Page 48 of A Touch of Iron
My face scrunched up in thought. “Do you think the necklace would be strong enough?”
“Hmm … that might do the trick.”
* * *
We slippedon our shoes and slowly walked back to the castle, pondering everything we’d discussed. I was consumed by Jon’s proposition, but I would wager Alec’s thoughts were elsewhere, most likely with his brother. I didn’t want to pry, but I was curious about what happened between them.
“I’ll set up a meeting with Jon so we can discuss things further,” Alec said as he dropped me off at my room. “Before you decide, we need some guarantees.”
“Of course.” I placed my hand on the doorknob and turned to speak, but he beat me to it.
“I’ll send Rosemary to fetch you once the meeting has been set.” Already distracted, he turned and walked back down the hallway.
I wanted to stop him, maybe invite him to my room, but his thoughts were obviously elsewhere. With everything else going on, this wasn’t the time or place. I needed to give him space.
With a rueful shake of my head, I entered my room and turned to close the door. As I did, one hand clamped around my waist and hauled me against someone’s chest while another covered my mouth. I yelped, but the sound was muffled.
“Be quiet,” the man whispered with a throaty growl before releasing me and giving me the opportunity to slowly turn around.
Creed.
I stumbled backward and gasped. “What are you doing here?”
“Quiet!” he barked. “Show me where you hid the necklace. I know it’s here.”
“I’m not giving you the necklace, Creed.” I crept further into the room. If I managed to reach the balcony, I could jump to the ground and get help. Unfortunately, Creed didn’t give me the opportunity. He grabbed my arm roughly and yanked me closer.
“Give. Me. The. Necklace,” he demanded.
“I would ratherdiethan let you control me!” I tried to rip myself out of his grip, but his fingers only tightened. “How did you get onto the castle grounds, anyway?” I changed the subject. “Aren’t you supposed to be hiding in Air Village?”
He scoffed. “Don’t worry your pretty little head about that. Just hand over the necklace,” he badgered with a desperation that was unlike him.
I tried to smooth things over. “Creed … you must have a reason for doing this. Why? I’m sure we can work something out.”
“You don’t have the balls to do what I want you to do on your own!” he snapped. “This is the only way.”
“What do you want me to do?” I whispered.
His smile was haughty, confident. “To kill the King, of course.”
My eyes widened and I nearly went slack in his arms. Kill the Unseelie King? Why? I mean sure, he was a jerk, but even the rebels only wanted to dethrone him!
“Why do you want me to do that?”
He shook his head, clearly irritated by my questions. “You don’t need to worry about that part. You can’t do it on your own. That’s why you need me.”
“Does this have anything to do with why you and your mom are hiding in Air Village?” I asked shrewdly.
He shook me hard enough to rattle my bones. “Stop asking so many damn questions and start telling me where you hid the necklace!”
I met him glare for glare. “I won’t let you control me, Creed.”
Frustrated by my repeated refusals, he pitched me aside. I fell to my knees as he stomped over to my dresser and flung all the clothes out of the drawers. When he didn’t find the necklace there, he cursed and moved throughout the rest of the room, tossing it upside down.
This would have been a fantastic opportunity to run and get help, but something deep down told me Creed wouldn’t hurt me. He had multiple opportunities while I lived in Air Village and never once tried anything. I was certain he needed me – alive – to accomplish his goal.
Dismayed, I watched him sling my belongings across the room. “You won’t find it here, Creed.” Putting this mess back in order would be a pain for Rosemary. Not to mention, she’d run right to Alec and tell him what she found. With a weary sigh, I followed behind Creed and placed my things back where they belonged.
