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"You're delusional." I tried to hide the terror in my voice as my nails dug into the flesh of my palms. I needed to find a way out of this.

"I had hoped this conversation would go differently." He sighed, almost theatrical in his disappointment. "I truly hate being forced to take a firmer approach, but you leave me no choice."

I met his gaze with all the hatred burning in my chest, and hiseyes lit with something dark. Something that made my blood run cold.

"Don't look at me like that," he growled. "Save it for our wedding night."

The words crashed into me. For a moment, I couldn't process what he'd said—what he meant.Wedding night?The web braided itself up my spine almost outside my control as panic clawed at my throat. My shadows morphed into a wall of darkness around me, ready to tear him apart.

"I've asked you quite nicely to keep those contained." His voice cut through my rising fury. "If the fate of the realm itself isn't enough to heed my warning, perhaps this will be."

Valkan slid something across the table, and my heart stopped. A clump of leather—torn and shredded in places, but unmistakable. Aether's name was still visible on the outer edge. The fabric was stained dark in places I didn't want to think about.

"If you care an ounce for his life, I suggest you start cooperating." His smile turned wicked as he watched the shock spread across my face.

"The Umbra will come for you," I managed, though the words felt hollow even as I said them. "If you hurt him, they will descend on Draxon?—"

"Do you honestly believe that?" he cut me off.

The question hit harder than I wanted to admit.Would they come?With Urkin's attention fixed solely on Sídhe, with the Council in chaos... Only Vexa and Effie knew where we were. Would they assume we died at the bottom of that cave? My shadows trembled with helpless rage, but I forced them back, letting the web sink into the depths of my spine. Useless. I felt useless again.

"That's what I thought." Satisfaction dripped from his voice.

I stayed silent, jaw clenched so tight it hurt. Tears burned in the corners of my eyes. I knew it best to try and pacify him, at least fornow, but I didn't know if I had the strength to do it. To not recoil any time his eyes fixed on me with that disgusting curiosity. To not unleash the stores of my power until he was no more than dust covering the floor.

Breathe.

"Would you allow me to remove your restraints now? I'm sure you're starving." He rose from his chair with fluid grace.

Just let him think he's winning. It's the only way you're getting out of here.

I gave a small nod, hating myself for it.

He approached with that satisfied smile, untying the ropes, making sure to graze my skin with his fingers before settling into the chair beside me. "Eat, darling."

I didn't move. The food's aroma filled my nose, making my stomach clench, but the memory of that metallic taste in the forest kept me frozen. My eyes darted between Valkan and the feast before us.

"You need to stay strong." He began filling my plate, movements deliberate and precise. "Look what I can provide for you."

Slowly, I picked up the fork, pushing the food around without bringing it to my lips.

"Together, we're going to conquer both realms." His voice took on a distant quality, like he was speaking to himself.

I watched him from the corner of my eye, trying to mask the hatred pulsing through my veins.

"If we don't intervene, this conflict will never end. It's not enough to quell Sídhe. It's not enough to restore Umbrathia." He leaned closer, and I fought the urge to recoil. "In order to maintain the peace we will carve across the rip, we will need to bring all to their knees."

My grip tightened on the fork until my knuckles went white, the end digging into the wooden table.

"Those guards are quite formidable, even I'll admit that. Your friends." His smile turned cruel.

Panic shot through me. "What are you talking about?" My voice came out clipped.

"The Umbra don't know everything that happens in this realm. Or across the rip." He shrugged, but there was nothing casual about it.

My heart thundered against my ribs as faces flashed through my mind. Raine. Briar. Laryk.

"You've been there,” I whispered.