Nira crept down the halls that night.
She couldn't bring herself to sleep. She wanted to, but sleep evaded her. She had tried reading the book, but it made her head ache.
Even if Elrath said it was filled with rubbish, she found herself drawn to it.
She ended up in the garden. An indoor one. She looked up—the dark, starless sky stared back at her.
She brushed her fingers over a leaf with blue flowers. The garden brimmed with strange plants.
Her fingers, the ones that had touched the plant, turned red and began to itch. She sighed. She was allergic to far too many things in Virun. How could she survive here? She needed to do something about it before an allergy killed her.
She stalked away from the garden.
This house had more rooms than she thought possible.
The balcony loomed above the forest beside the house. The breeze howled past her ears and rustled the trees.
The night air was cold. Goosebumps rose on her skin.
Her thoughts strayed to Elrath and her chest clenched. She frowned. She was pathetic.
She shouldn't care about anyone. She was a captive here. Beni's words echoed in her mind.
Was he like her?
She scoffed.
Yeah, right. She had seen him. He had immense power, and though he hadn't unleashed it in her presence, she could feel it.
She paused. Her heart stuttered. She heard something.
The bushes below were still. Too still. Then, something darted through them. Her feet stumbled back from the railing. Someone was down there.
Before she could turn, something sliced past her. She yelped.
Her hand flew to her ear and came away bloody.
What was that?
She looked up—an arrow was embedded in the wall behind her.
Did someone just try to kill her?
Her knees nearly gave out. Prickly chills crawled down her spine. She had almost died.
She hurried toward her room.
Who wanted her dead?
She knew she wouldn't be liked in Virun, but she hadn't thought they'd try to kill her.
She wasn't watching where she was going when she ran into a wall.
"You should watch where you're going, Nira."
The annoyed voice belonged to Elrath. He was back.
Her head snapped toward him. His brows immediately furrowed.
"What's wrong?" If she didn't know better, she'd think he was worried.
She shook her head. "Nothing. I was just heading to my room."
He stalked closer, his fingers wrapping around her arm.
"You're not okay if you're trembling like this, Nira." His eyes scanned her face.
She hadn't even realized she was shaking.
She tried to wiggle out of his grip but failed.
"I'm fine, Elrath."
He brushed her hair aside, revealing her bleeding ear.
His eyes met hers.
"The sooner you tell me what happened, the sooner I let you go, Nira."
Nira let out a deep breath. She told him what had happened at the balcony, and she could sense the fury rolling off him.
Great. Now he was mad at her.
"I'm sorry," she added.
"I don't get why you're apologizing. Come on, let's go," he said, pulling her down the hall.
He led her to his room.
"Sit," he ordered when they entered.
Nira sat on the edge of the bed. Elrath disappeared into a closet and returned with a bottle.
"Take this. Drink it," he grumbled.
Nira took the bottle. The liquid inside was yellowish.
"What is it? Don't tell me it's a body fluid," she said, eyeing him.
"Funny". he said, drily.
"It's not one of my body fluids. I made it from a plant I cultivated. That arrow didn't miss you—it was poisoned. Right now, I need you to drink so I can get to work." He sat across from her in a chair. "It's an analgesic. What I'm about to do will hurt."
Nira swallowed and brought the bottle to her lips. The liquid was hot and tasted odd.
Elrath took the bottle from her.
"That's enough."
He took her hands and closed his eyes.
"Don't panic."
He began to mutter strange words. Nira's body immediately trembled, tingling all over.
Elrath's fingers tightened around hers. She stiffened. Something rose inside her—a discomfort so sharp it made her nauseous. Her neck burned. It burned.
Her mouth opened and she vomited.
When it ended, she opened her eyes.
She expected Elrath to be covered in it, but he was completely dry. The floor wasn't as lucky.
Their eyes met. His glowed. He tilted his head at her.
"Do you still feel like throwing up?"
She shook her head. "No, I feel fine. Thanks."
She stood. "Let me clean this up."
He stopped her. "No. I'll handle it."
Oh. Okay.
"Well, goodnight," she said, her feet shuffling awkwardly.
He narrowed his eyes.
"Nira, if you think I'm letting you sleep alone tonight, then you're not as bright as I thought." His fingers caught her wrist.
She scoffed. "I remember you saying you didn't care if I died, Elrath. You can drop the pretentious act."
Nira froze. She hadn't meant to blurt that out.
"Well, I do, Nira. So unless you want to die, you'll stick close to me."
"Only on one condition." Nira lifted her chin, surprising them both with her sudden boldness.
"I don't think you're in a bargaining position," he said, cocking his head.
Nira smiled. "I want your blood, Elrath."