*
I didn’t see Kallan at all the next morning, and he wasn’t at breakfast or lunch. I was surprisingly bummed that he wasn’t around. I felt like we’d forged some kind of tentative alliance in the past few days, and his absence—much as I hated to admit it—was really felt.
Later that evening, Lena brought me downstairs for dinner as usual. I’d always noticed the doors on a certain room that we passed. They were the dark maroon of old blood, edged in some kind of black metal that made them seem more dungeon-like than anything else. As we passed this room today, we heard raised voices.
“I won’t marry someone who is in love with another.” Kallan’s voice was strong and harsh. I could picture him, his handsome face set in anger, and his long legs wide as he stared down his opponent.
“Fine. You know what I have to do.” Varwik’s voice was equally as harsh.
My heart skipped a beat in fear. They were talking about me.
There was a moment’s pause, and Kallan snarled, “Then get it over with.”
I gasped, my body going cold. Kallan had just told his father that it was okay to kill me.
Panic set in, and I had no other thoughts than to disappear. I took off running, unsure of where I was going in the mammoth labyrinth of a castle. Somehow I reached the dining room, and from there, I knew the way to the door that led into the gardens.
I heard Lena yelling after me, but I ignored it and ran as fast as I could. I burst into the warm, flowery air and stumbled as I hit the grass. I glanced back over my shoulder once, and Lena was nowhere in sight. My heart still racing like mad, I kept running, through the gardens and into the woods.
Limbs pulled at me as I left the path. Fallen logs hindered my progress, and the forest animals watched blankly as I burst through their domain. Despite the obstacles, I didn’t stop until I felt like my chest was going to burst open.
I was deep in the woods. Nothing looked familiar. The air was stagnant and humid here, and I could hear nothing but the birds. Not even the piskies’ giggles. Leaning up against a tree, I closed my eyes and tried to catch my breath.
Keep going. I knew it was important to get as far away as I could, but I couldn’t run anymore. My reserves were worn out. I walked another ten minutes, hopelessly lost, until I left the trees for a small clearing. I shielded my eyes from the rays of the early-evening sun and looked around. I had been here before.
With Kallan.
“God, don’t think about him!” I hissed at myself, my voice alien among the daily sounds of the forest. I fought against the sob that welled in my throat.
He’d rather me be dead than with him.
The tall grass swayed in the light wind, almost as if it were telling me which way to go. I walked further, entering the trees on the other side of the clearing, continuing away from the conversation that still echoed in my head.
A few minutes later, I was in front of the cottage. Nothing had changed since the day Kallan brought me—still quaint, with the climbing ivy and the sunshine shutters. I walked up and turned the front doorknob, surprised when it opened. I looked back to make sure I hadn’t been followed, and then stepped inside, closing the door behind me.
The scent of charcoal and paint was overwhelming, but the interior was cool and comfortable after my marathon. I wandered around the tiny living room for a minute, looking at the extraordinary pictures. How could someone who made such beautiful things like this be so cruel?
My eyes rested on the one picture he had kept hidden from me. I was gonna die anyway, so I figured I might as well take a look. I crossed the room and came to a standstill in front of the picture. I knew I shouldn’t invade his privacy, but I was just too curious. I tossed the cover aside and turned the canvas around. A gasp escaped my lips.
Staring back at me was myself. My eyes were haunted, my face sad yet incredibly beautiful. I was wearing the long pink gown I had worn when Kallan and I first met. My aura was bright, and a stark contrast to the dark forest behind me.
“Ohhh…” I whispered, completely in awe. The picture was done with such care and attention. The person who drew it couldn’t have hated the subject—me. Kallan didn’t hate me. He had feelings for me. But then why was he okay with his father killing me?
The door burst open, and I jumped back, my heartbeat leaping from my chest.
Kallan’s face was livid, and his hands were clenched by his sides. He strode into the cottage like a man on a mission.
I swallowed hard. Would he be the one to kill me?
“What are you doing in here?” he seethed.
“How did you know where to find me?” I shot back, easing away from his wrath until my back was to the wall. At least I could see his attack coming, and maybe do some mind control to escape—banking on the fact he wouldn’t control me in the meantime.
“You left a trail a mile wide!” he snapped, crossing the room so fast that I cringed. “If you’re going to run from magickal creatures, you need to learn to not be so sloppy.”
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do,” I said wearily. I leaned against the cool stone wall as if it were the only thing keeping me on my feet.
“And you thought it was okay to look at my private things?” Kallan went on as if I’d not spoken. “I told you this painting was off limits.”
“I didn’t come here on purpose. It just…happened.” I motioned to the canvas. “It’s beautiful.”
He jerked the cloth back over the picture of me. I could read the tension and anger in the quiver of his shoulders. “Get out!” he ordered, not bothering to turn around or acknowledge me.
He didn’t have to tell me twice. Running again, I let my feet take me as far as I could. I hadn’t had a chance to fully recover from my first long sprint, so it didn’t take long at all for my lungs to burn, but I kept going.
“Oleander! Wait!” Kallan yelled. I could hear his heavy steps chasing me.
I didn’t stop. I needed to get out of this place, away from evil dark faeries and a guy I should never have gotten close to. I ran faster and harder than I had before, trying to find a way out. There had to be a gateway or something. If there was a way in, there had to be a way out.
“Rylie!” His voice sounded desperate.
I froze when I heard him call me Rylie. There was something in his voice that made me turn back to him. Not once in the time we had spent together had he called me Rylie, yet now he did. That meant something.
Kallan caught up with me.
Our eyes met and our wings gave a quick flutter at the same time. My gaze moved from his eyes to his lips and back again. Every ounce of my body wanted him kissing me even though I knew it was wrong. He held my face between his hands with a gentle touch I never imagined he could have. His lips grazed mine, ever so softly. The tender kiss was quickly replaced with an increasing passion. I surprised myself by letting out a small moan and tangled my hands in his hair as the heat radiated between us. The kiss made me feel safe in his arms. I didn’t want to let go. He pulled away slowly, leaving me breathless and wanting more. I opened my eyes and met his.
“Why?” I asked, touching my lips. “Why did you kiss me? You told your father you were fine with killing me.”
“You overheard that?” His eyes were wide in dismay.
I nodded.
“I was testing him. I wanted to see how far he’d go.”
“And?”
“We need to get you out of here.” His fingers touched my lips lightly, sending shivers through my body. “But are you sure, Rylie? I could make you happy.”
I stared at him in disbelief, and then shook my head. “I have to go home.”
“Then I’ll take you there.” He took my hand firmly in his and tugged me as he began to walk. “I’ll deal with my father later.”
“Now?” Was this really happening? My lips still tingled.
“Yes. We must leave now. It’s our only chance.”
I followed him through the thick forest. “Why are you
doing this?”
Kallan just shook his head. “I’m not a murderer.”
I had a feeling there was more to it than that.