Where are you, Sin? Tell me now and then get out of my head.
I don’t know where I am. The air is damp and hot. And I’m not leaving you!
Gideon is coming for you. And yes, you are. I don’t want you to see this.
Sin didn’t know how to leave his mind, even if she wanted to. But she knew one thing: when Max lifted his head to meet his father’s gaze, she would be there. Staring death into his eyes. Sin would remain, and give her mate strength to endure what Sin knew was coming. She’d seen that look in her stepmother’s eyes many times.
Sin decided that when she woke, nothing would stand in her way. No matter how many she had to kill, she would reach Max. She swore to the heavens and hells: the king would die.
All I ever wanted,Sin started, right after the first outcry of Max’s pain.When I was beaten and discarded, was to turn it off.
Max’s grunts of pain tore through Sin, each sound a dagger to her heart.
She clenched her teeth, forcing herself to ignore his desperate demands for her to leave.
Sin searched through his mind, avoiding his thoughts and memories. She found the part that controlled his pain, and with a gentle touch, turned it off.
Don’t stop crying out,she instructed him.
Confusion sparked within him, and amazement for not feeling pain.
What did you do?he asked her in a floored tone.
I turned off your pain. Together we will watch his pathetic attempts at breaking what is mine.
His forced cry wasn’t entirely fake; she felt his overflowing love and happiness. She relished in it, but not once did she stop looking at the male responsible for hurting him, not even when Gideon visibly flinched in the corner, as if he were the one struck.
I love you,Max panted.
And I love you.
She meant it too, no longer afraid of it. Sin could feel her sisters torturing her in her sleep, and Sin was able to ignore it while focusing on Max’s pain. Their antics became more severe since she refused to leave, but then she felt a familiar click in her mind. The only time she ever felt that was right before her life completely changed.
What was that?Max asked.
Time for me to go,she answered.Stay strong. I’m coming for you.
Gideon
Each step toward the healing room felt heavier.
Gideon wanted to throttle his eldest brother, but he knew there was only one choice. One day, Max and Sin might sit on that throne.
And it sure as shit wasn’t going to be his father.
Though, he knew it wasn’t his true father. Even if he raised him, the thought of the king made him sick. With his extracurricular activities, that neither he nor his brothers could stop, to his treatment of Gideon.
His room was sure to be half the size as the other sons, with far less lavish clothing and items given to him.
But he wouldn’t think about that now, because the time has come, and Audrira was standing in the healing room with a knowing glint in her eyes.
“It’s time, isn’t it?” Audrira asked, but her eyes flickered away from Gideon’s, her fingers fidgeting slightly. Jocelyn, another commissioned witch, leaned against the far wall with her arms crossed, wearing boots and a full satchel across her torso.
Gideon nodded, rushing past her to grab a pack out of a hidden cupboard, one Audrira didn’t know about. He threw it over his shoulder as he reached his hand out for hers. “A raven has already been sent to Iostria. We need to leave now.”
Audrira swallowed hard, but she took his hand anyway. Ready for them to make for their venture, Gideon yanked herclose. His arm wrapped around her waist, the other hand in her hair as he kissed her deeply, urgently, and like he had always wanted to.
No matter the slightest, subtle advances she made towards him, the longing looks in their eyes. He knew the moment he showed interest in her, his father would too. Now, he worried for their lives, terrified of something happening to either of them, and he never showed her how he felt.
