Page 13 of The King of Frost and Shadows

“That includes the children.” Eldrin placed his fingers through the bars of the door. “In case you decide to attack a child who might visit you here from time to time, as they’re trained to keep the prisoners in line.”

“Children?” I squeaked.

Tavish scowled. “Children begin training as soon as they learn how to fly. We need to be prepared in case your people attack us again.”

“Mypeople.” I gestured to my back. “I don’t have wings. And if mine were chopped off—” I winced, refusing to look at the separated wing again. “—I have no doubt I’d remember that.”

“Are you sure you have the right girl?” Eldrin wrinkled his nose. “She lived in Gleann Solas for the first ten years of her life. This woman acts entirely human.”

Ten years.

My skin crawled, and I sucked in a shaky breath.

No. It had to be a coincidence. I’d remember if I’d lived in a different world.

“She’s the right woman. Those eyes are the same exact shade of blue I remember.” Tavish sneered, and despite the dangerous edge to his face, he could easily pass for a god in one of the folklore books I liked to read, trying to find answers about the eyes in my dreams.

He scoffed. “I have no doubt it’s her. Smell her. She smells of Seelie even after being in the human world for twelve years. And I could never forget those eyes.”

The words sent goose bumps all over my body, but I refused to acknowledge it. I averted my gaze, not wanting to look at him, but I grimaced when my attention landed on the blood and the wing again. The white skin on the wing was turning a light gray and wrinkling.

Once again, there was no way I’d forget someone likehim. “When did we know each other?”

“When we were both younger, but don’t hurt yourself trying to recall. The memories will come back soon enough. Now, come on,” Tavish said without the usual growl. “Let’s take you somewhere else.”

A sour taste filled my mouth, and I wanted to gag all over again. My throat was still raw from the way the bastard had choked me, but that was the least of my problems.

Eldrin rubbed his hands together. “Ah, yes. We should put her with the rest of the prisoners.”

I shook my head, my ears pounding. If the guard was willing to hurt me like that, I didn’t want to imagine what the prisoners would do if they got their hands on me.

Although … why had Tavish intervened unless the reason was that the guard hadn’t had permission to hurt me?

“I have other plans for her.” Tavish stepped into the space between Eldrin and me. Then he added, “Which I need to handle with heralone.”

Eldrin tucked a piece of his long white hair behind his ear, and I had to swallow a gasp.

Tavish’s hair wasn’t as long as the rest of the men’s I’d seen here, but it was shaggy and hung over his ears, so I hadn’t noticed them. But when Eldrin moved his hair, I’d seen that the tips of his ears were pointed like the images of fae in folklore books.

Fairy tales and folklore had always intrigued me, but I’d never imagined any of it was true. The more I saw here,however, the more I couldn’t deny that some parts of the books were right.

“Very well,My King.” Eldrin leaned to the side to study me once more. “All I ask is that I get a turn in punishing her for what she did to your father. You know how close I was to my favorite uncle.”

This weasel wasn’t merely Tavish’s advisor; he was family, and if he was the only family member Tavish had, he would be next in line for the throne. I wasn’t sure how it worked in this world, but on Earth, that was a big deal.

“No one but I will touch her.” Tavish leaned forward, towering over the man. “Do I make myself clear? Not you, not the guards, and no prisoners. Anyone foolish enough to try to harm her in any way again will die by my sword. There won’t be any chance of living like I afforded Malikor.”

A muscle in Eldrin’s jaw twitched, but after a moment, he bowed his head. “Of course, My King.” Then he stepped out of the way so that Tavish could leave.

Tavish turned toward me and grasped my wrist.

My skin buzzed. The sensation was comforting and warm, making me want to trust him. Not only that, but my chest tugged toward him, urging me to close the distance between us.

I maintained enough control to stop myself from doing something foolish.

He gently pulled me to follow him, so I obliged, but when I put pressure on my right foot, pain shot through it, and my knee gave out. I groaned as I stumbled, but Tavish moved quickly, wrapping an arm around my waist to steady me.

Our faces were mere inches apart, and his scent filled my nose, making me dizzy. I didn’t understandhow I could have such a reaction to him when he meant me harm.

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