Page 60 of The King of Frost and Shadows

“Every single prisoner, aside from you, has either blatantly disobeyed me or tried to rise up against me. They are traitors who don’t worry about harming innocents or finding the best way to get our people back to our rightful lands.” He interlaced our fingers. “Sprite, these aren’t just people who insulted me. They wanted to kill for nothing more than their own personal gain and cared nothing about the repercussions for our people. The people in all of Ardanos—not just Cuil Dorcha—are ruthless and won’t think twice about stabbing you in the back. We’re immortal, sprite. We don’t value life the same as humans do.”

I froze, and my jaw dropped. “Immortal?” That couldn’t be possible. How could we all live forever? “How?” Could that be why my supposed Seelie parents had been okay with me growing up on Earth? But they’d still missed part of my childhood.

“Our magic keeps us young and healthy. The only time we face death is at the hands of someone else and the occasional strange accident.” He yawned and lay back on his pillow. “We can talk more tomorrow. Tonight, we need rest.”

A lump formed in my throat. Sleep was the last thing I wanted. Even though I believed him, I still struggled with what I’d done. I’d seen the way the man had fought me andthe desire to kill me in his eyes. Tavish was right, but I didn’t want to become hardened and cold.

“Look, I’ll make sure I keep the nightmares away.” He winked. “I have an affinity for that. I can sleep and watch your dreams. If I notice anything that might deter your sleep, I can redirect your thoughts for you.”

“What do you mean? Isn’t your magic nightmares?” I still remembered his eyes from my dreams on Earth, always watching and waiting, so much hatred shining through, but the man before me wasn’t the same one who’d haunted me.

“Nightmare illusions come most naturally to me, but I can also deflect the fearsome thoughts,” he reassured and squeezed my hand comfortingly. “I just don’t do that very often, but I would have to access your mind. Are you okay with that?”

The thought both thrilled and petrified me, but I trusted him … no matter how foolish that made me. A good night’s rest would help me to survive. And it wasn’t like he hadn’t accessed my thoughts almost nightly for the past twelve years. “Okay.”

His shoulders relaxed as if he hadn’t expected that answer. “I’ll make sure nothing but good images remain.”

I expected him to release my hand, but he didn’t. Instead, we turned to face one another as Nightbane gently snored down below. With my hand in his, I quickly drifted off to sleep, feeling safer than I ever had before.

The next dayflew by with Finnian training me as promised. I tried not to overthink, hoping like hell that my magic, wings, and memories would return to me. But no matter what I did or tried, Finnian kicked my ass.

We trained hard all day, and when Tavish returned to his bedroom, Finnian left, and we spent the night together, similar to the last. We were still holding hands in the morning, and I foolishly lay awake, watching him sleep. His face was relaxed, and stubble coated his chin. He didn’t look like a man burdened with ruling or wondering who might screw him over next. He looked like he could very well be happy.

Someone knocked urgently on the door, and Tavish’s eyes flew open. Luckily, his attention shot directly to the door, so he didn’t catch me watching him sleep.

“Yes?” he shouted groggily, then cleared his throat.

“The prisoners are being called to prepare for the next game,” Torcall answered from the other side of the door. “The people are being alerted that the games will begin this morning before they start their duties.”

My lungs stopped working. I’d expected to start in the evening again. “What? Why?”

“To catch the competitors off guard.” His jaw clenched as he flung off the covers and climbed out of the bed. “I’ll find you something to wear quickly—I need to be with Eldrin when the people arrive. I’ll go see what else we have of Moth—”

“No.” I followed his lead, standing. “I don’t want to wear something of your mother’s. I want the same clothes as the other prisoners.”

He spun around and tilted his head. “Their clothing is worn and doesn’t offer protection. You should at least wear leather to protect you and keep you warm.”

That was part of the problem. They saw the Seelie princess wearing their former Unseelie queen’s clothes. “Please. Just trust me. Besides, it’ll help me blend in better.”

“Sprite, you could never blend in anywhere you go,” herasped. “That’s—”

“When I’m covered in dirt and blood and surrounded by gas, I’d have to disagree. I want to wear what they do. Eldrin is counting on me standing out.”

His head jerked back, but he nodded. “You’re right. Fine.” He then shouted for Torcall or Finola to grab me something from the prison.

Wings fluttered, telling me one of the two had left, obeying his command, and he headed over to me. He kissed my cheek, his lips lingering there as he said, “Stay safe. Fight. Kill. Do whatever it takes for you to come back here tonight. I’ve got to go, but I’ll be there, watching.”

My mouth went dry as I watched him spin and leave me alone. I realized I hadn’t responded.

The door shut, leaving me feeling more alone than I’d felt in my life, my heart cold and empty.

Minutes later, Finola returned and handed me dark-gray clothing that smelled faintly of urine and feces. I regretted asking for these clothes, but it’d been the right decision.

I held my breath and dressed, and then Finola and Torcall led me to the prison cells.

I missed a step when I realized what the guards were doing.

They were chaining people in pairs so they’d either have to move in harmony or fight one another. Of course, Rona and her brother had been split up, and there was only one person remaining who wasn’t chained to someone. His partner would be …

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