Page 107 of Moonmarked

He didn’t say it out loud, though, for which I was thankful. “How about you think about it, then? Think about it, and if you wish, I can arrange a meeting with the seer. Nobody else has to even be there—it’s all just for you.”

But the seer washis,wasn’t she? She worked for him and his mother, and I wasn’t about to believe that she wouldn’t tell them everything—ifthere was even something to tell.

There is,the ugly voice in my head said.There is.

“I’ll think about it,” I said, not because I planned to, but because I needed this conversation to be over asap. I was too damn vulnerable, too uncomfortable.

“Good,” Lyall said. “And we can talk about the unbinding ceremonyafter.”

I nodded—yes, yes, whatever.But Lyall wasn’t done.

“And now for the real reason why I came to see you.” His smile was genuine, like he was suddenly another person—calm, composed. “Allow me to invite you to The Hollow for a match of Crown’s Gauntlet tomorrow. If you’re not too busy, of course.”

And I should have kept my mouth closed still, but allthose feelings had already overwhelmed me, so it was impossible to stop myself.

“Busy? Lyall, please. I am practically your prisoner here. I am notbusyby any means—I’m at your disposal, quite literally.”

Whether he acted surprised or if he really felt it, no idea. He wasthatgood. “A prisoner? You’re my Lifebound, Nilah. Not a prisoner. You’re free to go wherever you want, whenever you want to.”

“With your guards standing right behind me,” I reminded him.

“Yes—for your protection. We’re bound, and I take care of me to take care of you. You have to understand that these are not the best of times in my court, Nilah, and maybe it isn’t as entertaining here as it could be, but I promise you, I’m trying.”

Fuck.Words stuck in my throat, and then he was in front of me, taking my hand between his.

“You’re free to go anywhere you want so long as I know you’re safe. Your safety comes first, that’s non-negotiable.”

I sighed. “I know, Lyall. I know that if one of us dies, we both do. I just miss my family and my friends. My home. I have nothing to do here except read and take walks.”

“Which is why I’ve ordered a match in the Hollow. It’s a famous sport among fae. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, Nilah. I would be happy if you could join me.” His hands were warm against mine, and his eyes earnest.

“Fine,” I said because what the hell else could I do? “But no masks, right?”

“No masks.”

“Andno kissing.”

Laughter—and it came right from his heart. “You have my word.”

When he left,I sat at the edge of the bed, trying but failing to get my thoughts in order. Wondering if I maybe should have asked him what the hell thematchwas or where this Hollow was even located.

So many images rushed through my mind, words, ideas, theories, that I soon found myself outside in the gazebo. I sat on the floor in the middle of it, wrapped my arms around my knees and I looked out at the blue sky, tried to find answers in the shapes of the clouds.

There were none.

My life was spiraling out of control so fucking fast and I had no idea what to do about it, how to stop it, how to at leastaimin a direction. All I seemed to be able to do was take everything as it came, and then try to survive.

It definitely sucked to be me right now, and I couldn’t even see light at the end of this tunnel I’d been shoved in.

The best I could do was pray.

thirty-six

Apparently,what Lyall had called amatchwasn’t a sport at all.

Pippa was braiding my hair behind my head after Pera and Poppy left. They didn’t let me eat much, just some fruit and some freshly squeezed apple juice, and they put a white dress on me that fell all the way to my ankles, flared from the waist down so that it was every easy to move in it. They wouldn’t hear it when I asked to wear pants, and to be honest, I was in no mood to argue, so I just went with it.

When Pippa sat me in front of the mirror which I avoided with my full attention, I asked her about the match.

---