Chapter 104 Zadyn
ZADYN
“Itruly cannot tell if this is a joke or not.” Eaton’s cool eyes assess me.
Oh, how I wish it were.
“It’s not a joke. Their bond snapped into place as we were about to take him out.”
Marideth is pale as a ghost, sitting on the settee beside Dover, too stunned to speak.
“But you two are—” Sorscha trails off, confusion etched on her heart-shaped face.
“Also mates,” I provide. “And yes, we are very aware of how fucked up this is.”
I blow out a long breath, pinching the bridge of my nose.
“It’s incredibly fucked up.” Eaton slides onto the table, tugging Sorscha in between his thighs and snaking his arms around her belly. “But also incredibly useful.”
“Please elaborate,” I drone, massaging my temple. I can already feel the migraine taking root.
“She wouldn’t let you and Jace hurt him, right? Why?”
“The bond stopped her.”
“Exactly.” Eaton leans his chin on Sorscha’s shoulder. “It works both ways, as you well know, Rhodesie. He won’t hurt her or put her life at risk.”
I understand that. But it doesn’t make me feel any better that she’s down in his cell right now, unaccompanied. But she insisted, and I have to trust her.
“He imprisoned her and nearly starved her to death,” Kai snaps from the corner, breaking his silence. It’s the first he’s spoken since he heard the news. He’s just been staring out the window, unblinking, for the last twenty minutes. I was starting to get concerned.
“Maybe so, but did he ever cause her direct physical harm?”
It would explain why he lost it anytime someone laid a hand on her. Why he chose to use Kai as a whipping boy instead of taking his anger out directly on her. The bond was preventing it.
“The point is,” Eaton continues, “we can use this to our advantage. She’s got him by the balls now. He’s going to want to please her—earn her trust, her favor, her love. So right now he’s more likely to be compliant.”
“I’m not letting her accept this bond just to lord power over him,” I say, sinking into the high-backed leather chair.
“She doesn’t have to accept it, but I wouldn’t run and reject it, either. Their connection could serve as a huge advantage. Just don’t let her do anything rash.”
“I don’t control my mate, Eaton.”
“It’s not the advantage you think it is,” Kai says to the room. Gods, he looks so dejected. “He knows she won’t actually kill him now. He has no reason to be honest with us. He’s just going to bide his time until those shackles are finally off.”
“I think Kai is right.” Mar glances between us. “He won’t say a word unless he’s getting something in return.”
“Well, we’ve got nothing to bargain with,” Dover adds grimly.
The door opens, and Eaton’s gaze shifts past me. “Hey, how skilled are you at seduction?”
I turn as Serena steps into the room, looking slightly keyed up. I’m on my feet to meet her in an instant.
“Out of the question,” I snap at Eaton over my shoulder. Serena gives me a confused look as I drag my hands down her arms.
Sorry, I say to her. Your body is your own to do what you like with, but I draw the line at weaponizing it to get what we need.
She smiles at my protective tone.
“Is he cooperating?” Sorscha asks.
“He’s wearing blood ore cuffs,” Serena mutters. “He doesn’t have much of a choice.”
Mar twists around in her seat. “Did you confront him about his half of the star?”
“I did one better.” She breaks into a feline smile and pulls a dark locket with a black chain from around her neck.
“Is that—”
“Uh-huh,” she says, dangling it in the air.
Our friends form a huddle around us.
“How did you manage that?” Mar says, inspecting the chain.
Serena shrugs, planting her hands on her hips. “Last night, my locket started burning when I got close to Kylian, like it could sense its other half was near.”
“And he just handed it over?”
“Essentially. With the help of a little mild poison.”
Eaton snorts. “I see our time with the pirates was well spent.”
I marvel at her. Is there nothing she can’t do?
A smirk tugs at the corner of her mouth, and I want her. Right here and now. She meets the heat of my stare, sensing the shift.
Table or floor? She winks at me, and it’s like an arrow to the heart.
Fucking hells.
Both, I reply. And then maybe the wall, so it doesn’t feel left out.
Hmm, that sounds—
“He had it on him the entire time?” Dover interrupts. “That’s convenient.”
“Nicely done, Dragon Rider.” Eaton gives her an approving nod.
She smiles, tucking the pendant into her pocket. “Well, people. We’ve got a key to repair.”