Chapter 42 - 40- Threats

There was no doubt in his mind that Neria was probably tricking these people into taking off the collar around her neck. She must have batted those lashes and given them that innocent-looking face, then topped it off with some sob story he was sure involved him too.

His now-black eyes narrowed at her. Even under the dimly lit room, she still looked as defiant as ever. Her hair was slightly messy, her new clothes were a bit big, blue eyes burned bright with something that definitely didn’t look like the helpless girl she was trying to play.

"I had to carry you here. I struggled to find us help, and the first thing you do when you wake up is question me." She sounded offended, and close to disappointed.

Obviously she was trying to change the subject.

Why not play her game?

"You got here by yourself?" he asked.

He watched her nod.

"Yes."

"How did you do it?" He crossed his arms against his chest. "You’re blinder than a bat."

He saw her jaw flex. She was clearly holding herself back from saying something, and for a moment, Darian wondered what insult she was trying to swallow. After a few seconds of composing herself, she finally answered.

"I carried you onto Horsey’s back, and he took us somewhere I could find people."

Darian’s brow rose.

Horsey?

Was she talking about the black stallion?

He remembered the horse, but somehow hearing Neria call it Horsey made the whole thing sound ridiculous.

"So the horse did all the work," he said flatly.

Her jaw worked again, and this time her fist clenched tightly at her side.

Darian noticed.

The sight of her trying so hard to control her anger was almost amusing. It made him want to keep pushing, just enough to see what she would eventually do.

Maybe she would try her magic.

He knew she couldn’t curse at him, there were definitely no curse words in her vocabulary. So what would she do?

Would she try to murder him?

The thought almost made him laugh.

Darian pushed himself away from the bed and stood. His body protested immediately, a dull ache spreading through his muscles, but he ignored it. After a few steps, he was standing directly in front of her.

"Don’t act as if you wanted to save me."

"I didn’t." the answer came without hesitation. Neria raised her head to meet his gaze, her expression stubborn despite the difference in their height. "I had no choice."

Well that he knew.

A knock came through the door, interrupting him before he could speak again. It was short and hesitant, almost as if the person on the other side wasn’t sure whether they should disturb them. A moment later, Edina’s elderly voice came through the wooden door, warm and gentle.

"Dinner’s ready," she announced to them. "You should eat something before taking your medicine."

Darian looked down at Neria, who had already turned towards the door at the sound of Edina’s voice. The dim lantern light caught the side of her face, softening her features, he studied her. There wasn’t a hint of malice in her expression, nor the guarded look she usually wore around everyone. Darian wasn’t sure if she felt comfortable with these people or her acting got better.

But It seemed she trusted these people.

That was rare to see.

Darian’s gaze lingered on her for another moment.

But even if Neria trusted them, he didn’t.

"We’ll be out in a minute," he said.

"Alright, dear," Edina replied before her footsteps slowly faded down the hallway.

Darian waited until the sound of her steps had disappeared before looking back at Neria. He still didn’t trust the old couple, but perhaps he could make use of their kindness to keep this little Calypso from doing anything foolish.

When Neria tried to move towards the door, he reached out and caught her by the arm. Her skin was still cool beneath his fingers, a strange contrast against the fever burning through his own body. Neria looked up at him, her blue eyes meeting his defiantly.

She looked irritated.

Darian’s gaze dropped to the metal band around her neck. He couldn’t risk her getting it removed.

Not here. Not by strangers who knew nothing about her or what she was capable of. He had no idea what would happen if the collar came off, and until he did, he wasn’t going to let anyone touch it.

His fingers lifted towards the metal, resting against it as he looked back into her eyes.

"When they ask about the collar, you will agree to whatever I say." His voice was quiet, but there was no room for argument in it. "I don’t want any little inputs from you. Is that clear?"

Neria glared at him, her expression tightening.

Darian almost scoffed.

Of course she was going to make this difficult.

His eyes hardened as he pulled her a little closer, lowering his voice into a harsh whisper.

"I swear, if you let anyone take this off you..." His grip tightened slightly around her arm. "I will not hesitate to chop off their hands."

Her eyes widened slightly, clearly not expecting him to say something like that. For a moment, the defiance in her expression faltered as she stared up at him, as though she was trying to decide whether he was serious.

"You wouldn’t."

Darian held her gaze, his expression unreadable.

"Would I?"

___

Edina’s cooking smelled heavenly.

The smell of herbs, spices, and meat filled the room, wrapping around Neria like a warm blanket. She could hear the soft clatter of dishes being placed on the table and the quiet footsteps of Edina moving around the room. It all felt so warm and peaceful.

But that warmth quickly turned cold when she remembered what the Grand Duke had said.

This landwalker was cruel.

The old couple had been so nice to them. They had found them on the road, brought them into their home, called a doctor for him, given them clothes, medicine, and now they were even giving them food. Yet Darian still spoke about them as if they were something he could discard if they displeased him.

How horrible.

Neria sat beside the Grand Duke at the dinner table, her hands resting quietly in her lap. She could see the faint shapes of the dishes laid across the table, though everything beyond that remained blurred. Still, the smell coming from the food was more than enough to tell her there was plenty to eat.

Her stomach rumbled softly.

She swallowed and almost licked her lips.

When were they going to start eating already?

She shifted slightly in her seat and looked up, trying to make out Edina’s face. The older woman’s blurred figure was still moving around the room, carrying dishes from one place to another as she prepared everything for them.

Neria watched her for a moment, then glanced down at the table again.

There was so much food.

She wondered if all landwalkers ate this much.

Or perhaps Edina was simply being kind because she thought they were poor travelers who had gotten lost on the road.

Neria heard Gale enter the room, his heavier footsteps approaching across the wooden floor. She turned slightly towards him, trying to make out his shape through the blur of her vision. The smell of roasted meat and herbs grew stronger as he passed, making her stomach turn.

"What did you say about the collar again?" Gale asked as he rounded the table.

Neria’s fingers tightened slightly around the edge of her chair, she wanted to speak, but she didn’t.

Darian did.

"These are from the Black Market," he said calmly. "They’re enchanted. If we try to force them off, they’ll go haywire and try to kill her."

Edina, who had been carrying another dish towards the table, stopped in her tracks.

"Oh heavens."

She quickly placed the dish down and pulled out a chair.

"How’ll you get it off then?" she asked, settling into her seat. Her voice carried genuine concern as she looked towards Neria. "There must be some way to remove it without hurting the poor girl."

Neria lowered her gaze to the table.

She should have just told then the truth in the first place, maybe they would have helped her take the collar off and get rid of Darian.

Whatever hope she had earlier was starting to slip.

"We were heading to the capital," Darian replied. "They can take it off there."

"The capital?" Gale repeated, raising his brows.

"Yes."

Gale leaned back in his chair, studying Darian for a moment. "That’s quite a journey from here."

"It is."

"And you’re well enough to make it?"

Darian reached for the cup Edina had placed in front of him. His movements were slower than usual, and Neria could still hear the slight roughness in his breathing.

He was unwell. But Neria knee he still had the strength to hurt her if he wanted to.

"I’ll manage."

Darian shook his head. "I will be fine. But we will be leaving soon"

___

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