Page 57

“Well, don’t just stand there. Kill him. And do not stop until he is dead,” Idris barked to someone.

For one heartbeat, I wondered who he’d sent to do his dirty work. Then, my legs started moving.

No. Not me. Not me!

I raced down the steps, launching myself at the dazed vampire. Before he could react, my slashing blade met flesh. Victor reeled back, a bloody gash on his smoking chest.

“Runa, no,” he growled.

“Fight back, damn you,” I shouted. “He has me in his thrall.” All the times I’d wanted to murder the arrogant man, this wasn’t one of them.

I spun and lunged. The blade I yielded sliced under the vampire’s raised arm, along his ribs.

Victor recoiled, clutching his side, crimson leaking between his fingers. The sight of his blood fractured something inside of me. Destroying me from the inside out.

“Protect yourself, use your magic,” I cried, circling, preparing for another attack.

He shook his head, circling as well, keeping me in his sights. “I do that, and I’ll end up killing you. Did you see what I did merely opening the doors?”

“Then kill me!” I screamed, tightening my grip on the knife.

Curse him, but he didn’t even raise his arms to block me. He was making it too easy. With a broken roar, I charged, wielding the dagger that had already claimed Milani’s life. In slow motion, I watched from a place detached from reality. Watched as the bloody blade descended.

Firm hands grasped my wrist, stopping its descent. Thank the goddess. Ligaments twisted, my bones creaking. The skillful press of his fingers against my nerve endings sent an electric jolt through my arm. My fingers went numb, uncurling from my weapon and dropping the dagger.

Before I could dart away, Victor jerked me closer, clamping his arms around me.

I thrashed in my restraints. Kill. Kill. Kill! Idris’s command rippled through my muscles, seizing control.

“Fight him, Runa. My mate. My love,” Victor said.

Now he claimed me? Curse the bastard and his horrible timing. How was it possible this millennia-old vampire knew nothing about romance?

“Mate?” I spat. “When I confronted you about the brand, you couldn’t have told me then?”

“You knew. You just didn’t want to admit it. ”

Flark the bastard. Yes. Part of me knew.

“Fight him. You’re stronger than this. The strongest woman I know.”

Compliments? Now? “I can’t,” I spat. “You’ve seen what he’s capable of. He had a flarking dragon in his thrall.” What chance did I have?

Victor’s expression softened. “Let me help you.” Damn him. That slight softening would get him killed.

“Help yourself, mate ,” I snarled, then reared back, slamming my forehead into his nose.

Blood spurted. Victor stumbled. The arms he’d clamped around my torso loosened, and I took advantage.

Years of practicing with my brothers, defending myself against other criminals, and Idris’s soldiers overrode my desires.

My muscles remembered this dance, even if my mind rebelled against my actions.

And still, the vampire engaged me. Idiot!

“You should have left when you had a chance.” I dove for the dagger, grabbing the hilt and springing back to my feet. “For once, couldn’t you do as I asked? Thanks to you, I’ll be responsible for destroying yet another life.” And this one would finally break me.

At last, Victor seemed to realize the danger he faced, bringing glowing spheres of light into his palms. “But that isn’t the full truth, is it love? I think you told me to leave because you’re afraid of what would happen if I stayed. Afraid you’d have to let someone in, give up control. To trust.”

“I do trust you.” I circled, dagger raised, searching for an opening.

“Then prove it.”

His elbow dropped, his right foot twisting. There it was. I lunged, aiming for his already damaged ribs.

Golden light exploded. My vision went white. Finally, he’d decided to fight back. I blinked, finding my throat imprisoned in Victor’s domineering grip .

“Interesting how our roles have changed. This time, it’s you who has a barrier in your mind. Let me in, little thief.”

A fiery current jolted my senses. The vampire’s presence tested the edges of my conscience. His gleaming eyes peered into my psyche.

Face an inch from my nose, he purred, “Trust me.”

Did he attempt to compel me? If so, he’d have to try harder. Idris had a firm hold on my free will. His bitter influence clawed deep into my brain.

Kill. Kill him. The command caused my muscles to twitch, and I tensed my weakened limbs, ready to claw out Victor’s eyes.

His thumb stroked a gentle rhythm over the brand he’d left on my throat.

“I gave you this mark at a time when I couldn’t envision a future for us.

When all I could see was my past and what I’d lost. Then Idris captured you, and I started seeing clearly for the first time in decades.

Today, I’ve got both eyes open. The greatest treasure in all the realms is standing before me.

I was wrong, letting you slip away. You want Carcerem?

I’ll give it to you. This kingdom is lost, same as I was.

It needs you. Say you will be mine, and together, we’ll build a future that will make Carcerem proud. ”

Praise the fates. He got it. The fallen king had finally seen beyond the end of his aristocratic nose. And I was a captive of Idris’s dark magic and unable to respond as I desired.

“Break free of his thrall, little thief,” Victor ordered, hammering at my walls. “You’ve allowed me to claim your body. Open your heart and your mind. Let me in, and I swear I won’t disappoint you again.”

Those barriers between us began to fracture. Victor was my mate. He was mine. And I was his.

“I trust you,” I admitted, letting go, opening my heart and my soul.

Starlight sparked along the connection between us.

Victor’s presence washed over me, filling the empty void within my damaged heart and pushing out Idris’s influence.

Filling me to the point that all that was left was Victor and me.

I dropped the knife I held, dragging the back of my fingers beneath Victor’s jaw. “I love you.”

“And I you, sweet sorceress.” The hand on my throat disappeared. Victor wrapped me in an embrace, pressing his lips to my forehead.

“He can’t do that, can he?” Raelynn’s shrill question to her king hit my ears. “The only way he could have broken your thrall is if Custodis’s bond with her is more powerful than yours.”

I spun to find Idris perched on the edge of his throne, murder in his snarling visage. He glared down at the two of us. I flicked my fingers under my chin and blew him a kiss.

“I’ll show you who’s stronger,” Idris snarled.