Page 133

“Fight him. You’re stronger than this. The strongest woman I know.”

Compliments? Now? “I can’t,” I spat. “You’ve seen what he’s capable of. He had a flarking dragon in his thrall.” What chance did I have?

Victor’s expression softened. “Let me help you.” Damn him. That slight softening would get him killed.

“Help yourself,mate,” I snarled, then reared back, slamming my forehead into his nose.

Blood spurted. Victor stumbled. The arms he’d clamped around my torso loosened, and I took advantage. Years of practicing with my brothers, defending myself against other criminals, and Idris’s soldiers overrode my desires. My muscles remembered this dance, even if my mind rebelled against my actions. And still, the vampire engaged me. Idiot!

“You should have left when you had a chance.” I dove for the dagger, grabbing the hilt and springing back to my feet. “For once, couldn’t you do as I asked? Thanks to you, I’ll be responsible for destroying yet another life.” And this one would finally break me.

At last, Victor seemed to realize the danger he faced, bringing glowing spheres of light into his palms. “But that isn’t the full truth, is it love? I think you told me to leave because you’re afraid of what would happen if I stayed. Afraid you’d have to let someone in, give up control. To trust.”

“I do trust you.” I circled, dagger raised, searching for an opening.

“Then prove it.”

His elbow dropped, his right foot twisting. There it was. I lunged, aiming for his already damaged ribs.

Golden light exploded. My vision went white. Finally, he’d decided to fight back. I blinked, finding my throat imprisoned in Victor’s domineering grip.

“Interesting how our roles have changed. This time, it’s you who has a barrier in your mind. Let me in, little thief.”

A fiery current jolted my senses. The vampire’s presence tested the edges of my conscience. His gleaming eyes peered into my psyche.

Face an inch from my nose, he purred, “Trust me.”

Did he attempt to compel me? If so, he’d have to try harder. Idris had a firm hold on my free will. His bitter influence clawed deep into my brain.

Kill. Kill him.The command caused my muscles to twitch, and I tensed my weakened limbs, ready to claw out Victor’s eyes.

His thumb stroked a gentle rhythm over the brand he’d left on my throat. “I gave you this mark at a time when I couldn’t envision a future for us. When all I could see was my past and what I’d lost. Then Idris captured you, and I started seeing clearly for the first time in decades. Today, I’ve got both eyes open. The greatest treasure in all the realms is standing before me. I was wrong, letting you slip away. You want Carcerem? I’ll give it to you. This kingdom is lost, same as I was. It needs you. Say you will be mine, and together, we’ll build a future that will make Carcerem proud.”

Praise the fates. He got it. The fallen king had finally seen beyond the end of his aristocratic nose. And I was a captive of Idris’s dark magic and unable to respond as I desired.

“Break free of his thrall, little thief,” Victor ordered, hammering at my walls. “You’ve allowed me to claim your body. Open your heart and your mind. Let me in, and I swear I won’t disappoint you again.”

Those barriers between us began to fracture. Victor was my mate. He was mine. And I was his.

“I trust you,” I admitted, letting go, opening my heart and my soul. Starlight sparked along the connection between us. Victor’s presence washed over me, filling the empty void within mydamaged heart and pushing out Idris’s influence. Filling me to the point that all that was left was Victor and me.

I dropped the knife I held, dragging the back of my fingers beneath Victor’s jaw. “I love you.”

“And I you, sweet sorceress.” The hand on my throat disappeared. Victor wrapped me in an embrace, pressing his lips to my forehead.

“He can’t do that, can he?” Raelynn’s shrill question to her king hit my ears. “The only way he could have broken your thrall is if Custodis’s bond with her is more powerful than yours.”

I spun to find Idris perched on the edge of his throne, murder in his snarling visage. He glared down at the two of us. I flicked my fingers under my chin and blew him a kiss.

“I’ll show you who’s stronger,” Idris snarled.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

VICTOR

Every hairon my body stood up as though electrified. It was the only warning I received before the rumbling shockwave pulsed through the room. With every bit of speed I possessed, I flung my mate away from me, taking the full brunt of Idris’s attack square in the chest.

Pain exploded throughout my nerve endings, and I flew backward, spine bowed, arms and legs jutting out in front of me. The room streaked by in blurry shades of gray and crimson. Ozone’s bitter tang filled my senses. Stones exploded behind me as my frame punched the wall. The strength of Idris’s blast pinned me there a moment before I plunged to the ground, bones colliding with the unforgiving tiles.