But I don’t.

Because Rys?

He’s the only one of the fae not cheering.

Siúcra is on lockdown.

That’s the only way I can describe the rest of that day. As soon as the last of the fae guards come dashing down our hall, the doors reappear. The fairy lights turn completely off, leaving us almost completely in the dark; a few narrow windows are built into the ceiling over the aisle, shedding a little bit of light, but that’s it.

On the plus side, that screeching, loud-ass ringing sound turns off, too. To save my poor eardrums, I’ll take some doom and gloom.

Rys is pacing. His tanned skin emits a soft golden glow that almost leaves a trail behind him as he quickly crosses his cell, back and forth. He’s not as bright as the Seelie guards, but there’s no denying that he’s a Light Fae when he shines like that.

Hours crawl by. When it becomes clear that the guards are busy elsewhere, I figure I might as well use the shower box to get clean. Yeah. That’s a nope. When I say lockdown, I mean it.

None of the magic works. Thank God the toilet is the default because otherwise I’d have to piss in the corner of my cell if this keeps up.

There’s nothing else I can do. I’m thinking that I might as well lay down on the cot when, suddenly, the torches on the wall all burst into flame.

Rys swivels so that he’s looking at the nearest door. Thinking he knows something I don’t, I do the same thing.

It opens.

A Seelie male stalks through the door. The first thing I notice is his outfit. It’s different than the uniforms the guards wear—but I’ve seen it before. As he approaches, I squint, focusing on his face.

Hey. I… I know the guy. He’s the Seelie captain who Veron ordered to arrest me when I repeatedly refused to sleep with him. Bram’s boss.

What is he doing here?

He’s

not alone, either. Following close behind him, I see two guards. The one on his right is holding a length of gold chain. And the chain? It’s attached to the iron cuffs worn as shackles on a line of at least eight prisoners. Most of them are fae, too, though I see a tiny redcap hopping along to keep up and something with wings mixed in with the rest.

The captain strides down the aisle, his hands folded behind him, his sheathed sword hanging off his hip. He barely spares a glance at Rys, though his lips thin when he sees me.

“What are you doing here?”

He can’t be serious.

“You’re the one who put me here!” It slips right out. I probably shouldn’t mouth off, but I can’t help myself.

“No. That would be Lord Veron. And that’s not what I meant. Ah, well. Stay here for now.” He turns, gesturing for the Seelie guard with the chain. “I won’t take either one with me when I leave.”

“Where are you going?” My voice breaks. I can just see my freedom slipping through my fingers. When I leave… “I don’t belong here. You know I don’t. I want to go, too.”

The captain cocks his head just so, studying me like I’m a specimen on a slide. “Are you ready to return to Lord Veron?”

“I—”

Am I?

No. That hasn’t changed.

My mouth clamps shut. I shake my head.

“Very well.” Raising his voice, the fae captain calls out, “This wing stays. Move on out.”

The only sound they make as they leave is the clinking of the chains and the final whoosh as the doors close again.

Tags: Jessica Lynch Imprisoned by the Fae Fantasy
Source: readsnovelonline.net