Page 47

I wiped the tears from my face and placed a kiss on the parchment. Tucking it back under my pillow, I wished for my princes to end this nightmare once and for all. Not just for me—but for all of Hiraeth and her beautiful people.

“Michaela?”

Hunter’s voice was soft and fleeting. I turned in every direction, but there was nothing—no shape, no light—just an endless void pressing in. Darkness surrounded me.

“Hunter?” I called out. “Where are you? I can’t see you.”

“I don’t have enough energy to project imagery. I wanted to say goodbye. The full moon is…” His voice faded like a dying flame.

Panic surged through me. “Wait… Hunter, I can’t hear you.”

“I’m sorry. I’m having trouble maintaining the connection. I want you to know, I spent every day wishing we’d had more time together. The Divine took you from me before I got the chance to show you how much I could love you.”

“Please don’t give up, Hunter. There’s still time.”

“ I will find you in our next life. Maybe then?—”

I jolted awake. The bright morning sun accosted my eyes as Hunter’s dream slipped from my memory.

Mirabelle returned moments later, exactly as she’d promised.

This time with a hot breakfast in hand and a mauve-toned gown draped over her arm—leaving me no time to wallow in Hunter’s final goodbye.

I comforted myself with the notion that if I were to die alongside him, at least we’d have time in whatever afterlife awaited us.

The smell of eggs and fresh salmonberries had my belly grumbling with hunger pangs, but was I hungry enough to risk it?

Pushing the food around the plate, I contemplated whether or not it had been tampered with.

“My Lady, I assure you the food is safe. I gathered it from the cook myself. Please—eat.”

I sighed and gave her a small smile. “Was I that obvious?” I took a bite, trying my best not to think the worst. “Forgive my misgivings. Thank you for the warm meal. Were you able to destroy the mirror?”

She nodded, a smile creeping across her face. “It is done.”

Relief washed over me, knowing Gwen wouldn’t be able to access the portal in an attempt to save me, and find herself tangled in Johans talons.

Mirabelle fussed over my hair while I ate, brushing it out before curling it into soft waves. Piece by piece, she worked tirelessly to pin it into an elaborate style atop my head.

“Why do I need to be dolled up if he’s going to execute me?”

“My Lady, I wouldn’t assume anything when it comes to Johan’s motives.” She pulled me from the vanity. “Come on—we need to get you into this dress before he arrives.”

Fear thickened the air around me, suffocating me in anticipation. He was on his way. The food in my belly fought to stay down. The mere mention of his name had my skin crawling. It was time to play the game. I was about to face my nemesis.

“My Lady? Are you okay?”

“I’m sorry, I… I’m just nervous.”

“Take a breath. You’re a cunning young woman. All you have to do is play by his rules.”

“It’s his rules I’m afraid of.”

The gown was simple, yet stunning. Embroidered along the hemline were delicate songbirds perched happily amongst barren branches. The thin, silky fabric clung to my curves, while the obscenely plunging neckline left me feeling dangerously exposed.

“This color?—”

Johan burst through the door, stopping Mirabelle dead in her tracks. Every hair on my body stood on edge. The grimy smile on his face quickly morphed into a scowl.

“Why are you still here?” he barked at her.

“My Lord,” she bowed, and I quickly followed suit. “Forgive me. I… I was making sure she looked perfect.”

“Leave us!”

“Yes, my Lord.” Mirabelle didn’t argue. She scurried out of the room, leaving me alone with the vulture.

“Well, well, well. Miss Michaela Darling Carlisle. I do believe you have aligned yourself with the wrong house.”

I stared at him blankly.

“Do you like the dress? I knew you’d look ravishing in silk. It clings to your curves in all the right ways.”

He circled around, inspecting me like prey. I remained quiet, my chin held high, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response.

“Thanks to Jase, you made it just in time for our special ceremony.”

I swallowed hard at the sound of his name, forcing my breakfast to stay down. If I was going to get any information I’d have to engage in conversation. “My Lord, forgive my silence. What’s this ceremony you speak of?”

“Tonight, after I honor Jase for his loyalty, we will partake in the Nocta Dominium.”

Honor Jase for his loyalty, was all I heard. Loyalty? To Johan? No. It couldn’t be true.

“I can tell by your dumbfounded expression you didn’t know he was working for me. He’s played a pivotal role in my plan. In fact, if it weren’t for his help, you wouldn’t be here now. He traded your life for Finn’s.”

Tears threatened to spill down my cheeks. I refused to believe everything Jase and I had shared was pure manipulation. Nothing but simple fodder to keep me on track. But even as the betrayal burned hot in my chest, I couldn’t help but wonder: what would I have done to save my sister?

“Ohhh, I do love seeing tears in your eyes,” Johan taunted. “Does it break your heart to know he used you?”

“Fuck you!” The words exploded from my mouth before I could consider the consequences—and I paid the price.

Johan slapped my face, nearly knocking me to the ground. “You will not speak to me like that. I am your Lord, and you will show me respect.”

I bowed my head in defeat. “Forgive me, my Lord.”

“I’ll be expecting more from you this evening. You’d be wise to remember that you belong to me.”

He closed the distance between us, lifting my chin to inspect the blooming handprint on my cheek. I froze, trying not to recoil at his touch.

“Seeing you so broken is getting my dick hard.”

He trailed his fingers down my neck and thrust his calloused hand under the silk gown, squeezing my breast until I cried out in pain.

“Such a pretty cry. Holding out for tonight will be a challenge worth the prize.”

He leaned in closer gripping my face, and dragged his tongue along my cheek, tasting my tears.

“I can’t wait to taste the rest of you.”

I refused to meet his gaze, forcing my mind to drift anywhere but here. Silently, I prayed for the moment to end.

“Your lady’s maid will be back later to prepare you for the Nocta Dominium.”

I’d heard that term before. The males who tried to rape me had said Johan wanted me for it—but I still had no idea what it meant.

“I’ll be expecting your full participation.” And just like that, he turned and left the room. Leaving me frozen, holding my breath until I heard the lock slide into place.

I collapsed to the floor with a heavy exhale, finally allowing myself to fall apart.

I cried for my lack of intuition.

I cried for the betrayal I endured at the hands of Jase.

I cried for the violation of my body—no longer my own.

I cried for my heartache.

For my fated.

For my sister.

And I cried for our failure against Johan.

Everything we’d fought for was lost.

And it felt like it was all my fault.