Page 60 of Spirit Trials

“I’m not furious that you stole from me, though that’s not exactly something I feel really good about.” I bite my lip, and myshoulders weigh low with the guilt of my actions tonight. “I’m furious because if you would have talked to me, we could have worked something out.” His words settle for a moment before he continues. I can’t help but look at him now. “You should have told me your plans; I could have made sure you were protected. Instead, you left in the middle of the night. I had no idea where you were or who took you.”

I finally find my tongue. “You would never have approved of me going to visit the banished. I regret that we went in the middle of the night and worried you, but you would have never allowed it.”

“Of course not.” He shoves his chair back and stands to his feet. “Because they’re dangerous.”

“They’re not dangerous,” I return.

“So says the girl who had a knife to her throat,” he growls.

“That didn’t happen until you showed up,” I argue. “We were talking just fine.”

“What don’t you get about this, Farrah!” He swears at me and continues. “He had his arm wrapped around you and a knife to your throat.”

“Because you came charging in like a wild animal,” I say in exasperation. “And he was right to be on edge because you killed him, Rysden!” The guilt over his death slams into me, and I shake my head and put my hand up to my mouth, feeling like I’m going to throw up.

“Of course, I killed him.” He slams his hand on the table, making me jump. “He had a knife to your throat.”

Chapter 32

I stare at the table, unsure what to say to make this right. “Look, I own up to my mistakes. I should have told you what we were doing. I shouldn’t have left in the middle of the night. I shouldn’t have taken food from you.” I lift my eyes to his. “But you shouldn’t have killed that guy. He was really nice. We were just talking and—”

“Oh, so that’s what you’re really upset about? That I killed the guy you were flirting with?”

“I wasn’t flirting. He was—”

“Spare me the details. He touched what’s mine, and he died for it.”

I go very still. “What’s yours?” I repeat with raised eyebrows. “Because last time I checkedPrince Rysden, I am not a piece of property to be owned.” I stand up from the table. “I will repay you for every ounce of food we took from your kitchen, not that you need it,” I mumble. “But because it’s the right thing to do.”

“I don’t care about the food.”

“Well, your actions speak louder than your words. You’re obviously very upset that we stole food from you.” I put up a hand to stop his reaction. “Which is understandable.”

“Would you listen to me? I don’t give a—” He takes a breath and runs a hand through his hair. Then he levels his gaze at me. “I don’t care about the food. I care that you might have gotten killed over something so idiotic.” I bristle at his words. “Like it or not, you are in my care and under my protection.”

“That would be anotfrom me,” I interject.

He takes a deep breath. “Noted.”

“I need to go get my friends.”

“You’re not getting your friends tonight.”

“I can’t just leave them there,” I argue.

“Yes, you can, and you will. Besides, that’s their home.” Before I can argue, he concedes. “I’ll take you in the morning to get them.”

"Uh, I don’t think you’re going to be welcome. You killed one of their own tonight,” I remind him.

“Do you think I care whether I’m welcome?”

I take in his sheer presence and the aggression coming off him. “That would be a negative. I’m pretty sure you don’t care what anybody anywhere thinks of you.”

He eyes me. “I used to not.” His quiet words unsettle me, and I search for what he means by them, but he continues. “Do not leave here without protection. Ever. And I realize by telling you that, I’m basically inviting you to do it. But Farrah, if you want your friends to stay here, you’d better follow my rules. Since you don’t care about the consequences to yourself, I will apply those consequences to your friends. You follow the rules, they can stay. You don’t follow the rules, they can’t stay.”

I frown. “I can follow the rules.” He cocks an eyebrow. “When I want to,” I add.

“Exactly. Now, tonight, you need to get some sleep. We’ll figure out about getting your friends tomorrow.”