Page 7

Chapter Six

Again, she boosted me with her magic. I knew when she did it before because I could feel it, but I didn’t say anything then because I was too scared she’d regret giving me anything of herself. I don’t care about the magic. Yeah, it’s nice to be able to zip after having to get others to do it for me all of this time, but that’s not why I want the beautiful female sitting in front of me.

Does she realize she’s on the dirty ground, as close to me as she can be, without tearing down this cell?

“Do you ever wonder how different things would have been if we’d just met at a party or the market?” she asks, and I slowly nod because I’ve thought about that a lot.

“Yes, but there’s no point questioning everything,” I reply, stretching my neck from side to side. “You were introduced into my life when you were meant to be.”

“You believe that?”

I have to, or it’s all for nothing. “I do.”

She stands up, dusting her clothing. “I better go before someone shows up.”

“Okay. I’ll see you during your next visit.” I smirk.

“If you’re smart, there won’t be a next visit,” she murmurs, shaking her head.

“I’m exactly where I’m meant to be,” I reply, watching her as she ascends the stairs.

She hesitates on the third one, turning around and staring at me. “I don’t fully trust you yet, August,” she states, her expression emotionless.

“You will,” I reply in a confident tone. “You’ll learn to trust me more than anyone in all eight kingdoms,” I promise. I’m her mate, and I’ll fucking treasure her. I’ll show this woman she can trust me and realize there is no one else for her.

My soul is wired to yearn for hers.

From the moment I saw her, I knew she was it for me.

Anyone before her no longer matters—they were just pathways that led me to her.

I suddenly understood why Rave wanted to kill me, and Soren tried to do the same. It was because the thought of another man touching her has me wanting to burn this realm to the ground.

When Rion steps into my cell tonight, I can tell something is different—off. The way he watches me, his mind is working overtime like he knows something I don’t.

He’s a few steps in front of me. The air is thick with tension, and the back of my neck prickles. Yeah, something bad is about to happen.

My jaw tightens when four of his men step into the cell behind him. Two are demons, one is a vampire, and one is a fae. I feel the power emanating from them, and here I am, wearing these shackles that contain my magical powers.

But I’m not going to go down without a fight.

Let him try and fry me.

Maybe this is my penance for all that I’ve done.

For locking Milana away and thinking that was somehow a good idea.

Rion crosses his arms over his chest and smirks, his red eyes filled with satisfaction. The rugged scar on his cheek that cuts through his eyebrow looks even more ominous today.

“You’ve given us nothing that we need, so now we’re going to kill you. Unless you conveniently have decided to share something that will save your life. All we want is the castle layout. Surely, that small tidbit of information isn’t worth your life?”

I’m not stupid. Either way, they aren’t going to let me live.

“Why don’t you let me out of these?” I murmur, glancing down at my chains. “And make it a fair fight? Or does it take five of you to kill one common fae?”

Rion chuckles, but there’s no humor in it. “So you can zip away before we’re done with you?”

Electricity sparks from his fingers.

The vampire behind him steps forward, and vines stream out from his fingertips.

Fucking wonderful.

I brace my feet apart. I’m not going down without a fight. I’m not fucking dying and leaving Milana out here alone to live with these assholes using her as they see fit.

I’ve killed before. I’ve taken lives. I’ve never claimed to be innocent.

I know people make assumptions about me. But that’s what made me a good mercenary and an even better royal guard. I’m always underestimated.

But I’m protective.

Possessive.

And I look after what’s mine.

I’m not ready to leave this realm just yet.

She’s going to know unconditional love if it’s the last thing I do.

The vines wrap around my shoulders, snaking around my arms to hold me back, and when the first strike of electricity hits me, my head slams back against the wall.

I don’t know how long the torture goes on for, but I pass out, and when I come back, it’s just Rion standing over me, a knife in his hand.

“We’ve decided we’re going to keep you alive a little longer and send Zython a little present to show him how serious we are,” he says, stamping his foot down on my open palm. Pain spears up my arm, and when he brings the knife down toward my fingers…

“What are you doing?” comes a sweet yet stern voice.

My eyes snap to hers, but she’s looking directly at Rion. Her expression is carefully blank, and I hate that she’s seeing me like this. Absolutely fucking hate it.

“Showing our prisoner what happens when he doesn’t cooperate.” Rion smirks, stepping off my hand and giving me his back. “Go back upstairs, Milana. Now . You don’t need to see this.”

For once, I agree with the bastard.

“I don’t think I can, Rion,” she murmurs, reaching out to touch his shoulder. He freezes, Milana’s magic holding him in place while she drains his magic from him. A booster is a very dangerous person and not one you want to be on the bad side of.

But even when she was kept in our castle, she never drained me.

Not once.

And now I can see just how easily she could have done so.

She only gave, never took from me.

“What are you doing?” Rion barks between clenched teeth. “Your father?—”

“He’s gone, Rion. And you won’t be hurting August anymore. This rebellion… do you even know what we’re fighting for anymore? We wanted fair leaders, a fight for freedom against the royal family, but look at what we have become. We aren’t any different from them. We just want their power and control. I’m done being a pawn in a game I never wanted to play.”

Rion crumples to the floor, passing out from losing his magic. Milana takes the keys from his pocket and unlocks the shackles.

She made a quick decision.

And right now, it’s me.

Her mate.

Fuck everything else.

She takes my hand in hers, helping me up.

And then we zip the hell out of there.