“What is that?” I asked before I could help myself.

Thad laid the chest gently on the bed and flipped the latch. “Nothing you’ll like.”

He opened the lid, and I flinched away. Inside sat an iron collar connected to chains and metal gauntlets, eerily similar to the one that had been used on Benedict at the lykos camp. This one was smaller and decorated with purple gemstones of every shade; from a deep, jewel tone to a light lavender. I knew immediately it had been created specifically for me, just as I knew Thad would be dead before I allowed him to place it around my neck. He snapped the lid shut and glanced at me, as if reading my thoughts.

“If you aren’t wearing this, you aren’t allowed to leave my chamber.”

“I can sneak around just fine without you,” I retorted. It was tempting to disappear now and look around just to prove him wrong, but I would be too easily discovered. Then I would be thrown into the dungeons, chains and all.

“At least this way it’s your choice.”

I choked on a wry laugh that died inside my throat. Choice was an illusion. “I want to find out where the children are, and I want to meet with the Overlord before I leave.”

Thad blanched, then smirked. “Benedict was right. You are an ambitious little troublemaker.”

Why did he have to say it with such admiration? My eyes shot to his, challenging the heated gaze I saw lurking there. “I will make you a deal. Tell me what’s between you and Benedict, and I’ll put the collar on.”

Thad shook his head, regret lining his face. “He ordered me not to tell you.”

I sneered. “Since when does a draken king order a human king around? No wonder your people are a scattered mess who don’t like you.”

I regretted it as soon as I said it, but it was too late to take back the hurt on his face—a split second of anguish, of rage and shame mixed with guilt. In the next moment he had me pinned to the wall with his shadows, not even an inch between my nose and his. His voice was a dangerous, dark growl, and did nothing to calm the raging tempest that swirled deep in my stomach; part fear, part anticipation. “I’m starting to think you’re right, Wren.”

I didn’t like his tone, or the white sheen that was creeping its way back into his eyes. “Thad—”

“Who is Benedict to tell me to do anything? For that matter, who are you? He doesn’t know what I’m capable of. No one does!”

His shadows tightened their hold around my limbs and throat, his body hovering over mine but not touching. I strained against the darkness, but the shadows didn’t budge. Thad turned his back to me and flung the chest open. His hands lifted underneath the collar and chains, and he turned to face me.

Terror seized my heart and squeezed. “Thad, I’m sorry. I—”