Page 38 of Given to the Fae
‘There’s a goblin silversmith close by who cheated me out of a deal the last time I traveled this way. I’m going to take you to him and tell him to punish you for running.’
The dark smile that creases his face is terrifying to behold. My legs feel like jelly and my head whirls.
‘He’ll do it. He likes to make sure slaves know their place. Considers it his civic duty because the punishments are too soft nowadays, or so I’ve heard. So, you’ll get whatyoudeserve, and then, Fate Touched, so will he.’
I shake my head. ‘P-please,’ I whisper. ‘Don’t.’
His grip on my hair tightens.
‘You found her, Warrior. Well done! Give her to me so that we can get on with it.’
The terrifying fae doesn’t release me.
Locke.
I’m not as afraid of Bere’s second, I decide, even though I’m sure I can expect a penalty for hitting him over the head. Warrior is much worse.
‘She deserves a punishment,’ he snarls.
Locke tuts. ‘Of course she does, but healer’s orders. No discipline, I’m afraid. She’ll have to be owed it after we’re finished traveling.’
Warrior lets go of my hair and steps back, giving me a sneering wink. Then, he simply turns on his heel and stalks off, leaving me to Locke.
I regard the tall, dark-haired fae in front of me and I open my mouth to apologize, but before I can, his blue eyes flash in anger. He grabs me, bends me over his arm, and gives me a stinging slap across my arse with a furiously muttered, ‘Fuck the healer’s orders.’
I squeal, struggling in his grip.
His hand comes down hard again, twice in quick succession, and I whimper.
‘You fucking...female!’ He snarls.
His hand strikes me for a fourth time and he pulls me back up, turning me to face him.
His visage is blurry through my tears from his punishment and the realization that, again, fate hasn’t given him anything in return. Why do he, Jak, and Morgan seem to be unaffected?
‘Why did you run?’ he spits out. ‘It was just a fucking release. I wasn’t going to harm you, fool woman!’
‘B-Bere told you to p-put me in the b-block,’ I stutter, my breath hitching. ‘I c-can’t g-go in the block. Please, m-my lord.’
‘I thought you said you’d never been released before you left The Barrack,’ he growls low.
I look down. ‘That wasn’t a lie,’ I whisper.
He’s quiet for a few moments, probably imagining the worst that might have befallen me before he grabs me by the arm again and drags me back out into the square.
‘What are you doing? Couldn’t you just do it…’ I look back at the alleyway. At least it was private.
‘I’m taking you to the barn.’ He stops and looks back at me, his expression drawn. ‘It has to be done, girl. The healer ordered it. Bere ordered it and he’ll want to see it done with his own eyes after this.’
New tears begin to form in my eyes and he sighs.
‘Gods,’ he mutters. ‘If you’re compliant and don’t struggle, I won’t put you in the block. Don’t try to run again either.’
After a moment, I nod. I know it’s the best I can hope for, and I know that if it was up to Bere, he’d make sure I was in the block every time now after my disobedience.
The walk back is made quickly and in silence, and I can’t help but look around for Warrior. How could he have guessed the truth so quickly? I hadn’t even realized he’d been paying so close attention. I barely even noticed him. He hasn’t even been near me. I don’t see him, though, and soon we’re outside the large door that leads back into the barn.
‘You do as I say, yes?’
