Chapter 25
Chapter
Twenty-Five
SABLE
I press my forehead against the cold wood of the door, my breath shallow as I strain to hear the muffled voices on the other side. The deep tones are too garbled to make out completely, but the cadence is unmistakable—a fight. Not just raised voices, but a battle of wills, sharp and heated. The air around the door feels heavy, like there’s something laced in it, a spell to block out sound. A precaution, no doubt.
But the binding between Kael and me hums faintly, an unwelcome tether that pulses in time with my heartbeat. It woke me moments ago, dragging me from restless sleep with a jolt of emotion that wasn’t mine. Jealousy. Fury. Desire. It flooded me, sharp and overwhelming, until I wasn’t sure where his feelings ended and mine began.
I close my eyes, gripping the doorframe as if anchoring myself to it could steady the storm inside me. Breathe, Sable. Deep and slow. Don’t let it take over. But the pull is relentless, every wave of Kael’s anger coursing through me like wildfire. His desire lingers just beneath it, molten and dangerous, simmering like an undercurrent I can’t ignore. It burns hotter than I want to admit, and I shake my head, willing myself to push it away.
What are they saying? I press my ear closer, but the muffling spell holds firm. Torin’s voice cuts through suddenly, louder than the others, his tone mocking and infuriatingly smug. I can’t make out the words, but the cadence is enough to make me roll my eyes. Of course he’s stirring the pot.
A sharp spike of jealousy rolls through the bond, slamming into me with enough force to make my breath hitch. Kael. His fury sharpens, and I clench my fists, trying to block it out. Why is he so angry? I’m the prisoner here, not him. If anyone should be furious, it’s me. But the rawness of his emotions is staggering, primal and all-encompassing, like a tidal wave threatening to drag me under.
My knees weaken, and I press harder against the door to steady myself. His desire follows, insidious and intoxicating, curling through the bond like smoke. My body reacts against my will, heat pooling low in my belly, and I bite my lip hard enough to sting. No. I will not feel this. I will not let his emotions seep into me, no matter how strong the bond.
Torin’s voice rises again, cutting through Kael’s, followed by Finn’s measured, steady tone. It’s harder to hear Finn, but his words are clipped, carrying a weight that makes me pause. He rarely raises his voice, so the sharpness in his tone is startling. My curiosity spikes, despite the turmoil coursing through me. What could they possibly be fighting about?
I flatten my palms against the door, frustrated by the barrier and by my inability to shut out the emotions tangling inside me. This bond... It’s more invasive than I could have imagined. How much of me can Kael feel in return? The thought sends a shiver down my spine. If he knows how much his desire is affecting me, I’ll never hear the end of it.
I exhale shakily, leaning harder against the door, determined to make out something—anything—that could explain what’s happening. Whatever’s going on out there, it feels important. And dangerous.
I glance at the door handle, frustration coiling in my chest. I want to hear them. Need to. Whatever they’re arguing about has Kael radiating waves of jealousy and desire through our binding, and it’s wreaking havoc on my ability to think straight. But the door is locked, of course. Of course. I shouldn’t have expected anything less from Finn. Everything about him screams precision and control, and I’m sure this is his doing.
Still, I’m not about to let a lock stop me. I take a step back, closing my eyes and focusing. That first night when I shattered the goblet—it wasn’t just adrenaline. It was something else. A force I’m only beginning to understand. I press my hand to the cold metal of the lock, letting my fingers rest there. The surface feels... alive, almost, like it’s responding to me.
I close my eyes and draw in a slow breath, trying to replicate that same surge of energy. Nothing happens at first, and frustration bubbles up inside me. I press harder, narrowing my focus, willing my powers to rise. There’s resistance—something woven into the lock, a faint thread of Finn’s power. I can feel it, strong and unyielding. Of course he’d be the one to safeguard their chambers.
Gritting my teeth, I push harder, letting the warmth of my own energy seep into the lock. The metal begins to vibrate faintly under my palm, a low hum that travels up my arm. I push past Finn’s power, forcing my way through the barrier he’s left behind. The vibrations grow, the hum intensifying, until finally, with a sharp snap , the lock gives way.
I glance down at my hand, half expecting some sort of magical backlash, but there’s nothing. Just silence and the faint tremor of adrenaline in my veins. Slowly, I push the door open. It creaks slightly, and I wince, holding my breath as I peer into the hallway beyond.
The corridor is dimly lit, the sconces on the walls casting flickering shadows across the rough stone. The brothers’ voices echo faintly, distorted by the stone walls. I take a tentative step forward, my bare feet silent against the cold floor. The air feels charged, heavy with tension, and I can’t tell if it’s coming from them or me.
Ahead, another door stands slightly ajar. My pulse quickens as I approach it, the sound of their voices growing louder. I place my hand lightly on the doorframe, leaning closer to listen.
I pause, glancing down the hall behind me. There’s no sign of any traps or spells—nothing to stop me from going further. A quiet chuckle escapes my lips. Finn must not think I could get this far, or maybe he’s too distracted by whatever argument they’re having. Either way, it’s almost insulting how easy this is.
I push the door open just enough to see inside, careful not to make a sound. The brothers are there, standing around a large table, their voices sharp and laced with tension. My heart races as I step closer, keeping to the shadows, and for a brief moment, a flicker of satisfaction curls in my chest. Let them fight. Let them argue about me. Serves them right for kidnapping me.
Torin’s voice carries through the slightly ajar door, sharp and mocking. “She’s just a woman. A dangerous one, sure, but nothing we haven’t handled before. ”
The words dig into me like barbs, twisting in ways I don’t understand. Just a woman. Something about the way he says it makes my skin crawl, and I hate that it gets to me. Why does it get to me?
I press my lips together, steadying my breathing. But then Torin, ever the agitator, continues, his tone full of that unhinged glee he always seems to carry. “Which days of the week would you like? I'm partial to Mondays myself. Nothing like starting the week off with a bang.”
A hot wave of anger rushes through me, sharp and unrelenting. The audacity, the absolute arrogance of him. My hand clenches at my side as I try to steady myself, but I can feel the surge of power stirring within me. The door under my palm starts to rattle softly, a warning sign I can’t ignore.
Calm down, Sable. Stay calm.
If I’m feeling this, there’s no doubt Kael can too. The thought sends another shiver of frustration through me. I won’t give him the satisfaction of knowing how angry I am.
Through the crack in the door, I see Kael turn sharply toward Torin, his body coiled with tension. Whatever he says in response is low, growled, and full of authority. But then, to my surprise, Kael doesn’t stay. He turns and walks toward the exit, his movements measured, but I can feel the storm of emotions within him through the bond. He’s raging, his desire and frustration a thick, pulsing thread between us.
Torin smirks, leaning back in his chair as if he’s won whatever verbal sparring they’ve just had. Then he stands, stretches lazily, and starts in my direction. My heart pounds as his footsteps grow louder. What do I do? Hide? Go back to my room?
I freeze, indecision locking me in place. But before I can make a move, Torin stops, his body jerking slightly as if some unseen force has turned him around. I hear a low grumble of frustration from him, and then his footsteps recede down the hall in the opposite direction.
I exhale shakily, relief washing over me. For a moment, I just stand there, staring after him. But then my attention shifts, my gaze falling on Finn. He sits alone now, rolling that damn silver ring between his fingers, his expression distant yet focused. Unlike the others, he always seems detached, but not in a way that suggests indifference. No, there’s something else there, something hidden behind that stoic exterior.
Finn has always intrigued me, though I hate admitting it. There’s a wall around him that the other two don’t have, an armor that feels impenetrable. And yet, in the quiet moments, I’ve caught him watching me, his gaze flickering with something unreadable.
I hesitate, torn between curiosity and caution. But then my resolve hardens. Knowledge is power, I remind myself. That’s all this is. I step forward, pushing the door open just enough to slip inside. Finn’s head lifts, and his sharp eyes lock onto me immediately.