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“That was an honest answer.” Glov raised a brow. “Why would you not lie? Telling me such things is not positive for our kind.”

“Because I have not intended to cause harm and, therefore, have done no wrong.”

“You tried to drown me,” he bit.

“No, I stopped you from rendering me to flaming ash. I merely wanted you to release me. You choked on the magic I use to fill my bathwater. That was your fault for not unhanding me.”

He pursed his lips in response.

“Tell me about his stay in your cottage then. He has not told me of it in detail. He only complained about some feral cat and that you put him in a birdcage.”

Amalia’s brows creased into a frown.

“If he has not told you, perhaps he does not want you to know.”

Glov gave a bright laugh. “What he does not know will not harm him. Come, tell me what happened.”

“No.” His laugh fell into a scowl. “I would rather not betray his trust, even in secret.”

“But it could possibly mean that I trust you more.”

She gave a shrug.

“I do not care if I have your trust.”

“You care if you have his though?” He tilted his head while seeming to assess her.

“Yes. He has been kind to me, which I have learned is against his nature with Witches. I do not wish to betray it.”

“Interesting. Instead of attempting to gain any form of my trust with pretty words and possible lies, you have done so with your actions.”

“How so?”

“It is to my dismay, because I truly am curious, but you have chosen not to tell me for his sake. He has told me you have not tried to escape, but I do not believe him. Tell me, little Witch. How do you plan to flee?”

His lips curled back into a grin to reveal sharp fangs.

Amalia puffed her cheeks in irritation.

“I do not wish to leave.” His grin fell to scowl once more while his brows narrowed in disbelief. “Do not mock me with your looks! You do not know what I have seen, nor experienced, before I was brought here.”

His head turned slightly to the side, his eyes trailing to the cavern exit. It was like he was thinking about the inside of the lair.

“He has given you a room.” His head turned back to her. “He has offered you safety. You would prefer to be safe, rather than free?”

“There is freedom in safety. I spent very little time outside of my cottage. I only left it when I needed to buy food, which he obtains for me. I am used to being inside. I do miss being able to walk the forest near my cottage, though. I miss the earth under my feet.”

“He will never let you walk the forest here.”

She gave herself a sad smile.

“I know, but that is fine. I can see it. In the mornings, I seek the sunshine that comes through the entrance, and when it rains, it sometimes blows in. There is nature in this very spot that I sit.” She motioned to the waterfall and let her hand duck through it. “I was not content until he allowed me to use the small amount of magic I know.”

She watched him inwardly cringe. “And what kind of magic is that?”

“Small things. Things like filling my own bath and heating it. Letting me light the cooking hearth. It has allowed me independence, so I do not have to ask him to do these things for me.”

“Ah, so he allows it so that you do not bother him constantly.” Amalia smiled, knowing that wasn’t the truth, but she wouldn’t correct him. “What was your life like before you were brought here?”