Page 29 of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly

Lessia glared at the closed door before her.

She’d been so stupid in shutting it.

If she hadn’t, he couldn’t have stopped her from leaving, not with the hawkeyed guards that stood every few feet of the dimly lit hallway.

“Fine! I won’t switch rooms if you let me go.”

She blew out a breath when Merrick stepped away, keeping her back turned until she heard him walk through the door between their rooms. Whirling around, she ran for the door and slammed it shut, hopefully hitting him in the back of his head.

“And stop calling me Elessia!” she yelled through the closed door.

It wasn’t her name.

Not anymore.

Not when all it did was remind her of the parents who gave it to her.

Spinning around again, she leaned against the door should he try to break it down, but when nothing happened,she lifted her gaze to take in the room she’d been given, trying to distract herself from the memories that threatened to take over her mind.

A bed stood in the middle of the room, and under the large window to her right was a small chair, silvery light from the moon that hung over the sea spilling onto it. To her left there was a small bathing chamber, and beside it gaped an empty closet where the guard had dropped her satchel.

Her stomach churned when she realized there was only a small fireplace in the corner, and only a single lantern stood on the bedside table.

She’d have to go look for more lanterns, at least two more, to ensure she’d have light throughout the night.

But first, she needed to go back to the house to let Ardow know she was fine and check in on Amalise to see if she would speak to her yet.

Holding her breath, she tiptoed across the floor and quietly twisted the doorknob.

When Merrick’s door didn’t open, she thanked whatever god was looking out for her and made her way down the hallway, nodding to the guards standing at their posts with shoulders back and heads held high.

After getting lost twice and somehow ending up outside the kitchen, she finally found her way to the hall they’d first gathered in and slipped out the creaking wooden door into the chill night.

Lessia pulled the hood of her cloak over her face as she walked through Asker, keeping her eyes down not to attract attention. Without any trouble, she soon pushed open the door to the warehouse.

Soft voices traveled down the staircase, and she nearly sprinted up to see a friendly face. Pausing at the top of thestairs, she reveled in the familiar smells of food and leather—the smells of her home—and a smile pulled at her lips as she watched Amalise wag her finger at Ardow.

He looked up first when she cleared her throat, and his shoulders lowered before he ran over and pulled her into his arms.

“Gods,” he whispered against her hair. “I was so worried, Lia. Who was that back there?”

Before she could answer, Amalise dragged her into her arms, hugging her so tight she could barely breathe. “I heard what happened! I’m so sorry I was such a bitch when you said goodbye.”

Amalise’s lip trembled when she pulled back, and Lessia gently smacked her shoulder as she swallowed the lump in her throat.

“Carefree, remember, Amalise? You’re fine. I am sorry I have to be so cryptic, but see, I’m already back. Well, at least for an hour. Apparently, there is a dinner I need to attend.”

Amalise shook her head, but no tears fell when she let go to sweep her blonde hair over her shoulder.

“Come on, I don’t have much time, and I need you”—Lessia glanced at Ardow—“to tell me what I can expect. I’m hearing I’m to be starved and tortured?”

Lessia tried for a smile, but it fell as dread stirred in her gut.

She’d thought there might be more public humiliation, debates where she’d make a fool out of herself, but not physical challenges.

Not that she was new to starvation.

Or even torture.

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