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Chapter Thirty-Five

Jasce

Annora!

I wake with a start, my eyes burning as I struggle to focus on the book on my desk.

It’s been three days since I last saw Annora. Three days of searching through every book about magical bonds, and still nothing.

Frustration spikes through me as I turn the page, the words swimming in front of my eyes.

Bonds of magic, once forged, remain unbreakable save by death...

“Fuck!” I slam my fist against the desk, hating this, hating Aleksander.

Fuck him!

That conniving bastard. He’s taken my wife, the woman I love more than anything.

He is no brother to me.

No, he’s nothing but a spineless, manipulative worm.

The words blur as I flip the page and quickly scan the ancient text, but there’s nothing that will save her.

A frown wrenches at my mouth when someone knocks at the door. “What?”

Jude steps in, his face tight with concern. “You need to rest, Jasce.”

“I need to find a way to break this fucking bond.” I stand, move to the shelves, and grab another book from the shelf. “He’s going to destroy her.”

“And you’ll be no help to your wife if you collapse.” Footsteps echo against the floor as Jude moves closer to me. “When’s the last time you slept?”

“Sleep is a waste of time.” The words come out in a snarl as I flip through more pages. “He’s made her kill already. I will not allow him to destroy my wife.”

“Jasce,” Jude begins, “you have to sleep and you have to eat. Zerah says you haven’t eaten anything in days.”

“I have to find a way.” Frantically, I scan another page, but there’s nothing related to binding magic. “I have to save her.”

“I might have an idea.” Jude’s voice drops low as he shuts the door behind him.

I look up from the pages, studying his face. His eyes hold that glint, the one he gets when he’s thought of something clever.

“What idea?”

“It’s risky.” He glances at the door, then back to me. “And we’d need help.”

“From who?”

“Reeve.”

As Jude describes his plan, I fall silent, listening intently as he lays out the details. My eyes follow the movements of his hands as he gestures, mapping out the path we would take, the dangers we would face.

It’s risky—there’s no doubt about that—but it’s a risk worth taking.

Before I can respond to Jude’s plan, a knock cuts through the room.

“Enter,” I say, impatience threading through my voice.

The door swings open, and one of my spies steps inside—a wiry man with sharp eyes and light blond hair.

He bows. “Chieftain.”

“What news do you have for me?”

“Asha’s army is on the move,” he says.

My pulse hammers in my ears. “Where are they headed?”

“North, toward the Giiana Desert.”

Of course.

This is just the next step in Aleksander’s plan.

“How many warriors do they have?” I ask.

“At least three thousand House of Silver warriors and two thousand Watchers of the Dawn.”

Concern etches across Jude’s face as his eyes meet mine. “They won’t stop unless we act.”

Frustration coils tight in my chest as images flash through my mind—villages burning, our people slaughtered.

The spy shifts uneasily. “There’s more. Lady Annora has been seen with them.”

My heart lurches. “Annora?”

“Yes, My Lord. She rides with their army.”

A wave of anger crashes over me as I grip the edge of the table until my knuckles ache. “If he puts her in harm’s way...”

“We’ll get her back,” Jude says.

We will!

Then, I will have my vengeance on Aleksander.

“We have to prepare,” I say as I stare at Jude. “Rally our commanders. Strengthen the defenses along the border.”

Determination glints in Jude’s eyes as he moves to the door. “I’ll see to it.”

I turn to the spy. “You’ve done well. Continue monitoring their movements.”

He bows. “As you command.”

After they leave, I stare out the window toward the distant desert. Asha and Aleksander have turned my wife into a weapon against me.

Turning from the window, I pace the length of the room. They think to break me by using Annora, to fracture my spirit and leave me vulnerable. They underestimate the strength of what binds us, something far deeper than any magic Aleksander wields.

I move to the table, sweep aside the scattered scrolls, and unroll a fresh map. My gaze traces the routes through the desert, seeking the path that will intercept them.

Asha and Aleksander have made their choice. Now, I make mine.

I will face them.

I will stop them.

Then, I will bring Annora home.