Page 7

Gods, someday I WILL kill him.

"You!" yelled the other guard. "Get away from there."

My gaze slid to him as he rushed towards the woman, now kneeling at her husband's cell.

The two held each other tightly through the bars, shoulders shaking as they said their last goodbyes.

I bit back a tearful smile as Holden yanked me up and then the woman.

Sometimes we just needed time to say goodbye …

Holden shoved us down the block, and we marched side by side towards our destination.

I stole a glance at the woman. Her eyes were red-rimmed, tears running down her cheeks, but her jaw was set with determination.

I tried to give her a comforting smile. But when our eyes met, her expression twisted into something bitter and hateful, and she looked away.

"What? No love from this one for that little stunt,Savior?" Holden laughed. "What a surprise!"

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I straightened my shoulders and forced my gaze straight ahead.

Of course, she wouldn't want comfort from me. What was I thinking?

Leaving the cell block, we walked silently down two long hallways running the length of the ship. Finally, we turned a corner and stopped at that set of fucking red double doors — the place where my memories always ended each morning …

Holden and the other guard stood to the side, tense, and I swore I could feelsomethingbeyond the doors.

But I couldn't place what …

The other guard worked the locks, and a hiss of steam sounded as the doors slid open.

I stared into the darkness beyond, and bone-deep terror filled me.

RUN! FLEE!! GET AWAY WHILE YOU STILL CAN!

But before I could move, a hand shoved me forward into the darkness —

Chapter 3

Kaiya

Music filled the air, the hum of conversation nearby helping settle the fear in my gut. I was back in that blessed … cursed dream.

"Are you okay?" Lynn asked. "You don't have to dance."

"It's fine,"I said, offering her a reassuring smile as I took in the beautiful ballroom full of attendees in gowns and suits. This was the ball Frexin held the night before I left for the Forsaken Isle … the night I danced with Jaiel.The night everything changed.

I needed this memory — needed him.

Or at least the closest thing to him I could get …

Searching the crowd for that familiar dark hair, I felt my body warm even before our eyes met.

Jaiel, the gorgeous Fae prince, smiled — those blue eyes widening as he took in my gown and began making his way towards me.

"I believe I have the honor of thefirst dance —"

He held his hand out the same way he always did, but I ignored it — closing the gap to capture him in a tight hug, trying to forget my life aboard that damn prison ship.