Page 110 of In The Dark

Elion smirks. “Yes, but I told him you were already spoken for by a selected match from your aunt and uncle in Eldryn. He was quite… enthralled with you. He even offered a hefty payment, which was more than enticing, but Captain Demaris made an excellent point—you’re exactly where I want you to be for the moment.”

My blood turns cold at the double meaning, and I realize that both Ren and King Elion had time to discuss this already.Yet I can’t shake the fury rising in my chest at another choice being stripped from me. ByElion.

Despite that, I only respond with a small nod. “My wish is your command, Your Majesty. Anything for the realm.”

He gives a small wave of his hand, catching Theron’s attention before giving me one last glance, accompanied by a cold smirk.

“Anything for the realm,” Elion murmurs, then walks past.

Ren remains in front of me, and I wait until King Elion is out of earshot before I speak.

“Why?” I ask, but he looks past me, refusing to meet my gaze.

“Because a male like Ekrin Highcrest wouldn’t know what to do with you.”

“You made that choice for me,” I snap quietly.

I never would have agreed to it because of Rydian, but the option—the choice—was stripped from me just like every other time. After spending my life with choices taken away, it feels like a violation. Bitterness coats my tongue as I glare with a lethal calm when he finally meets my gaze.

“We both know Ekrin is not where you need to end up,” he says so quietly, and I quickly realize the true meaning behind his actions—he speaks of Aurelia.

He knows that if the king decided to marry me off, I wouldn’t be leaving with Rydian by the end of this mission—whenever that is. One way or another, I won’t be tied here much longer, and Ren just secured that for me.

I blink, registering his words, and give him a curt nod before King Elion calls for him down the corridor.

40

I leanagainst the bookshelves with my arms folded, watching as Rydian makes anotherxacross the map, crossing out one of the tunnels. We’ve discovered five, including the one by the kitchens near the ballroom that I happened to discover when running into Ren.

Ivy and I Veiled into the tunnels a couple of hours ago, remaining quiet and unseen. Although I’ve finally been able to hold myself in the Veil for extended periods of time, it quickly drains me. We just completed our seventh walkthrough, unable to find anything.

But something is missing. We just can’t figure it out.

“This one,” Ren says, pointing to the map, dark hair falling over his brow, “leads to the dungeons, but those were empty. No need to keep anyone in there when he has us do his dirty work.” He scratches the back of his head.

“What about this one?” Orin asks. “Maybe there’s a hidden entrance to another location in the tunnel behind the throne.”

Ivy sighs. “We checked. No matter how many times I’m going to feel up one of those dingy walls, there’s nothing there.” Her voice drips with irritation.

We’re all frustrated, and after having the map for a little over a full month, we still haven’t found anything regarding my mother’s whereabouts. I’m almost convinced she’s not there—but the feeling in the pit of my stomach tells me my thought is wrong.

She’s in there, but where?

Rydian leans forward on his hands, then drops his head, defeat and exhaustion coating his features. He sighs. I shake my head and push myself off the shelves without a word, turning for the stairs. If we’re going to sit around, we might as well have some tea or something.

Starting the kettle, I grab a couple of mugs when I suddenly feel Rydian step behind me. My breath hitches at the closeness.

“Talk to me,” he says quietly, brushing my hair off my neck, and I freeze at his touch. It’s as if he knows the mental turmoil going through my head. “You’ve hardly said anything since you and Ivy arrived. What’s wrong?”

I shake my head, placing the mugs on the counter as the porcelain clinks against it. He grips my shoulders and forces me to face him, tilting my chin up. He studies me, then slides his hand to the back of my neck before leaning down, softly grazing his lips against mine. A question.

And against my better judgment, I welcome it.

My fingers graze the hair at the base of his neck, leaving him to let out a soft groan. Over the last week, I’ve intentionally stayed at the castle and have chosen to keep my distance—emotionally and physically. Especially after what I discovered.

“Talk to me,”he repeats, his voice warm and inviting.

I sigh and step back, my frustration suddenly bubbling over. “I just—I know she’s there, Rydian. I canfeelit. Something is missing, and I’m getting impatient. What else are we going to do? We’re working, yes, but we have nothing to go off of.Nothing,” I say firmly, turning to snatch the kettle off the stove.