My eyes snapped open with a jolt, words rushing out of my mouth, "Don't take me there, we're not--!"
I stopped once I observed my surroundings. As I looked around, I realized I was no longer near the River; instead, I was in a house that didn't resemble Briel's.
I clenched my teeth, gripping the arm of the couch I was sitting on. "This better not be... His house."
"It is."
I turned around, eyes widening in surprise. He stood behind me, his hair slightly messy, holding a bowl in his hands while wearing an apron.
He placed the bowl on the table next to me, then stepped back, crossing his arms. "Start talking."
"About what?" I asked.
"About why half the town has been looking for you for the past eight hours, and now a random man shows up at my house with you and says you'll explain when you wake up?! Is this some kind of scheme? I was already scared enough that I was the last person to see you before you went missing. Where even were you?!" His breathing was heavy, a mix of fear and anger, but I knew it wasn't entirely my fault, so I wouldn't take the blame for it.
"I can't really explain it to you. You wouldn't understand," I responded.
"Then make me," he challenged.
I stood up. "You're friends with Korel, right? I need to meet him. Once we're together, I can tell you."
That was the only solution I could think of—since Korel was Uel's brother, he probably knew Faythe and could easily fill in the details.
I could always make up another story, but I was afraid it might cause more problems. Lying had never been a permanent fix for me.
Matthew's expression softened. "Are you just trying to avoid telling me? Listen, Genessa, I know we're not close, but-" He sighed. "If you think that man who brought you did something to you or tried to take advantage of you, you can always tell me."
"What?!" I gasped, surprised. "Why would you even think that?!"
He groaned, "I'm just looking out for you. Don't overreact. What else do you want me to think when a man randomly appears with you in his arms at midnight?!"
"His arms?" I thought.
I took a deep breath. "I need Korel Uranus to be here to explain what happened. If you don't believe me, then you can throw me out."
He shook his head and walked toward a door. "Are you hungry?"
I smiled, relieved he changed the subject. "I'm okay. I just need to focus on figuring out what to tell Sir Aaron tomorrow. He and Briel must be so worried."
"They are," he said, opening the door. My eyes caught sight of some white cabinets and a refrigerator.
I rested my head on my knees, trying not to imagine what had happened while I was gone. Briel, especially, was my main concern. She might think I had kidnapped her.
Matthew appeared shortly after, holding a plate in each hand. He set one in front of me, keeping the other close by as he took off his apron.
"I said I don't want food," I objected, watching him tie up his hair to eat.
He looked me over, then resumed what he was doing. "If you want juice with that, you can tell me."
"Why are you ignoring the important statement?"
He sighed, stepping closer. "Why are you so stubborn? Just eat something; it won't kill you."
I tilted my head slightly. "And how do I know you haven't poisoned it? You could kill me now, bury me, and everyone will keep looking for me, still considering me missing."
He smirked creepily. "Are you trying to give me ideas?"
I hissed, throwing my head back. "A weak man like you can't do anything. You're full of talk and no action."
He sat on the couch, relaxing his legs. "And what kind of action would you want me to take?"
I looked at him. "If you weren't a weak man, you wouldn't need me to tell you the sort of action you should take".
He moved closer. "I don't want to do anything that'll scare you. Maybe I should do something like... force-feeding you?"
I giggled, meeting his gaze. "Have you ever been kicked below the belt?"
He laughed, backing up. "A little kid like you shouldn't be thinking such violent thoughts. Respect your elders—back in my day, I respected those older than me by just a year."
I also backed up, though we weren't close anymore. "I'm proud of you. You must have been a very annoying little boy."
He chuckled, picking up his food. "Annoying? Everyone wanted a kid like me. Girls sent me love letters every day."
He took a bite and looked at me. "Want to see? I still get them to this day."
"Sure, why not?"
He ate quickly, scarfing down the fish and fruit bread, a light meal that was easy to eat fast.
It was my favorite meal back in the Carruan Desert, so I was hungry for it, but I couldn't trust Matthew.
He finished the last bite, placing his plate next to mine. "Will you follow me upstairs?" he asked. "Or should I bring it here?"
"You were actually serious?" I asked, surprised. "They're girls who've got so much ink they waste it on you?"
He put a hand over his mouth, feigning shock. "Don't tell me, Genessa. No one has ever given you a love letter before?"
"Sorry, but I only associate with wise people."
"You've never experienced love from afar?"
I stood up, tired of him and our banter. It was already bad enough I was in the same house as him. "Where will I be sleeping, please? It's about time I went to bed."
He also stood, picking up the plates. "The room at the farthest left. You can stay there. Though there's no lamp, so I'll give you one."
I nodded and headed toward the room.
"And one more thing," he said, stopping me. "You've been talking about Korel like you know him. Why so?"
"Let's just say I'm betrothed to him."
"I'm sorry?" I looked back.
"You can ask him yourself. Actually, could you make him come before I leave tomorrow? That would be better."
"I don't know if you're just a delusional girl," he replied, "But this better all make sense by morning."