20. Yera

Chapter twenty

Yera

I s this room nice? If you're booking a whimsical B&B, it's a dream room. Upon closer inspection, it's a windowless cage I'm trapped in all day and all night.

I am curious about how much time has passed. Upon arrival, I took a long, hot bath and changed into some new clothes that were mercifully my size. I ate the food that magically appeared on my desk and then slept.

The last meal they gave me was an egg, toast, and fresh fruit, so it must be morning. Meaning my circadian rhythm is still on. Thank god for that.

I still can' t figure out the terms of my telepathy. My mind is silent right now and has been since they locked me here. Is this room spelled? Has no one come within range? Fuck, this is going to be a long day.

The dusky blue skirt they loaned me swishes on the stone floor as I pace the room. The room, like the entire building, is rock-carved.

How did we get on intimidation duty? I think it's reductive putting us in a position where we need to frighten others . A voice echoes in my head.

Exactly. It's like, that's not me. This is my job. It's not who I am. I wish Echidna would appreciate us more and adjust to how she uses us. I'm so much more than big muscles. I don't even know how to use this sword, not really. I can slam it down hard on someone, but I would die if I had to fight an actual swordsman. I'd be dead.

Their footsteps echo in the hallway as they approach, and the giant slams his fist on my door, shaking the wood and rattling the metal. I jump back at the sudden noise ringing in my ears, but I'm not afraid. These orcs are giving up the game without knowing there is another player.

"Good morning, human." Another thud on the door and a deep, growling voice. I choke back a laugh because he has lowered his speaking register to sound fiercer.

"Good morning, orc," I spit out, throwing some disgust in my voice, knowing it will bother them.

You see, she already thinks we're terrible baby eaters simply because we're orcs. The misinformation gets me so riled up sometimes.

His voice is back to his standard octave.

I hate to burst your bubble, but we are here to scare her.

Yeah, because we're orcs. I'm sick of it. After this job, I'm spending a month in my pottery studio, a whole month, and I'm going to get all of this anger out .

Great, can we focus on the task now?

Fine, but I'm not happy about it.

A powerful knock rattles the door again. "Echidna will want to speak with you soon, little human," one of them says, and I roll my eyes.

"Yeah, don't get too comfortable. Most who enter the throne room don't come back. Or at least not in their original form." Both laugh, low and sinister. At least it would be if I hadn't overheard their entire conversation before. It's just funny now. I decide to add some insult to my next words, knowing how sensitive they can be.

"If she kills me, at least I won't be tortured and raped by the likes of you."

The taller one. David—I think, is his name—internally gasps at my words.

She thinks we're going to rape her. This is precisely what I have been talking about.

Yes, but that was the impression we are supposed to be projecting. Just let it go and take satisfaction in your acting ability.

Fine. I have been working on my tone to make it more intimidating.

I can tell.

One more hard pound to the door. "Have a good day, princess." Their footsteps fade down the hall, the two of them still conversing quietly about orc representation.

I take a long breath and hold my forehead to the heavy wooden door, trying to process everything.

"Don't be frightened, lassie." I jolt and turn my face toward the voice. The room illuminates with a green hue and a tiny, friendly wood sprite hovers just above my bed .

"Holy shit. Charlie? What are you doing here?" My voice is hushed but full of excitement. "Have you come to get me out?" I pick up my skirt and move closer to where he hovers in the room.

"No, I'm sorry, dear. Letting you out would be more harm than good right now."

"I don't understand."

"If you were to let out, and you made it past the castle and into the woods, you would be eaten within hours." I hadn't thought through what I would do once I escaped. Mead fills a clay cup that appears beside me. "Don't fret, lass. Arrick is coming for you." His voice is thoughtful and concerned. I'm not sure why he is so invested.

"Arrick is here? He's on his way?" That fills me with such hope that I can't help the smile that blooms on my face.

"He is, but I came to warn you that you are a pawn. Their aim was to bring Arrick here, where his power is reduced to touch alone."

Oh shit. I didn't think about that. Of course, they want him. I control nothing. He is the freaking guardian. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Now, I need to help him before he walks into a hornet's nest.

"What can I do? How can I help?" My face is stern, but I will figure something out, even if it kills me.

"Honestly, darling, we don't know yet, either. We will contact you again if we do. I came to warn you and benefit from your sharp mind on the problem."

"Do you know how close he is?"

"Last I heard, he's with the Stormland Vaki, and they are about five days away."

Five days of breaking this place into pieces and figuring out its weaknesses. Five days to make this place crumble from the inside out. I take a deep breath in and out, slowing my beating heart.

"How do you know all of this? How can you communicate? "

"My runes— our runes—are covering his body. We helped make him. So naturally, we are connected, no matter the circumstances. He will be overjoyed that I found you and that you are okay. Are you okay? Nothing broken, nothing hurt?"

"At this point, just my pride. When the harpies took me, I was wearing nothing but Arrick's shirt. My bare ass was in full view of anyone who cared to look."

Charlie breaks into uncontrolled laughter. "Well, it was a full moon that night in more than one way, eh?" he says, eking out the words before losing himself to laughter once again. The mead cup rests back at my side, so I pause in the conversation to drain it thoroughly. My cheeks are heating, but I don't care. It's the reality of the situation, and there isn't a damn thing I can do about it now.

"Hey, Charlie, something else has been happening."

His laughter stops instantly.

"I can hear conversations I'm definitely not supposed to. I thought that was exclusive to magical creatures."

Can you hear this, lass? he says, the question projected into my mind.

"Yes," I say, timidly, out loud.

"Can you answer me back in your mind?"

"I don't know. Until this point, I've just been listening. I didn't want to blow my cover."

"Brilliant, love. Keep this to yourself as best you can. Their guards are down around you, which might save you and Arrick."

"That was my plan, but how did it happen? How am I able to hear? I could never listen to Arrick."

"Yera, you have done things no other human has. You've shared my mead, bathed in waters of unspeakable magic, and not to be crude, but you've mated with one of the most powerful creatures in our land. There is a good chance you're becoming a little magical yourself."

"Wow, not what I was expecting, but it makes sense when you put it that way." My forehead feels heated, and I rub the back of my hand over the clammy skin. "This is a lot to take in. Will I get any more powers?"

"That I don't know. Only time will tell." The radiant green light flickers slightly, the spell surely waning a bit. I would imagine teleportation and conjuring takes up insurmountable units of power.

He stays with me for as long as he's able. We drink a few more cups of mead together and carry on. I'm so grateful for his presence, just having a friendly face to pass the time and help me feel not so alone. When his color starts to fade and flicker more rapidly, I remember to ask something I had forgotten about.

"Is there any chance I'll be able to hear you from a long distance since I've shared your mead twice now?" I chuckle, feeling the warm liquid heat my stomach and melt my tension. He thinks for a moment, and I fear he is already returning to the forest when he speaks.

"I'm not entirely sure. I'll try calling you when I'm back, and I'll get the other sprites together to see if there is a spell we can use to boost the signal." Before I can thank him, the green light flickers out completely. The room returns to the golden-yellow color of the enchanted lights.

I pace the room for a while, taking in everything said. To my left, I see the desk with my half-eaten breakfast still on it. Next to it is a stack of blank pages and a feather pen. They have indoor plumbing, but using magic for a ballpoint pen is too much—this place. I shake my head. The nonsensical things happening here are maddening for someone who requires rationale .

The silver food tray clinks metallically when I set it on the ground next to me. Sitting at the desk, I take the feather pen in hand, swishing it through the black ink before I make my first mark. Now, I begin.