Chapter 34

The full extent of Dominick’s cruelty didn’t hit me until Sky revealed the consequences of crossing him. Even before the barrier was erected, these women were his prisoners. Not just because they had accepted their roles as his concubines, but because he made sure they had no other choice.

“Why? Why would he do this to you?” I stuttered out the question.

“Because I tried to escape, to go back home,” Sky replied. She brushed her hair back and held my hands. “But I want to help you. I know Ginger wanted to as well, before he summoned her. I think that’s why he did. She told you where she thinks the barrier’s source is.”

“You heard us?” I asked, surprised.

“No, I just know Ginger.” Sky shook her head. “Dominick doesn’t want us to be close, but I’ve seen Ginger try to protect us. She’s all about self-preservation, but she’s not one to abandon others.”

“And you’re the same, or you wouldn’t be here, talking to me like this.”

“I wouldn’t,” Sky agreed. She led me to the vanity and had me sit. “I want to help you end this. We’re living beings; we deserve dignity. If that means Dominick has to be defeated, then so be it.”

“Do you know where the key to that lock is?” I asked.

“I think it’s in Dominick’s room. He keeps important things there because it’s supposed to be off-limits to everyone but him. If that’s the case, we might be able to get it if one of us can distract him long enough for the other to sneak in,” she suggested.

“That’s a good plan, but it’s risky. I think it would be better if I tried to pick the lock.”

“You can do that?” Sky sounded surprised. I guess it was unusual. Most Fae women wouldn’t even try.

“I learned when I was a kid, just in case,” I said, glancing at the locked door. “The other problem is how to destroy the crystals once we get down there. I doubt they’re small enough for me to just take out.”

“Probably not. Dominick is strong and seems to know a lot about magic. I’m still surprised he found those stones. I didn’t think they formed on this side,” Sky admitted.

“Me neither. I wonder if he went to the mortal world to get them, even though that’s worse than what’s happening now.”

I paused, looking down, feeling that familiar ache as I thought of Navine. All I wanted was to be in his arms again—to feel his love.

“You miss your Dragon, don’t you?” Sky asked, kneeling in front of me.

“I do,” I admitted. “I need to find a way to reach him. I know he’s worried about me, and I hate making him worry.”

“You really care about him, don’t you?” Sky guessed. She smiled at me, the first real smile I’d seen from her. “That’s sweet. It gives me hope, thinking that one of us could love an Alpha Dragon.”

“You don’t think Dominick could ever love any of you, do you?” I asked.

Sky sighed, closing her eyes. “After the last few years, after how he’s treated us, it’s hard to believe. But let’s not dwell on that. We need to stop this. Let’s start by finding a way for you to contact your Dragon.”

“Do you think there’s a way?”

“Maybe,” Sky said, standing up with me. “But we have to be careful. If Dominick catches us, we’ll both be punished.”

I didn’t doubt that. I wasn’t immune to whatever he might do to me.

“I know, but I’m willing to risk it,” I told her.

Sky looked around, then seemed to make a decision. “All right. Come with me. I think I know a way we can do this secretly. But promise me, don’t mention this outside this room.”

I took her advice to heart, already aware of the lengths Dominick would go to maintain his control over us. Even as her hair cascaded down her back, hiding the evidence of his cruelty as she opened the door, the harsh reality of what he’d done to her pierced my heart. It was eerily similar to what happened to Rosaline before her untimely death.

We made our way down the corridor toward the drawing room where Dominick had been when I woke up. The room was now silent, with no trace of his presence. Sky immediately headed to a cabinet on the far right side of the room, quietly rummaging through a drawer.

When she didn’t find what she was looking for, she closed it and moved on to the next. I stood next to her, my senses on high alert.

“Can’t find it?” I asked softly, trying to keep our conversation discreet.

“I thought it was here. Maybe I misplaced it,” Sky replied.

My anxiety grew as she continued her search. How much longer would Dominick be distracted by Ginger? What would he do if he discovered what we were up to?

“Got it!” Sky finally pulled out a small, dark blue pouch from the third drawer. She opened it to reveal a stone. All I could tell was that it was round and small enough to fit in my hand.

“Are you sure I can take this?” I asked, maintaining our pretense.

“Absolutely!” Sky responded cheerfully. “We’re kindred spirits, so consider this a welcome gift—from one lady to another.”

I felt a kinship with Sky as I tucked the pouch into my bodice. I hoped that I could help her, Ginger, and Umira once this ordeal was over.

I held onto this hope as night fell and I sat in my room. Sky had helped me place and conceal talismans around the room to block Dominick’s eavesdropping, though we had to disguise it as girl time. It was clear at dinner that Dominick was keeping a close watch on everyone.

I wondered if he suspected something, but he didn’t let on. He seemed content with having four women all to himself. The thought made me queasy, but I pushed it aside. At least this stone might help me reach out to Navine.

The stone sparkled slightly in the dim light from the table lamp, casting a rainbow of colors. I wasn’t sure what it was, but I could feel its powerful communication energy. Closing my eyes, I willed it to connect with Navine’s palace. I wasn’t sure if anyone would be there to answer the call, but it was worth a shot.

The stone pulsed gently in my hand, and then I heard a voice.

“Hello? Who’s there? I can’t see you.”

“Nanash!” I blurted out, then quickly lowered my voice. “Can you hear me? It’s Raelina!”

“Raelina?” Nanash’s voice was filled with urgency. “Where are you? Are you still in that traitor’s clutches?!”

“I’m at his palace. I managed to get a communication stone, but it’s voice only,” I explained.

Nanash exhaled a sigh that was a mix of anxiety and relief.

“At least you’re safe. As awful as this situation is, that’s a relief. We’ve all been worried sick about what he might do to you,” he admitted.

“He hasn’t done anything yet, but I’m afraid it’s only a matter of time,” I said, glancing around nervously. “Is Navine at the palace?”

“He’ll be back soon. He went to meet with Lord Jekia and Emelio after you were taken. But it seems their hands are tied. Anika told me that Lord Navine said Emelio tried to get into Dominick’s palace but was blocked by a powerful barrier unlike anything he’s seen in centuries. They’re trying to figure out how to break through it.”

“Does Emelio know anything about this barrier?”

“She didn’t say much. He thinks it’s made from some rare stones, but I’m not sure if he’s identified them yet.”

“Dominick told me they’re Selenite stones. One of his concubines confirmed it too.”

“Selenite,” Nanash said. I could almost picture him nodding in agreement. “That makes sense. I’ve heard they’re incredibly rare and can create nearly unbreakable barriers. This might be a silly question, but have you seen them yourself?”

“No, he’s locked the door to the cave where they’re stored,” I replied.

“Figures. He probably told you about them just to show off, knowing you can’t get to them,” Nanash grumbled.

“I think he underestimates us, which might work in our favor.”

“Could be. No one would just give up—” Nanash cut himself off. “Wait a second. I think Lord Navine might be back.”

I waited, a mix of anticipation and longing swirling within me. I needed to hear his voice again, to feel the comfort it brought, even more than the comfort my Snake provided.

Finally, Navine’s familiar voice echoed through the stone. He sounded mostly calm, but I could detect a hint of worry beneath his words.

“Raelina? Is that really you?”

“Yes,” I whispered, fighting back tears. “I’m so glad to hear your voice again, Navine. It makes me feel safe, even here.”

“It’s okay, Raelina. I’m here,” Navine reassured me. “I’ve been trying to find a way to get you out. It’s just been hard figuring out how to break down the barrier that bastard put up.”

“I know. Dominick’s been boasting about that too. I was just telling Nanash that he said he used Selenite crystals to create it,” I explained.

“That matches what Emelio suspected. No wonder he’s having such a hard time getting through.”

“I can imagine. But I’m not just sitting around. I’ve got at least one of the girls on my side, and I’m going to find a way to get to those crystals and destroy them. Then you and Lord Jekia can come in and take care of everything.”

Navine, probably expecting this from me, tried to temper my determination. “I know you want to act quickly, but please be careful, my love. You’re still a hostage, and if you’re caught, you could get hurt. That’s the last thing any of us want.”

“I understand, and I won’t be reckless. I just want to get out of here as soon as possible, and I want to help the other girls too. I don’t think they’re happy here, and they should have the choice to stay or go,” I reasoned.

“They should, but right now, you’re the priority,” Navine reminded me.

I sighed, closing my eyes as tears trickled down my cheeks. He was right. I should’ve been thinking more about myself, but that’s just not who I am.

“I know. I just… I want to be home with you, and see our friends and my mother.”

“And you will, soon enough. We’ll find a way in, whether or not you can get to those stones,” Navine promised.

“You’re not mad at me for what’s happened, are you?”

“Why would I be? I know you didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

“No, I didn’t.” I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. It didn’t help to be irrational about all this, even though it was hard not to be a little. “I just hate the thought of hurting you again.”

“You haven’t hurt me, Raelina. Yes, I’m upset about what’s happened. More than upset, really. But it’s not your fault, and I’ll get you out of there soon. Just please, don’t put yourself in any more danger. Do whatever you need to stay safe around Dominick until I can get in there.”

“I’ll do my best, but I’m scared too. I saw what he did to one of the other girls here, and she’s supposedly his favorite.”

“What do you mean? What did he do?”

Navine’s tone took on an urgent edge. It made me regret my impulsive confession. But I guess he was bound to find out sooner or later. And so would Lord Jekia, once Emelio brought them into the loop.

“I’ve had the chance to meet all three of them now. One of them is an Ice Faerie named Sky,” I began. “She caught me off guard at first because we look somewhat alike, but we managed to strike up a conversation. She revealed that Dominick picked her and the other two girls based on their types. And when she tried to leave after a fight, he got so mad that he mutilated and cut off her wings.”

The line went silent, and I wondered if I’d lost Navine. But the stone in my hand continued to glow, assuring me that he was still there. When he finally responded, his voice was a mix of frustration and resignation.

“I guess there’s nothing more I can do about this. I’ll have to confront him when we get to him.”

“Shouldn’t that be Lord Jekia’s job?” I asked.

“Not in this case. The responsibility falls on me. As the Dragon King, it’s my duty to handle any issues among us, especially when a Dragon steps out of line. Plus, I know Sky. I know she wouldn’t stand a chance against Dominick, and there’s no justification for him hurting her.”

“You’ve met Sky?”

“It’s been a while since we crossed paths, and it was a brief encounter. She might not even remember me,” Navine confessed. “But let’s get back to the issue at hand. I’ll relay your information about the stones to Emelio. He’s been trying to figure out that barrier, so this will help him focus his efforts on disabling it. Until then, please be careful. The last thing any of us want, especially me, is for you to get hurt before we can get to you.”

His words were sincere and desperate. I couldn’t say no to him.

“I’ll be as careful as I can, and I’ll keep trying to stay in touch with you through this. I just have to make sure Dominick doesn’t catch me,” I assured him.

“That’s all we can do for now. Hopefully, I’ll be there to get you out soon. Until then, please stay safe.”

I stared at the stone, reluctant to end the conversation even though I knew I had to. Hearing his voice again was comforting, as was hearing Nanash’s.

I felt hopeful that we could sort this out soon.

“I will,” I whispered. “I love you, Navine.”

“I love you too, my Raelina. We’ll talk again soon.”

Saying goodbye was a bitter pill to swallow. I wiped away my tears and sat on the edge of the bed.

I knew he’d come for me soon. Until then, I just had to survive Dominick’s game.