chapter fourteen
elysia
Hunger gnaws through me persistently this morning as I tend to my plants, the sound of clattering metal echoing from the suite’s shared kitchen. I sling my robe over my shoulders and sheath my dagger at my thigh before reaching for my door handle.
My hand hesitates only a second, then I grip the knob and turn it till it clicks.
As I enter, my eyes roam over Kaden, who’s moving around the island with more fluidity than I feel. Eyes still clouded with pain and grief he refuses to name, hair tousled from sleep or lack thereof.
His black slacks hang low on his waist, and his muscles ripple under the dim rune lights, every scar and tattoo on show.
He truly is a threat sharpened too finely.
I swallow hard, my mouth dry. By the time I reach the island, all I can manage is a soft, awkward whisper.
“Good morning.”
I light the hearth with a flick of my fingers, and the flames begin to lick at the kettle, warming last night’s leftover water.
He looks over his shoulder, voice rough as stone. “Good morning.”
Silence settles for a beat, then I clear my throat, “Are you okay? I haven’t seen you since yesterday—”
“I’m fine.” The words snap like a whip, a warning to stay quiet.
The bond hums with irritation, and beneath it, a pulsing ache of grief. It claws at my skin, biting at the edges of my calm. I can’t ignore it, I don’t want to.
“I just…” I begin softly, guilt tangling through my chest, “I didn’t mean to see what I saw. I didn’t know how to stop it.”
Silence.
Heavy, suffocating silence.
“I’m sorry, Kaden. I—”
His voice cuts through the air like a blade.
“What exactly are you sorry for?” He turns slowly, the movement predatory and deliberate.
“Are you sorry for the boy who lost his mother?” A step closer.
“Are you sorry for me, as I am now?” Another step, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous promise.
“Or are you sorry that it was your father who killed her?”
The air leaves my lungs as shock rips through me, followed by the searing sting of fury that lashes through the tether.
“Kaden, that’s not possible. My father… he wasn’t even a warrior then.” My voice trembles, but doubt creeps in anyway, cold and merciless.
His shadows flare thick and black, twisting like serpents as they strike out, coiling around my wrist and yanking me forward until I stumble against him. His hand buries itself in my hair, pulling me up onto my tiptoes and jerking my head back so I’m forced to look up into his storm-dark eyes.
“Don’t lie to me,” he seethes, his grip tightening until pain blooms along my scalp.
“I’m not lying.” I choke, my voice shaking. “I didn’t know… Kaden, please, I swear—”
“I don’t believe you,” he grinds out.
Red-hot fury burns through me, like someone lit a match beneath my skin. Pain ripples and echoes back to him as his shadows constrict, cold and merciless against my wrist. His eyes turn deadly, anger and grief clouding any rational thought, and it magnifies in me as my magic hums to the surface.
His shadows snake toward my throat, and instinct takes over. My free hand moves, and my dagger flashes free before he can blink. I slash the star-iron clean across his abdomen, the runes glowing faintly from the taste of his blood kissing its blade.
My own skin splits, mirroring the gash across his torso and blood begins to soak through my shift, but the pain only spurs me on, feeding into my rage.
He stumbles back, eyes wide for a heartbeat as shock flickers across his face before hatred smothers it. His shadows whip toward me again, but I’m already moving, throwing them off with a wave of telekinetic force.
The air trembles, and my fire ignites along my skin in small sparks, spreading across the floorboards.
The suite shudders with unrestrained magic, rune lights glowing bright then dimming, and the windows rattle as cracks spiderweb through the glass.
His shadows climb the walls, my flames the only flickering light as we are caught in the chaos of our rage.
My hand shoots out, telekinetic energy slamming against his chest, pinning him to the wall so hard his breath leaves in a ragged gasp before he slumps to the floor.
I lean over him, one arm against the wall by his head as my dagger finds the underside of his throat, the steel biting gently into skin.
He freezes, mismatched pupils blown wide.
The bond thrums with conflicting waves of fear, awe… and something molten threading beneath it all.
I lean in, voice low and laced with venom. “My father’s sins are not mine to bear. If you want to spill blood, Reinheart, pick an easier target than the woman who has done you no wrong.”
I press the dagger closer until a bead of blood slips free from both our necks, but the sting doesn’t hurt; it only empowers me.
“And next time you think to raise your shadows against me, remember this…” my lips curve, just barely.
“I don’t need magic to bring you to your knees, but I’ll use it if you make me. ”
For a moment, neither of us breathes.
He stares up at me, the fury in his eyes replaced by something darker. I drop my hold on him and step back, the telekinetic grip releasing just as I spin on my heel and march into my private quarters, door slamming behind me with enough force to rattle my teeth.
Cool air rushes over me, cold and welcoming against my burning skin. A heartbeat later, a tingle slides along my mirrored wound as it seals through the bond.
Guilt threads through me, and I force it down, grounding myself in the familiar chill of my ring as it steadies my pulse and keeps the walls from closing in.
I understand his grief and his pain perhaps more than anyone. But I will not cower to a man who thinks his suffering gives him the right to inflict harm on me.
Brynn’s fist comes screaming toward my ribs.
I barely dodge in time, my plait whipping around my body as rune-light glints off dark strands.
I drop low and surge forward before she can reset, my knuckles driving clean into her ribs.
The impact lands solid and satisfying. She grunts and stumbles back half a step, teeth clenched as she regains her footing.
I don’t let up.
My leg lashes out to sweep her feet from under her, but she reads it, springing upward with a speed that outdoes my own.
Then her boot slams into my chest.
The impact knocks the air straight out of my lungs, and I hit the mat hard, the back of my head bouncing as my chest rattles uselessly. Pain blooms hot and immediate through my chest, and I cough, nausea roiling as the metallic taste of blood coats my tongue.
Brynn crouches beside me, calm even now, hand outstretched. “You’re getting better.”
I bark out a breathless laugh and take her hand. “You think so?” I wheeze as she hauls me upright.
She nods, lips curved in a tight smile. “Your form still needs work. And you still rely too much on your speed. But…” Her smile turns almost proud. “You’re stronger.”
“Take the compliment,” Ronan adds as he strolls over. “That’s the nicest thing she’s ever going to say.”
I grin weakly, tightening the wraps around my knuckles. “Will do.”
Ronan pulls me in briefly, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. The touch soothes the burn in my lungs almost instantly
“Think you have it in you for one more round?” Ronan smiles, challenge sparkling behind his eyes.
Brynn snorts and tosses me a waterskin. “If my training’s paid off, she’d wipe the floor with you.”
“I agree,” Odette chimes in from the sidelines, “I think she needs to go against someone more challenging, to really test how much she’s improved,” her eyes gleam with mischief.
Ronan gasps theatrically. “More challenging than me? Like who?”
Brynn laughs, “Uhm, like Sirena for one.”
“I would be offended,” Ronan says, shrugging, “but she is objectively better than me.”
“Sirena!” Odette calls, tightening her ponytail.
Sirena prances over from the other mat, where Thane and Enzo are still circling each other. “What’s up?”
“We think Elysia needs a real challenge,” Odette says brightly. “To test how much she’s actually improved.”
Sirena’s eyes light up as she looks me over. “Hmm, it’s been a while since we’ve sparred, and I’m intrigued to see how much Brynn has taught you…” She cracks her knuckles, a playful grin tugging at her lips. “I’m in.”
I laugh softly, “Alright, let’s do it. But don’t cry when you lose.”
She chuckles, wrapping her knuckles tight in cloth, “Oh please, you’ve not won against me yet, darling.”
I roll my eyes, smiling despite myself at her mockery of my nickname as we take our positions on the mat. My pulse kicks up, anticipation and dread tangled tight.
There is absolutely no way I can take her. She must see it in my face, because her smile grows wider.
“Relax,” she murmurs, “I promise not to hit you too hard.”
I huff out a breath, that translucent layer of magic rippling over my skin as I hold it in place.
Instructor Seraphine shifts on the sidelines, but as she’s about to signal the start, a deep voice slices through the space behind me.
“I’ll step in.”
My spine goes rigid.
Fuck. No. No. No.
And Kaden steps onto the mat.
Rune-light skims over dark hair as he stretches his neck lazily and rolls his shoulders. His black slacks hang low, muscles rippling as he drags his shirt over his head and tosses it aside, every battle-mark bare, the stars inked across his ribs catching the light like fractured constellations.
Instructor Seraphine’s gaze flicks to him, then after a heartbeat, she nods.
“Sirena. Swap with Kaden.”
Sirena arches a brow, already reading the tension.
“Shit… give him hell.” She winks and retreats.
My heart hammers in my chest so hard I hear it in my ears. He positions himself in front of me, an almost undetectable smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he wraps cloth around his knuckles.
“Isn’t he a little out of her league?” Ronan asks sharply.
“You wanted a challenge,” Instructor Seraphine replies coolly. “Kaden is our best warrior and her bonded. This is a suitable test.”
I swallow hard as the room narrows around me. My thumb finds my ring, but its familiar weight offers little help.
“Oh, this is going to be great.” Odette croons, a wicked smile on her face.
Instructor Seraphine signals to start as Kaden rolls his shoulders and cracks his knuckles, mismatched eyes burning into mine. His smile flashes, sharp canines catching the light before he crooks a finger in a silent come-hither.
I don’t think. I act.
In a flash, I unsheathe the dagger from my thigh and hurl it straight at his arm. The blade spins through the air, singing softly. Then his hand snaps up and catches it a breath before it bites into flesh.
He fucking caught it.
His grin spreads impossibly wide, amusement pulsing faintly through the bond.
“It always amazes me,” he drawls, twirling the dagger between his fingers. “You look so small and delicate… but really, you’re a vicious little thing.”
“Yeah, well, I’m a lot more dangerous than I look. You should know that by now.” I spit each word between clenched teeth.
“Dangerous maybe, but definitely predictable…” His voice is deep and mocking. “I mean, really? The old dagger in the arm again? I’m quaking in my boots.”
The words spark something reckless in me. I surge forward, pivoting on my heel, my leg slicing through the air toward his arm. He dodges at the last second, the movement so fluid it almost looks lazy.
His counter punch drives up into my ribs hard enough to knock the air clean out of my lungs. I gasp, stumbling back a step, that burn blooming sharp beneath my skin again.
“You’re quick.” He murmurs, voice a low rumble. “But you’ll have to be quicker to best me.” He grins, arrogance lacing his eyes as he swings for my ribs again.
I dodge the blow as my fist connects with his side, a triumphant smile spreading across my own face at the groan that escapes his throat.
I don’t allow myself to savour it for long, leaving no time for him to recover.
I drop low, feinting right before driving my fist into his other side with everything I have.
The hit lands solidly, and he grunts, body curling inward.
I don’t wait. I kick upward, knocking the dagger from his grip. It spins, silver-blue flashing in the rune light, and I catch it by the hilt before it even touches the ground. I sheathe it back at my thigh and press forward again, swinging for his face, but he catches my wrist mid-strike.
I yank, but his fingers are strong and unmoving. The twist comes a breath later, brutal and efficient, forcing my arm behind me until white-hot pain blooms sharp in my shoulder.
“Damn it—” I snarl, trying to wrench free, but he’s already moving.
He sweeps my legs out from under me, the ground rushing up hard. My knees hit first, the impact reverberating up my spine, and then a second later, my cheek smacks the mat as his weight pins me down.
His chest presses against my back, the weight of him forcing the air from my lungs. One of his hands traps my wrist between my shoulder blades, the other is braced beside my head, keeping me exactly where he wants me.
The position is infuriatingly intimate. It’s fucking embarrassing.
“Gods, I fucking hate you, Reinheart.” I seethe; cheek pressed into the cold mat.
He chuckles, low and dark as he pushes his weight into me, his lips a breath away from my ear. “The feelings mutual, Elysia darling.”
Fury lashes through me in raw and violent waves. I can’t tell if it’s mine or his riding the bond, and I don’t care. I just want him off me.
Power tears free from my chest in a sharp, desperate pulse. Telekinesis slamming into him, buying me only a heartbeat, but it’s enough. I twist in a blink, flipping onto my back and kicking out with everything I have.
My leg vibrates as my boot connects squarely with his chest, and the impact knocks the breath from him in a harsh grunt. He stumbles, then goes down hard, hitting the mat with a dull, heavy thud that rattles the floor.
A dark chuckle works up his throat, “Well, if we’re using magic…” Then shadows move.
Cold, ink-dark tendrils coil around my ankles, tightening like living restraints, ripping me off my feet.
The back of my head cracks against the mat, and stars burst behind my eyes as the world tilts and spins.
I suck in air and taste iron as I roll onto my hands and knees, forcing my limbs to obey, forcing myself up.
I can’t stop. I won’t let him win.
I barely have time to blink before an arm snakes around my throat and yanks me back. My spine slammed against the hard lines of his abdomen, solid and unyielding. He locks me there, all muscle and heat and relentless pressure.
I thrash, clawing at his forearm, but every movement only makes his hold tighten. The band around my neck becomes crushing as air refuses to reach my lungs. Fire blooming in my chest and spreading outwards as my vision begins to darken at the edges.
“He’s going to kill her!” Ronan’s panicked voice echoes across the hall. “Seriously, are you going to allow this—”
“Bonded pairs are prohibited from killing each other, Mr Washburne,” Instructor Seraphine cuts in coolly. “She’s fine.”
Kaden’s arm tightens.
The world narrows to pain and heat and the frantic, useless burn of my lungs clawing for air. My vision whites out, then goes black in rapid flashes. My nails dig into his arm hard enough to sting, hard enough that if I could see… I’m sure I’d find blood beneath my nails.
My shield flickers. Once. Twice. Then shatters.
The snap of it reverberates through my entire body as something inside me gives way. I convulse, gasping, but there’s nothing to draw in, nothing but the relentless pressure of his arm crushing the life from me.
“Do you yield?” he murmurs, voice low.
“No,” I rasp, the word torn from my throat between broken, desperate breaths. “Fuck. You.”
A ripple of something like satisfaction slips through the bond, faint and muted by his shield but unmistakable. A deep chuckle vibrates through his chest as his arm tightens even more.
I desperately drive my elbow back with the last of my strength, but it does nothing. He doesn’t even shift.
“Yield, Elysia darling.” He drags my name out, venom-soaked in silk.
Sounds dull and stretch around me, and my lungs feel like they’re collapsing in on themselves, burning hotter and tighter with every second.
“End this!” Ronan’s voice is distant now, distorted. “Now!”
Kaden leans closer, his breath brushing my ear, warm and infuriating. “Is he always this protective?”
I can’t answer. My hands fall away as my muscles give out entirely, my body going slack in his grasp.
“She yields!” Ronan roars, fury breaking through. “Fuck! She yields—stop this!”
Then everything goes dark.