At least at night, I could sleep and see Luna. It was somewhat painful, reminding me of the dragon I most wished to see right now. I wondered where he was, if he was struggling to find a way to get me out. Cyrus still hadn’t told me what happened theday he took me, blowing me off completely when I asked him. So dreaming was a bit bittersweet.
But at least I got to dance among the stars, feeling more at home, more at peace, then I should have been able to. Only one thing was missing—the darkness didn’t come for me anymore. I called to it, tried reaching out, and nothing. It was gone, only the true darkness of the night sky remained. Leaving me feeling more alone than ever.
I’d spent so much of my life alone, and for the very first time, I’d found people who Ifitwith. The people of Night Kingdom—Calix, Ilta, Delia, Eryx, Baach, Lilith, Harpina, Titan, and Callisto, along with Priscilla, and even Eris—they’d filled a hole I hadn’t even realized was empty.
I’d loved my parents, truly, but we’d never been able to connect the way I did with my friends. They were happy to continue slaving away, while I wanted to tear it all down. We were too opposite to ever find common ground. In Tairngire, I finally found the family I’d always wanted.
Only to have it all torn away.
I should have known, nothing good happened to me—not for long. The gods must have realized their mistake and set out to fix it. It still didn’t stop me from praying. Which is what found me on my knees now, collapsed against my bed.
“Asteria, Nyx, Erebus, I know I’m not Fae, but if Calix and the others are to be believed, you won’t mind. I’m begging you,please, let me get out of here. I don’t know how much more I can take of this.” I prayed, voice breaking as I quietly sniffled. The daily threat of being violated, getting hit and thrown around, cut off from everyone and everything I loved, even the precious sky—I was cracking at the seams.
I wondered if my prayers were answered when later that day, the secret door opened once more. A whoosh of breath left me as I jumped up.
“Soren!” I cried, throwing myself at him, hugging him around the neck. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be back.”
Soren hummed as he hugged me back. I’d forgotten he did that, and a sense of nostalgia came over me. Not a longing for something, but a fond memory of the past you can look on with joy, without wanting it to happen again. When I finally pulled out of his arms, he rushed to reassure me.
“We’re trying to find a way around the ward. I promise, none of us have given up on you, Asteria. Not the queen, and not me.” He swore fervently as he moved to brush a piece of hair behind my ear, the look in his eyes all too familiar. I stepped back, putting space between us—not wanting him to get any ideas. I didn’t forget his last words to me, his profession of love. Or what he thought was love.
“What exactly does the queen want?” I demanded, and Soren sighed deeply, a trace of frustration crossing his face.
“She wants you safe, that’s as much as I can say right now.” He replied, shaking his head. “She wants to talk to you directly.” I crossed my arms over my chest, finding it wholly strange that Soren was so dedicated to the queen of Day. What had happened to him since Placement Day?
“Then once I’m out of this Tartarus damned kingdom, she can come visit me in Night.” I asserted, staring him down. He cocked his head to the side, a frown forming on his face.
“Why do you want to return there so badly?” Frustration lined every syllable, and his eyes turned pleading as he begged for answers. In truth, I couldn’t blame him. He wasn’t the only one much changed since the day we parted.
I sighed heavily, uncrossing my arms and looking to the side. “Everyone I love is there. My family is there.”
Soren flinched, and I winced as I realized how my words sounded. “I didn’t mean—”
“Youarein love with someone.” Soren murmured, sounding defeated. His shoulders slumped from the new soldier’s posture that he must have learned in Day Kingdom. I flinched at his words, shaking my head in denial.
“That’s not it at all. Soren, the people of Night, they’re amazing. You’d love them.” I raised my brows at him. “They saved me, took me in, and made me one of them.” I smiled softly at the thought of them all. “I just want to go home.”
“Isn’t that sweet?” The cooing voice made me freeze, turning as the door opened wide. Cyrus walked through with a malicious smirk on his face. “And who is this?”
Soren’s emerald eyes widened, shooting over to me before he tried running for the secret door. but before he could get there, Cyrus had him by the neck.
“No!” I screamed, rushing Cyrus, only for him to use his other hand to backhand me, sending me to the floor. I raised a hand to my mouth, pulling it back to see the blood trickling from the corner. Energy rushed through me, the fear for Soren a living thing.
“What is this?” Cyrus questioned, shaking Soren by the neck. “Ahh, I remember you. You’re the one who kissed my Asteria at Placement Day, when I found her.” He chuckled sinisterly. “I should have known. You whored yourself to Calix quickly enough, why not whore yourself out to this one too.”
He tossed Soren to the ground, red faced and panting, holding his neck where it would surely bruise. I tried to crawl over to him, only for Cyrus to step in front of me. Soren froze, Cyrus’s magic holding him in place as his wild eyes met mine, terror brimming in his gaze—a terrible part of me felt relief I wasn’t the only one.
I looked up at him, fear running through my veins like blood. My rage ignited like a volcano erupting, sparking my blood and making me stretch and curl my fingers as the horrible feeling ofmy skin being too tight became unbearable. I swore I could feel a strange weight on my back, pressing me down, before it was quickly gone.
“I didn’t touch him. Not since Placement Day. Let. Him. Go.” I demanded, hoping against hope he’d just write him off, but Cyrus merely raised his eyebrows.
“I don’t think so.” Cyrus chuckled as he slowly crouched down over me. “You’ve been a defiant little bitch since the day I claimed you. You belong to me. You’remyproperty. No one else is allowed to touch you.” He leered at me, looking me up and down. “Not without my permission anyway. But you’ll have to earn that privilege back.”
I winced at the incredulous look Soren sent me, but I turned my gaze on Cyrus and glared back at him. “The fact I’d rather die than be stuck here with you should tell you something, Cyrus. This desperate act isn’t very attractive.”
I knew the words would incite his anger but deemed it worth the feeling of victory as the words registered in his mind. The look on his face was priceless. Lightning hit the ground next to me, charring the rug, and I jolted back. I swallowed hard to clear my rapidly drying mouth, and I couldn’t help but wonder if I might have just sealed my death.
“You fucking whore.” Cyrus seethed, his hands trembling from the force of his anger. “You’re nothing but a slave who should be kissing my fucking boots! If I can’t break you down nicely, well—” He sneered nastily. “Let’s try something a bit moreexciting, shall we?” A cruel grin overtook his face as lighting gathered at his fingertips. Fingertips he pointed—Right. At. Me…
