“Night-night,” Denski called a moment before the lights clicked off and we were swathed in darkness. “Obice going active.”
The obice was the magical lock. The officers usually applied it at the top of the stairs, though the head guards were capable of enacting it too.
My eyes adjusted immediately as I let out a soft breath and contemplated trying to lie down again. Part of me was tempted to move around just so Nyfain would have an excuse to bring me more pleasure, but I knew I would let little whimpers or worse escape, and I needed a break from embarrassment.
So I just sat there, looking out over the still stone, letting my mind wander. Without Jedrek around to annoy me, I should’ve known where it would go.
Straight to Nyfain.
An image of him materialized in my thoughts. He stood in the everlass field with the sun soaking through his tousled dark brown hair. His gorgeous golden gaze beat into me, and the air between us crackled with power. His straight nose cut through almost sharp cheekbones, hollowed at the cheek. I’d once thought him almost severe looking, absent the smiles that brought out his devastating handsomeness, but not anymore. I knew his rage, his moods, his tempers…they were all a cloak over his great, swelling, broken heart—a heart that had been broken anew when the demon king took me away.
But I’d be back. Unlike his mother, who hadn’t been able to cheat the grave, I would not let the beyond claim me. If I had to crawl out of this place, freshly whipped and randomly orgasming, I would. I would make it back to him just as soon as I could.
And I’d bring the cavalry. The dragon cavalry.
Click.
The sound snapped me back into the moment.
Was that…a lock clicking over?
I stared in absolute bewilderment as the door to Vemar’s cell slowly swung open.
What in the holy fuck, I thought as my dragon thought, Holy fucking shit, did that just happen?
He stepped out, facing my way. A cunning grin lit his face.
“Hey, Strange Lady…” he said in a singsong voice. “Time to see if you can use that sword, hmm?”
“Dragons handle their own problems,” Mr. Baritone said as another click rang out. His door swung open next. My heart started pattering a little faster. “And we have a problem with you. Now that things are a little more settled, there are some questions that need answering. It’s time you start talking.”
EIGHT
FINLEY
I opened my mouth to ask what possible problem they could have with me when Vemar spoke again.
“You are awfully quiet, Strange Lady.” He walked slowly down the left side of the main chamber, his hand out and fingers grazing the bars of the cells. Occasionally he hit someone’s arms or knuckles. He gave a tiny jerk every time, as did the person being touched.
They couldn’t see in the dark. Their animals were still suppressed. Whatever was happening now, whatever issue they had with me, I had an edge. I also wondered who exactly had the issue. Mr. Baritone had offered to help me that first night. Then again, he seemed like the alpha around here. He might’ve been using the collective we. And Vemar had been chatty with me this whole time, at least compared to the rest of them. He seemed to care about how much the officers were hurting me. What was his part in all of this? What had I done? Or was he just the muscle of the group?
Regardless, whatever was happening wasn’t good. I needed to make a move.
Gritting my teeth, I moved slowly and quietly to the opposite side of my cell. I braced my hands on the ground. Little sparks of pain erupted all over my body, but I ignored them.
Can you temporarily cut off Nyfain from feeling what I do? I asked my dragon as I pushed more weight onto my hands and got my feet under me before pushing to standing. More pain vibrated through me, not pleasant but endurable.
I don’t know about cutting him off, but I can muffle what he feels. The dragon will know I’m doing it, though. He seems to keep a close watch on our connection.
Muffle it, then. It’s fine if he knows. Maybe he’ll realize I don’t want to be interrupted.
Vemar reached the end of the last cell and paused. He tilted his head a little, and his other hand came out, as though he were getting ready to feel his way forward.
Back straight now, I took a few deep breaths, trying to work oxygen into my tired mind and aching body. Pleasure seeped into my blood—Nyfain was clearly on call.
I carefully stepped forward, aiming for little pockets of cleared straw so that I didn’t make any noise. In addition to not being able to see in the dark, Vemar’s hearing wouldn’t be as acute as mine.