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I dared to meet her eyes. Emotions flickered across her conscience, tripping something soft in my chest.

Memories stirred.

It was the same look I’d seen in my mother’s eyes. Right before she’d plunged a dagger into her own heart and thrust me into the mortal realm. A look I’d witness before she’d abandoned me.

That tender look was an expression of weakness.

Something that would drive a male to act on emotions instead of logic.

No.

This I could not allow. Fated mate or not, attachments of theheart made a male vulnerable. My ambitions, my goals, came first. Always. Power was everything. Theonlything.

My mind raced. “You’re mistaken. That doesn’t sound like me.” The walls closed in, the air growing thin.

It was one thing for a female to become obsessed with me. Even fall in love on occasion. This was to be expected. It was quite another for those feelings to be reciprocated. Ever. Which they hadn’t. Not once in all my years had I ever returned a female’s infatuation. Despite the shimmering mark that remained on Runa’s throat, I wasn’t some besotted fool. Until I’d determined what I would do about finding my fated mate, it was vital for the sorceress to have a clear understanding of our relationship. I needed her to create a portal. Nothing more.

At my rebuttal, Runa stiffened, hurt darkening her violet eyes. “I was moments from death. You shoved me out of the way.”

I shook my head, firming my jaw. “I remember peering down at you from my platform.” While debating whether I should let her die, that damn inner voice had reared its head, telling me Runa was mine and nothing would separate us, not even death.

“And then?” Runa pressed.

I swallowed past my tightening throat. “I fell.”

“You…fell.” She stiffened, pursing her lips. “And landed directly between me and the dragon…by accident?” Her voice rose.

I arched a brow, daring her to challenge my explanation.

“You know what?” She flopped back in the chair, folding her arms. “Never mind. We have more pressing issues to deal with than what might have been the only selfless act you’ve ever performed in your life.”

Silence stretched between us until she finally said, “What do you remember about our escape?”

“Nothing.” My memory was a wasteland.

“I feared as much. You…weren’t yourself.” She untucked her legs, sitting upright in the chair and adjusting her skirt. “As it turned out, Thorne was telling the truth. He’d allowed himself to be tossed into the pit. His benefactor hired him to save you. According to their deal, she’d help save the dragon if he got you out as well. After youfell, a bunch of his guys broke the containment spell. We escaped into the grate, where more of his friends intercepted us. The tunnel exited near a swiftly flowing river where they’d hidden a handful of small boats. After a span’s journey, they brought us here.”

“As captives or guests?”

“Guests.” She paused. “I think. Kronk, Drazen, and Thorne are resting in their own rooms. They healed our injuries, fed and clothed us. Still, I’m not completely clear on why they’ve come to our aid. Nor do I trust them.”

She was smart not to let her guard down. Lucky for her, I’d woken and would sort it all out.

“Where is ‘here’ exactly?”

“I believe that answer is best explained by letting you see it yourself. Think you can stand?”

I snorted. “I’m not an invalid.”

My heavy legs dropped to the floor like they were made of stone. I covered my wince, forcing my cumbersome frame out of the bed.

Runa’s gasp reminded me of my lack of clothing.

I smirked. “Nothing you haven’t seen nor enjoyed, pet.”

“Me and half the realm,” she grumbled.

Somehow, I managed to shuffle to the balcony.