Page 18 of Between Wrath and Mercy

“Emmeline, I know you didn’t hear a heartbeat on the other side of this door, or we’d have knocked on it first. The boy saw her two days ago. Let me go first and prepare yourself for the worst, just in case.”

I swallowed, realizing in horror what he was suggesting. He thought she could be dead. The idea hadn’t crossed my mind. If the boy saw Elora two days ago, and I heard no heartbeat, it would mean Elora was already gone on a ship to Folterra. I was prepared for that outcome. In fact, it was the probable one. It made no sense for them to smuggle her away and kill her; they could’ve just done that on the road—why take her to Mira? Mindful of his concern, I took a deep breath, nodded, and turned the key.

The room appeared just as the other one had, undisturbed. After Rainier’s warning, I breathed a sigh of relief. I didn’t think they’d have killed her and left her here after the hassle they went through to get her. Rainier stepped in first, and we started the same routine as before, though I avoided the closet this time. There was no sign of Elora here, and we were at a dead end once again.

“Big and scary, huh?” Rainier tugged the curtain in the room back as I searched a small desk up against the wall.

“You’ve seen your reflection, right?” He chuckled as he searched the nightstand.

“And how do you think the kid saw you? Short and sweet?” He teased. “Though itwasnice to see you without a scowl.”

“Shut up.” He was getting comfortable with me, and I didn’t think I could risk that, didn’t think I could afford it. All he did was give me his crooked smile—the one that had always melted me—before he bent down and checked under the bed.

“Hang on.”

My heart stopped.

“What is it?”

He stood up, holding something in his hand, a thin chain hanging down.

“Give it to me.” I snatched it from him. Elora’s ammolite necklace.

I sat down at the foot of the bed and held my head in both hands. I started to tremble and felt like I couldn’t get enough air. I was panting, trying to breathe deep. But I couldn’t—I couldn’t expand my lungs enough. My chest tightened, and I was able to take small gasping breaths, just enough to keep from passing out. I was doing everything I could to keep it together, but now what? How did her necklace break? It looked like someone had ripped it off her, the clasp gone. She wasn’t here, she was halfway to Folterra by now already. What if—

“Giving up again, Em? Get up.” I could hear Rainier’s smirk in his voice and the command in his tone.

I raised my head from my hands and stared. I took a slow deep breath, effectively quelling the panic as something like rage started to simmer.

“Are you joking?” I nearly spat the words at him.

“You’re used to giving up, aren’t you? Not used to fighting for something.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about.” The sheer audacity.

“I think I do, Emmeline. It was easier to give up than face what happened. Did you know I came back to Ravemont after you left with Faxon?”

I didn’t know. He’d tried to see me once while I was still there, heavily pregnant with Elora, but I wouldn’t see him. Couldn’t see him. I didn’t know he came back a second time. The expression on my face must have given me away because he nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing.

“Oh yes, even though you tried to kill me. I came back to explain some things to you that you weren’t ready to hear. But you were gone.”

“First of all, I didn’t try tokillyou, it was first blood. Gods, you’re dramatic.” I did not hold back my sneer as I stood to face him. “Second of all, I never asked—”

“You’re right, you didn’t try to kill me. You just ran. You ran from the thing you needed most.” His voice was deep and cold, and my stomach clenched. I reached out and felt the steady heartbeat, if a little fast, thundering below his skin. He looked down his nose, still towering over me even though I was standing. “It seems like maybe you’ve learned that, though. Maybe you’ve realized some things are worth fighting for.” I saw red and started in on him.

“The thing I needed most? The thing I needed most was my sister, and she’s dead, thanks to us. If you meant you?” I let out a dark laugh, watching his nostrils flare. “‘We can’t do this,’ remember? What choice did you leave me?” I shook my head and looked down. I was mad, certainly, but I couldn’t help feeling a small sting over the rejection I’d experienced all those years ago. “Gods, I hate you. I’ve never stopped hating you.” I glared up at him, my eyes narrowed and chin jutted out, and I watched his jaw clench as fire whipped up in his eyes.

“I bet that poison tastes like honey on your tongue.” His gaze pointedly moved down to my lips as he took a step closer to me, and gods damn me if my eyes didn’t move to his mouth in turn. If I breathed too deeply, my chest would have pushed against him. He leaned his face down so his lips were a breath away from mine. I stood my ground, refusing to be the one to give in to this strange battle of wills. “You seem angry, Emmeline.” I felt his words on my lips as a shudder rippled down my spine. Hoping I controlled my physical reaction, I stepped back before I lost my mind.

His win.

“That’s because Iamangry, Rainier.”

“Good, you’re much more useful when you’re angry.” He shot me a grin then, and realization slowly dawned on me.

“You did that on purpose?” Indignation clear in my voice, I crossed my arms so I wouldn’t slap him as I glared. All he did in return was shrug.

“Can’t have you breaking yet. Best to rile you up instead.” Amusement flickered in his eyes, and his nonchalant tone made the anger he roused in me simmer like a pot over a flame. I stepped back toward him, close enough to touch, and took a breath, pushing myself into him. I knew he felt the same energy I did, and if he wanted to play with fire, then fine. We would play.

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