Page 55 of Of Rime and Ruin
Her words come muffled—like sound through water.
“She’s not hungry? Impossible.” I snap my teeth together. I flex my hand, and ice skitters across the floor. “If the princess doesn’t eat withme, then she will starve. That’s an order.”
Chapter twenty-four
Nahla
Iwaketothesound of fish slapping on the floor. Foggy from sleep, I barely make out the clawbeast’s looming silhouette. It’s the middle of the night. From his mouth hangs a large silverfish, its bloody scent spiraling into my cage.
It’s not his only catch. Two more rest on the floor, their glass eyes staring at me in the darkness.
He spits the final fish from his mouth and tosses it to join the rest.
I rub my eyes. Did I summon him in my sleep? My hand finds my throat. There’s no spell vibrating. No magic stirring in my stomach.
Ice traces my spine.
No. He came of his own accord tonight.
I push from the floor, heart pounding, and glide toward him. He watches me with eyes black as midnight.
A low grumble emits from his shadow, and his hand reaches through the bars. One claw extends. Flexes. He’s beckoning me.
“Hi, big guy,” I whisper.
Tonight’s the night I break free. If he’s here willingly, then he could be inclined to help. I’ll have to time it right. Persuade him when he’s vulnerable.
Fuck rule number two—I can go home without exploring the castle, if he’ll help me now.
His hand finds my face in the darkness. The scales on his palm are cold and leathery as they slide against my skin. My body ignites at his touch, all nerves zapping to attention. My heart pounds harder.
Claws glide over my scalp, slipping into my hair. His thumb tucks beneath my chin. I try not to think about how easily my head fits in his palm. If he wanted to, he could crush my skull like a lushfruit.
The tip of his claw taps my temple twice. Then his thumb brushes my lips. His mouth curls into a snarl, and he leans closer, turning his ear.
I hold still, the only movement coming from my gills. Of all the reckless things I’ve done, befriending the Beast may be my stupidest idea yet.
His thumb strokes back and forth over my bottom lip. I part my mouth at the touch, bubbles leaking out. He stares at my mouth. His brows tug, expression troubled.
He taps my temple again. Then with his other hand, he taps his own head.
Oh.
I awaken my magic and form a spell. With a quiet hum, I lift from my mind and weave into his.
He grins, teeth glinting in the darkness. His thoughts brush my conscience, surrounding me with caressing mist. They swirl with an exuberant current, lifting me and sucking me deeper into his mind.
Hello, Sunfish.His voice reverberates through me.Miss me?
Of course I did!My heart threatens to burst from my chest.
He purrs.Missed you, too.
Any romance books today?
He blows bubbles from his nose and his eyes tighten.Not today, sorry.He prods me with his thoughts, testing and inviting me in deeper.
He’s friendly tonight. Vulnerable. This could work. It’s now or never.
