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But Gorlois was already bored, dismissing the mention of his daughter as easily as he’d dismissed her existence. “Only a queen can fulfill the Void Prophecy, so Arthur had to go. All of it had to happen—you had to come into your power, break free, come to me here. In this clearing, where not even the fae magic in your blood would be enough to protect you.”

I thought I’d moved past revenge.

Maybe I had—maybe this was something different. It didn’t blind me. It didn’t break my heart. It fueled me. More than food or drink ever had.

“You killed Arthur.”

“Igraine arranged it all. A marvelous female, your mother. For years, all we’ve had is the communication crystals. A pale imitation of true connection, but enough to do what we needed, after Uther’s death. But we will be reunited soon.”

I was breaking into a million pieces—and I was going to bring the world with me. I was going to shatter it all.

“Every step in your life, Veyka, every path you’ve walked down has been orchestrated by me. To bring you to this moment.”

The void was in me, pulling me apart. I was ready—

“Ah, ah, ah,” Gorlois clucked, dragging me back.

Back to that grassy clearing. Back to reality.

A reality where he twisted Arran’s head to the point that the bones began to strain. Arran tried to cover his face, to hide the pain, but he couldn’t. Not from me.

“Gorlois,” I choked. “Please, stop.”

I had no plan.

Nothing that wouldn’t end in my mate dead.

My muscles failed me. My arms fell to my side, my weapons useless. “Anything. I will give youanything.”

Victory roared to life in Gorlois’ horrible face. “Haven’t you realized, Veyka? The only thing I ever wanted was you.”

Bile rose in my throat.

I choked it back. I couldn’t be weak or sick. Not now.

He didn’t realize—without Arran, I couldn’t touch my power. I couldn’t command the void without Arran to tether me back. Not just as my mate—but the male I loved. Without him to come back to, I would be lost in the void forever. Falling. Aimless. Unmoored.

Gorlois wanted the void power, but he did not understand how it worked. It grew from my connection with my mate. If Arran was dead, that magical ember inside of me would die too. I knew it instinctively, without question.

I knew I shouldn’t reveal anything about my power—shouldn’t give an inch.

But I’d do anything to save Arran.

I opened my mouth—

Go now.

Arran spoke into my mind as clearly as if he stood beside me. We’d communicated through the bond—growls, admonishments, a few traded sentences and feelings. But this was clear.

Get to Lyrena. Take her, and go through the void,he said.

I didn’t want to give us away. But I couldn’t keep from looking at him. His dark eyes burned, not with lust. With something deeper—love.

I felt my heart starting to break.I can’t.

Arran didn’t shy away from my gaze. He met me, unafraid. Ready for me—as he had been from the beginning.

You did it before. You can do it now,he said.