Page 90 of Hidden Kingdoms

He was right;he was dead. There was no denying that I was relieved by that fact, but I would have been more relieved if he had diedbeforehe had the chance to attack me. We were only a few feet apart, I could practically hear magik crackling across my skin. What I was going to do when I reached him, I had no idea because this was reckless. But right now, I was reckless.

Wild excitement lit his face the closer I came, ignoring the heat that beat at my skin with every inch I made towards him, until a large figure stepped forcefully between us. Breaking the connection as the heat was sucked from the room. Hands closed gently on my arms as I was guided backwards, my magik faltering slightly as Kaius filled my vision.

“Enough,both of you. This isn’t helping. She’s right, I should have done more to find him. This should never have happened, and I know you know that Bas, otherwise you wouldn’t have called her here.” I stepped around him keeping Bastian in sight.

“Whydidyou call me here? I was expecting to be thrown in a dungeon for murder, but all I’ve managed to get out of you is that I’m getting a personal guard because a man thatno one knowsattacked me.”

“Would you like to be thrown in my dungeon, Princess? I get the feeling you might like it.”

“No, I really wouldn’t. And stop calling me that,” I snapped as he smirked, lounging back in his chair, large body leaving little of the dark wood to be seen, except the ornately carved top. Kaius stood by my side watching warily.

“What do you want? Name something. Let’s call it a goodwill gesture for this… inconvenience.”

“Inconvenience? That’s what you call being attacked by someone in your own castle?”

“I’m trying to be generous here.”

“Generous?” I parroted in disbelief.

“Are you broken? Have you lost your ability to form words of your own creation? Yes, generous. I am my people's beloved prince after all.” He held his hand over his heart in mock reverence. “You, yourself, are already reaping the benefits of it. Now stop repeating what I’m saying and ask for something.”

He was right, and I fucking hated it. I came here preparing to be chucked in a dungeon, not to have a request granted. It wasunnerving, and my mind was spinning in every direction in an attempt to decide what I could ask. What he would agree to.

“A phone.”

Unlikely.

“Obviously not.”

I rolled my eyes at him, though I already knew that was coming.

“Answers.”

“Another no, Princess.” I ground my teeth at that little nickname, earning me a small laugh of amusement at my annoyance. “One more chance before I send you on your way.”

“Fine,” I all but growled. Running out of time, and obviously ideas, I cast my eyes around for inspiration before they touched on something at the far side of the room.

“Books!” I blurted out, feeling Kaius’ head turn at my exclamation. Hope flared within me; this was what I wanted.

“Books?” Bastian’s eyebrow raised.

“Yes, books. I’m sure you must have read one at least once in your privileged life.”

“I know what books are. I just don’t know why you would want them?”

Too eager. Fuck, I’d been too eager, and now he might say no.

He was definitely the type to do shit like that.

“Because, you might be unaware, being your captive is ridiculously boring, as are the books already in my prison. I need something to occupy me before I die of boredom, and then I’ll never be able to help you like you so desperately need me to.”

I doubted he was going to be offering up a Netflix account anytime soon.

Did Fae have Netflix?

Stop rambling.

I needed this. If he gave me access to actual books, then who knows what I would be able to learn. Maybe I would be able tofind a way out of the castle. A way home. I schooled my face into indifference, desperate for him not to see how much I wanted this. Yet desperate for him to agree.

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