Page 25 of Across an Endless Sea

Bracing myself, I push to my feet with a wince, hiding as much of my pain as I can. It’s not just pride that drives me—although no part of me wants to give Caed that satisfaction of knowing how badly I’m hurting. I have a terrible feeling that showing weakness in front of Elatha will only make this whole situation worse.

Caed catches my arm, and I flinch instinctively.

His thunderous look grows darker.

“Not so fast,” he says, opening his other hand. “I can’t let you go before the king without something to keep you in check.”

Nestled in his blue palm is a thin silver bangle with a familiar strip of iron in the middle.

“I’m surprised you didn’t get me a collar,” I spit, surprised at my own vehemence.

“Make a bargain with me, little queen,” he says instead of responding.

“Not if you were the last male in the realm.”

He tuts. “You might not feel the same way when I tell you what you’ll get out of it.”

I try my hardest not to take the bait, but I glance up at him, anyway. Just like he knew I would, if his small smirk is any indication.

“If you vow not to remove it, or ask another fae to take it off for you, then I will tell you if my scouts find out anything about Florian’s condition.”

Bastard. Using my brother against me? That’s just cruel.

“How do I know you don’t already know something, and you’re just keeping it from me?”

He shakes his head. “Give me some credit, little queen. I’m not a complete asshole.”

Could’ve fooled me.

I snort. “I don’t trust your promises, Caed. You swore an oath to protect me, remember? Look how well that turned out.”

“I’ve never harmed you—” I raise my brows, and he amends. “Intentionally.”

“And delivering me to your father is somehow not going to result in harm?” I shake my head, because he’s either delusional or stupid. “No. If you want to collar me, you’re going to have to man up and do it yourself.”

“As charming as this couple's quibble is,” Prae drawls, drawing both of our focuses to where she’s appeared. “The king is getting impatient.”

She snatches the bangle out of her cousin’s hand and holds it out to me. “Wear the bracelet and don’t take it off—or ask anyone to remove it for you. If you can manage that, I won’t kill the faun.”

She has me there. She knows it. I know it.

I’m not about to let the person who probably saved my life die as a result of my stubbornness. Plus, if I disagree, they’ll just use the shackles that the other fae wear, and I’m not sure I’d be able to withstand those.

I glower at her, but take the bracelet and slip it over my wrist. “I won’t take it off, or ask another fae to take it off for me, so long as you don’t harm another fae.”

Instant. Migraine.

With my free hand, I pinch the bridge of my nose. I don’t even notice I’m swaying until Caed catches me.

He casts a glance at his cousin, who shrugs. “One cuff shouldn’t be too bad. Once she gets off the ship, she’ll probably straighten out.”

Nine

Rhoswyn

I’m not really sure how we get off the ship and onto the smaller boat that ferries us to the golden barge. It’s all a blur. By the time I’m tugged to my feet and led onto the glimmering golden ship, I feel curiously… awake. Like the fog that was holding me captive before is lifting slightly.

It must be the lack of iron, I realise. The barge is mostly made of wood and gold, which means I only have to suffer the presence of the weapons of the Fomorians around me and the bangle on my wrist.

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