Page 45 of Trapped to Tame
‘Is it only humans who are sold?’
Priest shook his head. ‘Here, yes, but anyone can be bought for a price. Stay close to me and don’t let anyone see what you are. I don't need any trouble when I don't have anyone else to call upon for help.’
They kept walking until they reached a large square with an empty ring standing on its side in the middle.
‘Is that the portal?’ Eve asked him.
‘Aye.’ He swore. ‘But it’s just closed. Might not be active again for days.’
‘Days?’ Eve regarded it dubiously. ‘How do we know it will take us to where we want to go when it does open again?’
He gave a long sigh. ‘Some of them have an intuitive way about them. Come. No more questions now. Let’s get out of the street. Trouble is inevitably going to find us as the night draws in.’
She did as he said, keeping her head down and following him around the town that was actually quite similar to her own, except for the odd creatures.
Priest found a small, disreputable-looking establishment down a small alleyway. She was surprised. From what she knew of him, he preferred inns that were much nicer than this.
He opened the door, hustling her over the threshold and she was met with a grand entrance hall that looked larger than the entire building had from the street. She gaped and Priest gave her a knowing grin.
‘As if I'd stay in a hovel,’ he said.
He put some coins on the table by the door, took a key from a hook, and started up a shining stone staircase with carpeted steps.
He beckoned her. ‘Don’t dawdle, female.’
She trailed after him like a lost pup and, at the top of the stairs, there was just one door.
He opened it with the key and went inside.
She was met with plain, stone walls, a floor covered in thick rugs and a warm fire. There was food already on the table, and a steaming bath waiting.
Priest immediately began to take off his clothes and she turned away, cheeks heating. She heard him step into the water and give an audible groan as he lay back.
Eve took off her cloak and tunic, sitting down in one of the chairs heavily. Her arm was throbbing, and her stomach was hurting low down. She felt tired as well and hoped she wasn’t getting some Dark Realm malady.
She ate some bread and meat from the table because she was still feeling hungry despite her pains and fatigue, but as soon as she was finished, she longed to climb into the bed and sleep.
She realized Priest was watching her and she hoped their odd truce wasn’t already at an end. She couldn’t endure any more of his barbed comments today.
She tried to ignore his eyes on her, untying the cloth that was over her arm to have a look. Her arm was covered in dried blood and beneath the bandage, the gash was only just beginning to knit together. She’d noticed the holes in Priest’s cloak that was draped over the chair, but he’d clearly already healed from whatever damage the beast’s talons had inflicted. It must be good to be fae she thought. Then she frowned.Full-fae, she corrected.
Could it really be true? Was she really half fae?
‘Do you know who my father might be?’ she asked, wondering if she had kin somewhere.
He watched her impassively. ‘No,’ he said finally. ‘There are many fae lords.’
She nodded, pretending not to care, but inwardly she was disappointed.
Priest began to wash himself with the soap and her gaze was fixed on him. She knew she shouldn’t watch, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. She swallowed hard. His glamor was gone and had been since they’d arrived in this realm. His muscles rippled with his movements, defined and alluring. His eyes met hers in amusement.
‘Do you like what you see, female?’
She turned away quickly before he could see her blush, dying of mortification that he’d caught her ogling him.
She lay on the bed, turning away from him and closing her eyes.
A dropof water fell on her, and she turned to find Priest standing over her, a drying cloth wrapped around his waist.
