Page 6 of A Bond of Ice and Glass
“Forgive me. The princess only just opened her eyes. I wanted to make sure she had something to eat that would build her strength and didn’t taste like… copper.”
Even from Lochlan’s side, I catch the flaring of his nostrils, hear the intake of air dragging sharply through them before he replies. How did she know I can taste copper?
“I’m sure the old hag will be delighted to know what you think of her remedies. That’s what you call her, isn’t it?” I blink at Lochlan’s scathing tone. “The old hag who saved Maelena’s life?”
Still looking at him, but her head lifted again, Nymala replies coolly, “Old bat, actually. But I don’t think it’s herpotions causing the horrible taste. I think it’s something else, something… in the air, perhaps.”
For several moments, neither of them speak again.
Lochlan’s black-gloved hand clenches and unclenches at his side.
Then, with a sudden jerk of his head, he dismisses Nymala with such coldness that it reminds me of Sister Gabriella.
“We’ll continue this later,” he growls as she passes by him.
“Of course.” Nymala bows with a sardonic twist to her lips. “I look forward to it…MasterLochlan.”
Lochan’s hand clenches again, but he says nothing. I only realise he’s holding his breath once the door closes behind her and he releases it.
“What’s your problem with her? Why are you being so mean?”
Lochlan’s gaze cuts back to me. “Mean?” His eyes widen in surprise before narrowing again. “Nymala isn’t a guest here, Lena. She’s aprisoner.” He frowns at me. “Haven’t you seen the chain on her wrist?”
I picture Nymala in my head. She had so many unusual bracelets on her wrists it’s impossible to tell which of them was a chain.
“Apparently not. I’ve been too busy catching up on my beauty sleep,” I reply dryly. “I’ve never seen you talk to people like that. It’s… not like you. What’s going on?”
His features soften a little, as well as his voice. “Things are different here. We’re not in the convent anymore. There’s so much you need to learn about this place. And there will be time to learn it. As for Nymala, she’s only here because her magic helps protect our home. Otherwise, she’d be rotting in the dungeons where she belongs.”
I bite my lips, and step away. My head swims as a wave of dizziness washes over me. Lochlan reaches out to steady me.I wave his hand off. It reminds me too much of the times he helped me in and out of bed after my beatings.
I take a deep breath and force myself to walk with no signs of discomfort. Surprisingly, it’s more the headache that’s bothering me now. The copper taste I can deal with, and the muscle aches, but the headache? It feels like someone’s cracked my skull open with a blade made of ice.
I make my way over to the table. “Is Nymala dangerous?”
Surely, Lochlan wouldn’t leave me alone with her if that were the case?
He reaches the table before I do and pulls out one of the chairs for me.
“Nah, just a pain in the ass. But useful. The chain on her wrist keeps her magic in check, so she can’t use it to hurt anyone. Not unless I tell her to. Or Noble does.”
I settle down into the chair. Lochlan’s hand lingers on the back of it while I pick up one of the fresh pastries and bite into it.
“So…” I dip the pastry into the bowl of parfait. “What did Nymala do to get imprisoned?”
Lochlan lifts his hands away and then walks around the table. He drops into the chair opposite me and runs a hand through his slicked back hair.
“She killed my step-father.”
I stop eating, momentarily shocked by the response.
I didn’t expect that.
“Shekilledhim?”
“In his own bed.” He grabs a strawberry and bites into it. A little of the juice slides to the corner of his mouth and down his chin. He nods as he licks it with a swipe of his tongue. “It was a while ago now.” His eyes lock on me as he finishes eating, then he lowers them down to the platter and picks up another ripe strawberry. He holds it near his mouth. “Noble was the one whofound her, hanging over him with one of her enchanted knives buried in his throat. He died in Noble’s arms.”
He tosses the strawberry into his mouth and chews. “The only reason he let her live was because her magic was too powerful to waste…”
