It was the best thing she’d ever tasted, but that was probably the hunger speaking.
Leith sat beside Griff and the two men spoke in low tones. The older man obviously deferred to Griff, but she wanted—needed—to know why.
Her mind drifted back to the police officer, the one who’d flashed her an unnatural look just like Griff’s before hiding his eyes. His hat had covered his ears, but somehow, she knew—he too was fae.
“That man…” she started, unsure of how to continue. “The one who…”
“Lochlan?” Griff’s gaze darkened as he shared an indecipherable look with Leith.
She nodded. “You… I can’t figure out if you saved me from him or abducted me.”
“The answer to that won’t change anything. You’re here.”
“And I’m guessing you won’t let me leave?”
He smiled in apology. “It’s too dangerous. And yes, one of those dangers is Lochlan. You will learn soon enough, Brea, this realm holds many perils, including the three rulers vying for power. Lochlan’s master is the Queen of the fire realm—Eldur.”
She pushed her bowl away, suddenly not hungry anymore as the reality of her situation struck her. “What do you want with me?”
Griff stood and crossed to the table to sit on the opposite bench from her. He reached out and brushed the back of her hand, sending a calming wave of energy straight through her. “It’s okay, Brea. I won’t let anything happen to you, that’s why my queen sent me to find you.”
Her eyes drooped as she suddenly grew sleepy, but he hadn’t answered all of her questions yet. Shaking off the weariness, she sat up straighter. “I’m nobody, nothing. Why am I here with two fae trying to pull me into their world? And what could a queen possibly want with me?”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Brea Robinson.” He said her name like a blessing, and she couldn’t help but lean in, wanting to hear more, needing his words to calm her racing heart. “You’re everything.”
Brea woke the next morning with no recollection of how she got into the small barren room to begin with. The last thing she remembered was eating some kind of stew and listening to Griff’s mesmerizing voice.
You’re everything.
When he said it, she believed him. There was something about the beautiful fae that tugged on her limited trust, making her want to know him, to know his world.
A crack of thunder ripped through the air, and her head jerked up off the feather pillow. Rain hammered on the glass panes of the window overlooking the barn. A sliver of sunlight breaking through the clouds cut across the dark wool carpet spanning the room.
“Fairytale, my butt,” she grumbled. If this was a fairytale world, the bed would have been as soft as clouds and she’d have been awakened by singing birds instead of a roaring storm.
Lightning flashed across the room, illuminating the tiny wooden bed, small table in the corner, and single chair.
That was it. No decorations or other comforts.
As she sat up, wild ebony hair fell across her shoulders and into her face. She searched the bed for the rubber hair tie she’d used to hold it back the day before, but it wasn’t there.
That was when she noticed it.
The sleeping gown.
Her hands grabbed frantically at the silk garment covering her small frame. Where were her clothes? “He undressed me.” Her cheeks flamed as she imagined Griff’s smooth hands sliding the faded jeans down her legs and his intense green eyes taking her in.
She jumped from the bed and searched the room for her clothes, finding none.
The white gown only reached mid-thigh and a chill raced through her.
She was going to kill him. Was murder acceptable in this new world? Maybe if she got arrested again, a human would come save her and take her home.
A strangled laugh escaped her lips at the thought. Griff abducted her after she killed Myles. The guilt she’d tried so hard to ignore, clawed at her, ripping through the shreds of sanity she had left.
She had to get out of here.
Sprinting the short distance across the room, she yanked on the cold metal door handle.
It didn’t budge.
She pulled again.
Locked.
Slamming her foot into the door, she tried to control the anger rising up in her. “Griff, you let me out of here right now.” He’d taken her from her home, turned her entire world upside down, and now locked her away.
Just when she’d started thinking he might be the good guy…
“Griff!” she screamed.
The door handle rattled seconds before Leith opened it. “Good morning, Brea.” He smiled kindly. “I thought you might like some breakfast.”
“Where’s Griff?” She crossed her arms.
“He had some business at the palace, but he’ll return soon.”
“The palace?” She swallowed.
He nodded. “Griffin is a loyal companion of Queen Regan of Gelsi. I’m sure you’ll meet her in time.”
A queen? Brea wasn’t the kind of girl to meet anyone important. But she didn’t say that. Her stomach growled and she pointed to the plate Leith held. “Is that mine?”
He nodded and entered the room to set it on the table. She was ready to attack the stack of perfect, fluffy pancakes covered in some kind of green berry she didn’t recognize.
“Try the Gelsi berries.” He winked. “You won’t regret it.”
He left before she had a chance to say anything else. Giving in, she slumped into the chair and took a tiny bite of a berry. A mixture of sweet and sour juices exploded in her mouth. “Oh, goodness,” she groaned, taking another bite.
Before she knew it, the plate sat empty and she wished there was more.
As the storm continued to rage outside, weariness clouded her mind. If Griff was gone, she might as well crawl back into bed and pretend for just a few more hours everything was as it should be.
“Myles!” Brea screamed, shooting up in bed, her chest heaving.
He was a prominent figure in every dream she’d had since arriving in the fae world. She didn’t know how long ago that was or why she just wanted to stay in bed. Dr. Cochran probably would have told her she was depressed, but she just felt so tired.
Every time she woke, she found a plate from Leith, but she hadn’t seen him since he brought the first meal. None of the meals since had anything like pancakes. Instead, he seemed to think she could live on nuts and fruit. No matter how good the fruit was, it was never enough.
More than anything, she wanted a hamburger.
But something told her she couldn’t just ask Leith to head over to Wendy’s.
“Ughhh,” she sighed. “I want a Frosty.” Instead, she ate what he offered.
Each time she tried to open the door, it was locked, but the anger she’d been known for didn’t come. In fact, few emotions did. It was almost like her world of vibrant colors had turned into shades of gray.
She’d even tried summoning whatever that light blast thing was so she could get out of this room and away from the people imprisoning her, but to no avail.
Each day Griff didn’t return was another she hoped he never did.
He told her to trust him, that he’d never lie to her.