Page 24 of Beneath the Flames
Rhydian’s face darkened, and he turned his body partially away like he wanted to keep something hidden.“What do you want to know?”
I started with the obvious.“You killed a man.”I watched for a reaction from him—remorse or regret or even glee—but saw nothing.He appeared to be a master at controlling his expression.
“Yes,” he said simply.As if there was anything simple about killing a man, let alone without laying a finger on him.
“Does everyone in Broth have golden death rays?”
Rhydian’s eyes narrowed.“It’sEroth.And they’re notgolden death rays.It’s just the color my magic takes.And yes, if there were any Fae left in this kingdom, they’d all have gold magic.”
“So you’re all killers then?”
Now he full-on scowled, and I felt a burst of pleasure at finally drawing a reaction out of him.
“I don’t know why you’re so focused on this when I saved your life,” he snapped.
“I wouldn’t consider bringing me to a place where I’m going to diesaving my life.”
Rhydian clicked his tongue.“You humans are such ungrateful creatures.”
I crossed my arms over my chest.“I’m sorry, should I be thanking you that I’m going to die?That my family is unprotected without me there?”
I was hoping that by bringing up my family, he’d show even a sliver of remorse and let me go home, but no such luck.His face remained blank—almost bored.
“You’d be thanking me if you knew what that man’s intentions for you were,” he finally replied, his voice low.I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make goosebumps rise on my arms.“At least here, the remainder of your short life won’t be that kind of misery and pain.”
“It depends on your definition of misery and pain,” I retorted.“And I suppose you aren’t going to tell me the kidnapper’s intentions either.”
His eyes darkened.“I think it’s better that I don’t.”
My stomach sank at the tone in his voice while simultaneously, and inexplicably, tightening.
That is definitely not an acceptable reaction to his voice, Maren.
My arms wrapped around my stomach, hugging myself.Starting to feel defeated, I asked, “Are you going to tell meanything?”
“I’ve already told you everything you need to know.”
Rhydian started walking toward the door like he was going to leave.
“Wait,” I blurted, desperate for him not to leave yet.He kept walking, ignoring me entirely.“The only thing you’ve told me is that I can’t leave this place, and if I do, I’ll die.”
He stopped at the door, one hand on the knob, and looked over his shoulder at me.The gold in his eyes flashed in the dim light.I swore indecision was written all over his face.Maybe heactuallywanted to tell me something worthwhile but was withholding it for some reason.Or maybe I was just seeingwhat I wanted to see.
Rhydian blinked, any indecision flickering away.
“That’s all you need to know.”
Then he was gone.
Islept fitfully after that—if what I did could even be classified as sleeping.
My eyes were closed, and I was somewhere between conscious and unconscious, but my body felt awake.Every little sound—or lack thereof I supposed—hammered into my skull, making me jolt every few minutes.There was a constant low rumbling, like a thunderstorm out in the distance, reminding me that the lava wasn’t far away.I still wasn’t sure how Rhydian’s magic kept it at bay.
Speaking of Rhydian…the thought of our last conversation also prevented me from getting any quality sleep.I was caught in a vicious circle of being angry that he brought me here, angry that he wouldn’t give me answers, and angry that I would die alone.Round and round it went in my head until I finally threw back the blankets and stalked to the curtain-covered windows.
They were so tall and thick and heavy that they barelymoved an inch as I wrapped my fingers around the black fabric and tugged.I finally managed to yank one side open, then the other, marveling at how heavy a stupid curtain could be.
Nausea filled my stomach at the sight of the two moons still hanging in the starless sky, so different from the farm.What was happening back home?What were Lila and Joey doing?Had my father punished my mom when I didn’t come back with the groceries?What did he think about me disappearing?Did they all think I left and abandoned them?How long had it even been?
