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Chapter Twenty-Six

VICTOR

I dragged open eyelids made of lead, drawing in my surroundings. Nothing about the room nor bed I slept in was familiar. One thing was certain—I was no longer a prisoner of Slyborn Castle.

While even the nicer parts of Slyborn had a coarse, primitive quality to them, this place had an air of refinement without being blatant in its display of riches.

Silks and velvets in shades of emerald and bronze softened the room while ornate rugs rested on the marble floors.

The furniture was crafted by an artist’s hand, the lines almost delicate while seeming indestructible.

Soft light illuminated the space, magical fixtures casting a warm glow.

Beside me, Runa slept curled up in a high-backed chair.

Soft breaths fluttered a lavender lock that had fallen across her cheek.

Other than the circles beneath her eyes, she looked well, wearing a plum-colored dress with a richly embroidered bodice, cap sleeves, and a loose skirt.

Her bare legs were folded under her. A pair of boots rested beside the chair.

Far from prison garb, the richness of her garments indicated she’d been afforded some care and consideration.

While none of these observations were alarming, they didn’t explain how I’d gotten here.

I raised my arm, finding it, too, was made of lead. Fates, but I was exhausted. I eyed my pale skin, and a faint image of a golden light came to mind. Was it a dream?

“Victor?” Runa stirred, rubbing sleep from her eyes. “You’re awake.”

“Am I?” I felt…off. Though I appeared whole, I sensed something was different. My body was heavy while my soul was almost…lighter?

“Where are we?” My voice cracked.

She bit her lip, sitting up straighter in the chair. “What do you remember?”

I frowned, struggling to recall. “The dragon.”

She winced. “And?”

“Fire. Pain. Then…” I trailed off, again glancing at my hands. Had I imagined the explosion of power that followed? Why wasn’t I dead?

“You saved me,” Runa said, her voice a reverent benediction. “Sacrificed yourself to save my life.”

I dared to meet her eyes. Emotions flickered across her conscience, tripping something soft in my chest.

Memories stirred.

It was the same look I’d seen in my mother’s eyes. Right before she’d plunged a dagger into her own heart and thrust me into the mortal realm. A look I’d witness before she’d abandoned me.

That tender look was an expression of weakness.

Something that would drive a male to act on emotions instead of logic.

No.

This I could not allow. Fated mate or not, attachments of the heart made a male vulnerable. My ambitions, my goals, came first. Always. Power was everything. The only thing.

My mind raced. “You’re mistaken. That doesn’t sound like me.” The walls closed in, the air growing thin.

It was one thing for a female to become obsessed with me.

Even fall in love on occasion. This was to be expected.

It was quite another for those feelings to be reciprocated.

Ever. Which they hadn’t. Not once in all my years had I ever returned a female’s infatuation.

Despite the shimmering mark that remained on Runa’s throat, I wasn’t some besotted fool.

Until I’d determined what I would do about finding my fated mate, it was vital for the sorceress to have a clear understanding of our relationship.

I needed her to create a portal. Nothing more.

At my rebuttal, Runa stiffened, hurt darkening her violet eyes. “I was moments from death. You shoved me out of the way.”

I shook my head, firming my jaw. “I remember peering down at you from my platform.” While debating whether I should let her die, that damn inner voice had reared its head, telling me Runa was mine and nothing would separate us, not even death.

“And then?” Runa pressed.

I swallowed past my tightening throat. “I fell.”

“You… fell .” She stiffened, pursing her lips. “And landed directly between me and the dragon…by accident?” Her voice rose.

I arched a brow, daring her to challenge my explanation.

“You know what?” She flopped back in the chair, folding her arms. “Never mind. We have more pressing issues to deal with than what might have been the only selfless act you’ve ever performed in your life.”

Silence stretched between us until she finally said, “What do you remember about our escape?”

“Nothing.” My memory was a wasteland.

“I feared as much. You…weren’t yourself.

” She untucked her le gs, sitting upright in the chair and adjusting her skirt.

“As it turned out, Thorne was telling the truth. He’d allowed himself to be tossed into the pit.

His benefactor hired him to save you. According to their deal, she’d help save the dragon if he got you out as well.

After you fell , a bunch of his guys broke the containment spell.

We escaped into the grate, where more of his friends intercepted us.

The tunnel exited near a swiftly flowing river where they’d hidden a handful of small boats.

After a span’s journey, they brought us here. ”

“As captives or guests?”

“Guests.” She paused. “I think. Kronk, Drazen, and Thorne are resting in their own rooms. They healed our injuries, fed and clothed us. Still, I’m not completely clear on why they’ve come to our aid. Nor do I trust them.”

She was smart not to let her guard down. Lucky for her, I’d woken and would sort it all out.

“Where is ‘here’ exactly?”

“I believe that answer is best explained by letting you see it yourself. Think you can stand?”

I snorted. “I’m not an invalid.”

My heavy legs dropped to the floor like they were made of stone. I covered my wince, forcing my cumbersome frame out of the bed.

Runa’s gasp reminded me of my lack of clothing.

I smirked. “Nothing you haven’t seen nor enjoyed, pet.”

“Me and half the realm,” she grumbled.

Somehow, I managed to shuffle to the balcony.

“Welcome to Copia.” She pushed the doors open wide.

Breath lodged behind my aching ribs.

What lay before me was something out of a fairy tale.

Far below, rolling hills of green painted with swathes of lavender and pink covered the landscape.

Nestled between the hills were dozens of multitiered homes with glistening roofs.

In the distance, a frothing river journeyed across the countryside.

At the head of it, a waterfall gurgled. Mist danced along its banks, giving everything a mystical quality.

I peered down at Runa.

Warm sunlight cast her exotic features in an ethereal light. As she gazed out upon the land, her expression was soft, serene. A gentle smile played at the edges of her full lips.

To my surprise, I found my arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close while we shared the view together.

She waited for my reaction. Before I registered the act, my fingers caressed her cheek. “Breathtaking,” I admitted, peering into her fathomless violet eyes.

Her face reddened, her expression shuttering, and she withdrew from my touch. “Come. Let’s get you dressed. There’s someone here who wants to meet you.”

Her withdrawal left me chilled. “Who might that be?”

“Queen Elowen.”

After a humiliating struggle, where Runa helped me dress due to my weakened state, I wore new clothing crafted of exquisite fabric. Heavy gold embroidery embellished the jacket’s lapels and cuffs. The cut of the garment was made for a king.

Soon after, we exited the room and were escorted by a pair of guards dressed in dark robes, stopping before a set of ornate doors. The heavy oak doors swung inward with a groan, revealing a vast throne room. My second since my arrival in this foreign world.

For once, I failed to contain my reaction. My jaw dropped.

At the top of a raised dais was yet another tree, much like the one in Idris’s castle.

Unlike Carcerem's sacred arbor, with its single trunk, this tree was a complex structure of hundreds of thinner branches, interwoven to form a wide, sturdy base. Above that, thousands of smaller limbs formed a lush canopy full of metallic emerald leaves. Carved into the foot of the tree’s base was a wide seat of tiny woven branches braided to form an intricate throne .

On that throne sat a resplendent queen. Her robes and gown were a rich forest green.

Her thick silver hair was braided into elegant loops.

On her head was a crown of golden branches inset with gleaming emeralds.

While far from aged, there was a sense of wisdom about her not found in those of their youth.

“Ah, Victor Custodis and his charming sorceress. Come forward,” Queen Elowen commanded.

Runa sputtered a cough when the queen called her mine, and my lips curled.

Our guards led us to the foot of the dais where the queen peered down her nose at us. Her shrewd eyes scanned every inch of my person. “You appear much improved.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” I offered a courtly bow. “You have my deepest gratitude for coming to the aid of both myself and my allies.”

“Yes, well.” She sniffed. “I believed it was past time someone took you in hand since you were failing so miserably on your own.”

I stiffened at her tone. “Please forgive my ignorance, but I do not understand.” Was I tasked with some job other than surviving in this ridiculous land?

“Of course you don’t. That mortal world you lived in has twisted you into something even I hardly recognize.

” The queen fluttered a dismissive hand.

“The moment you arrived, I felt a disturbance. I’d hoped, at last, the balance would be restored.

Needless to say, I was disappointed to discover you were a competitor in that barbaric game. ”

“As was I, Your Majesty.”

“Your performance was embarrassing, to say the least. That one of the divine should scurry about like a powerless rodent in Idris’s maze was a dark stain upon us all. It wasn’t until the dragon broke your enchantment that I began to understand the reason for your dismal showing. ”