Page 47 of A Curse of Malice & Mercy

He studies me, a strange, distant look taking over his face.

“I’m not sure yet,” he whispers.

A few moments stretch between us as his eyes flicker around my face—searching. For what? I don’t know.

I wonder if he finds it, because a moment later he shakes his head and quickly strides toward the door. He hesitates at the doorway, glancing at me over his shoulder. Then he exits, shutting the door behind him.

Though he’s dangerous, untrustworthy, and makes my blood boil, some small part of me grows a little lonelier with his departure. I can’t help but wonder what it means.

What he means.

My heart beats rapidly, as if I’ve run for miles. My head grows light, woozy with Rainer’s visit. I can’t help but want more.

The feeling he gives me—it could easily become an addiction.

Or perhaps I’m simply falling for those dangerous faerie tricks I’ve heard about.

One day, I leave the room on my own to get food. Luckily, no barrier stops me as I carefully stride out the door.

Just as I make it to the staircase, I’m alerted to a presence behind me.

“If you’re thinking about making a run for it, don’t bother,” Rainer calls out.

I jolt, turning to see him striding toward me. His lips tip up into a smirk. “I haven’t declared us even, yet, human. You still owe me. You’re still bound to me.”

“How does the bind even work?” I ask dejectedly. He opens his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. “And magic isn’t a good enough answer.”

“What, you expect me to explain the laws of nature to you?”

My shoulders slump. “No. I only want to know how—or why—I’m bound to you for trying to be polite, of all things.”

“Because I helped you, and now, you owe me. Simple. The magical signature of our souls bind us until the debt is resolved.”

It still isn’t clear what he’s getting out of the deal. Surely he doesn’t need my help in the kitchens and around the castle. I barely do anything at all most days.

And he’s much too cunning to not be getting something out of it.

“Magical signature,” I repeat. “I’m not even fae.”

He glances at me with his brows pinched. “Of course you aren’t. I can smell your humanity from a mile away.”

“Then how does the magic bind my soul if I don’t have magic?”

“Your soul is magic, human.” I scoff and he leans forward, lowering his voice. “Every breath that expands your lungs, every surge of blood rushing through your veins, every healed wound—magic. Every night your mind takes you on a subconscious journey through your dreams, every morning your eyes open and you rise—magic. Every story you experience from reading words on a page, every flower that blooms despite the odds—magic.”

Figuring that’s as good of an explanation as I’m going to get, I let it go with a quiet contemplation. I’ve always looked at magic as a strange, unfamiliar power. But he’s right. Magic is all around me.

It’s in me.

I might not be able to wield magic in the same manner the fae do, but it doesn’t make my life any less remarkable.

Rainer passes me, heading down the staircase to the main floor, and I follow him. I stare after him with a new sense of awe. He’s so tormented yet views the world through such a beautiful lens.

“Where are you going?” He looks over his shoulder at me as he descends the stairs.

My fingers trail the intricate iron banner. “I’m… hungry, if that’s ok?”

We get to the bottom and he stops abruptly. I crash into his muscular back. Reaching out to steady myself, I accidentally grip his tapered waist. Rainer exhales sharply, turning to face me. I back up a couple steps to give us space, face heating at the close proximity. His delightfully dark, floral scent encompasses me.

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