Page 93 of Lady of Shadows

“Yes, but they did not take your knowledge,” Sorin answered, taking another step closer.

Her half grin became a full one. “No, they did not. What do you require of me, Prince?”

“I need an enchantment to carry me and two others to and from the mortal lands.”

“Are there no longer horses outside these walls? Your legs seem to be working just fine. Surely you can walk there?” she answered coyly.

“I need the speed of Traveling,” Sorin answered.

“And your queen will not aid you? Her mother’s abilities run in her veins, do they not?”

“The queen is not to be part of this,” Sorin replied through gritted teeth.

“Interesting,” the Sorceress mused. “What is it you seek in the mortal lands, Prince of Fire? For if you are seeking my help, it is something great indeed.”

“My business there is none of yours,” he snapped.

“An object of power?” she asked, as if he hadn’t spoken at all. “If it is power you desire, Prince, I can help with that. Bring me to your side, and the world will be yours.”

Her words made the hair on his arms stand on end. “I do not desire power.”

“No? Then only one other thing would drive you to seekmyhelp,” she mused once more. Her eyes met his as she said, “Love.” When Sorin didn’t answer, she continued. “After all, love is what drove Eliné and Henna to seek my help.”

“What?” Sorin asked, the word escaping him before he even knew what he was saying. “Eliné and Henna never came to see you.”

The Sorceress laughed, a cold and chilling sound. “Love drove them to me, Prince of Fire. A fierce love of their people, their kingdoms. They beseeched my help to defeat Deimas and Esmeray.”

“And you denied them?” Briar asked, speaking for the first time.

“They were unwilling to pay the price for my aide,” she said simply. Then that eerie smile formed on her lips once more. “Unfortunately, your parents became the cost for refusing my offer,although maybe not so unfortunate for the two of you, given the thrones you now sit upon.”

Sorin shoved down the images of his mother and father being butchered in front of him in the city center. “Enough of this,” he ground out. “We do not have the time.”

“I have all the time in the world, young prince,” the Sorceress scoffed, looking at her nails and scowling. “In fact, I am rather enjoying the company.”

“Will you help me or not?” Sorin ground out, stepping closer still to her cell bars.

“The Fae Queens were unwilling to pay my price. What are you willing to pay?”

The Sorceress stooped and began drawing in the dirt of her cell.

“What is your asking price?”

“Sorin, we give her nothing,” Briar hissed from behind him.

The Sorceress looked up at them under lowered lashes. “What is it worth to you?” She stood then, studying him once more. “You say it is not power you seek, but what you seek does have power. What you seek is power and love and…death.” She smiled fully then, and it was terrifying. “A twin flame. How unexpectedly intriguing.”

“Sorin, let’s go. She will not aid us,” Briar said, gripping his arm to pull him back.

“I did not say I would not aid you,” the Sorceress cut in. “I asked what you are willing to pay.”

“And I asked your cost,” Sorin bit back.

The Sorceress stooped and began drawing in the dirt once more. “I am intrigued, young prince, so I shall make you a deal. I shall require no payment right now. Your debt to me can be fulfilled at a later time.”

“And what will that debt entail? Your freedom? Because if that is the case, the answer is no, and we are done here.” He may be desperate, but he wasn’t that desperate.

“Do you know what nourishes me, Prince of Fire?” the Sorceress asked, continuing to scrawl in the dirt.

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