Shut up, Arelato looked at the girl carefully. And smiled.
"Forgive me, Miriel. I said a lot of things. This land is strange to you, its laws and regulations are incomprehensible, shocking. I tired you. It's because I was too tired and inattentive. It won't happen again.
- Nothing like that! - objected to Miri. - It is not superfluous at all. I need to know how you live... Where I went.
"It's not that bad, Miriel. There are good people on Mercan. Even among the magical orders - though it's hard for you to believe it yet.
The smile, a little mocking, played on his lips, causing Mirielle to have dual feelings. On the one hand - irritation because of his patronizing, condescending tone. On the other hand... Maybe he really cares about her? Doesn't want to hurt his feelings, does he? Or the kidnapper is a crook himself? He is the same as the one who described these... Unchulai.
Pretending to be kind and caring, leaning on his side. Paints out what the villain is like, and only he is the only one who is beautiful in a white coat. Does Miri know about him just now, besides what he says about himself? It's not like Darschel to ask who just admires the monsignor. Neither does she know the truth.
How does she know where she is going, what's going on around her? What do the kidnappers want from her, what to expect from them? Where do you find someone you can trust?
Miri has gone so deep into herself that she stopped noticing the gaze of the black eyes. And when she raised her head and met them inadvertently, she immediately realized that Arelato was reading everything she thought. She poured paint to the roots of her hair. And he smiled widely.
"Wow, what sane creatures are fairies. You're right, Miriel. You have no one to trust here. I'm the last one to know. But in one thing I'm not lying to you.
He stood up, walked around the table, was next to the girl and put his hand on her shoulder.
"I really like you, Miriel. I've never seen a girl as beautiful as you. So passionate, so interesting. I would be happy to be your Chosen One. And I'm sorry I can't influence your decision and your choice in any way.
Usually, Arelato's mental touches were pleasant and cool. But these words burned Miri. Inside her head, it was as if she was running through a tongue of fire. Like yesterday, he grabbed her palm, squeezed it a little, brought it up and put it to her lips with a light kiss.
"Let me walk you into the room myself today. I ordered Darschela to start right after breakfast. I want to check the punctuality of my students.
Miri didn't find a response right away.
- Discipline and mushrooming? - With too much laughter she squeezed out.
"Exactly," the kidnapper smiled again.
He took her by the hand, gallantly helping her to get out of the chair, and led her along the stone corridor. Miriel walked beside him, barely reaching for his shoulder. She had never been so close and so long with her kidnapper. Yesterday morning he grabbed her, clenched her in his arms... But only for a few seconds. And now they were walking down a narrow corridor with a low ceiling, he held her firmly under his elbow, their bodies touched each other... The tight corridor seemed to be getting tighter, the ceiling even lower. It was as if the walls had pressed them closer together.
I'd be happy to be your Chosen One, he said. What was that? Simple flattery, which she had already heard a lot from him? Or the truth? What if he didn't intend to let her out of here until she chose him?