Page 53 of A Game of Monsters

“I’d suggest you agree to my proposal if you wish peace to last longer than lunchtime today.”

Cassial huffed out his nose like a bull readying to charge. If he did, I would stand still and take it. “Would you ruin the relations between the fey and humans over one person?”

“Who said anything about going against the humans, Cassial?” I tilted my head, drunk on the power. “It will be the Nephilim and theirwayswe will fight back against, and you know no one will benefit from that.”

Silence thrummed between us, thick as a blanket of iron weighing down.

“If I agree to this exchange, it will only be on the understanding that you sign the treaty. I will give you until tonight,” Cassial said, breaking the tension. “Before the ball, you will visit me and sign your name. Give me your support, help confirm a connection between the fey and human realms, and I will take that as proof of your promise that I can trust your word. Do not come to me, and I will understand the defiance for what it is.”

My lip curled over my teeth. “I will sign the moment Rafaela is confirmed to be headed for Icethorn lands.”

He lowered his head enough that it looked as though he was looking at me through his lashes. “Sign the treaty, Robin, and I will allow you to be the one to take her. Bring her to the Icethorn Court and you can deal with her treachery. She will be your thorn instead of mine.” He looked back, pity and hate creased across darkening eyes as he regarded the bleeding Nephilim. “Rafaela has no place amongst us anymore, her betrayal proved as much.”

“I accept,” I said quickly, body trembling with the need to help her, to get him far away so I could make sure she was not going to die of these wounds.

In his way of agreeing, Cassial dropped the saw. It clattered against the ground, the sound making me wince. “That was the right decision.”

“I hope so,” I muttered, already making a move for Rafaela until Cassial stepped in the way, imposing with his broad frame.

“You are right, Robin. I am the Creator’s shield – the remaining guardian of the Nephilim. But I am also His chosen Saviour. It is my duty alone to save this world, to bring forth the time in which our Lord desired. And I will do anything to protect His legacy.Anything.”

I gritted my teeth, biting on the insides of my cheeks to stop myself from saying something that would make matters worse. Cassial took my silence as acceptance. I flinched as he reached into his pocket. He withdrew a small key and threw it at me without warning, like a bone to a dog. That was how he saw me.

Cassial smiled down at me like a cat who got the cream, then flapped his wings until he was airborne. He flew out of the Below, landing atop the dais I’d thrown myself from. I held myself firm, forcing the last dregs of strength and control into my legs, until I was confident Cassial had left.

Then I settled my eyes on the damage before me, and all that control left me.

“I’m here,” I said, voice breaking, fighting the urge to vomit as I knelt beside Rafaela’s raised hands, unsure what to do with them. “Rafaela, it’s Robin. Can you hear me? I’ve got you. No one is ever going to hurt you again.”

Her breathing was shallow, proving she still lived. Rafaela was the strongest person I’d ever known. She’d returned to Cassial, knowing punishment awaited her. And I understood that the lack of a locked gate down here, the vacant place where guards should stand, only suggested Rafaela had stayed here out of her own choice.

It broke me, brick by brick, until I was no different to the destroyed half of my castle back home. Because no matter how cruel this treatment, Rafaela believed she deserved it.

CHAPTER 13

I propped my arm beneath Rafaela’s neck and lower back as I held her afloat in the pool of azure water in the Below. Her eyes were closed, the water murky as it cleaned new and old blood away from her wounds. I’d covered her body in a white sheet, securing her modesty.

Everything down here was so silent. In the quiet I could remember the time I had washed in this pool. I was alongside many other prisoners, no room to be conscious about my body or situation. Jesibel had been here, shadowing me during my stay in the prison, breaking the noses of those who had threatened me.

The past was a painful thing. It was easy to forget the possibility of a future when I was haunted by so much hurt and loss. And yet, looking down at Rafaela’s peaceful face, her eyes closed and lips slightly parted, I reminded myself why I was here.

Because Rafaela could secure the future. She was the key to it, and the lock to secure it.

Once I was satisfied the waters had washed her down, the high salt levels working against any infection in her new wounds, I drew her out onto the rocky shore and laid her down on a bed of blankets and spare sheets I’d found.

There were enough belongings from the Below’s previous tenants that I found healing salve that should help numb the area at least.

Time moved slowly down here. If I didn’t leave soon, Erix would come looking and my proposal to Cassial would be ruined. I couldn’t have him finding out the horrors that happened here without breaking the weak promise I’d made. Yes, I would tell them I found her and make excuses for Cassial’s lies, but the moment they knew about her state, it would ruin the securing of peace.

It was the best I could do.

But leaving Rafaela now was impossible. I waited, partly to see if she would live through this, but more because I selfishly needed my answers.

When a groan escaped her lips, the lines formed over her forehead and her eyes fluttered open, I finally let out a breath that I didn’t know I’d been holding.

“Steady,” I whispered, brushing a soft hand down the side of her screwed up face. “Take your time.”

There was no screaming as she came to, no reaction of terror and pain. Just as she had during rest, there was a peace to Rafaela as her obscure eyes settled on mine.

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