Chapter 1 #2
“I also know we need patience.” The front of our party, dozens of horses ahead, starts to break through the dark path, blinding sunlight drenching their forms like a physical curtain made of light.
The horses whimper, unused to such brilliance.
“And there is much you still don’t understand.
” I shut my mouth, teeth clashing as I look away.
I don’t understand anything because he’s yet to explain anything to me.
Like how he knows this curse—where has he seen it before?
What does he know of my magic, of my destiny?
And my mother—their bond, who she was, anything about her hasn’t been discussed.
Granted, we’ve had little time to talk and I’ve been consumed with helping Kaden, but I need more from him.
If he wants my trust, then I need information.
He may be my father, but I will not blindly trust him. Not after Nessa.
As we pass into the sun, I cry out, my sensitive eyes watery from the intense sunlight. Reid copies me and we blink away patches of white in our vision. The rest of our guards, continue on, covered in black leather to protect against the rays.
“Ah, don’t tell me a little sunlight causes the Muse discomfort.”
“Fuck you, Fenrir,” Reid growls. His fangs have curved over his lip and he looks ready to attack. I feel the same bubbling in my gut.
A shriek, a mixture of pain and anger, strikes the air. Twisting, I narrow my eyes against the light, and see my mate jump back into the shadows. Only his glowing eyes appear from the darkness.
Kaden.
My heart thumps painfully, and in my soul, I feel his panic. He can’t enter. He can’t follow. He’s no longer a royal, but a creature of night who can be hurt by sunlight.
Reid pats my shoulder, then my chest as I bat him away. “What’s that for?”
“How are you not burned?”
We pause, scanning my body. He’s right. Any harm that comes to Kaden, will reflect on me. If he burns, then I should be too.
Baris sighs tiredly. “The curse. When the beast is in control, the bond doesn’t apply.”
“Convenient to be told now, Baris,” Reid snaps. “Does this mean if he’s injured, Max is alright?”
My father shrugs. “As long as the beast is in control. But we cannot see into Kaden’s mind, we cannot know who controls him.
Speaking is next to impossible for the King.
” He glares at me, black orbs seeing all my inner thoughts.
“That is why you must take care. One slip might do nothing, or it might do everything.”
My heart physically cracks. Kaden is no longer my love—he’s a beast. Only in his mind, in his soul, does Kaden still reside and with his incredible strength, he is keeping a hold on the beast’s ruthless nature. It is only that small part I feel, the rest slowly being conquered by the curse.
Gods, how terrible must it be for him?
My eyes water and I slip from my saddle. I don’t know what I’m doing, only that I need him, to soothe him. I need to remind him of his humanity, why he fights for control.
I need him to remember me, our love. Our bond. This is as much for him, as it is for me.
A strong arm wraps around my middle, halting me mid-step.
“Don’t.”
Thrashing in Baris’ hold, I struggle to find purchase, while Kaden growls menacingly from the shadows. “He needs me!”
“He’ll kill you.” He yanks me away. Feet no longer on the ground, I’m suspended high above. “He’s trapped, and injured. And you want to offer your neck to his fangs.” Smoke wafts off his burnt flesh and he growls, a predator wounded. “He isn’t in the right mind for your comfort. Look.”
The Hadeon goes to him, snout bumping his clawed hand.
Then one of his mouths, full of sharp teeth, grips the ripped fabric of his tattered shirt and tugs him to the side.
There, a small entrance is cut into the warped branches, allowing a detour from the path into the thick green forest surrounding us.
Watching with bated breath, my beast drags Kaden into the forest and away from us.
Soon, forms are hidden by thick leaves, given a small reprieve from the sun.
Exhaling, my body drops, held up by my father’s arms.
“He needs blood to heal. If you had gone to him, he would’ve drained you.”
“He’s my mate,” I mutter, ripping out of my father’s hold. Not from my strength—Baris simply lets me go. “He should feed from me.”
“In his state? He will take your life.” Baris looks around, gesturing to a nearby solider. “And no matter if it is the beast or the King in control, you will both die if he kills you. Put her on the saddle. We continue on.”
Slapping the hands away, I try to fight them, but then Reid is there. He doesn’t help me, no, the traitor listens to my father. He grabs my waist, putting me in the saddle, and climbs up behind me.
“We’re just going to leave him?” I accuse, horrible rage curling up from my gut. “He’s your brother. Your king. How can you leave him?”
Reid jerks, slapped by my words. Of all the people, he would never willingly leave Kaden. But I’m hurt, I’m angry, and I just want the man I love and not this intense longing in my chest. I just want him back.
Baris kicks the stallion forward, refusing to look at me. If I wasn’t stuck beside a stewing Reid, I’d take a dagger to his heart.
“He’ll follow. But for now, it’s safest for him—and for us—if he stays in the forest with the Hadeon.”