Read Online Rise: A Gay Fairy Tale by Keira Andrews, Leta Blake - Free Book Online

hard. “I have nothing to go back to. You think you hate the people below? Not as much as I do. And you could never hate me as much as they do.”
    Rion frowned. “I don’t understand this. You’re one of them. Why would they hate you?”
    “I’ve never been one of them. I never will be. I’m different. Can’t you see that?”
    Rion regarded him for a long moment. He opened his mouth to reply and then snapped it shut with a sharp inhale. “Spare me your sad tale, Outsider.”
    “All right. If the people below are unclean, where do you come from?”
    “From here. I was born here. I shall die here. It is my birthright.”
    Not the immortal Jack had assumed the giant to be, then. “But where did your family come from originally? Surely your parents weren’t both born here.”
    “My mother was. My father came from across the sea. That is the only place we can go to find a mate.”
    “Across the sea? Beyond the cliffs, you mean? But no one can pass there. The water is too rough, ever roiling. It quickly swallows anyone who dares attempt to cross. I’ve heard there is no other side, just churning sea until the edge of the world.”
    Rion seemed to want to say more, but after a long moment he shrugged. “My father came from across the sea,” he repeated.
    So there was another kingdom there? Jack’s curiosity grew. “When I was young I dreamed of building a boat and sailing off. I never thought it was possible.” Maybe I could go there! Maybe they’d accept me!
    Rion scoffed. “They’d never permit you to enter even if you survived the sea.”
    His surge of excitement receded. “Are the borders guarded?”
    “No. It’s a peaceful land.”
    Jack frowned. “Then why would they stop me from entering?”
    “They’d…they’d arrest you on sight. You’re a filthy Outsider! It’s obvious with a glance.”
    Jack ran his palm over his head self-consciously. “Because of my hair?” Yet no one else in his village had the curse.
    Rion’s brow furrowed. “Because you’re unclean! What does your hair have to do with it?”
    Jack blinked. How strange that for once, his hair seemed to be accepted. It was just the rest of him Rion hated. Although Jack was used to being the subject of scorn, he found it cut just as deep as ever. Why do you care what this man thinks? “Have you been there? To this land across the sea?”
    “Many times.” Rion tellingly avoided his gaze.
    “No. I don’t think you have .” I think you’ve stayed locked up here all alone . A pang of hurt for Rion echoed through him.
    “You dare to call me a liar? You Outsider scum! I’ve been across the sea more times than I can count. I have many friends there.”
    Jack barked out a laugh. “Oh yes, I can tell. So where is your mate?”
    At this, Rion shifted and tugged on the ropes binding him, eyes on the ceiling. “Cease these useless questions.”
    As empty as his own life in the village had been, Jack couldn’t imagine living in this prison in the sky. “How long have you been alone?”
    Rion’s nostrils flared, and his voice was steel. “Save your pity, Outsider. I have no need of it. I’ll tear you limb from limb and toss down your bones to fertilize the beanstalk. And when another of your kin climbs it, I won’t take pity on him and send him back with tales of a giant’s wrath. From now on there will only be death to the Outsiders!”
    Fine. If that’s the way he wants it, that’s the way it shall be . As he left, Jack slammed the door behind him with a clang that seemed to shake the walls. He leaned against the cold stone and breathed deeply. What did he hope to gain by talking to Rion? This greedy, cruel man. This man who would clearly kill him without a second thought.
    This man I somehow desire. This man who might just be as lonely as I am .
    Jack hurried down the passageway. He needed to find the treasure and leave this cursed castle behind.
     

     
    Rion shifted restlessly, his bonds still holding fast. Why had he