Page 104 of The High Mountain Court

Renwick smiled, gliding over to her. He set the tray of food down beside her and she greedily shoved a whole bread roll into her mouth in one bite.

“Who knew the Dammacus children were so cunning?” Renwick sneered. “Since at least two of you escaped.”

Remy looked at Renwick, eyes widening. He knew Rua was alive then? Had they captured her too? She said nothing for fear of giving it away.

“Now tell me, Remini, where is that brother of yours?”

Remy tried to hold in her sigh of relief.

“He’s dead,” she said. “I am the only one left.”

“Now, we both know that’s not true.” Renwick grinned again. “A blue witch confirmed it for my father only days ago . . . there is more than one Dammacus child alive.”

Shit.

Remy shook her head. So that’s why they kept her alive. They wanted her to tell them where her brother was. They knew if they killed her, the Dammacus bloodline would still bind the Immortal Blade to the High Mountain Court.

She scowled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Are you sure about that?” Renwick asked. He eyed the empty plate of food. “Why don’t I give you a few days in this place to think on it. If you’d like another meal, I will expect an answer from you.”

“I don’t have any answers!” Remy hated the pleading sound in her tone.

Renwick looked her up and down. “Perhaps not. But we will make sure word gets out that we are holding Princess Remini alive, and when Raffiel hears about it, he will come for you, I’m certain of it. And we will be waiting.”

With that, Renwick turned and walked out the door. He threw her one last look over his shoulder.

“Try to stay alive down here, Princess,” he said and then disappeared down the hallway, the guards locking her cell and following him.

* * *

The keening rumble of her stomach was her only companion. The darkened dungeon provided no indication of the time. How much time had passed? The cold seeped into her bones. Exhaustion weighed her heavy eyelids, but the silence from the other end of the hall was the worst of all her pain. She didn’t know if Hale remained in his cell or if he was even still alive. Kneading her fist into her gnawing, hungry gut, she silently reprimanded herself. She couldn’t think like that.

A far door creaked open. Heavy boots and the clanking of armor echoed down the hall. The two knights entered her cell, standing on either side of the open door. When Renwick entered, Remy had to wring her hands together to keep from lurching toward the plate of food in his hands. She did not care if it was poisoned—at least she would die with a full belly.

“You seem much more willing to talk, Princess,” Renwick said, pursing his lips as he cocked his head at her.

She would not meet his gaze, her attention devoted wholly to the dish in his hands.

Renwick huffed. “You are worse than the palace dogs.”

Armor rattled as the monstrous soldiers laughed. Renwick stepped with a sneer across the muck-covered stones. The dish didn’t meet the floor before Remy snatched a chunk of stale bread. She chomped ravenously on the bread as she shoved a wedge of cheese into her mouth. Swallowing the half-chewed food, she shoveled the slices of chicken meat into her mouth, the greasy salt taste sending bolts of relief through her body.

Renwick stood over her, chuckling softly. He watched with his lip curled while she devoured the entire plate.

When she finished, he crouched, careful to not let his clothing touch the filthy floor. His emerald-green eyes bored into her. They seemed to glow in the shadowed light.

“Are you ready to answer my questions?” He narrowed his eyes at her as she licked the salt from her lips.

“I don’t know anything about Raffiel,” she breathed, wincing as a muscle cramped in her gut. She had eaten too quickly after too many days without food.

“That is not my question.”

Remy's pulse hammered in her neck as she looked up to the sentries standing beside the open doorway. If she did not have any answers this time, how many more days could she go without food?

“Where is the Shil-de ring, Remini?” His voice was a rough whisper. “We found the amulet of Aelusien in your horses’ saddlebag. Not a very clever hiding place for a priceless item, I must say.”

“I don’t have the ring, Witchslayer,” Remy said. She held her chin higher, forcing herself to meet Renwick’s violent gaze.

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