Page 145

“What kind of a fucking plan is this?”

Regan’s eyes widened. “Keep your fucking voice down!”

My finger darted in the direction of the bed. “If she is so important, how can you surrender her tothis? How can you stand by while she is violated? If she is your Queen-”

“This plan is bigger than you or me, even bigger than her.” Regan snapped. “I’m sorry, I truly am. I cannot stand how this is playing out. Do you not think me plagued, knowing what she suffers? Knowing what you suffer? I’m not hesitating to torture you. But the time must be right.”

“When?” I asked. “Tell mewhen.”

“Soon.”

“When?” I grasped his thin shoulders and shook him. “How much longer am I expected to surrender the woman I love to be raped by your fucking King?”

“Soon.” If he said it again I would hit him. “I cannot tell you more. You must… You must control your rage. I have never experienced a Ladaian bond, I have no idea what this is doing to you. But I know for certain, with absolute surety, that if you die, that anguish will end her. We need her.” He put a hand on my hand with surprising weight. “And we needyou. Alive. Both of you. Do you understand?”

Drusilla hurried into the room at that moment, and Regan’s hands were already clasped behind his back, the indifferent expression back. Drusilla regarded me uncertainly, edging towards the bed.

“What happened?” She asked, her eyes moving over the blood on the floor.

“The princess had a fainting spell,” Regan said, turning to the door. “Norahi and I brought her back, and the guards caused some trouble. See to your mistress, Norahi and I will leave you.” He gestured with an open hand to the door, urging me to leave the room.

I turned to look back down at Elara, who slept on, looking like an angel in the cloud of her golden hair. I reached out and ran my fingers down the length of her arm, swallowing all the aching misery that threatened to burst out of me. Regan was right. But leaving her here…

“Norahi.” Regan’s voice pulled me back from her, away from her, reminding me I had to leave.

My feet were like lead as I backed out of the room, watching Elara’s chest rise and fall with every shallow breath.

“Rook,” Regan said softly when I stopped, and I realized I was holding on to the door frame. “Please. She needs you alive.”

I peeled my unwilling fingers away from the door, and Regan hurriedly closed it before I could storm back in and leap from the window with Elara in my arms. I looked down at him wearily.

“Come now,” he said, “you need a healer.”

I remember the wound in my side, and shook my head. “I’ll be fine.”

“You need a healer,” he insisted. “Go to your chambers and I will bring one to you.”

I nodded, feeling cold and hollow all at the same time. I trudged through the passages to my room, feeling the fight drain from my body. Elara had fought in the Pit for nothing. She had freed her parents, only for Theron to kill them anyway. She had fought for her freedom, only to be Theron’s prisoner - worse, his wife. And all I could do was watch.

Back in my chambers, I sat down heavily on the bench at the end of my bed. I held up a hand, summoning the black shadows. With barely any pain. I looked down at my arm, at the slave mark. I brought my arm closer to my face, sure it was just my tired eyes, the dim light of the room.

But no - it had faded. Only a little. Only I would notice, having looked at it every day for five years. But it had faded. I exhaled heavily, wondering what the fuck that could mean.

The healer came, tending to the wound left by the guard, though by that time her attendance was almost unnecessary. New skin had already formed over the wound. She fussed over me with tincture and a motherly warning to stay out of further trouble. Then I was alone again, lying in my bed.

I stared at the darkness, nothing but the faint, dancing moonlight staring back.

Suddenly a weight crashed into my chest, pulling taut and crushing my lungs. Terror. Fear. Ice cold rivulets piercing my veins.

I could do nothing but cry and scream into the darkness surrounding me as I felt Elara being violated yet again. The shadows exploded from my hands, shrouding me in night. I couldn’t control them. They swirled and coiled as her anguish reverberated through my body.

I did not sleep that night. Her terror faded into defeat, and I felt her heartbeat falter slightly next to mine. I stayed awake to ensure it did not stop beating. By the time morning came, I was sure I’d shed all the tears I’d ever shed in my lifetime. Her heart felt smaller, as though she was fading away.

As the sun’s rays broke through the shattered window, I swore to myself that I would see the light leave Theron’s eyes, if it was the last thing I ever did.

Chapter40

Rook