21. Chapter 21

First it was Nathan 's ostentatious behavior that threw me off, his audaciousness to wring concessions from Myles, our vissigroth. It would have been laughable had it not been so sad of an attempt.

Then his gullibility caught me off guard, how had he not seen that the Chrymphten would recognize his little scheme? I supposed I should have been grateful they allowed him to leave, but our father had taught us to be better leaders than this.

The last straw though was Myles asking, coming ? toward me.

As if I would just go with him. Why would I do that? Especially now that it was so blatantly obvious how much Horn needed me.

"My place is here," I informed Myles haughtily.

"It wasn't a question," he clarified.

"I am still your hostage?" I asked incredulously.

"Now more than ever," he insisted. "After the debacle between your brother and the Chrymphten I need assurance that this was actually what took place and he's not feeding me—"

"It's true what I said," Nathan protested. "Please, I need my sister."

"That's obvious," Myles stated, looking him derisively up and down, "but not going to happen." He held out his hand to me and repeated, "Come."

His gaze told me that pleading would lead nowhere. So I glowered at him and resigned placed my hand in his.

"What do you want?" Myles's sharp voice made me look up to face Conrad.

"I… I beg your pardon, I only wish… may I have a moment with Lady Niara?" And then he added, "Please," making me cringe.

"Make it quick, we don't have time for this nonsense," Myles directed, but to my surprise, let go of my hand, while he wandered to the table to fill a glass of spirits for himself.

"Are you alright?" Conrad asked in a whispering tone.

The devil rode me, "What if I weren't what would you do?" I challenged.

"I would… I would…" Conrad stuttered and I felt pity for him. It was an unfair question and I knew it. Even if Conrad had been bigger and stronger, Myles was a vissigroth, unchallengeable unless one was prepared to die.

"It's alright," I brushed my hand over his cheek, noticing how much softer his stubble was than Myles.

Let me know when you're done playing with untrained youths and are ready for a male to quench your desires Lady Niara, Myles had said and as much as I hated to admit it, he had been right. For the first time I realized how foolish of me it had been to encourage Conrad, who might have a sharp and clever mind, but none of the physical whereabouts to defend me or Horn .

"Good-bye, Conrad," I said.

"What do you mean? What did I do?" He cried, tears gathering in his eyes.

A question Myles would have never asked me. Oh no, he would swing me over his shoulder and carry me away—if I ever got him to actually desiring me.

Don't forget the kiss , my mind threw in.

There was that. The kiss , that still confused the hell out of me. And what did his last words even mean? That he wanted me? To be his plaything? His lover?

Gods I didn't have time to think about this now, I really didn't.

"Nathan," I called and he hurried to my side. "Get Horn ready, just like Myles said and set course for Aecor."

"You really think that is wise? The Chrymphten said—"

"Nathan?"

"Yes?"

"Don't be an idiot and follow Myles instructions," I pushed.

A small rebellious light flickered in his eyes.

"Nathan, for our people. Please. Trust me."

The light died down and I knew he would oblige. "Thank you."

"Be well sister."

"You too," I gave him a kiss on the cheek, smiled sadly at Conrad who still stood there, not moving, staring at me with large puppy dog eyes. Instead of feeling sorry for him though, I felt only relief. Relief that if nothing else, Myles had opened my eyes to what my people needed. What I needed .

I was still mad as hell at him, but smart enough to realize what needed to be done.

So, grumbling, I followed him back to the boat, but this time not even the sight of Attourna managed to rip me out of my brooding mood. Which circled entirely too much around the unpredictable vissigroth occupying the same room, and making it seem so much smaller.

He confused me, my emotions confused me. Between the two of them, it was hard to form a coherent thought. The only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted him to want me .

Was that what his words—l et me know when you're done playing with untrained youths and are ready for a male to quench your desires Lady Niara— had meant? Or had they merely been a challenge, or an offer?

Ugh, I just couldn't figure him out.

Currently he was sitting on a couch, staring at his palmtop, moving his fingers over the surface occasionally, pretending I wasn't even in the same room. Or was he? Maybe I didn't really matter to him other than as a hostage, one that might be useful in training his men to dive and explore underwater, long forgotten cities.

But if so, why did he say what he did ? My stubborn self kept poking me.

With a huff I turned to the viewing window, but we had left Attourna behind and there was nothing to see now but darkness and an occasional fish.

I swirled my skirts as I pivoted with another loud sigh and paced to the other side of the room. There I helped myself to some water, just to have something to do. Huffing again, I moved to a chair, sat. Drummed my fingers on the armrests, before I stood up again. Pacing.

"Are you alright?"

Myles looked up from his palmtop, honest puzzlement on his handsome face.

"No, no I'm not alright," I pushed out between clenched teeth. I would not tell him that he confused me, I would not. "It seems that after everything I have done, I’m your hostage once again."

"Is that what’s bothering you?" He placed the palmtop on the table in front of him.

"Yes, of course. I thought I would be returning home, instead I'm back here," my arms spread out, encompassing the room, him.

"And that bothers you?"

"Yes," I gritted.

"I see."

What did he see? Oh this man was infuriating.

"Would it make you feel better to be referred to as my guest than my hostage?"

"A guest implies I have a choice in the matter."

"So what would you have chosen if I had invited you?" He tilted his head and seemed honestly curious to hear my answer.

"Horn of course," I said vehemently .

"See," he opened his palms as if it were the most logical reason in the universe, "that's why I couldn't give you a choice. I need you by my side."

"For what?" I asked exasperated, because for the life of me I couldn't figure it out.