Chapter 9

He flung the door wide open, revealing an interior covered in white marble with touches of gold on the furniture and fabrics beautifully draped over the bed. It was hard to get a full view while hanging upside down.

    The man walked over and threw me onto the bed, then turned to lock the door, shoving the key into his trouser pocket. Any hope I had of escaping vanished with that key. How could I retrieve it from his back pocket when he was built like an ox?

    As if things couldn’t get any worse, he turned around and stared straight into my eyes, his gaze darkening in an inexplicable way. With every step he took closer, I felt my soul leaving my body piece by piece. It was the most terrifying feeling ever.

     There was a look in his eyes, a mixture of pain and anger, that I couldn't quite place. I scurried backward until my back was pressed against the wall. He leaned down on the bed and crawled toward me. I closed my eyes in fear, feeling his hot breath on my face, and knew he was right in front of me. The temptation to look was overwhelming.

     When I finally opened my eyes, I saw pitch-black eyes that could only belong to a demon. I screamed, startling him. He jumped off the bed and turned his back to me.

    “Sorry, it happens from time to time,” he apologized faintly.

    “What are you, a demon?” I dared to ask, afraid of the answer.

    “It is of no concern to you,” he growled. He walked over to a couch, slumped down, and buried his face in his palms, looking distressed.

    For the first time since that morning when he kissed me, I noticed how attractive he was. His strong muscular body and thick black locks draping just above his shoulders were hard to ignore.

    After a few minutes, he lifted his head and noticed me staring. Without a word, he sprinted toward me. I panicked and backed up until my back was pressed against the wall, instantly regretting not running to the bathroom to lock the door.

     He came face to face with me, his slow, steady breath wafting against my skin. The sensation made me quiver, and I turned my head away, but he grabbed my chin, forcing me to face him.

    “There is no need to be afraid of me, Little One. I am not going to hurt you,” he said in a low, deep voice.

    “Then why did you bring me here and lock me in this room with you?” He sighed. “Because you wanted to leave, and I don’t want you to.”

    “That is not a good enough reason to hold me captive.”

    “You said Meara brought you here and that she was your spirit animal, so you can’t just leave without saying goodbye.” He smirked, as if he knew he was winning the argument.

     “Then why hasn’t she come to my aid yet? Why didn’t she come to look for me in the dungeon?”

    “Maybe because she didn’t know you were in the dungeons,” he said with another mysterious smirk. “Now get some rest. You look tired from all the excitement. When you wake in the morning, Meara will most likely be waiting for you at breakfast.” He backed away, gesturing to the bed.

    “I am not sleeping with you in the same bed.”

    “Don’t flatter yourself, Little One. You are not that good looking.” His words cut deep, reminding me of the bullying I endured in school for my pale skin and white hair. Though I didn’t want him to find me attractive, his words reopened old wounds.

     Without another word, I headed to the bed and crawled under the covers. The bedding was so soft it felt like laying on fluffy clouds. I could still feel his eyes on me, but despite the circumstances, I was more tired than I realized. Before I knew it, I was asleep.

      The next morning, I woke to an empty room. On the spot where he slept was now neatly folded clothes, and at the edge of the bed was a tray with breakfast.

    “Did he do this for me?” I wondered, dismissing the thought. This was a castle; the servants must have brought it.

     The smell of bacon drew me to the tray, and I devoured the food immediately. After wiping my mouth clean with the cloth napkin, I noticed the gold embroidery, matching the rest of the castle’s decor.

     “Nock, Nock,” I heard a familiar voice in my head.

    “Merilla, thank God. Where have you been?”

    “I am right outside the door. Open it for me, please. It’s hard with paws, you know.”

    “Hold on, I’m coming!” I crossed my fingers and hoped the door wasn’t still locked. To my relief, it glided open with ease.

    “What took you so long?”

    “Sorry, I thought the door was still locked.”

    “Why would the door be locked? And why are you sleeping in the king’s bedroom? I searched for you all day, and then Luka said the king took you to get some rest.”

      “Wait, this is the king’s room?” I asked shocked, unable to process what I just heard.