Page 31 of Wolf Caged
Neve held her ground, her expression unapologetic. “This is not like you.”
My shadows lashed at the boundaries of her cage and she was fortunate that the ward that concealed and protected her prevented even them from reaching her.
I growled, “You are beginning to sound like Jenavyr. She will be punished for her insubordination by training new troops with Riordan. I will need to think of a fitting punishment for you. Would you like me to see you returned to the Wastes?”
She stiffened and paled, genuine fear flooding her eyes and dulling the fire in her irises.
Regret punched me deep in the chest.
“I am sorry. I would not do such a thing.” Because it would be the death of her. I pinched the bridge of my nose, a headache building there as I withdrew a step. “I am tired.”
Neve whispered, “You have been tired for a long time.”
“I have not.” My denial was weak, breaking easily under the knowing look that Neve gave me. I looked at the wolf rather than her now, unwilling to let her see how easily she had seen through me and how tired I truly was. I had no time to be tired. I could rest when it was done. “I will not take more than what the wolf will give me willingly.”
Her glare scalded the side of my face. “That is not good enough.”
“What is her purpose?” A change of subject seemed like the most appropriate choice given the darkness that emanated from Neve. It provoked the darkness within me, the shadowy part of me that wanted to toy with this wolf, to push her and delight in how she pushed back. “If you could tell me that, I would not need to discover it through my own means.”
“I still do not know, but I seek visions whenever I am strong enough.” A sigh escaped Neve and I could sense her irritation and sorrow, her desperation to help me and despair that she was failing as a seer.
Part of her still believed that I would turn her lose and take away my protection if she could no longer complete that work for me. Despite her fears, I was not a monster. Or at least, not that much of one. I would never subject her to the terror she had felt before I had met her, to the daily struggle to survive that had seen her skulking from cave to cave in the Wastes to the north of the Shadow Court, hiding from the beast that hunted her.
She was part of my family now.
The grace I had shown her, I had failed to show the wolf.
“It will reveal itself in time.” Neve moved to the bars that kept her from Saphira and gazed at her slumbering form, a distant but warm look in her eyes, one I had not seen in a long time. Neve liked the female. I was not sure any good could come of that, because the dragon was fiercely protective of those she cared about, even me. She sighed, her fine eyebrows furrowing. “It will reveal itself in time, if you keep the wolf close.”
Keep her close.
I stared at Saphira, so innocent in her sleep, the words of those men clanging in my ears. One of her kind had auctioned her virginity. She was as innocent as she appeared.
Innocent and beautiful.
“I do not like that look,” Neve murmured.
“Your order was to keep the wolf close to me.” I stalked towards the female’s cell and halted before it, my eyes locked on her. “And that is what I shall do.”
“What is it you plan?” Neve sounded concerned, and ready to fight me. So protective of the little wolf already. The female must have worked her charms on my dragon, luring her over to her side, attempting to pull her away from me.
“I plan to take what is mine. I paid for a servant—for entertainment. That is what Saphira will give me.”
My mind whirled, a plan forming as I studied the sleeping shifter, sensing that dark seed that was growing within her. While I waited for Neve to have a clearer vision of Saphira’s role in my vengeance, I would attempt to discover it by myself, by spending time with the female.
I would enjoy my time with her until her usefulness was revealed and my revenge was done.
“I will offer her a choice.”
I grinned as I sank into the shadows, wrapping night and starlight around me, eager to set my plan in motion.
“Rot in this cell… or earn her freedom.”
Chapter 8
SAPHIRA
Neve had gone awfully quiet.
