Page 132 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

Max

Kaden leans against the wall,staring at me.

The last I saw of him, he had all but confessed to using me, wanting me only for my magic.

Now, he’s bonded to me.

He explained the situation well enough.Claimed. Bound. Mates.

Gods above, this cannot be my life. I thought I only had to worry about the Heartbond. Now, I have a magical chain connecting me to this terrible man by way ofour souls.

“I will never marry you,” I whisper, hands holding the iron bars into tight fists.

Iron to hurt Fae that might end up here. As a Human, now a Blut Coven Witch, they do nothing more than freeze my fingers.

I awoke in this chamber weeks ago with the large metal bars barring me from accessing the palace. No one came to visit me other than guards to feed me. The only light I have is a small window that shines red; there is no sun in the Shadowlands.

I’ve never wished so fully to be outside in the sun as I do right now.

“You don’t have a choice.” His arms hang limply along his sides. “The claim will only grow more unbearable, more punishing, the longer it’s ignored.”

“Then break it,” I demand, kicking against the cage. “Break the damned bond and let me go. You’ll be free to marry whoever you wish.”And I’ll be free.

The bond yanks on my middle and unbearable agony slices into my heart at the idea of Kaden marrying another.

I hate this bond.I hate what it’s doing to me.

And I especially hate how Idon’thate the heir. Not entirely. I still crave him deep in my soul.

Rage simmers in my gut at his betrayal and I’m repulsed by the idea of ever allowing him near my body again, but my body—the traitorous thing— yearns for him to hold me.

The conflicting feelings are too much. My mind whirls and I bite my lip to stop from shouting at the unfairness of this all.

His eyes darken, black swallowing the amber and he smirks, as if he can taste how upset I am. There’s a slip of fang, of something else, and then, he pulls back. Whatever beast that lurks within, isn’t coming out to play right now; his control is firmly in place.

I’d be impressed if I didn’t wish to break it.

I don’t want to be the only one hurting, mad and spitting. I want him just as torn up, just as pissed. I want chaos and bloodshed; I want to fight fire with fire. Instead, he’s cool and detached and that makes mecrazy.

He has all the power right now and Iloatheit.

“Easy, kitten,” he purrs, mouth curving. “This is best for all of us.”

“Or just the best foryou,” I spit.

He gets a wife out of this. I get chains and a prison in the dungeons.

Walking to the pitcher on a small wooden beside him, he pours a glass of water.

“If you don’t marry me, that pain you’re feeling,” he taps his chest, right above his heart, “will grow rabid.Youwill grow rabid. It’s not a fun feeling. You’ll wither under the feeling, succumb to your baser feelings. And with your rage and magic?” He snorts, holding the glass into his hand. “Well, the whole palace will crumble under your power.”

A spark of pride wells in my chest, but I shove it away. No, I’m not going to feel proud of his praise. He doesn’t get that after everything he’s done.

“They say you’re not eating,” he goes on, coming closer to the cage. “That you’re refusing even water.”

“It’s laced,” I mutter, chin raised high. “I can’t hear my magic in this place. You’re keeping me drugged so I can’t get out.”

After not having water for two days, my magic is still muted, and my power doesn’t rise within me. I’m shackled, a prisoner without a weapon.