Staying here would kill me.
But if I tried to leave, I would be dead too.
I waited another hour to compose myself before I tried leaving my room. I couldn’t escape this fortress, but nothing could stop me from going to the library and research about this damn bracelet. If there had been books about poison, I was sure there would be books about magical objects. Hopefully, there would be one about this specific one and I would be able to take it off.
But a surprise waited for me when I opened the doors of my chambers. Four guards stood there, blocking my way.
“What is going on?” I asked, alarmed. “When did you get here?” Had they seen Wyatt leaving?
One of the soldiers turned to me and gave me a slight bow of his head. “Just a few minutes ago, your highness. Prince Lark asked us to keep you safe in your chambers while the investigation goes on.”
I frowned. “So I can’t leave my room?”
“For your own safety, no.”
I scoffed. For my own safety—what a freaking lie. Lark was keeping me prisoner in here, probably another punishment since he knew I had been the one to slip poison into his wine. He might not have proof, but he knew.
Seething, I retreated into my chambers and closed the doors again. Damn it. I couldn’t even wander inside the fortress. What the hell would I do now?
I didn’t have to wait for long. A few minutes later, Jennie entered the room. “You’re having lunch with the prince,” she said, her tone quieter than usual.
“Are you okay?” I asked, worried about her. Had the prince beaten her up again?
Jennie lifted her sad eyes to me. “It’s just … General Auron and the soldiers are conducting an investigation to find out who tried to poison the prince.”
I watched her for any indication that she had connected the dots. That she had realized the potion she helped me brew in my closet wasn’t a fertility potion, but rather the poison used to try to kill the prince. But there was nothing in her gaze, no emotion. She was either even more naive than I thought, or she was a very good actress.
“And?” I asked, afraid of her next words.”
“They are being rougher and crueler than usual,” she said with a long sigh.
My stomach tightened. She and the other servants were suffering in the hands of Lark and his evil fae because of me. What other bad consequences my plan would have?
I followed Jennie into my closet and let her dress me in a beautiful black gown with a deep cleavage despite being just the middle of the day. In silence, she applied a little makeup to my face, and pulled my silver hair into an intricate braid behind my head.
If I didn’t know better, I would think I was going to a ball in the middle of the day.
The guards escorted me to the dining room, where Lark waited for me, standing beside the long table, wearing a fancy suit and a thick cloak over his shoulder.
He smiled when he saw me. “You look beautiful.”
I gave him a curtsy. “Thank you.”
The guards stepped out of the room, giving us a little privacy. Lark gestured for me to approach him. He pulled up a chair at the end of the table and helped me sit down. Then he walked the length of the table and took the chair at the other end.
Servants came in with our lunch and drinks. Meanwhile, Lark talked to me about random things—the weather, a big battle against demon hunters and demons in the middle of the country, some unquiet witches who seemed to be stirring up trouble not far from here, and finally, his investigation.
By then, the servants had already brought dessert. With the spoon in my hand, I picked on the fragrant chocolate cake, but I didn’t feel like eating when Lark’s dark eyes gained a somber glint.
He pushed up from his chair and stalked toward me. He grabbed the chair to my right and turned it toward me. He sat on it and leaned closer to me. “Let’s stop playing games,” he said, his tone cold. “I know it was you who put the poison in the wine.”
My breath caught. I knew he knew, but I didn’t think he would actually say it to my face. I preserved my honor and didn’t deny it. Instead, I lifted my chin. “And?”
“The servant and the winemaker were warnings,” he continued. “If you continue in this fool’s quest of killing me or leaving this place, more fae will die. You’ll just be leaving a string of bodies behind you.” He reached over and ran his fingertips along my arms. What was supposed to be seductive, felt disgusting, and brought fear to my core. “You belong to me, Farrah, and you’ll never be able to escape. You should have understood that by now.” He leaned even closer, his breath washing against my shoulder. I suppressed a shudder. “In a couple of days, the moon period will be over, and after you’re pregnant, I know you won’t be going anywhere.” He placed a hand over my belly. I tensed. “Not when I can use our child as leverage.”
I snapped my face to him. He would use a child to blackmail me in behaving? More than ever, I was glad I couldn’t have Lark’s children.
Finally, he pulled back, a wicked half grin in his lips. “You’re excused to go.” He gestured to the doors. “Just know that you aren’t allowed to go anywhere in the fortress without guard supervision. And you’ll be kept locked in your chambers at all times, except for when I call on you.” He waved his hand dismissing me. “Now go.”
For a moment, I couldn’t move. All I could do was stare at him, at his wickedness, at his pleasure in being so evil. Then I forced myself to move. I would rather stay locked in my room than anywhere near this vicious prince.
I stood and walked to the door without sparing him a word or a glance. The moment I stepped out of the dining room, four guards flanked me. I didn’t pause, I didn’t acknowledge them. I just kept moving, trying not to break down as hopelessness filled my heart.
With a heavy sigh, I entered my room and stood just behind the door, listening as it was closed and locked, the clicking sound echoing in my ears.
Now all I could do was wait and pray that Wyatt found Daleigh and they came up with a magnificent plan to rescue me.
18
Wyatt
After leaving Farrah’s chambers, I found Ariella and Kayden rushing through the corridors.
“What happened?” I asked, confused with their worried eyes.
“We failed,” Kayden said, her tone flat. “We couldn’t even get close to the prince with this poisoning attempt.”
Ariella glanced behind me. “Where’s Farrah?”
My shoulders sagged and I shook my head. “She can’t come.”
“What?” she almost shrieked.
“I’ll explain when we’re out of here,” I pressed. I looked around. “How we’re going to leave this place?”
Kayden waved her hands and I felt the jolt of magic coursing over my skin. “We’re all guards now. Better make our way to the nearest gate and run.”
We did exactly that, and with all of the soldiers’ attention on the poisoning investigation, it was easy enough to fool them and exit the fortress.
Once we were far enough, Kayden withdrew our glamour. And when we stepped inside the house we were borrowing, Ariella turned to me.
“Now explain,” she said, her tone as cold as her silver eyes.