Page 32

Ellie

“Do you remember the day we first met?” Kirian’s voice was a soft murmur, drifting through her, easing the jagged edges of her mind. He pieced together the broken fragments she couldn’t stitch, though something always remained missing—an emptiness she couldn’t place.

A soft smirk played across her cracked lips. She tried to wet them in vain. Ellie couldn’t remember the last time they’d given her water. “It’s hard to forget. You completely wrecked my escape plan.”

“That’s not how I remember it.” Kirian pulled her closer then pushed her dirty hair away from her face. She’d given up trying to tell him not to touch it. They were both filthy anyway.

“Right. Because you weren’t following me or anything.”

He laughed again, the sound equal parts hollow and warm. The only bit of warmth they could get in this dank, dirty cell. “How could I resist? After seeing you leap from the window on the first day of the school year, I had to find a way to get to know you.”

“So you resorted to stalking,” she snorted.

“I resorted to discovering your hiding places. The teachers never could find you.”

“Neither could you.”

He chuckled behind her, his voice comforting in the cold stillness. “What better way than to follow you mid-flight?”

“You got us both caught.”

He shrugged. “It’s not like you suffered a worse punishment than any other time.”

“My father’s methods were far worse. I had to read an entire historical text and make a twenty page report on the previous High Lords of Móirín. Do you realize how boring that was?”

He laughed again. “I almost got expelled.”

“I wouldn’t let that happen. To anyone.”

“My mother was mortified. If not for you, she might have moved out of Levea. I was grounded for three months.”

“She never seemed upset when I visited.”

“Because she liked you. Whenever you left, I was sent right back to my room.”

Silence fell between them as Ellie reminisced about the first month they’d gotten to know one another. She’d needed a friend, even if she’d nearly bitten his head off.

“I’m glad you found me that day,” her voice was lower now, lacking the playful tone she’d had a moment ago.

His arms tightened around her shoulders and Kirian rested his chin on her head. “I’d never seen you cry before.”

She felt that same lump rise in her throat now. It’d been the anniversary of her mother’s death. A death she now knew had sparked a pointless war. A death that likely ran far deeper than she ever wanted to learn.

A hot tear rolled down her face. Kirian had been there for her. He’d rushed toward her instead of backing away and had folded her into his arms. He’d felt like home. She hadn’t even fought after that. She’d just crumpled in on herself and cried into his shoulder.

And now he was here, holding her so she wouldn’t break, just like he’d done back then.

Memories kept swimming in and out of focus, as if she were peering at them through a heavy layer of mist.

“I can’t remember her face,” Ellie choked out. “I can’t hear her voice anymore.”

“You will,” Kirian assured. “Once we get out of here, you will.” But she could hear the crack in his voice, too. Because maybe it wasn’t just the torture. Maybe the High Lord was doing more to her mind than merely sifting through it for information.

Ellie gripped his arm and squeezed harder. He didn’t flinch away.

She took a breath.

I am Lady Evelyn of Móirín. I am the daughter of the High Lord of Storms. I have been trained to endure. I will not falter. I have a mate. Gavin from Pádraigín, but a half-breed has claimed my heart. I will protect Levea at any cost, even if that cost means my life. I will not break.