Page 44 of Owned By the Fae
‘Wake up,’ I mutter. ‘We need to get you back to where you’re supposed to be, Harbinger.’
Her eyes flicker, and when they open, I notice that they’ve become glazed and feverish. She looks ill.
My brow furrows. ‘Lia?’
She blinks slowly, and my eyes widen as she untucks the bath sheet and opens it, revealing her body to me.
‘What are you doing?’ I hiss, suddenly angry beyond words at her antics … or the fact that my cock begins to immediately harden at the sight of her.
She doesn't reply; she just blinks and stares at the ceiling. Her legs widen. I look away, willing myself to think of my Fiana and not the female in front of me.
My eyes cut to her face, trying to understand what game she’s playing, but her expression is blank. It’s as if she doesn’t even realize where she is, perhaps not even what she’s doing.
‘Lia?’ I ask again.
She blinks again very slowly but doesn’t move.
I lean forward and close the bath sheet, recovering her.
‘Lia,’ I say again more forcefully, and she looks at me, her eyes unfocused.
‘Why did you come here?’ I ask, my eyes narrowing.
My lip curls in disgust when she still doesn’t answer.
‘Did the others notreleaseyou enough in Rondorai?’ I snarl, trying to get a reaction, any at all.
Has she come to try to sabotage my new position here, my good standing with Varrik? Did one of the other elites put her up to it? I wouldn’t put it past Vern or Rikoth. Neither of them ever liked that Fiana and I were together. But if Varrik finds Lia here, I could well be barred from the keep before I can even explain.
She shakes her head a little, but I don’t think the motion is meant to be a response. Her eyes close again and I lean forward with a sound of impatience as I grab her by the shoulder. She squeals, her face contorting in pain, and I jump back, looking to see where I hurt her.
There’s nothing there.
Her eyes are fixed on mine again, and she opens the sheet once more.
‘I don’t want you!’ I snarl, and she flinches.
Her gaze lowers, avoiding mine.
‘Where am I?’ she whispers, looking around the room slowly and sounding close to tears.
The vacant look in her eyes suddenly and very belatedly makes me realize that she’s not herself, that maybe she’s ingested something that’s making her act this way. I’m no healer, but I’ve heard of herbs that can do these things.
‘Someone drugged you and sent you here. Who?’ I ask.
Perhaps Vern or Rikoth gave her something and pointed her in this direction.
Her eyes flutter back open.
‘I had to come here … have to escape.’
Her fingers drift into mine, and she squeezes my hand weakly.
‘Please,’ she begs quietly. ‘Please.
I shake my head. ‘You shouldn't be here. I need to get you back to the keep.’
I grip her hand tightly and pull her up to get her standing.
