Page 22 of Lady of Darkness

She watched him as his eyes searched hers. “I am not from the mortal kingdoms.”

Scarlett’s mouth went dry as it fell open in shock. “Bullshit,” Scarlett whispered. If he was not from the human kingdoms, then that could only mean he was from the Fae lands in which case…

“You wanted a truth, did you not? There it is,” Ryker answered.

“If that were true, then that would mean you are Fae, and you clearly are not.”

“Why? What do you, a noble Lady of the Court, know of the Fae?”

Scarlett’s lip curled up. “I know far more than you think, Captain. Far, far more.”

His head tilted to the side as he said, “Did you know there are mortals who live in the Fae Courts?”

“You mean who are slaves?”

“That is not what I said.”

“Why in the world would there be humans in the Fae lands?”

“They came seeking a different life.”

Scarlett huffed a laugh of disbelief. “They fled? To theFaeCourts? To find a better life?”

“Why would that be so unbelievable?”

Scarlett blinked at him. He was serious. Completely serious.

“Because they would have to get through wards the Fae have set up around their lands. Traps to capture humans to make us slaves, not welcome us into their territories.”

“Or so you have been told.”

Scarlett didn’t know what to think. He honestly expected her to believe this? She had met Fae. Well, maybemetwasn’t the best word to use. She had tortured and killed them as assignments from the Assassin Lord and on behalf of the king.

“If that is true, then what are you doing here? Why aren’t you back in your Fae lands if it’s so much better there?”

A corner of his mouth twitched up. “I think I have shared enough truths with you for one day, unless you care to share more about your nightmares, Lady?”

“I don’t believe you,” she answered.

“I know,” Ryker said as he stood. “You have been indoctrinated not to believe such a thing.”

“Indoctrinated? I know how to think for myself,” she snapped indignantly.

He crossed to her chair and braced his hands on either side of it, leaning down towards her. Surprisingly, her breath hitched at his closeness.“If you didn’t, you would not still be reading that book.” He was silent, studying her, and her heart had skittered into a weird rhythm she wasn’t sure what to do with. His half smile grew as he said, “Take the night off, Scarlett. Get some rest.”

“Is everything all right in here?” came a feminine voice from the doorway.

They both turned to see Tava standing there. Her face was tight as she took them in, and she glared with disapproval at Ryker.

“Fine,” Ryker said, straightening and turning back to Scarlett. “I will see you tomorrow morning.”

Scarlett’s eyes were fixed on his as she looked up at him. “This conversation is not over.”

“I do not doubt that.” He turned to leave but stopped and plucked the book from Scarlett’s lap.

“Give that back,” she demanded, but Ryker didn’t even look over his shoulder at her. Instead, he strode straight to Tava and handed her the book.

“Do you know what language this is written in?”

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