My fingers fluttered against my neck. “Everyone will know. They’ll hunt me. Kill me.”
“To the world around us, you three will still be collared. Only we’ll know.”
“And what happens to this collar once the first has been destroyed? Will it remain instead?” I wasn’t doubting him, but I did feel as if I was trading one torture device for another.
“You can remove it when you’re free of this place.”
“Youcan remove it, you mean.”
He shook his head. “You can take it off whenever you want. It’s fake. Its only purpose is to make everyone believe you’re stillbound to me.” He smiled again, and it lulled me. Not in a fae, magical way, but in a way unique to this fae man I loved.
His gaze full of flickering stars met mine as he gently secured the collar around my throat like it was the prettiest necklace. Perhaps it was.
It sunk deeply, but not with pain, only the feel of a soothing balm that could put a person to sleep. The touch of a mother’s hand on a brow. Or the wildly free feeling found only with a lover.
The first collar shuddered. Squirmed. With my breaths jerking in and out of me, I raked at my skin, finding the second collar gone. It had sunk deep. To join the other or emerge once it was the victor?
Vexxion held my upper arms, staring into my eyes, watching me as always. Ready to lay down his life to protect me.
I stilled my shaking body, closed my eyes, and let it happen.
Something slid from my neck, bumping down the front of my snug leather tunic to land at my feet.
When I opened my eyes, the Claiming collar lay on the grass, a withered, twisted, wretched thing.
I lifted my foot and brought my boot down hard on top of it. With a feral cry, I ground it into the grass. And with a shriek, I dropped my knees, lifted the pulverized strands that remained, and burned them to ashes with my power.
Vexxion joined me on the ground.
When he held out his arms, I plunged into them.
We returned to our suite.He left to attend to the king, and I donned the green gown he’d laid out. With the new collars in my pocket humming assurance, I flitted to Brenna’s sitting area, skipping arriving by the hall.
Brenna . . .
We can’t let him collar Brenna,I told Vexxion, my voice shrill. I’d almost forgotten.When I killed Delaine, Will died. If I kill the king after he collars her, she’ll die as well.
I have a collar for her. She’s safe.
Thank you.My pulse backed down a few notches.
Reyla waited beside the fireplace, and when she saw me, she rushed over and gave me a hug. “You look happy.”
“I have a gift for you,” I whispered, quickly explaining. “There’s one for you and one for Brodine.”
“He is a good guy,” she marveled, her fingertip tracing across the new collar in my hand. Brodine’s waited in my pocket, and I’d find a way to place it around his throat before the king’s wedding. No matter what happened today, Reyla would watch out for him, help him awaken if she could. Then they could flee this horrible place together.
Bravery shone in my friend’s eyes. “Do it.”
One day soon, the fates willing, we’d be able to mourn Kinart’s loss. When we did, our horror and dismay would be cauterized by the vengeance I’d carry out this day.
I placed the collar around her throat, and she shuddered. But her gaze remained locked on mine, shining with trust.
“Love you, Reyla,” I whispered, and she nodded.
The Claiming collar fell off her like it had with me. I kickedit into the cold fireplace with my shoe and burned it with magic while my friend held my hand.
“The other unhooks,” I said softly. “There’s a clasp at the back of your neck. Keep it hidden with your hair.”
