Page 82 of Kingdom of Faewood

“Are we alone?” I whispered.

“We are.” Finally, Jax set me on my feet. “You’re going to stay here for now.”

“Where’s here?”

“You’ll see in a minute.”

Uneasiness crept through me, and I wrapped my arms around myself. “What is this place, Jax? What’s going on?”

Sorrow filled his tone when he replied, “It’s a bedroom chambers. It’s safe for you. You’ll stay here until I can meet with you and Guardian Alleron again. Once you locate who I’m seeking, I’ll let you go and command your former guardianto permanently relieve you of that collar to the best of his ability. I promise.”

But for the first time, his words didn’t ring true. I wrapped my arms even tighter around myself. “What aren’t you telling me, Jax? Why are you hiding everything from me?Whyare you doing this to me?”

His voice turned grim. “I’ll be back soon.”

The sound of a door came, and I swirled around. In a whisper of magic, my sight returned.

I started. Everything was suddenly as clear as day. Jax had lifted his magic in a heartbeat, and he’d done it after he left because I was alone.

I swung in a circle, taking in the bedroom chambers. Large windows soared to the ceiling on one side of the room, allowing sunlight to stream in, but the glass was foggy and distorted. Even though light bled through it, I couldn’t see out.

And nobody could see in.

A large bed stood to the side of me, its frame ornate, the bedding plush and soft. It reeked of wealth. Across the room, through a large arched doorway, was a sitting area filled with couches and chairs. Other doors were also in the room that led to who knew where.

I nearly stumbled as I searched for where Jax had gone.

I raced to the door nearest me and yanked on the handle.

Locked.

I whispered an unlocking spell and then another and another. The lock didn’t budge.

Pulse quickening, I raced to the next door and yanked on that one too. It opened, and I nearly stumbled since I’d pulled so hard. But it was only a massive wardrobe, empty of clothes or shoes. I flew to the next one. An elegant bathing chamber in pristine whites and soft blues stood before me. A clawed foot bathtub sat in front of another foggy window.

Shaking, I went back into the bed chamber, then the sitting area. I explored every area, learned every turn, studied every detail, and it soon became apparent I was in a suite. A large, grand suite, but no matter how hard I tried to find a way out, I couldn’t. The two doors that I suspected would lead me to another part of this house were both locked, and no locking spell I tried undid them, not even the more complex ones I’d been taught.

It seemed Jax had learned a thing or two about my magic since my escape in Lemos.

Staggering, I turned away from the door in the sitting area, finally giving up on my unlocking spells. I pitched forward and nearly vomited at the panic that was consuming me.

The Dark Raider took one’s senses so easily, as easy as a thought on the breeze. His magic was that strong. That powerful. And he’d just locked me in this chamber as though I was his captured lorafin after all.

Worst of all, he’d made no mention of when he was coming back.

CHAPTER 20

Bright morning sunlight streamed into my chambers. My eyes opened slowly, only to see the light coming through that dreaded frosted glass. Jax had never returned the previous evening. I’d thought he wanted me to do his calling, but since he hadn’t made an appearance, I was beginning to wonder if I’d been put in this plush, gilded cage because he intended to keep me after all.

Stomach churning anew, I stretched and sat up. “At least, I slept,” I muttered to myself. The soft mattress and plump pillows could probably be thanked for that. Still, it was a miracle I’d slept at all, considering my current circumstances.

Whatever the case, I didn’t want to be found in my underthings, so I hurriedly got up and made quick work in the bathing chamber, washing myself and brushing my teeth in the traditional manner before dressing in another new outfit from Fosterton—a cozy emerald sweater and tan breeches—butwhen scents of food tickled my nose, I stopped mid-brush from tending to my hair.

I peeked out of the chamber, and my jaw dropped when I spotted an entire tray of food on a table in the sitting area. I approached it warily, gaze darting about as I searched for whomever had brought it in.

The scent called to my howling stomach, but anxious nerves turned it just as fast. Despite the mouthwatering array of eggs, breakfast meats, fresh fruit, flaky pastries, and a pot of fresh tea, I didn’t reach for any of it.

Instead, I searched for signs of who crept in here while I’d been bathing.

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