Page 127 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

Did he ever want peace, or was this all a farce?

“I knowZelosdidn’t send you for the peace summit. Hell, I expected you to deny the invitation.” Chuckling, Griffin, holds his reins tight.

Howling, Wulf advances, but two raiders appear, holding blades to his neck. The edge of the blade cuts into his flesh with a sharp sizzle.

Iron. Iron is lethal to everyone except a Human or Witch. Griffin came prepared.

“But when I saw you three there,” he explains as his eyes rake over us with barely held disgust, “I knew you wanted something that I had. What was it? Power? Wealth?”

“A weapon,” Kaden says, smirking. His arrogant heir mask is firmly in place, not betraying a single emotion.

But I see it in the rigidness of his shoulders, the way his knuckles grip the sword so tight they go white. He’s holding back from slaughtering the king.

“We wanted to know what weapon you possessed in order to gain all this.” He gestures to the army, one fang dipping over his bottom lip. “It had to be worth having. We wanted it. So, I cameto find it.”

“A weapon.” He laughs, shaking his head. “You’re staring at it. My army,” he calls out, hands waving as if showing off a toy. “They take and pillage, stealing wealth and females to sell for coin. I use it for my coiffures.”

Griffin is behind the attacks. My mind spins, eyes wide. His raiders take from villages, burn them to the ground, and then bring the spoils back to him.

He’s the reason the Blackwoods Coven was attacked.Him.

“Your army gives you the strength and coin to wage war against my kind.” Kaden nods as if impressed. “Basic, but effective.”

“Well, it’s not just them. But I’ve come for what I’ve been searching for. What will give metruepower.”

Ice-blue eyes settle on me and my magic swirls, tiredness forgotten. He willnottake me, will not have me do whatever he pleases. The seer warned me of this.

I’d rather die before he uses my magic.

“Sorry, not for sale,” Kaden quips, sword crossing over his chest. It’s a bold display that protects me too. “She’s already agreed to be a guest at the Black Palace.”

The plucking of arrows echoes around us. Griffin smiles wide, his aged face turning devious. “Comenow, heir. You know as well as me that you’re surrounded. That this is just too great of a battle even for the decorated heir to the Shadowlands.”

Smiling, Kaden’s eyes submerge black. He looks like a wicked villain readying to fight the King of Good. Only appearances aren’t everything.

If not for his betrayal, I would be more inclined to lean into him, absorb his strength. But I’m tired, and my heart physically hurts being this close to him

Gods, when the seer said we were Heartbonds, I had been conflicted but relieved. My feelings had seemed validated.

Then he claimed me. My head spins and my chest heaves, sorrow trying to drown me under their excruciating weight.Everything hurts.

“You should know why I’m so decorated,” the heir replies calmly. “It’s because I see all possible endings to a battle.” That smirk turns hard. “Like I see my blade going through your neck and walking out of here with the blood summoner.”

Griffin shakes his head. “I expected more wisdom from someone of your age. You’re as cocky as a young man. Tell me,” he calls, arrows leveling behind him. “Did you know what she was capable of before you went on this campaign? Or did you discover it while trying to find out my weapon? You can tell me, knowing what she is, makes her that much more desirable.” I shudder at the tone in his voice.

The heir goes silent, but I don’t.

“Answer him,” I say, voice like steel. “Did you only want me because of my magic?”

He doesn’t answer, body tense, sword hilt adjusting nervously in his grip. Vomit rises hard and fast up my throat.

He only wanted me for my magic. He was never pulled toward me because of the Heartbond, nor because he saw a kindred spirit in me. His beast didn’t want me because of the blood, the kindness I showed him.

He just wanted touseme. Like Nessa said would happen.

I recoil as if hit, leaning forward, clutching my stomach. Gods, I was so stupid.

Absolute misery floods my body, stealing my breath. I heave, chest expanding but no air enters my lips.