Page 25 of Night Fae
Zev blinked as if he'd never considered that Malik mightnotbe counting on Zev to save him.
But Malik never wanted another to suffer for his sake. What they were doing to Zev… he wasn't worth that kind of sacrifice. "I offered myself to him, you know."
"What?" Zev's voice dropped to a whisper.
"I told the Prince to let you go free, and I would… be whatever he wanted."
"You didn't."
"I did. He refused, but I would have done it." Malik held Zev's gaze. "I won't be the reason you become something you hate."
Zev didn't seem to know what to do with that response.
A guard called from the other side of the door. "Time's up!"
Zev moved toward the door, but before he could leave, Malik grabbed his arm. "Wait."
Zev raised an expectant eyebrow at him.
"If they do make you kill again…" Malik struggled to find the right words to express what he wanted to say, what he wanted to offer. "Don't lock it away. Don't go numb."
Zev stared at him impassively, obviously not moved by his words. He didn't understand what Malik wanted.
"You can come vent at me." Malik tried to explain. "You can rage at me. Scream. Break something. Whatever you need."
"You don't know what you're asking for."
"I do." Malik held his gaze steadily. "It's better for you to be furious than for you to be killing your emotions."
The door opened. Guards waited impatiently in the corridor.
"I have to go," Zev said.
"Promise me you'll think about it."
Zev pulled his arm from Malik's grasp, his expression unreadable. For a moment, Malik thought he would leave without answering.
"I'll think about it," Zev finally said, so quietly Malik barely heard him.
Then he was gone, the door closing heavily behind him.
Malik exhaled slowly, suddenly aware of how fast his heart was beating. Had he crossed a line? Offered something he shouldn't have? He didn't know.
CHAPTER 6
Zev stood motionless in the center of his grandmother's private study, his back straight, his hands clasped behind him. He'd assumed this posture countless times before—the obedient grandson awaiting instruction. It disturbed him a little how easily he could fall back into this pattern, but there was nothing he could do to change his situation.
For now.
The room hadn't changed in the years since he'd last stood here. Walls lined with ancient texts bound in midnight-blue leather and silver filigree. The polished marble desk where Lady Morvena now sat, examining a map spread before her. Crystal sconces held floating orbs of cool blue light that cast no shadows, illuminating the space with perfect, merciless clarity.
Only the company differed. His father leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching Zev with undisguised satisfaction.
Zev kept his face blank, his mind emptier still. He hadn't been able to sleep that night. Not without finding the void inside himself again, that hollow space where emotion couldn't reach.It had served him well for decades before Rhys. It would serve him now.
Lady Morvena finally looked up from her map, regarding him with calculated interest.
"You did well yesterday," she said. "I hope you continue to do so."
