Born of Stone by Missy Jane

realized she didn’t know and simply shrugged instead. His gaze roamed over her face and down her body.
    “You’re a young one, aren’t you? What are you? Twenty winters?”
    “Twenty-two, Master.”
    “Very young. And very pretty. How have I never seen you before on my visits?”
    She nearly dropped the flask in shock. He found her pretty? But then the voice of reason spoke up in her head. Of course he found her pretty. He was a captive and she was not.
    “It won’t work,” she said suddenly. He arched one thick brow and she shook her head. “You can call me pretty all you want. I don’t have the power to free you.”
    He laughed though it held little humor. “I call you pretty and you think I’m only looking to be freed? I won’t lie, pretty one, I would prefer to be free of these bonds. However, that is not why I complimented you.”
    “O-oh…”
    “What is your name?”
    Should she tell him? “Ph-Phaidra.”
    It slipped out before she could stop herself and she took a wary step back.
    He simply grinned. “Phaidra? As in the wife of Theseus?”
    “If the myth is to be believed,” she said.
    He nodded slowly and tightened his fists as he sat up straighter. She watched in fascination while his biceps bulged, but he could only go so far. His ankles were also secured.
    “Tell me, Phaidra, what is this that holds me so secure? It’s no metal I’ve ever seen.”
    She frowned and stepped closer to get a better look at his wrists. It was nearly impossible to ignore his nakedness, but she did her best to keep her eyes where they should be.
    “I do believe it is thellomonite, a mineral found only in the Kevarn Mountains. We use it for many things.”
    “And it’s incredibly strong.”
    “Yes.”
    He sighed and tugged his wrists against the cuffs but they held. He would have more luck trying to break them free of the oak headboard, but she didn’t think it wise to mention that. Most likely he’d figure it out for himself soon anyway.
    “Why is Iva holding me here? Do you know?”
    “I have not been told. I’m only supposed to give you water and then leave.”
    He lifted a brow again and then grinned. It was impossible not to be affected by that grin.
    “Only water, eh? You have done that duty but I still see you here, pretty one. Perhaps you’d like to keep me company for a while?”
    Of course she did. He had been the subject of every fantasy she’d ever had. But staying any longer was dangerous and foolhardy.
    “I can’t. I’m sorry…I must go.”
    She quickly turned for the door but he called out to her.
    “Phaidra, wait…please.”
    She froze in the doorway, checking to be certain the hallway was still clear. It was, so she braved a glance over her shoulder. “Yes?”
    “I’m being held against my will and that goes against at least three different treaties. You must know this. I’m not sure what Iva hopes to accomplish but she risks war with my brothers, my king and the Twenty.”
    All the blood drained to her toes and she swayed, barely catching the doorframe in enough time to stay upright.
    “Phaidra?”
    “I can’t do anything about this, Master Nel. I’m powerless—”
    “No. Only those who do nothing remain powerless. You can get word to my brothers. They will be searching for me.”
    He was right, but she was terrified. She looked at him another moment to capture his masculine beauty in her mind’s eye, and then she turned and ran.
     
    Nel watched the pretty little Kevan run from the room and sighed. He knew the chances she would help him were remote but he had to try something. The thellomonite was beyond his strength. It wasn’t too much of a surprise that he’d never heard of the mineral. The Kevan kept their secrets well. It had only been in the last fifty years or so that the Masters had been allowed to bed them on a regular basis. So far, no offspring had come of the pairings though the Twenty had assured them they were fertile. As far as Nel knew, he was the