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Chapter 16

Iheaded for a side entrance close to the training fields, creeping across the grounds to avoid being seen by any guards. As I got closer, I saw the silhouette of a man standing in the field, and my heartbeat quickened. Cassius? I moved swiftly toward him, but I stopped when I realized who was actually there.

Jesper gave me a small wave. Disappointment weighed heavily on my chest as I continued walking toward him.

“Where did you come from?” Jesper asked with a smile.

“I went for a walk and saw someone standing here. Curiosity got the better of me,” I said carefully, my darkness ready to kill him at any moment. Killing Jeb tonight wasn’t enough to satisfy my need for vengeance. I knew the soft moonlight concealed Jeb's blood that was splattered on me.

Jesper’s smile brightened as he pointed to a blanket and food. “Do you want to have a midnight snack out here under the stars with me?”

“Do I have a choice?”

His smile faltered, and I hoped he felt like the slimeball he was. I sighed as I sat on the opposite side of the blanket from him. He sat and smiled brightly at me. I could see how I had been drawn to him before Cassius came along. He was handsome, and his smile made him look innocent, but I saw the monster lurking in the depths of those eyes. He handed me some food and poured drinks. Part of me wondered if I should kill him right then and there.

But I was curious about why he was out here and what he would say to me.

“I wanted to apologize for the way things have gone since being back,” he said.

“Okay,” I muttered, unsure of what to say. My family must have sent him, knowing I no longer trusted my father.

“I feel protective over you. I forget that you could kill us all if you felt like it,” he chuckled instead of showing disgust at the magic I wielded. His hand instinctively touched the large gash I had given him. My dagger pressed against my leg in my boot, a silent reminder that I could end this liar too. “Your father can be a difficult man to get along with.”

“Stop calling him my father. He is the king, not my father.”

He nodded in agreement, his eyes turning to the sky as he ate his snack.

“Before Cassius, it was me, you know. I was the one you were in love with.” His lie sounded so genuine, but I knew better. I had never loved this monster in front of me. How could he sit here and lie like this, knowing they had tried to kill me in the trials?

“No, I did not,” I scoffed.

“Yes, you did. We were to be married, but then Cassius came along and tricked you. He stole you from me.”

Uneasiness filled me. Why was he pushing this so hard?

“You are not anything I want from a husband,” I said, my tone dripping with clear disgust.

The moment I insulted him, his entire demeanor shifted. I almost smiled as his true self surfaced.

“Well, too fucking bad,” he glared. “Your father will be announcing our engagement at the meeting of the kingdoms.”

“Luren would never allow that,” I hissed, but I was filled with fear. I couldn’t get married to someone like Jesper. Especially now that I could see the evil that lurked under his fake friendliness.

“Showing a united front between our kingdoms will elicit a new sense of power for both of us. You will be my wife, but your father still has the ultimate say.”

“Why would you ever agree to that?” I scoffed.

“The kingdoms will never stop fighting over you, Thea. If you are married to me, then I will have your perceived power on my side. They will not mess with my crown.”

I was to be a pawn again.

“I would rather die than be tied to you,” I snapped. “I will not marry you.”

“You will not have a choice.” His eyes were now enraged and full of hatred. “I will force you anyway I can. You will be mine, and that is something I can throw in Cassius’ face for the rest of our existence.”

Through the haze of anger in my mind, my senses alerted me to something moving near us. My ears perked at the rustling of bushes in the woods. My eyes darted toward the sound, but I couldn’t see anyone there. I held my breath, hoping to hear the noise again. When nothing appeared, I let my attention fall back on Jesper.

“Cassius would not care,” I said, but I knew the words sounded untrue.