My heart banged in my chest as I gathered to my feet, moving the torch in the direction of the entrance.
“Florence?” I whispered, praying to all the Gods and Goddesses that would listen—
A broad figure appeared at the threshold; the fire illuminated the familiar features.
“Caleb?” My eyes narrowed on my blood brother.
“I’m not alone,” he croaked, taking a step into the dungeons.
With a blade to Caleb’s back, Kane walked the man to the middle of the room. “I’m sorry, Cordelia,” Caleb met my gaze; his face was covered in bruises and cuts that still bled crimson, a bright silver dagger planted deep in his stomach. His right leg dragged behind him as Kane pushed the man forward.
“And so we meet again, daughter.” Kane’s lips stretched into an ugly smile as he brought a Royal steel sword to Caleb’s throat.
Chapter 43. Brother’s eyes.
Kane’s dark brown eyes bored into mine, the fire from the torch flickering in his irises. The tips of his gray, wavy hair wore crimson, a freshly inflicted wound crossed his face. Kane’s lips stretched into a grimace as he studied me as though I was prey.
I stood in front of the two men as they stayed unmoving; the Royal steel sword sparkled against Caleb’s neck. His tired, empty eyes stared behind me.
I followed his gaze until my eyes landed on Francis’ fading away body, before averting my gaze back to Kane’s.
The fire shook on the stone walls as my hand held the torch in its firm grasp; an unnatural calmness enveloped my body whole.
“You see, these two bastards thought they could outsmart me.” Kane’s voice banged through the dungeons as his gaze jumped from Caleb to Francis. My heartbeat quickened in an instant as the realization of his presence settled in my mind.
“Thought they could somehow play me for a fool with their priceless act,” Kane continued, his lips stretching into a grin. “Oh, Cordelia, how I wish you could’ve seen how hard your lover tried to save you from the same fate,” he tsked. “How many lies have spilled from his mouth, trying to spare you from my revenge.”
I swallowed the growing terror, taking a step forward: my torch a few yards away from the man that called himself my father.
Spare Francis, dear Moon, take my soul instead. I beg of you.
“But he had forgotten one thing...” Kane sighed, unbothered by the deadly weapon in my hand. “The bastard had forgotten that I knew him well, for I offered my castle to his homeless family, I offered him my meal, and I offered him safety.”
“Let him go,” I heard myself speak, yet the voice was foreign to my ears. “Let them all go, and take me instead!” I spat out, taking another step forward. The fire was close to the men, close to their end, yet I could not find it in me to let the flames take their lives: not when Caleb was among the ones that would have to pay for my doings.
Spare Francis.
“I cannot.” Kane lowered his blade from Caleb’s neck slightly, sidestepping from the shield. “You see, daughter,” his voice lowered. “I knewyouwould come for Francis, hence why I only planted my blade through his body once the Wurdulacs left the palace for Silverstone.” A dark chuckle pushed past his lips. “You think I kept him alive as a bargaining chip? Oh, my dearest Cordelia, he remains for nothing more than my amusement." His lips stretched into the most disturbing smile. “I left it up to fate to decide whether you would see him alive one last time before you pay for your mistakes.”
My heart skipped a beat at his words; everything in my body screamed at me to flee, yet my legs refused to obey.
Take my soul instead.
“I always wished for a daughter,” Kane spoke again; the fire from my torch danced in his eyes. “After having two sons—one of which did not know of my existence—I dreamed of a daughter,” he sighed. “Your mother only allowed me to see you once before she tossed me out of the palace forever. Every night, I thought of you; I thought of how you were growing up within the walls that were lying to you.”
