7. Faye

7

FAYE

I stand there for a second longer than I should. But his flirting tone…it's hard to ignore how fucking hot this guy is. Even though it's a stupid weakness.

As a smile spreads across his face, though, I manage to yank myself back. I'm not buying his act. Or at least, that's what I tell myself.

I pace back and forth, my eyes darting between the strange winged man and the cave entrance. The dying fire casts eerie shadows across his face, accentuating those sharp cheekbones and full lips. I shake my head, forcing myself to focus.

"Let's try this again," I growl, crossing my arms. "Can you at least tell me your name?"

He raises an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. "What do I get in exchange?"

"Don't get smart with me," I snap, ignoring the way his deep voice heats up my body in all the wrong — fuck, okay, all the right — ways. "Answer the question."

"My name is Cassius," he says, shifting against his bonds. "And I was merely passing through. Is that a crime?"

I narrow my eyes. "With those wings? I doubt you were 'just passing through.' What are you?"

Cassius chuckles, the sound rich and warm. "Now that would be telling, wouldn't it?"

I clench my fists, frustration bubbling up inside me. Why won't he just answer a simple question? And why does his stupid, handsome face have to be so distracting?

"Fine," I huff. "What about that tablet I saw you holding? What's so special about it?"

His expression shifts, becoming guarded. "I'm afraid I can't discuss that."

"Can't or won't?" I challenge, leaning in closer.

For a moment, his eyes flicker to my lips, and I feel a rush of heat. I jerk back, cursing myself for the momentary weakness.

"Both," he replies smoothly, that infuriating smirk back in place.

I run a hand through my hair, tugging at the strands in frustration. "Do you always dodge questions, or am I just special?"

Cassius laughs, the sound echoing off the cave walls. "Oh, you're definitely special."

I roll my eyes, trying to ignore the way my heart skips a beat. "Flattery will get you nowhere."

"Are you sure about that?" he asks, his voice dropping to a low purr.

I turn away, hoping he can't see the blush creeping up my cheeks. "Positive," I mutter, hating how unconvincing I sound.

Deciding that I need to take this a different way, I grab a water skin and a strip of dried dripir meat, approaching Cassius cautiously. "Look, you must be thirsty. Just take a sip, alright?"

He eyes the water, then meets my gaze with a smirk. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm afraid water isn't quite what I'm thirsting for at the moment."

I roll my eyes, ignoring the heat creeping up my neck. "Cute. But seriously, you need to drink something."

"I assure you, I'm perfectly fine," Cassius says, his voice smooth as silk. "Though I must say, your concern is touching."

"It's not a concern," I snap. "I just don't want you dying on me before I get answers." I give him a look. "And you were the one that said you were dying."

He chuckles, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. "Is that the only reason you're keeping me alive? I'm wounded."

I thrust the meat towards him. "Eat. You look like shit."

"Such a charmer," Cassius drawls. "But I'm afraid I'll have to decline. I have a rather... specific diet."

My eyes narrow. "What, are you too good for dripir meat?"

"On the contrary," he says, his gaze roaming over me in a way that makes my skin tingle. "I simply prefer my meals a bit more... fresh."

I step back, suspicion gnawing at me. "Why won't you eat or drink anything? What are you hiding?"

Cassius tilts his head, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Perhaps I'm simply enjoying our little chat too much to be distracted by food."

"You're impossible," I groan, tossing the water skin aside.

"And you're captivating," he counters smoothly. "Tell me, do you always treat your prisoners so... attentively?"

I clench my fists, torn between frustration and an unwelcome flicker of attraction. "You're not answering my questions."

"Neither are you," Cassius points out, his smile widening. "It seems we're at an impasse."

I pace in front of him, trying to ignore how his eyes follow my every move. "Fine. You want to play games? Let's play. For every question you answer, I'll answer one of yours."

"Now that," Cassius purrs, "sounds like my kind of game."

Trying to make this more casual, I take a seat across from Cassius, keeping my distance. My eyes are immediately drawn to those strange wings. They're unlike anything I've ever seen - gray and veiny, folded against his back. There's no feathers on them either, which makes them even more unusual.

"So, let's start with the obvious. These wings mean you can't be human," I say, gesturing vaguely. "So just tell me what you are."

Cassius grins, all teeth. "I'm whatever you want me to be, darling."

I roll my eyes, but can't quite suppress the twitch at the corner of my mouth. "Cute. Real cute."

"Ah, was that a smile I saw?" he teases, leaning forward as much as his bonds allow.

"You're seeing things," I retort, crossing my arms. "Now, about those wings-"

"My turn for a question," Cassius interrupts smoothly. "What's a beautiful woman like you doing all alone in these woods?"

I snort. "Nice try. I'm asking the questions here."

"Ah, but you agreed to our little game, remember? One for one."

I narrow my eyes. "You never answered my question."

Fuck me, the grin grows wider. And it looks so damn good on him. "You never said who had to answer one first."

Damn. He's got me there. I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "Fine. I live here. Your turn. What are you?"

Cassius's eyes gleam with amusement. "I'm a mystery, wrapped in an enigma, tied up in some very impressive knots."

Despite myself, I bark out a laugh. "You're impossible, that's what you are."

"There's that smile again," he says, his voice dropping low. "It suits you."

I feel heat creep up my neck and turn away, cursing internally. What is wrong with me? He's a prisoner, for fuck's sake.

"My turn," Cassius continues, mercifully changing the subject. "Why won't you let me go?"

I whirl back to face him, narrowing my eyes. "Because you're dangerous. You're not human, you won't eat or drink, and you were carrying some weird magical artifact. I'd be stupid to just let you walk away."

"Fair point," he concedes. "Though I assure you, I mean you no harm."

"Right," I scoff. "And I'm a Queen." I had to fight a smile. "Queen of the caves.

Cassius's expression darkens for a split second before smoothing out. If I hadn't been watching closely, I might have missed it.

"What?" I ask, suddenly wary. "What was that look for?"

He shakes his head, that infuriating smirk back in place. "Nothing at all, Your Majesty. Though I must say, you're far more beautiful than the rumors suggest."

I groan, but can't quite hide my amusement. "You just don't quit, do you?"

"Never," he says with a wink. "It's part of my charm."

"Is that what you call it?" I mutter, fighting back another smile.

I shake my head, trying to clear it. This guy's charm is dangerous, and I can't let my guard down.

"Alright, enough games," I say, leaning forward. "What were you really doing in the forest?"

Cassius tilts his head, considering. "I was fighting a thlii. I'm pretty sure you saw."

I roll my eyes. "Are you going to give me a single straight answer?"

"I've given you plenty," he says with a wink. "I was fighting a thlii, I really am a mystery — to you at least." He shifts, the only sign that he is uncomfortable despite the burns on his chest that I assume must be from the thlii — even though they don't quite look like it. "You know…if you wanted to tie me up, you could have just asked. I just wish we had a safe word."

"A safe word?" I deadpan.

He gives me a pitiful look that makes me want to chunk something at him. "I told you. I do have needs to tend to."

I lean back, studying him. It's odd that for some reason I want to trust him. But I'm not foolish enough to lean too far into that.

"Fine," I sigh. "You still need to eat something. I can at least give you that."

I grab the dried meat again, holding it out to him. "Come on, just take a bite. You look like you're about to pass out."

Cassius eyes the meat, then looks back at me with a rueful smile. "I appreciate your concern, truly. But as I said, I have a... specific diet."

I huff in frustration, tossing the meat aside. "Fine. Starve if you want. I'm calling it a night."

As I turn to leave, Cassius calls out, "Sweet dreams, Your Majesty. I'll be here if you need me."

I roll my eyes, fighting back a smile as I retreat to my sleeping area. This guy is going to be trouble, I can feel it.

So why does it excite me?