His lips curled knowingly.

He waved his hand dismissively at them.

“Whatever. I’m going to my servants to see if they brought me anything good to eat. You know me. Using my Elven magic makes me hungry.”

“Servants?” Reia squeaked.

“Yes. My castle is full of Demons. But don’t worry, they know not to harm any of the humans I bring into my castle.

If you are going to be eaten, it’ll only be by me.” He waved his hand to the woman in front of her. “And she has told me that you are not going to be my meal.”

She waved to him as he walked away to leave, before turning to Reia who was frozen on the spot watching his back as he left.

I’ve got to get out of here. She didn’t know how to do that.

I doubt I can fight my way out. She may want to, but she

also didn’t have death wish. I may be reckless, but I’m not freaking stupid.

Even without the show of his magic, which she knew he must've only scratched the surface of what he can do, Reia had seen his fangs and claws. He was tall, and the book said Elves were naturally fast. Can’t fight someone bigger, stronger, and faster than me.

It would be like fighting Orpheus, and she knew he’d kill her with one strike of his claws.

They want him. So is it better to play along with whatever they have planned until he gets here? She knew he would protect her, a scary shield, but until then, she was... a damsel. A damn damsel in distress and she wasn’t keen on playing this pathetic role. I’m the bait.

But the bait for what? She didn’t know their plans. Either way, she couldn’t leave, and she knew she would have to be the bait until he arrived so they could escape together.

Just play dumb, Reia. Which meant she had to go against her instincts to fight back. She was going to have to learn real fast how to bite her tongue. Don’t get yourself killed or hurt before he even gets here.

“I get that he is pretty in his own way,” the woman said with a bite to her tone. “But don’t think about getting ideas about offering yourself to him.”

Reia turned her head forward since she’d been staring at where he’d gone through a side door. With her narrowed gaze on Reia, she knew the woman thought she’d been staring at him with longing.

“He’s mine, and I won’t allow another human to take my place as his concubine.” Reia stiffened when she stepped forward to grab the ends of her hair, lifting them as though she was examining her. “If you do as your told, I’ll make sure you go home.”

“Don’t worry,” Reia said quickly with an assuring tone.

“I’m not interested.”

Not even a little bit. Not even at all.

“You’ve been with Orpheus for over a month and a half.

After experiencing something terrible like that, you deserve to at least your live your life the best you can.”

She stepped forward and forcibly threaded her arm through Reia’s. She stiffened, wanting to immediately recoil, but allowed her to start steering her away from the throne room through a large brown door on the other side.

At least she smells nice. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but the woman smelled heavily of a sweet perfume. The entire castle had its own sweet smell as well.

“All I’ve been doing is living in that house,” Reia retorted, resisting the urge to react.

What would happen if I smacked her for touching me? She couldn’t figure out why, but she really didn’t like this person even though she was apparently offering her freedom.

They’d stolen her and were now treating her like some poor, helpless, defenceless woman that was supposed to be fawning at them for their help.

“You don’t have to hide your shame. If you’ve survived this long, there can only be one reason why.”

Shame? What is there I need to be ashamed about?

Reia said nothing. She needed to stay quiet.

She bit down on the sides of her tongue to remind herself that she should keep her mouth shut, even if provoked.

She inspected the long, wide hallway she was being taken down. There were crimson red carpets on the ground with occasional decorative drapes hanging on the walls that hid the bare stone. Reia knew this place had many sections and towers when she’d seen it from afar. It had multiple towers surrounding its box-like shape, and she had no idea which direction this woman was leading her.

Although this was a grand castle, it was also unimpressive and barren. Everything felt cold. The carpeted flooring, even the walls as if they themselves emitted a chill. The very air was cold, as if nothing was alive inside it despite there obviously being creatures living here.

She could tell someone had attempted to decorate it, but it was sparse. Bronze candle arbours hanging on the walls were lit, but they only brought light, not a welcoming, warming glow.

“It smells like the Demon village here,” Reia commented, smelling that similar sweet aroma.

“Ah, yes,” the woman chuckled, her ankle bangles clinking together with each footfall. “We did see that Orpheus took you there. Jabez has used the same cloaking spell from there, here. It helps to keep those inside sane. They may be superior Demons to most, but they still have little self-control if they smell blood or fear.”

She kept her eyes on the hallways and the different turns they made in case she needed to make her way back to the throne room by herself. More so that she could run back if she discovered Orpheus had come so he could get her the hell out of here.

I miss my home. This cold, barren castle could never compare to her small, but cosy, cabin.

“Where are you taking me?”

“To a bath. I’m sure you want to wash off the spell he placed on you, and, you know... everything else.”

Why does she know so much about him? She even knew about the scent cloaking spell. She didn’t know what she meant by everything else.

Just as she was about to ask who she was, she was led into a large sleeping chamber. It was almost as wide as the living and kitchen area in her cabin, and it housed a bed with a frame canopy, multiple dressers, two chairs sitting in front of a coffee table, and a mirrored vanity table with a cushioned stool.

Everything was mismatched, like it had all been found or stolen and shoved into this room to make it appear lived in.

There was a small film of dust on most of the surfaces, telling her it was mostly unused.

She took her to a room in the back that had a white ceramic clawfoot tub. Other than a singular vial of liquid soap, there was nothing else in the room, not even a towel.

“I had this prepared for you when I knew Jabez had grabbed you safely.” She gestured to the water. “It should still be warm. I will find you a towel.”

She turned to leave, and Reia watched her. Then she eyed the tub with water that was steaming.

Why is she being so kind to me? A bath, really? Do I stink or something? She lifted her arm to sniff her skin. Then again, she’d had it prepared before Reia even arrived. It’s like she wants me to wash off the evidence of Orpheus.

She crinkled her eyes at it in dismay. I don’t want to.