Chapter 13

I came to tied to a chair with a splitting headache and some latent dizziness. It took me a second to get my bearings. The light filtering through the window told me it was at least morning. I’d been taken, that much I remembered.

I heard muffled voices and I peered across the room at three fae. One male with red hair, white freckles and two fuzzy horns protruding from his forehead. He reminded of a fawn. Next to him was an unseelie fae who was the spitting image of Eli. His cousin, Caleb, for sure. Then lording over the both of them was a scary, tall seelie female who wore her black hair in a long braid at her back.

I pushed my power over all three of them, sending the emotion of fear and distress.

Immediately something bit into my wrist and I yelped, pulling the emotions back. The three fae shared a look and the woman stepped closer to me.

I peered down at what was causing this pain and whimpered when I saw that the previous handcuffs Stryker had put on me had been removed and now two cuffs ringed both wrists. But these were not normal cuffs: the inside was lined with metal teeth that were currently biting into my flesh.

“Nifty little contraption I picked up on the Noreum black market,” the female fae purred. “If you wish any of us harm, they will tighten until your hands sever.”

I bit my lip, controlling my thoughts against the three fae before me and the cuffs loosened. A sigh of relief escaped me as the teeth retracted from my now-bleeding wrists.

“What do you want?” I breathed, trying to control my wildly beating heart.

Don’t faint. Don’t faint, I chanted inside my head.

The female observed me slowly and my gaze flicked to the giant diamond necklace she wore and the emerald rings and ruby bracelets on her wrist.

“I want to be left alone,” she stated.

She stepped closer, tracing her finger over my throat. I wanted to bite it off but the cuffs tightened at that thought so I pushed it out of my mind.

“I mean you no harm. I’ll do just that,” I said, confused.

She rolled her eyes. “You stupid girl. I know you are here with Lord Stryker, hunting us. I have scouts all over this kingdom.”

I’d found Stryker’s jewel thief. Of course she wore them all over her like a sales showcase.

Chills ran the length of my entire body.

I peered at Caleb, who kept his head down, and looked uncomfortable with the turn of events. His clothing was dirty and torn and it didn’t look like she was treating him very well by the looks of the bruise under his eye or his thin frame.

The woman placed a hand on either side of the chair I was tethered to and leaned into me. “Is it true you are a truth witch?”

My heart fluttered like crazy at her question. She knew more than I was comfortable with.

“Because that could be useful to me,” she said. She smelled of metal and whisky and nothing good.

“We … never talked about taking people,” Caleb peeped from behind her.

The fae woman spun, throwing out her arm and a blast of wind knocked into him, tossing him hard against the wall.

I gasped. “Don’t touch him!” It was clear that there was still some good left in him and I didn’t want to see him hurt.

She reached out and slapped my cheek so hard that my ears rang. “You don’t tell me what to do!” she snapped.

I gripped the edges of the chair handle so tightly that I thought they might break in half. I had to use every ounce of self-control I possessed not to use my power or have a negative thought against this woman. But it wasn’t working very well because the cold metal teeth moved closer and closer to my already-bleeding wrists.

She grinned in my face, as if knowing that she had me. “You are going to be a good little pet truth witch, aren’t you, dear?” she taunted.

I was just about to flood her with paranoia and extreme anxiety, hoping to drive her to insanity, and risk losing my hands as the cuffs bit deeper than before, when shadows began to melt down the sides of the walls.

Stryker.

Now it was my turn to grin. She cocked her head at me, confused, and then peered around the room. When she saw the shadows, she raised her hands but it was too late. Spears of darkness swept across her neck and cut her head clean off.

The cuffs at my wrist loosened and fell to the floor.

I shrieked, just as Stryker kicked the door down and burst into the room. The fawn-like fae ran for the window and Stryker took him out next. One sweep of the shadows across his shoulders and he was removed of his head also. Bile rose in my throat at the sight of two beheaded fae.

Stryker focused his sights on Eli’s cousin next. The poor fae was shaking like a leaf. He put his hands up in surrender and kept his head down.

“Don’t kill him!” I shouted to Stryker, trying to stand but unable to because my waist was chained to the seat. I was still processing the two quick deaths but Stryker looked murderous and ready for more blood. “That’s, Caleb, Eli’s cousin. We can get information from him.”

The Ethereum lord looked at me for the first time since entering the room and it was like a kick to the gut. There was so much emotion there. Regret, anger, need.

“Did he hurt you?” he growled, motioning to Caleb.

I shook my head. “No. It was her.” I pointed to the now headless fae whose blood-coated gems littered the floor.

Stryker sent bands of shadowy ropes around Caleb’s body and then told his men who were waiting just outside the room to come and take him.

My heart fluttered wildly against my rib cage and I felt dizziness overwhelm me. Stryker dropped to one knee before me and used his shadows to cut the chains that held me as his men hauled Caleb from the room. When he saw my bleeding wrists he shot the dead woman a glare that I prayed he would never send my way.

Although I was immensely grateful for his saving me, I was still emotionally battered that he’d handcuffed me to the bed after almost kissing me.

“Thanks,” I muttered, keeping my gaze away from his.

“Aribella,” Stryker breathed, standing up. I could feel his eyes on me.

“What?” I snarled. Now that I was going to live, anger flared to life inside me and I stood up to meet him face on.

We were alone in the room, except for the two dead bodies. Stryker rested his hands on my hips and yanked me forward so I was almost pressed up against him.

I gasped, looking up into his heated gaze. “I never meant for harm to come to you. Had I known …” His voice broke and my heart thawed a little.

I nodded. “I know. But the truth is,” I held my bleeding wrists up to his face, “this pain is nothing compared to the one you left me with in that room last night.”

A strangled sound left his throat and his fingers tightened on my hips. I could have pushed his hands off, but I didn’t. I liked them there, they felt like they belonged there, even though I didn’t want them to.

I held his gaze, daring him to do something so stupid as kiss me. I would strangle him.

His gaze fell to my lips and I forced mine into a thin line, gritting my jaw. I’d fallen for this sick trick once before, I wouldn’t again.

I turned my face away from him, giving him my cheek.

He leaned forward, pressing his lips to my temple, causing my heart to flutter and practically short-circuit. He was so tender.

“I told myself I’d never fall again,” he breathed against my temple and the breath caught in my lungs. “But I don’t know how much longer I can resist you.”

I felt my resolve crumble under his confession. He pulled away from me at the same time I turned to face him. I’m not sure who moved first, but the next thing I knew his lips were on mine.

Soft, but demanding. Sensual, yet careful.

He slid an arm around my waist and hauled me against him. His free hand dove into my hair, tilting my head to deepen the kiss.

This wasn’t a simple kiss, this was an awakening. Icy fire raced through my veins, making me feel more alive than I ever had been. My heart beat a furious cadence, but for once I welcomed the chaos. Reveled in walking the thin line.

My whole world narrowed down to one thing and one thing alone in this moment: Stryker.

The way his hand pressed into the small of my back as he held me close. The way he tasted like cinnamon and cloves. The way his stubble created a delicious friction against my smooth skin.

His mouth moved against mine again and again. Each time we broke apart and came back together was more intense than the last.

I couldn’t get enough. I’d never get enough.

Something bright flashed behind my eyelids, startling me, and Stryker and I pulled apart to see we were covered in a fine silver mist. Like ground stardust that hovered in the air for several breathless moments before disappearing as if it was never there.

Stryker’s face was washed in awe. “I didn’t think it could be true,” he said almost to himself.

I lifted a hand, seeing it shake when I moved to press it against my chest. My heart drummed a frantic beat. A clear sign I’d pushed the limits, but it was worth it.

“What was that?” I asked in hushed tones. Some Ethereum magic I didn’t know about, perhaps?

Stryker glanced down at me and I was taken aback by what I read on his face. He looked spooked, almost like he’d seen a ghost. It dampened some of the magic from the moment we just shared, but before I could question him about it his gaze dropped to my wrists, which were still bleeding.

He growled and the spooked look melted into a mix of concern and anger. “You need a healer.”

I did. It was freely bleeding and burned with the intensity of a blazing fire, but I also felt like I needed something else. Something only he could give me.

He slipped his hand under my knees and another behind my back and lifted me, cradling me to his chest.

“Stryker, I can walk,” I protested, but he ignored me.

When we reached the outside, I noticed we were in a seedy part of the town with dilapidated buildings. Nearly Stryker’s entire entourage waited outside. Caleb was in chains fastened to the carriage.

“My Lord,” one of his guards said, bowing. “We await your instructions.”

Stryker lifted me onto his horse and looked at his guard. “Torture him until he tells you where the rubies are. When you get them, return home.”

The guard appeared concerned. “And where will you be?”

“She needs a healer. I’m taking her to my brother’s estate nearby. My messenger returned this morning to let me know Adrien was there. I’m sure his healer is with him.”

“My Lord. Let us accompany you—”

Stryker’s glare was enough to shut the guard up. I wanted to protest about torturing Caleb for information, that I could use my power to question him, but I was in a lot of pain. More than I’d originally realized now that the rush of adrenaline had faded. When I looked down, I could even see exposed bone in a few spots. As a royal fae I had rapid healing but something this deep would take a long time to recover from.

“There are some clean linen strips in the saddle bags. I’m going to wrap your wrists,” he said.

I nodded, and he reached very carefully into the bag to grasp the rolled-up linen. With tender care, he cautiously bandaged my wrists. I hissed each time the cloth touched the wound and he kept muttering an apology.

The moment my wrists were covered, Stryker kicked his horse and then we took off. I whimpered when the movement jarred my wrists.

“Are you all right?” He peered down at me, concerned. I was riding in front and he was draped around me like a blanket.

I nodded. “As a royal I heal quickly, you know? It will take a few days but—”

“No. You shouldn’t be in pain for any longer than you have to.” He was adamant and I knew he probably felt guilty for chaining me to that bed. But the scorching kiss we’d just shared might have made up for it.

When I had finally settled on the horse, I leaned back into Stryker as his arms came around me. “You can rest if you want. It will take most of the day to reach my brother’s healer.”

I closed my eyes, leaning against him and let the exhaustion take me.

* * *

As Stryker said, it took the entire day to reach his brother’s country estate. I slept through most of it: my wrists had begun the accelerated healing stage and stopped bleeding, but they still bore deep gashes. Every small movement was painful so I tried to remain still.

His brother’s estate appeared to be perched on the edge of the sea, but it was getting dark by the time we reached the front gates so I wasn’t able to see much.

“Who are—” The guard began and Stryker flicked his wrist causing the shadows to form into the wolf beast from before.

The guards fell silent and bowed their heads. “Lord Stryker.”

“I need my brother’s healer immediately!” he barked.

The gates flew open and a messenger rode ahead of us.

“When is the last time you saw your brother?” I asked.

He sighed. “Adrien? Years.”

That didn’t seem right. Why would one go so long without seeing their own family? I didn’t want to ask. Stryker was a complicated creature that I was unpeeling layer by layer.

We reached a magnificent castle, white stucco with palm trees that I couldn’t fully admire in the fading sunlight.

A tall man with a strong build rushed outside with a woman clinging to his arm. From the loose cotton shirt blowing in the breeze to the cutlass sheathed at his hip and the tight-fitting breeches, he looked every bit a swashbuckling pirate rather than a refined Ethereum lord. But even so, the man was easily identifiable as Stryker’s brother. The streaks of honey in his shoulder-length dark hair were different, as was the striking teal color of his eyes, but the face was so similar there was no mistaking who he was.

“Brother?” Adrien looked shocked.

I felt Stryker stiffen beside me. “Do you have a healer for my friend? She’s in a lot of pain. I can pay.”

Adrien looked hurt. “Of course. No payment needed.”

That made Stryker coil even tighter behind me. “I will pay for services that I use,” he declared and then jumped down from the horse before pulling me down.

The woman beside Adrien was tall with pale skin and long chestnut hair. She stroked his arm playfully and watched us with a cold expression that gave me chills.

“I’m Adrien,” the man said to me. “This is my fiancée, Elisana.”

The woman’s chin lifted and she looked down on me like I wasn’t worth her time or regard.

Stryker’s eyebrows hit his hairline. “Fiancée?”

Elisana glared at Stryker, but Adrien beamed at the woman, reaching out to stroke her hand. “Yes, recently. The wedding is in a few months. You should come.”

Something felt off here, but I couldn’t put my finger on it and I was in too much agony to care. The rapid healing of wounds sometimes hurt more than what I imagined the normal way did.

“The healer?” Stryker reminded his brother.

Adrien shook himself, as if refocusing, and muttered an apology before leading us all inside.

The healer was waiting, probably called by the messenger. A little bag sat at his feet. He had high-tipped ears, twice as pointed as my own, and a blue tinged nose.

“My lady.” He bowed and held his hands out for me.

“I hurt my—” I began to explain but he just shook his head.

“I know. I feel it.”

I didn’t have much experience with fae that had healing magic. They were rare and our palace back home didn’t have one. I stopped in front of him and he lightly took my wrists in his own. A slight tingle worked up my arms from my fingertips to my elbow.

It was like balm had been wrapped around my wounds. I sighed in relief as the pain fled.

“Feel better?” Stryker asked anxiously beside me.

I nodded, sighing again. I hadn’t realized how badly it hurt until the pain was taken away.

“They’re not staying the night, are they?” I heard Elisana whisper to Adrien behind me.

I scoffed.

Rude!

“Well, if they want to,” Adrien said.

Elisana gave a nervous laugh. “Of course if they want to, darling. I just didn’t tell the maids to make up the guest bedrooms.”

“No need,” Stryker interrupted. “We will stay at an inn and be on our way in the morning.”

Adrien said nothing.

This was so weird and not at all how I thought big families would act.

The healer released my wrists and smiled at me. “You are healed,” he said plainly.

Wow. That fast?

I unwrapped the bandages and gasped when I saw a few small pink scabs but nothing more.

“You’re incredible. Thank you,” I told him, wanting to hug him for taking all that pain and doing such a good job mending.

He bowed deeply to me and then Stryker held out a coin purse to him. “Payment.”

The healer’s gaze flicked to Adrien, who was glaring at his brother. “He’s on my staff. I pay him.”

Stryker kept the bag extended. “No, I know how much you need it.”

Adrien’s hand fisted. “That was two years ago! A small loan. And you acted as if I’d robbed you!”

Elisana’s hand snaked out and grabbed the bag of coins. “Thank you,” she said.

I hated her. I didn’t even know her and yet I hated her.

Stryker just shook his head in disbelief. “They always want money,” he said and slipped his hand into mine as he pulled me for the door.

My heart broke as I saw how damaged Stryker was. His brother asked for a small loan years ago and he cut off contact? That was crazy. That also might have been around the time his girlfriend tried to kill him and steal his wealth. I didn’t blame the guy for being skeptical, but this was family.

Still, I knew better than to say anything.

“Thank you both.” I curtsied lightly. I was, after all, a princess with manners.