Page 21 of Owned By the Fae
‘Yes.’ I attempt to look suitably saddened by the news. It’s much harder than expected. ‘Tragic.’
‘Vern has been made my new second, which means there might be a place for you in the keep.’
‘I would be honored,’ I murmur with deference that isn’t disingenuous.
He nods and turns away. ‘Will Fiana be back soon?’ I ask his back, unable to help myself.
He looks over his shoulder at me. ‘You've missed her.’
‘I have. Thoughts of her helped me through the darker days out in the Wilds.’
‘She's missed you as well. She'll be back soon. A few days more at the most, and you'll be together once more.’
I smile a little, telling myself I feel relieved. Idofeel relieved. I'm just … I throw one of the bolts into the center of the room. This time, fire consumes everything within the circle, and when I turn back, Varrik is gone.
I glance down at my hands. I’ve been in here all morning using magick, and I don't feel depleted at all. I do deserve a place with the elites. I've always fought for that privilege even when I wasn’t powerful enough, and now I have what I wanted in my grasp. I frown. I thought it would feel … better than this.
I leave the room, going down the small corridor to exit the building beside the keep. I'm not allowed inside still, but I suppose it's only a matter of time now that I’ll be joining the best of the Skilled.
I go to our house instead and find Grey sitting in the parlor, staring at nothing.
‘I heard about Grith,’ I say without preamble. ‘What did you do?’
He smirks. ‘Only what you already knew I would. If you'd wanted the cunt spared, you should have told Varrik. You could have warned him.’
‘You put your position here in jeopardy if anyone suspects. And mine as well! And for what? Some fucking human!’
Grey's eyes darken. ‘Don't speak of her,’ he snarls, and I'm taken aback by the sheer rage in his eyes.
The beast’s eyes.
‘Gods!’ I exclaim. ‘Do you think she's your mate?’ I laugh a little. ‘You’re as foolish as Kallum, both of you thinking that the Harbinger could be tamed, could feel anything at all for you.’
Grey is on his feet and pushing me against the wall before I can take another breath.
‘Careful,’ I grind out, pushing him back.
‘No,’ he says, ‘you be careful. You don't speak about her. If I'd known that you’d called for Varrik, that you’d told him where we were, I would have?—’
‘You would have what?!’ I interrupt. ‘Taken her somewhere? Had a life with her? You're being ridiculous. Find another girl. There are plenty here.’
‘I don't want another girl,’ Grey snarls. ‘I want to seemine.’
‘Well, you can't,’ I say. ‘She's in the keep under guard, and Varrik will contain her there until he has use of her.’
‘He can't keep her locked up forever,’ Grey scoffs.
‘Can't he?’
I turn away from him, not liking the desperation in his eyes nor the feelings that bubble up whenever I think of her as if I’ve done something terrible. It’s why I try not to think of her at all.
‘Where's Kal?’ he asks.
‘I don’t know, but I heard he showed them what he could do the other day in the arena during practice. Varrik noticed how much his skill has grown.’
‘What exactly did he show them?’ Grey grinds out, obviously trying to get over his anger at me.
‘The invisibility,’ I reply, giving him a sharp look. ‘What else is there?’
