Page 18 of Given to the Fae (The Dark Realms #3)

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M organ’s grip loosens and my feet are placed on the ground. The healing vial is given to me, and I swallow it down, feeling my lip begin to knit together almost immediately and my headache start to clear.

And then Locke takes my arm in a sure grip.

I risk a glance up at him and then at Morgan.

The others are meant to believe this has already been done, likely more than once.

But the truth is I barely know what to expect.

I’ve never even seen it done. I meant what I said to that healer.

The Barrack didn’t do that . If a female was a problem, she was given to a bull until she no longer was.

What if they find out that Morgan hasn’t done as he was ordered? Will he be punished?

I glance up into his face, surprised that I care, but I think I do. He’s been nice to me and that means something. I don’t want him lashed for it. Kindness is rare and it demands the same in return. Doesn’t it? Shouldn’t it?

I dig my heels in instinctively when Locke’s fingers tighten, my heart thudding in my chest, but I try my best to relax, to look as if this is as commonplace for me as it is for all the others. I lie to myself on a loop.

I’ve done this before.

It isn’t the first time.

There’s nothing to be frightened of.

Bere sits down on a haybale close by and bites into an apple as he oversees the room like a bored king from his throne.

I’ve done this before.

‘Silve, why aren’t the others in the bathhouse yet? Take Kings with you.’

It isn’t the first time.

There’s nothing to be frightened of.

‘Put her in the block if she’s already struggling.’

I squeal as Locke picks me up and throws me over his shoulder, my calming mantra disappearing from my mind.

Not the block.

I struggle against him fruitlessly with a low cry, but he doesn’t slow.

I look around frantically, trying to find something I can use, and my eyes latch onto a sizeable chunk of wood that looks like a piece of the roof that’s fallen at some point.

It’s balanced atop the thick main beam that goes across the barn.

I grab for it as we go past, and it slides into my hand.

No cries go up, so I don’t think I’ve been noticed.

I wait until we’re nearer the large door and the block before I strike.

I bring the wood down hard on the top of the fae’s skull, and he lets out a yowl, dropping me like a hot stone. I fall to the ground on my arse and, before any of them even know what’s happening I’m up and darting through the door, using every ounce of strength that the healing potion has given me.

Outside is too bright and I shield my eyes as I break into a run.

Every moment is precious. I take the alleyway to the first busy street, passing grey stone buildings with wooden doors that all look the same.

As soon as I get to the end, I slow to a brisk walk.

A running slave draws attention, but one doing an errand quickly for a master is barely noticed at all.

I reach the square I saw from the hill on the way into town yesterday. The great arch of this world’s second Gate rises from the earth in the center. I stare up at it, breathing quickly. When does it open? Maybe I could wait here and run through when it does before anyone can stop me.

And go where?

The foolishness of my impulsive actions makes me tremble as I press myself into an alcove by the side of the biggest building by the Ring. I double over in my panic, gasping for breath, unsure if I'm going to wretch or faint.

What have I done?

Perhaps I could go back. I have to go back.

I’m shaking as I turn in the direction I came from, and a dark shadow falls over me. I scream and turn to run from him, but Bere’s man grabs my long plait and drags me toward him slowly, almost carefully.

‘Silly, silly human,’ he rasps in my ear. ‘But methinks that’s not all you are.’

He pulls me into the narrow dead-end between the stone buildings and urges me against the wall very gently.

‘I’ve been watching you,’ he murmurs, the ghost of a smile turning up the corners of his mouth as he looms over me. ‘But I’ll wager you haven’t noticed me, eh?’

I shake my head jerkily, frozen in place and ensnared by his eyes. I know I should look down, but I can’t.

‘Do you want to know what I’ve seen?’

My lips are trembling, and he continues without my response.

‘Why, I’ve seen some accidents happen since we were given you at The Barrack, more than can be attributed to bad luck or clumsiness in my humble opinion,’ he snorts, ‘even when it comes to inept oafs like Silve and Derth.’

My eyes stay glued to him in fear.

‘What do you suppose all these little incidents have in common?’ he continues easily, as if he hasn’t captured me in this alley and I’m not a runaway slave.

I don’t answer, my mind numb with dread.

‘That the little human female, who the other slaves seem to avoid, was hurt.’

He brushes the hair out of my face, chuckling when I recoil against the wall.

‘I’ve heard stories of the rare Kismet, but never dreamed I’d possess one, especially not a human. It takes a certain sort of creativity to utilize a Fate Touched, I think. Gods, no wonder those fools at The Barrack wanted to be rid of you. They’d have no idea what to do with you.’

He presses closer to me.

‘But I do,’ he pants, his hard breaths telling.

He’s elated, excited by his thoughts…his plans.

‘There’s a goblin silversmith close by who cheated me out of a deal the last time I traveled this way. I’m going to take you to him and tell him to punish you for running.’

The dark smile that creases his face is terrifying to behold. My legs feel like jelly and my head whirls.

‘He’ll do it. He likes to make sure slaves know their place. Considers it his civic duty because the punishments are too soft nowadays, or so I’ve heard. So, you’ll get what you deserve, and then, Fate Touched, so will he.’

I shake my head. ‘P-please,’ I whisper. ‘Don’t.’

His grip on my hair tightens.

‘You found her, Warrior. Well done! Give her to me so that we can get on with it.’

The terrifying fae doesn’t release me.

Locke.

I’m not as afraid of Bere’s second, I decide, even though I’m sure I can expect a penalty for hitting him over the head. Warrior is much worse.

‘She deserves a punishment,’ he snarls.

Locke tuts. ‘Of course she does, but healer’s orders. No discipline, I’m afraid. She’ll have to be owed it after we’re finished traveling.’

Warrior lets go of my hair and steps back, giving me a sneering wink. Then, he simply turns on his heel and stalks off, leaving me to Locke.

I regard the tall, dark-haired fae in front of me and I open my mouth to apologize, but before I can, his blue eyes flash in anger. He grabs me, bends me over his arm, and gives me a stinging slap across my arse with a furiously muttered, ‘Fuck the healer’s orders.’

I squeal, struggling in his grip.

His hand comes down hard again, twice in quick succession, and I whimper.

‘You fucking... female !’ He snarls.

His hand strikes me for a fourth time and he pulls me back up, turning me to face him.

His visage is blurry through my tears from his punishment and the realization that, again, fate hasn’t given him anything in return. Why do he, Jak, and Morgan seem to be unaffected?

‘Why did you run?’ he spits out. ‘It was just a fucking release. I wasn’t going to harm you, fool woman!’

‘B-Bere told you to p-put me in the b-block,’ I stutter, my breath hitching. ‘I c-can’t g-go in the block. Please, m-my lord.’

‘I thought you said you’d never been released before you left The Barrack,’ he growls low.

I look down. ‘That wasn’t a lie,’ I whisper.

He’s quiet for a few moments, probably imagining the worst that might have befallen me before he grabs me by the arm again and drags me back out into the square.

‘What are you doing? Couldn’t you just do it…’ I look back at the alleyway. At least it was private.

‘I’m taking you to the barn.’ He stops and looks back at me, his expression drawn. ‘It has to be done, girl. The healer ordered it. Bere ordered it and he’ll want to see it done with his own eyes after this.’

New tears begin to form in my eyes and he sighs.

‘Gods,’ he mutters. ‘If you’re compliant and don’t struggle, I won’t put you in the block. Don’t try to run again either.’

After a moment, I nod. I know it’s the best I can hope for, and I know that if it was up to Bere, he’d make sure I was in the block every time now after my disobedience.

The walk back is made quickly and in silence, and I can’t help but look around for Warrior.

How could he have guessed the truth so quickly?

I hadn’t even realized he’d been paying so close attention.

I barely even noticed him. He hasn’t even been near me.

I don’t see him, though, and soon we’re outside the large door that leads back into the barn.

‘You do as I say, yes?’

I give a tiny nod. His bland expression changes to one of cold disdain. His lips curve into a condescending sneer and his body straightens almost imperceptibly. He’s like a different fae when he grabs me by the scruff of the neck, opens the door, and pushes me in before him.

He lets go and I stand in the middle of the floor where I come to a stop with my head down.

‘Ah, you found her quickly. We had a wager that she’d evade you at least until midday.’ Bere sounds amused, and I hear a few chuckles.

I don’t look up.

Locke laughs. ‘She was lucky for a moment, but no little human female is going to best me for long.’

Bere waves a hand. ‘Go on. Put her in the block and get it done then.’

‘I don’t need the block for this,’ Locke says with a snort.

He sits down on one of the huge hay bales and crooks his finger at me. Conscious of all the stares from slaves and slavers alike, I go to him hesitantly and stand in front of him.

Bere barks a laugh. ‘She seems subdued, Locke. Put her in her place, did you?’