Chapter 17: Just Perfect
Eira glared at him, her frustration mounting as she released his shirt. Forget it, she thought. There was no reasoning with this man. She'd have to figure out her way out of this place.
"Where are my things?" she asked, suddenly recalling that she had placed her bag on the floor before the fight.
Lyle tilted his head slightly, his eyes never leaving hers. "Your things are safe."
Eira's eyes narrowed. "I didn't ask if they were safe. I asked where they are."
Lyle remained calm, but there was a quiet authority in his voice. "They're being kept with my attendant."
Eira sighed, knowing arguing with him was pointless. She sat down on the bed, making sure to keep a good distance between them. "Thank you for keeping my things, but I want them back. Can you ask your attendant to bring them?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, her stomach growled loudly, echoing in the quiet room. Eira blinked in surprise, realizing how hungry she was—she hadn't eaten since the morning.
Lyle's eyes flicked to her stomach, and his lips curved into a small smile. "You'll get your things back once you've showered, eaten, and rested."
Eira frowned, annoyed by his control over the situation. "And if I refuse?"
His gaze remained steady. "Then you'll stay here, hungry, with no way out. But I don't think you would want to refuse a meal, especially when you need it."
Eira glared at him again, her hunger beginning to overpower her pride. She didn't want to stay in this place, but it was clear that escaping on an empty stomach was not going to work either. Begrudgingly, she accepted his terms, for now.