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“The last time we spoke to someone, it was Victoria. She is under the impression I am showing you the palace. It would look suspicious if I did not return with you.” He gave her a grin, one that appeared mischievous. “You also did say you wished to see the dungeon, and I do so feel quite magnanimous after that treat.”

“Perhaps I wish to no longer spend an extended period of time with you after yourtreat.”

The corner of his eyelids crinkled in humour. “You will not find them any other way, and I may not feel so generous at a later date.”

With a deep breath, Valerie allowed her general composure to fall over her like a veil.Kaeylyn may be there.If not, she needed to at least know for sure.

“Fine, I will allow you to show me.”

“Are you not against seeing people down there?” He cocked a brow, wondering if she would lose her nerve. “It is not a pleasant sight for a lady.”

“Not at all. I often accompanied my father to see the criminals we had bound. I am curious to know how vastly different the king handles such matters.”

“Do not say I did not warn you.” Then, he began to lead her there, that look of humour on his face never wavering.

Their walk was long. The war room was at the very end of the palace, and where Geryon was leading her was back towards court.

“You told me your status is similar to King Bradwick,” Valerie started, curious now. “Where do you come from? Who are your people?”

He is shrouded in mystery.She realised she barely knew anything about him, other than the fact that he had a strange liking for being slapped across the cheek.

She noted his warm skin tone, the light tan of it. His eyes came to hers, and she took in the metallic blue of them.Such an enchanting colour.Many believed that one’s eyes were the windows to the soul. If that were true, then Valerie very much liked his.

“The hierarchy of my people differs from yours. We do have a king, but he rarely bothers with us. Instead, we have those who govern us equally. Those with a title are often seen as a higher status, and we gain a title through great strengths and feats.”

Valerie nodded. “That sounds like the warlord clans between the southern kingdom and the witchlands below it. They scar their bodies with their number of kills, especially since they are so close to the witchlands and enjoy taking the lives of both humans and Witches.”

They were often seen as barbaric humans who hated the order of the kingdoms. They came into other lands to kill men, to gain glory. Valerie had read of them in the books she’d stolen from travellers.

“What is your title, then?”

“For you, a person of the northern kingdom, I am Lord Geryon. You do not need to know of my title.”

“Not answering such a simple question is rather worrying,LordGeryon.” Valerie took a step away from him.

He chuckled, shaking his head. “We all have secrets to keep. I am sure there are things you are hiding.”

“Not at all,” Valerie answered with an upturn of her chin. “I have been told I am brash and honest. Most doubt that I feel shame, and therefore my secrets are often open to be scrutinised.”

“Fine then. Tell me of a deep secret that is the equivalent of mine, and I shall share my title with you.” He held a finger up quickly before she could talk. “But I will decide once you have told me if it is worthy of my answer.”

“You think me naive. You want me to share about myself and then will deny me your answer. I have no secrets if you know the correct questions to ask.”

The words that fell from her mouth were dangerous, every single one of them a lie.Yet, every untruth from her mouth she could see was making him trust her more.

Geryon seemed to think for long moments, eyeing her over as he brought his hand to his chin.

“You do not truly wish to marry King Bradwick,” he blatantly told her.

Without thinking about it, Valerie lunged for him to cover his mouth with both her hands. She looked around, thankful there were no guards in the hallway.

“Do not say things so forwardly that will cause me trouble,” she said, giving him a small glare.

It could cause Bradwick to distrust me.If her sister wasn’t in the dungeon, then she needed to figure out a way to ask him, or whoever would know, where she was taken.

“Is it not true?” he whispered behind her hands.

When she didn’t move them, he bit her palm.