much better.
Still, wherever the book had come from, I would take it, especially after my last one had been confiscated. Hopefully, the guards wouldn’t bother to search my room for at least a week.
Sitting with my back against the cold, concrete wall, I opened the book to the first story and began reading. As my collar buzzed in warning, I forced myself to hold in my scoff at how a fairy woman was portrayed. Her blonde hair hung in ringlets, a perfect complement to her glittery, translucent wings. I was half-surprised she wasn’t carrying a wand that scattered pixie dust.
As soon as I turned the page, the scent of good magic hit me again. But this time, it was much, much stronger. I laid the book on the bed and stood, searching my tiny cell for the source.
Yet, as always, every crevice of the sealed room was bare. I shook my head, not understanding. Maybe I was beginning to lose my mind. The doctor hadn’t mentioned that as a side effect of my super special “necklace,” but I wouldn’t have been surprised. Most would find it a fitting end for someone who had driven the king mad. Allegedly.
Moving back to the bed, a shimmer of light caught my eye.
Then, Ronan and Killian stood no more than a foot in front of me, their large bodies taking up all of the available space. And all of the available air, I realized, as I tried and failed to inhale a shocked breath.
I eyed Ronan’s hand, which rested on the gilded hilt of his sword. They were here to kill me. That had to be it.
Seeing me in hell hadn’t been good enough for the brothers. They intended to finish me off once and for all.
Maybe it was for the best. It wasn’t like I was living anymore. I merely existed.
As soon as the thought flashed through my mind, I rejected it, retreating until my back was up against the wall. Both figuratively and literally.
If they were here to kill me, so be it. But I wouldn’t go willingly.
I wanted to scream at them. Ask why they couldn’t leave me well enough alone. Why they insisted on torturing me. But I couldn’t even release a squeak, much less a scream. I was mute and defenseless and pissed.
Ronan’s lips twitched, though there was no amusement in his eyes. They were the same shade of blue as Killian’s, but you’d never know it by the way they seared into me, blacker than onyx.
He bowed, leaning toward me so his hair fell into his face and caught in the stubble along his jaw. “Have something to say, little one?” Ronan’s voice was as low and raspy as ever, but I wasn’t fooled by it or the old nickname. There was nothing soft about the statement. His hate for me was absolute; I could feel it.
Screw you.
As much as I wanted to say the words aloud, I was careful to keep any intent to speak at bay. We didn’t need a repeat of yesterday. One demonstration of the collar’s usefulness had been plenty.
“No need for such language.”
It took a second for his words to sink in, but when they did, I stared at him, dumbfounded. You can hear my thoughts?
I can when you direct them at me like that.
What? How? When?
“The book,” Ronan said aloud. “We enchanted it in order to connect with you. The spell allows us to speak with you, and for us to hear you.”
I looked to Killian, who was watching the exchange with his arms crossed over his broad chest. You can hear me too?
He nodded. We’ve tapped into quite a bit of magic since you’ve been in here. His brows drew together. It’s been necessary as we’ve prepared for the upcoming King’s Tournament.
The King’s Tournament...I’d forgotten all about the ancient event. Tuatha Dé Danann was a place that lived. It breathed magic and power, and the only way a new king or queen took the crown was if Tuatha deemed him or her worthy. Although Killian was crown prince, the throne hadn’t automatically passed to him at his father’s death. Tradition dictated that all the strongest fae beings were eligible to fight for it.
When is the tournament?
“In less than a month.”
Hearing his voice out loud, I immediately went on high alert. My anxious gaze moved to the window on my cell door before returning to the men. Unless you’re here to kill me, you need to get on with your business. If