Bound To The Goddess

THE SILVER WOMAN

CHAPTER 15: THE SILVER WOMAN

Lithia’s new room was huge.

Black silk. Red candles. A bed big enough for 3 people.

"His" chambers.

The guards shut the door.

She was alone.

10 minutes later — knock.

"Miss Lithia? I’m Serena.

The king sent me to help you settle in."

Lithia opened the door.

Serena.

Silver hair down to her waist. Red gown.

Smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

"Oh," Serena breathed. "So you’re the one."

She stepped in without being invited.

"Golden blood. Golden hair. How... quaint."

Lithia stayed quiet.

Serena circled her. Like inspecting a horse.

"You don’t look like much.

But I guess you don’t have to.

You just have to bleed on command, right?"

The bond flared.

Drayk. Far away. Angry.

*Get out of there.*

Serena tilted her head. "Did you feel that?

The bond? It’s cute."

She leaned in. "He hates it, you know.

Being tied to a human. To a tool."

"Don’t talk about him," Lithia said. Quiet.

Serena laughed. "Feisty. I like that."

She picked up a dagger from the table. Drayk’s dagger.

"Be careful, little key.

This castle eats girls like you.

Especially when my brother starts... caring."

She put the dagger down. Right next to Lithia’s hand.

"Oh. That’s his favorite, by the way.

He sleeps with it under his pillow."

Footsteps. Heavy.

The door slammed open.

Drayk.

His eyes went to Serena. Then to the dagger. Then to Lithia.

"Out," he said. One word.

Serena pouted. "Brother, I was just—"

"Out. Now."

Serena left. But not before whispering to Lithia:

"See you at dinner, pet."

Silence.

Drayk looked at Lithia. Checked her. Fast.

"Did she touch you?"

"No."

"Good."

He picked up his dagger. Put it in his belt.

"Don’t talk to her. Don’t be alone with her.

She’s dangerous."

Lithia nodded. "Okay."

Drayk turned to leave. Stopped.

"And... thank you.

For yesterday. With the healing."

He left before she could answer.

Through the bond:

*Protect her. From everyone. Even me.*

**TO BE CONTINUED...**