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“I expected better of you.” His words were sodden with disappointment.

I gave him a bitter smile. “And I of you.” I shrugged him off me, and opened the door, back into the din of the banquet hall. The bodice of my dress had suddenly seemed to shrink by several sizes, and the air in the banquet hall was thick, like the air in that fucking jungle had been.

I stumbled through the crowd of courtiers, gasping for air, desperate for a window, a door, anything. I finally crossed the room and found an open door, ignoring the guard who barked at me as I moved past him, out into the courtyard.

I moved as far away as I could from the din of the courtiers, leaning against a stone pillar with one hand. The air out here was hot, but not as thick and oppressive as it had been inside. Sweat rolled down my neck, and I brushed it away with my hand.

“Are you alright?”

I looked up to see Rook approaching slowly, eyeing me uncertainly. He glanced over his shoulder as though to check if we’d been followed, then turned back to me, his brow furrowed with concern.

“Are you alright?” He asked again.

I shook my head. “I think I just threatened to kill my father.”

Rook’s eyes widened for a moment. “You did what?”

“He said… He told me to -“ I broke off as he drew closer, leaning against the pillar beside me. “I think you can guess what he said.”

Rook crossed his arms over his chest. “Yes, I suppose I can.” The corner of his mouth pulled up in a crooked grin. “And you threatened his life over it?”

I tipped my head back to the sky, closing my eyes as my lungs finally seemed to fill with air. “I did.” I slowly looked back at him. “He knows about the Bond, and he was furious.”

Rook flexed his shoulders and laughed awkwardly. “I suppose he was probably as surprised as we were.”

“I swore him to secrecy, and since he wants his Kingdom back…” I balked. It was all gone. “Since he wants to have his freedom, and to see my mother again, I suppose he shall behave himself.”

Rook glanced over his shoulder briefly. “I should go back in, I’m not supposed to be out here.”

“I’ll see you tonight?” I asked hopefully.

He cocked an eyebrow. “Want me back in your bed already?”

My throat was dry as I nodded. “I want you to tear this dress off me and claim what is yours.”

Rook’s eyes flamed, and his fingers flexed against his muscular arms. “You have no idea what those words do to me.”

I suddenly felt powerful, seeing his desire for me so plain on his face. “Perhaps I will make you beg for me tonight.”

His eyes went feral for just a moment, hooded with predatorial lust. He took a deep breath, straightened his back, and gave me a smile. “Perhaps you shall.” He bowed his head, then turned and strode back into the banquet hall.

I crossed the courtyard slowly, letting the evening breeze cool the sweat on my skin. Despite everything that I was facing, the danger, the trials, all of it - being with Rook was the only reprieve I knew, the only comfort I had. I smiled to myself as I thought of the previous night, and I shivered with anticipation at what the night ahead might bring.

“You look stunning tonight.”

The voice made me jump, and I turned to my right to see Theron gazing at me. His wings rustled softly in the breeze as he approached me. He looked hauntingly handsome, his brown skin glowing against the white of his shirt, baring a triangle of his smooth torso. I saw for the first time the gold tattoos that adorned his chest. But his eyes still made me uneasy, glistening cruelly.

I gave him a brief nod and a smile. “I thank you.”

He held a fluted glass in his hand, and took a sip of the sparkling liquid within it. “You and your father had a good talk I hope.”

“We did,” I replied, “though we did both wonder where my mother had been sent.”

“Fiachra,” Theron said quickly, almost too quickly. As though his response had been rehearsed. “She is extremely comfortable there, and all is well.” He bared his white teeth in a grin. “You mustn’t worry so much, dear one. She is perfectly safe.”

I didn’t believe him, but returned his smile nonetheless. “Thank you.”

“But of course.” He gazed up at the changing dusk sky above us. “Are you happy here, Elara?”