I can’t do anything. And I can’t look.
I close my eyes and turn my head, a reflex born of helplessness, of desperation to avoid seeing the slaughter I cannot prevent.
The tsar’s voice cuts through my panic, smooth, merciless, as he nears until he’s close to my ear. “Think carefully, my dear. Refuse to give me your powers, and the terror will continue. I would hate to see poor Nadya brought here as a consequence.”
My stomach drops again. My mind freezes on the thought of her face, the innocence she carries, and I can feel my resolve waver—not in giving in to him, but in how I can survive to protect her.
Torbin’s calm footfalls sound behind me, steady and deliberate. My eyes flutter open to glare at him. He makes no move to intervene; no flicker of doubt crosses his features. He stands with the tsar, a quiet reminder that some of those I thought I could count on are part of this trap.
“I think I’ve made my point,” the tsar says. “Take her away.”
ChApter
Fifty-Four
I’m barely aware of Torbin stomping down the corridor behind us until he speaks.
“I’ll take it from here.” His hand grasps my bicep and yanks me away from the guards.
Tears are streaming down my face, and my body is shaking. My heart is breaking for the people in the arena. I can only hope their deaths were quick, their suffering cut short.
But heartbreak is quickly overshadowed by the absolute rage ablaze inside my blood. Rage surging because of the tsar’s heartlessness. Rage boiling because of the seer manipulating him. And because of Torbin betraying me.
I try to pull away from him, but he’s too strong. “You promised me I could see Nadya.”
He lets out a humorless laugh. “You’re in no position to be making demands, Princess.”
I wipe away the tears I’m unable to stop from flowing. “Why are you doing this? What can you possibly gain? The tsar will destroy everything. You’re only making enemies. If you think the realms are going to let him get away with this… You’ll be on the wrong side of a world-changing war.”
His eyes are cold when he glares at me. “You’re mistaken. I’ll be on the victorious side. And I don’t fucking care what the other realms think of me, because I will be the one with power, not them.”
I sniff back the last of my tears. “Gods, Torbin. What happened to you? How did you become this way? What happened to the Torbin I used to know? He’s in there somewhere, isn’t he?”
For a fraction of a second, he stiffens. “Nice try, Princess. That boy you befriended was the weakest part of me. If you’re looking for redeeming qualities in me, there’s only one that should concern you.”
“And what’s that?”
“There’s a place in my heart for you, a part of me that longs to keep you by my side. Our friendship turned into something more when you came to Hedera.”
“And you think I should overlook everything else because of that? You think I could love the monster you’ve become?”
“This is the better version of me.”
I gnash my teeth. “It seems the only version of you that would be best is the dead version.”
His nostrils flare. In one swift motion, he seizes my arms and yanks me toward him, his grip bruising. I twist, thrash, trying to wrench free, but his fingers dig deeper.
“I’m stronger than you, Princess.”
I bare my teeth, rage rising like a tide in my throat. “But I’m more pissed.”
I slam my elbow into his ribs, but he only grunts, shoving me back until my shoulders crash against the wall. The cold stone bites into my spine. His breath ghosts hot across my cheek as he leans close, inhaling.
“Stop—” My voice catches as he lowers his face to the curve of my neck, breathing me in like some starving beast. I push at his chest, nails scraping, but his body is solid, immovable.
“You reek of power,” he whispers, his lips brushing my skin. “Gods, you always have.”
Revulsion twists my stomach. His mouth grazes my throat, trailingdown until his lips press to my skin in a rough, claiming kiss. I thrash harder, panic sparking with every second of his touch.
