Page 23 of Fate & Monsters
She was there—in there—but my identity was gone. Everything that once made me,meno longer existed. The spirit of my being split from my body and thrust into a grotesque, warped obscenity. A cursed atrocity now destined to die, to wither, to rot. An abhorrent disgrace.
I slashed through the water, disfiguring the illusion on the surface. Shoulders rising, chest heaving, a hush clung like a thick layer of snow to the room. Seconds passed in brittle silence as the luminous glow faded. Only candlelight and glowing yellow eyes remained as my heart and breaths evened out.
“I think I’m done with the bath,” I said, void of emotion. The imps didn’t argue.
A copper-red sun drifted carelessly across the sky. For hours, I sat on the lip of the paned window, watching the colors shift from rust-orange to burnt-red. Cold glass chilled my forehead, but thefar-reaching light warmed as the day passed in a senseless blur.
Confident knocks on the bedroom door sent a rod through my spine. I straightened up, heart fluttering anew as the aged wood groaned in complaint as the door swung open. His presence unfurled like a heavy exhale of shadow through the room, seeping into every nook and crevice. He occupied the threshold, sucking up all the air simply by existing. The effect caused a liquid heat to ripple along my spine and pool in the depth of my core.
It was unsettling and alarming.
Mavros cleared his throat.
My gaze remained on the land spreading below the castle.
Moments passed, and a languid tension curled around me. A conniving whisper urging me to turn, to look at him. I refused.
“You are a strange creature in this world,” he said.
I hummed noncommittally.
“And that must mean that my world is equally strange to you.” The softening in his usually growling tone captured me. His eyes widened when I looked at him, and he straightened his shoulders. The tip of his tail twitched.
“Yes, it is.”
The beast took another step closer. His expression shifted throughseveral emotions before he nodded, and a mask dropped into place. “Well, seeing as how you’re here, this place is now your home.”
“Much to my chagrin.”
He flagrantly ignored that. “As Prince of Infernus, I take my role as protector seriously. It’s a wonder, truly, that you made it this far into my realm. Seeing that you stay under my roof, that protection extends to you, along with every worthy Inferni.”
“And where was that protection last night when you howled at me?” I didn’t know when I’d moved, but at some point, I dropped from the window to face him. Arms across my chest and brows furrowed, I glared with my chin high at the towering beast.
Mavros faltered, brows flicking up and lips parting on a response. He closed and opened his mouth a few times before grumbling. His fists were clenched and his tail increased to a rapid swish. Something akin to victory twirled through me at his stupefied pause.
“Do you treat all your guests with such courtesy?” I scoffed, and he scowled. “You cannot wage war when someone disagrees with you. Or is that the way of the Inferni populace?” My voice rose higher. “The imps treat me better than you have!”
“Oh, yes, the imps.” He rolled his fiery eyes. “Let’s speak of the rotten little creatures that are utterly enamored with you. They would set a greatprecedent for all interactions, wouldn’t they?” he asked sardonically.
Sylphs intrinsically deserved admiration. Our power drew creatures, including humans, from far and wide to bask in our presence. It was simply the regard fate owed us.
“As they should.”
But I faltered. My arms dropped, and I turned away.
No longer a sylph. Respect hardly mattered. “No—do not regard me at all.” My change in mood dropped the temperature by several degrees.
His heavy steps crossed the room. The warmth of his palm hovered a hair’s breadth from touching my shoulder before dropping. An unfounded tension released my spine.
“You are a lady of Infernus now. You are entitled to my regard and that of my subjects.” Mavros huffed, the sound almost endearing. “That is not why I’m here.”
“Why are you here?” I bit my tongue after the question escaped. I told myself I didn’t care, but curiosity held me hostage.
“Would you like a tour of the castle?” I whirled around, expression flaring. He stepped back, standing stiff and guarded, but maintained his penetrating stare.
It wasn’t an apology. With those eyes like fire burning bright as he watched me, I feared I would ignite and crumble to ash at his feet. The quiet stretched, each of us taking stock of the other and mentally assessing potential next steps. I couldrefuse and deny him, surely. What good would that do me?
I needed protection. Mavros offered it.
