Though I knew what to expect this time, I was still amazed at the strangeness of the Aqueno Prison, with its sheer walls exposing the lake beyond. I stepped into the prison, searching for Casper. I found him asleep on a stone slab, the same tattered blanket wrapped around him. I rushed over to him, my heart aching to see the boy I loved, knowing he no longer cared for me. I did not miss that he wore his signet ring, a glint of gold in the gloom. He had lost weight and was too pale in this eerie prison, but he still looked at peace in his sleep, still looked so handsome. It took all my willpower to resist reaching out to touch him.
“Casper,” I said gently. When he did not stir, I repeated, louder. “Casper.”
He cracked open an eye, blinking as he woke up. As his eyes focused on me, he woke fully, his demeanor instantly changing to something alert.
“Nor?”
“Yes, it’s me. And I’m getting you out of here.” I started to pull him up, but he yanked his arm away, scrambling to his feet.
“You can’t do that.” He focused on the entrance of the prison, his stare fixed on Pel and Lorella, who had both stayed near the entrance, giving us space. “Elrik, why have you brought her back here? I did as you asked.”
“Elrik isn’t here. That is Pel, along with Lorella. They are friends.” Sort of.
I tried to reassure Casper. From this distance, it was easy to mistake one brother for the other. Casper continued to stare at Pel as the second half of what he said hit me. “What do you mean you did as he asked?”
“That isn’t Elrik?” Casper asked, still straining to see the faeries at the door.
“No, I told you—”
“Where is he?” Casper demanded, frantically looking around as though Elrik might be hiding behind a nearby stalagmite.
“Sulking in his chambers, I suspect. At least, I hope he is. He doesn’t know we’re here, and I’d like to keep it that way, so let’s get you out of here.”
I hoped that would be enough explanation to get Casper moving. Instead, he threw his arms around me, wrapping me in a rib-crushing embrace, holding me tight, my head pressed to his shoulder.
I froze, too shocked to move, afraid that this moment would shatter, and Casper would remember he despised me. I closed my eyes, committing this feeling to memory. My face pressed into the rough linen shirt Casper wore as I breathed him in. He no longer smelled of his expensive soap, but rather a musky, briny smell. But I was grateful to have any piece of him, knowing it would not last.
I was not ready when Casper finally pulled away, though he kept his hands gripped on my shoulders, holding me at arm’s length. He stared at me, his dark eyes examining every bit of my face. I knew what he saw: unfamiliar golden cat eyes, strange white hair, pointed ears, sharp teeth, and glowing skin. I waited for the distain I knew would come, waited for the horror to infuse his features. Instead, his face was unreadable, fully focused on me.
“Nor, is it really you?” His hand cupped my cheek, a cool palm on my ignited skin.
“Yes,” I answered, my voice little more than a whisper. I wanted to lean into his touch, realizing how desperately I missed it. I swallowed hard, dreading the moment this would all crumble.
I braced myself for his contempt. I braced for further rejection and pain. I did not expect the kiss.
He leaned into me, his lips crushing mine. His lips felt cold as he pressed into me. My heart knew it was being toyed with, knew the agony was coming and I shoved him away. Casper staggered back, looking as stunned as I felt.
“By the Holy Mother, what was that?” I swore, deflecting my pain into anger.
“You are alive,” Casper said, which answered none of my questions.
“Of course, I’m alive you fool. I haven’t been the one locked in some unnatural prison all this time. I believe it’s rotted your brain. Don’t think that because I’m here to free you that you owe me some false affection.” I rubbed my lips, as though I could wipe away the kiss. “You made it perfectly clear what a monster you think I am.”
“I’m sorry, Nor. He gave me no choice.”
“He?”
“The one you were with last time, Elrik. The night before he brought you here, he paid me a visit.” His face puckered as though he smelled something unpleasant. “He said that I had to tell you I would be freed in winter, that I had to make you want to stay in Magnomel. I tried to refuse, but he said he would hurt you. He told me he would kill you if I could not convince you to stay.” Casper bit his lip, struggling with the rest. “I’m sorry, Nor. I didn’t know how else to keep you safe.”
I stilled, gripping my cane as his words sank in. I had suspected that Elrik had lied to Casper, told him he would be freed in winter, but I had not realized he had gone so far. I wanted to believe Casper, longed to be back in his good graces, and to be in his heart, but it seemed too much to hope for.
“You aren’t disgusted by me? By what I am now?” I held out my palms, exposing the gleaming skin, so far from being human.
Slowly, Casper reached out and clasped my hands. “No, Nor, I’m not.”
“But you hate the fay.”
“I was a fool to think all the fay are the same. To condemn them all for the actions of some.”
“You sound like a politician,” I retorted.
Casper chuckled, “Then here is a better answer.” Casper drew me in, wrapping one arm protectively around me. “I almost lost you, Nor. Until your visit, I didn’t even know if you were alive. I spent weeks down here, convinced Elrik had poisoned you, that you had died. That I couldn’t save you, and I would never have you back in my life.” He traced a finger lightly down my arm, the small gesture sending butterflies flapping in my stomach. “It was a shock to see how you’ve changed, but you could have become an ogre for all I care, so long as I have you back.”
I pressed my hand against my mouth, too overwhelmed to speak. I wiped away tears that suddenly formed at my eyes, desperate to maintain some composure.
“So you want to be with me?” I felt raw, my heart naked and exposed and already in Casper’s possession.
In response, Casper gently released me, going down on one knee as he pulled his signet ring off his finger, holding it up to me.
“Elenora Molnár, I am hopelessly in love with you. Will you marry me?”
Relief and joy flooded over me, leaving me with an elated lightness. I didn’t think I could speak without sobbing, I nodded. Casper slipped the ring on my finger. I distantly heard Lorella clap. As Casper rose, I ran my fingers in his hair, locking him to me and pulled him in to a kiss. My lips explored his, which were cold, but soft. I wondered if the sitano in my blood made me run hot or if being in this damp underground prison so long had leeched the heat from Casper. I drew him in tighter, pouring my warmth into him, pouring all my love into him. Kissing me back, he enveloped me in his arms, holding me close to him.
I didn’t hear Pel approach until he loudly cleared his throat. Casper and I slowly disengaged, remembering we were not alone. I turned to Pel, heat rushing to my cheeks, as I pressed my lips together.
“I’m sorry, Pel.” I didn’t know what else to say. I didn’t know how to apologize, how to articulate that I cared for him, but my heart belonged to Casper.
Pel shook his head, as if it was not important, though there was a lingering sadness in his eyes. “I’ve known your heart was elsewhere for a long time.” He met Casper’s eyes, “She is a rare treasure, you know.”
Casper nodded. It seemed the closest the two would get to a truce.
“This is so lovely, congratulations,” Lorella said, breaking in. “But I must remind you all that we are still in the middle of a prison escape and should probably leave.”
“Right,” I agreed, though I was grinning like a fool. Soon, I would have everything I wanted. We would be free, Casper loved me, and I would see my brothers before the end of the night.
I turned, ready to leave the prison.
Standing in the prison doorway was Elrik.