When I passed through them, another hum of magic washed over me as a warded barrier tingled along my skin.
“Is everything here warded, my prince?”
“Yes. It’s a necessity.”
“Warded to keep fae out or fae in?”
A dusting of snow fell from the sky as he turned to face me. Several snowflakes landed on the top of his head, melting quickly and disappearing into his silvery hair. “Would it matter?”
“To me it would. Is this to be my new prison cell despite the fact that I’ve committed no crime against the court?”
“I had hoped you would like it.”
I frowned. “But why? Why would you want me to like it? Why have you brought me here?”
His brow furrowed. “I told you. You shall know in time.”
“But not now?” I balled my fists. That simmering anger was beginning to rise again, chased by a clawing anxiety over what my future held. I could be kept confined within these walls for days, weeks, even full seasons. And for what purpose?
“Do you enjoy the garden?” he asked, bypassing my question completely and sweeping his arm to the private courtyard.
Begrudgingly, I surveyed the open area. Similar to the courtyard we’d landed in, this one was also surrounded by the castle’s walls that were too narrow for me to see the higher portions of the castle, but unlike the first one, withering plants filled this neglected patch of land.
Snow covered every inch of every surface, and my fingers tingled, inching toward the ground inadvertently. My frown grew as I beheld trees without leaves, vines without fruits, and plants frozen in ice.
Before I could drop down and let my hand glide over the frigid soil, I straightened my spine. “How is this a garden, my prince? It looks terribly neglected and without any orem.”
He shrugged. “True, but I figured since you’re used to tending to fields that perhaps you would like it.”
I stiffened and wondered if he realized how ridiculous that sounded. Most in my village hated laboring in the fields and only did so as a means to support their family. I was one of the few fae who enjoyed it, but that was only because of my love for the plants. However, the prince couldn’t possibly know that, which simply implied that he assumed all field laborers wanted to work the land.
He inhaled sharply. “What have I said that’s angered you now?”
“Who said I’m angry, my prince?”
“That line between your—”
“Right, I must be wearing my angry face. How could I forget?” I did my best to smooth my expression, then crossed my arms.
He cocked an eyebrow. “Are you going to tell me?”
I pinned him with a haughty glare. “You want me to tell you why only an arrogant, entitled fairy would assume that all lesser fae who labor the fields would enjoy their jobs and want to tend to crops in their spare time? Oh no, I don’t think there’s any need for me to tell you that. Only a prince entirely out of touch with reality would need to be made aware of that fact.”
His eyes narrowed, and a rumble of his great power vibrated beneath my toes. “Careful, Ilara Seary, lest I remind you who I am.”
My heart jumped into my throat as a kiss of his magic washed over me. Breathing rapidly, I lowered my gaze and wondered when I’d become so stupid as to goad the Death Master of the continent. But there was something about this male that positively set me aflame with scorching anger. Anger. Not fear. Fury was easier to feel after all.
Still, I needed to stay alive, even if I was to be kept in a gilded cage. I had my sister to think of.
“I apologize, my prince.”
His nostrils were flaring when I dared a look up at him, and that earlier hopeful expression he’d worn had vanished. Instead, he was the portrait of annoyance.
A moment of guilt bit me, which was ridiculous, but it seemed as though he’d genuinely wanted to please me with this chamber.
But what had he expected? Beautiful or not, it was still a cage.
The prince lifted his attention over my head toward the Exorbiant Chamber at my back. “Food shall be brought shortly. Balbus is just outside the door.”
“He is? How do you—”
“I have matters to tend to, so I suggest you find something to do in your chambers while I’m gone. I had thought that perhaps the garden would keep you occupied, but maybe I was wrong. Regardless, you can do as you see fit.”
With that, he strode out of the garden, back into my chamber, before opening the door and passing Balbus in the hall, who carried a full tray of food and drink.
Blood thundered through my ears. I barely heard the servant when he called a greeting to me. Because one thing had become incredibly apparent. The prince intended to keep me here, locked within this room for a reason he refused to share, and I had no idea if I would ever escape.
CHAPTER 12
Balbus was quite possibly the happiest servant in existence. If he wasn’t beaming and gushing over all of the luxurious items within the Exorbiant Chamber or joyfully tending to any food or drink I needed, then he was simply grinning for no apparent reason.
Despite myself, I found myself liking the male.
The servant’s round abdomen pushed into the table when he bent over to pick up my empty tray. Straightening, he flashed me a wide smile. “Now that you’ve had your fill, what shall I get for you, Ilara Seary, daughter of Mervalee Territory?”
“A dose of magic big enough to mistphase me back home?” I asked hopefully.
His eyes widened, then he laughed as his large belly moved up and down. “Oh my, you are a funny one, aren’t you, my dear?” He winked at me affectionately. “But I was thinking more along the lines of books or knitting materials or perhaps needlepoint. To help pass the time, of course.”
My breathing picked up, but I forced myself to say, “Um, books, I guess?” I’d never had much time to read nor had easy access to books following primary school, although even that luxury didn’t make this situation any better.
Balbus bowed. “Lovely. There’s a library within the prince’s wing that he’s instructed me to give you full access to. The castle also has a library, which you’ve been granted permission to use. I shall fetch reading material shortly. Now, as for your clothes, the castle’s tailor shall be by later this afternoon to obtain your measurements. All right, my dear?”
I could only manage a nod.
“Splendid. Should you need anything until then, simply pull that golden cord near the bed, and Patrice, Haisley, or I shall return. Otherwise, you can expect to see Daiseeum later tonight when she pops in to help you with undressing and bathing.”
“Daiseeum?”
“Your assigned lady’s servant.”
“My lady’s servant. Right.” I followed Balbus to the door, wringing my hands the entire way. “Might I go with you, Balbus? Please? Perhaps to help in the kitchen with the dishes I dirtied?” Mother, I just needed to get out of this room.
His jaw dropped. “Help in the kitchen? You can’t be serious?”