Page 27 of Hidden Kingdoms

Marcellus’ eyes narrowed slightly as he took me in, then reached past me to touch his finger against the door. It swung open and he stepped back, allowing me space to go inside.

It would be easier—so much easier—if I had been thrown in kicking and screaming. It took everything in me to force myself to take that first step forward into this new, albeit temporary, home.

12

CHAPTER TWELVE

ELODIE

It was a room—a small, neat room.

The first rays of morning were peeking through the floor-length grey curtains that framed a decent sized window, casting a subtle light through the room.

What sort of kidnappers give their prisoners windows?

Flames crackled in a small fireplace that added to the heat already in the air, though my chilled body was too on edge to allow it to warm me.

Had they been expecting me?

My pulse rocketed under my skin, thoughts matching its speed as my eyes flicked from object to object.

To the table with four chairs. A bed filled with blankets.

A painting of a fucking fruit bowl.

Quickly my gaze settled on the second door which led from the room, and my fingers itched to wrench it open, but I waited, more than aware of the giant figure watching my every move.

There was a sofa whose upholstery matched the curtains and sconces set into the dull grey walls. I took a single step forward onto the black rug that covered most of the stone floor and saw a tall chest of drawers against the wall opposite the bed.

And above the row of books which were neatly lined on top of that was a TV.

A fucking TV.

Like a mad woman, a bubble of laughter escaped me as I stood there blinking at the dark screen, something so strangely normal.

There were no chains, no bars.

Nothing to indicate I wasn’t a guest willingly staying in this palace straight out of a fairytale, but while it may be a long way from straw beds and buckets to piss in, it felt wrong—like a test.

Fingers twisting in the puncture holes from Titan’s teeth in the ill-fitting jumper which was all that kept me covered. I turned in a slow circle, somehow, I felt less exposed from the lack of clothing than I did from the icy stare that met me as I found Marcellus still watching from behind the door, his bulk blocking the only way out.

Any relief at the relative comfort of my surroundings felt false, as though it would be ripped away at any moment.

I was too tired to process all that had happened, my system crashing from the ups and downs, adrenaline no longer keeping me going as exhaustion threatened to overwhelm me. But I fought to keep myself awake, if only for a little while longer.

Maybe this was all a hallucination, and in reality, I was already chained up in a dungeon somewhere.

“A guard is stationed at all times.” Marcellus’ voice was a deep timbre that scraped across my bones. “Food will be brought to you.”

My mind scrabbled with half-formed plans. How long would they take to come? Maybe once Marcellus left, I could escape before they arrived... there hadn’t been anyone with us when we walked here.

My thoughts must have been stamped over my face as his hardened. “You cannot leave.”

Not caring for pleasantries, I stood silently before him, bare legs starting to thaw as I acknowledged some small grace at the fact I would be fed but found no other silver lining.

Shoulders sagging in defeat, I accepted he was right for now; there was no way I could get anywhere in the state I was in. I didn’t even know what part of the palace I was in, let alone how to find home.

His eyes swept over me, assessing, before he nodded and turned away, black cape billowing slightly as the door shut behind him. The thud of the latch echoing through me in a painful finality.

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