Page 59 of Blackheart

Sapphires below gossiped around the fire. “I hear the bastard is making his own alliances. Xavian Steele knows war is coming for him if he insists on being an inkweed lover.”

Another one grunted. “Ole’ Clarke will die soon enough. Drakington will be easy to take once he does. The bastard is young yet. I’m sure Saffron could strike a deal with him for his lands. I’d like to go home to my wife at some point, so the easier this is, the better.”

Saffron was mad if he thought he would be given two more kingdoms and the Dark Natured to feed off of without a fight.

“Castivian doesn’t have the resources to supply a war,” another one added.

“If I were Xavian Steele, I wouldn’t bother fighting it. I’d keep my position, pay my taxes, and send the Dark Natured on their way. Better yet, I’d fuck Delaina too. She liked his brother enough.”

I gagged.

They changed the subject to their own kingdom and politicians, which was dreadfully dull. I counted the stars to fall asleep, net swaying in the breeze.

The next day was the same. For hours, I was left hanging. No food. No water. Nowhere to relieve myself.

I held it as long as I could, until I finally pulled my pants down to piss off the corner. I prayed it landed on someone walking by.

As the thundering sky darkened, not even the stars accompanied me. The wind whipped, and lightning struck in the distance. Judging by the thick clouds rolling in and the wavering temperature, it was going to hail.

I was fucked.

Ice storms this time of year were lethal, and I had nothing to cover my head or any other part of my body. Down below, the fire fought against gusts of wind, slowly dying with no Sapphires bothering to tend to it.

Cutting myself down was the only option, though I’d likely die from the fall. Death by impact couldn’t be much worse than being stoned by ice.

Thunder boomed once more in warning. The storm had arrived.

I stood on the wobbly platform, gaining my balance.

Most of the Sapphires below retreated to their tents. No one paid me any attention.

I took a deep breath and grabbed onto the side of the net. The shift caused the tree limb to sag, rocking me to the side. I held on, praying I could pull this off. Once it stilled, I carefully pulled myself to the top, where the net was secured to the tree.

Reaching through a hole in the net, I tugged on the knot. It was thick. I would need a knife, which I most definitely did not have.

Placing my hand over the knot, I used the next best thing. I gently released my Nature. As soon as it trickled out, I cut off the release. Poison ate away at the knot, bubbling and popping threads.

“Do you wish to die?” a brooding voice yelled out as heavy footsteps ran towards me. I didn’t care to look. There was nothing they could do. If the fall killed me, then so be it. I would not be waiting for my blood to be drained, nor would I ever be giving up any information.

I would break the cage.

Thread by thread, the rope sizzled away until the net released. I fell, facing the vengeful sky. Death was a mere second away; my only regrets were not being able to see the moon once more, to say goodbye to my friends, and never having the chance to meet my twin.

A roar of magic captured me, obliterating the pieces of falling net.

Instead of on the ground, I landed in firm hands that tightened around my shoulder and legs.

Only a few inches from my face were red eyes full of regret.

It was Payn.

“Get your hands off of me!” I yelled, pushing myself out of his arms. Hoping my Nature burned him again.

“Don’t act like a child,” he seethed.

“Achild? You left me hanging in a tree for two days! If you’re going to kill me,do it.I’m not going into another cage.”

“Who said anything about killing you?” he asked rigidly, lowering his face until we were nearly nose to nose. “I’m looking for one person. You tell me what you know about her, and I’ll let you go.”