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Elias tossed his last weapon on the dirt and raised his hands. “Let her live,” he pleaded, now looking at Volund again. His voice was calm, but I could recognize the turmoil beneath his tone. “I will go back with you without a fight. Just let her live, please.”

A grin of pure wickedness reached Volund’s lips. “You and I both know I won’t do that, Elias,” he sneered. My heart fell into my stomach as he called Elias by name. They really did know each other.

Which means Elias was my hired assassin.

“I didn’t even know you were evading me until Sarai scried for you a few days ago, only to see you with your target in your arms, alive and well. Naughty dog. Who knew you had a soft spot for pretty princesses?”

I had no idea who Sarai was, or how she could have seen us. We had been alone since Elias saved me from the bandits. But what Volund said next was even more shocking and confusing.

“You walked into a lake knowing a water witch could use her magic to see you? That wasn’t very smart, Elias.”

I froze.

Witch? Magic? Was Volund insane?

“Had you just done yourfucking job, the princess’s death could have been swift and painless. Now I think I’ll have her tortured, just to teach you a lesson, seeing as torturing you for the last few centuries hasn’t taught you anything.”

I didn’t have any time to process what was just said before anotherdeadly growl tore from Elias’s throat. “I will burn everything you love to the fucking ground if you lay a hand on her.”

“You are in no position to threaten me,dog.” Volund’s voice was bitter and full of hatred. I gasped slightly as the blade of my knife began to dig into my neck even further, and the blood that trickled down felt like more than just a few drops. Elias’s entire body tensed.

“Elias,” I uttered, afraid if I moved too much, the knife would slice further and sever something that would cost me my life. “What the hell is he talking about?”

“Were you not paying attention, Princess?” Volund interrupted. “I hired Elias to assassinate you. And for whatever reason, he chose to frolic through the woods with you for the last month instead.”

This confirmed it. Elias really was hired to kill me. Was he the man I saw in my window all those nights ago in Rimor? He must have been. And killing me was the whole reason he was in Rimor in the first place, the whole reason he befriended me.

It was all an act. His feelings for me – an act. None of it was real.

But why? Why not kill me that first night in Rimor? What ulterior motive did he have to keep me alive? Why…why lead me all this way and pretend to fall for me?

Deep, gut-wrenching despair filled me, threatening to swallow me whole. My lips began to quiver, and I clenched my jaw to try to stop them. I looked at Elias, and only when I blinked did I realize my eyes had filled with tears. “You never loved me,” I said softly. So softly, I thought he wouldn’t hear. But he did.

“Aura, please,” Elias begged, anguish in his voice.

Volund’s devilish laugh interrupted. “Don’t think so highly of your wolf now, do you?”

He said it again.Wolf.

My eyes darted to the malicious king. “Wolf?” I asked.

A look of realization mixed with amusement crossed Volund’sfeatures. “Oh no… no, no, no.” He shook his head as he laughed out the words. “Don’t tell me she doesn’t know. Don’t tell me you didn’t inform your precious princess of what kind of abomination you are.”

“Volund, please…” Elias’s plea sounded defeated as his shoulders dropped.

“Tell her what you are,” Volund demanded, a crazed look in his eyes.

“Please…”

“Tell her, or she dies right here and now.” Volund grabbed my shoulder with his free hand and twisted my knife in his other, causing me to cry out as I felt the skin of my neck tear and shred under the blade.

“Stop!” Elias begged. “I’ll tell her!”

Volund loosened his grip on my shoulder and stopped twisting.

“I’ll…I’ll tell her,” Elias repeated, looking down at the ground with defeat.

Worry mixed with intrigue were at the forefront of my emotions as I awaited whatever Elias was about to say. I never thought I would see Elias on his knees, at the mercy of another’s command. Grief tore at my heartstrings for him. I wished it didn’t. He didn’t deserve my grief.