Page 23 of Beneath the Flames
He cocked his head as if he didn’t hear me.
Though my voice was weak and quiet, the words I wanted to say finally squeaked out.“Get out.”
This, he heard.
In a single blink, he was in my face, those gold-ringed eyes so close to mine.
“If you had any idea who I am, you’d be on the floor kissing my feet and begging for your life for such disrespect.”
“Maybe you should tell me who you are then so I can properly cower before you.”
The words were past my lips before I could stop them, fueled by years and years of repressed anger.As soon as they were spoken, the blood drained from my face, and I braced myself.Surely, he would hurt me now.
As if no one had ever talked back to him before, Rhydian blinked several times before the corner of his mouth twitched.Okay, not the reaction I was expecting.I thought maybe he’d hit me or drag me down and lock me in a dungeon, like my father would have done if I’d talked to him in such a way.
There was one time I had dared to tell my father no, and he had responded by locking me in the cellar for two days without water.
But Rhydian fighting a smile?Hadn’t expected that.
Instead of responding, Rhydian took a step backward,allowing my body to calm down, and looked around my room.Ever so slowly, he walked around the perimeter, inspecting the walls, the floors, even running his finger across the various tables like he was checking for dust.
The silence built as I watched him move until I couldn’t take it anymore.
“I’m surprised you didn’t put me in a moldy prison cell.Why would a kidnapper give me such a nice place to stay?”
Rhydian halted, shooting a glare my way.“Would you prefer a cell?”He opened his arms wide.“I have plenty to spare beneath the castle.”
I tried not to take the bait, tried not to be terrified of him actually putting me in a cell.
Sucking in a silent breath, I said, “I’m confused.Am I a prisoner or not?You brought me here against my will after all.”
“You’re…” He hesitated for a moment, stroking at the stubble on his jaw.“You’re neither a prisoner nor a guest.”
“What does that even mean?How can I be neither of them?”
“Seeing as I never intended you to come to Eroth in the first place, you’re not my prisoner, and since I don’t actually want you around either, you’re not my guest.You’re just…here.”
“Wow.Glad we cleared that up.”
“Are you always this annoying, human?”
“Are you always this unbearable?”I retorted, instantly biting my tongue.I needed to control myself or I really would be thrown in a cell.
He may not have physically hurt me yet, but Rhydian was tall, muscular, and had deadly magic.It was extremely stupid to antagonize him.
And yet I couldn’t help it.
Why was it so difficult to control my tongue around him?
Rhydian took a step toward me, and I tensed, drawing as far away as I could, even though I was still on the bed.
He didn’t miss my reaction.His brow lowered over his eyes.“I’m not going to hurt you, Maren.I told you that.”
It took a minute for the words to croak from my mouth.“I don’t believe you.”
His lips twisted into a scowl, but I changed the subject before he could say anything.
“Will you tell me about your magic?”
