“We don’t have to wait for the wedding night, you know,” she says with a wink, dragging a finger along my jawbone and then pressing it to my lower lip. My head jerks as she slides the tip into my mouth, and then I do shove her off. Screw this.

She topples to the side, landing on her ass in a satisfying tumble of limbs.

“You bastard,” she hisses, scrambling to her feet.

Well, it was satisfying for me.

Faster than lightning, her hand streaks out and circles my throat. She squeezes and then starts to lift me up. I can’t resist. I claw at her arm, but I might as well be trying to fight a mountain.

“That’s enough,” she says, bringing her face close to mine. “This is your home now, princey-poo, and you are mine. Keep speaking to me this way, and I’ll cut out your tongue,” she warns. “Soon, we will right the wrong done to me so many years ago.”

Then she hurls me to the ground and claps her hands. Two of her little minions appear again. They stare blankly at me before Zerra crooks a smile.

“Don’t worry. Before long, you’ll forget your mate. You’ll forget everything. That’s what this place does to everyone.”

Her eyes flick towards her two helpers as her meaning becomes clear. These were High Fae who lived below once, but they’ve been here long enough to become these empty shells.

Icy dread trickles down my spine.

“Take him to his room,” she says, waving her hand. “He can come out when he learns how to behave.”

As I’m dragged away, one thing is absolutely clear: I have to get the fuck out of here.

CHAPTER 20

LOR

ON THE RUN

Sand churns under my feet, rubbing my soles raw. My ankle throbs, and my head pounds, but I press on, gritting through the pain. The sun starts to rise, transforming the sand into a burning canvas like walking over hot coals.

A large rock formation looms ahead, and I duck behind it to catch my breath, seeking a sliver of shade to cool off my overheating body. I’d give anything for a drink of water as sweat drips down my temples, mingling with the blood coating my face. I say a silent thank-you for my light garments at least.

Peering around the corner, I scan the horizon. In the distance, people tend to the fallen, scrambling over the wreckage. Behind me, the river looms in the distance, and though it feels like I’ve been running for hours, it looks like I’ve barely covered any distance.

Once I can breathe again, I check behind me and run.