status and his guards assured me he had been fed and offered clean clothes. I left a message with them, to tell him I would see him in the morning after we had all rested. Following my guards, they took me to the stairwell at the end of our hall. The courtyard was located on a private rooftop. Which made sense, if the King wanted to make sure our arrivals were secret.