Torbin chuckles. A lazy, cold sound. “Still so noble. So predictable.” His gaze flickers down to me, then back to Dante, and something dark flickers in his eyes. “You think you’re here to save her, little brother? That’s charming.”
Dante moves forward, each step deliberate. His sword glints underthe weak light, the muscles in his arms flexing with restrained fury.
Nadya slowly gets to her feet to stand next to me. Blood stains her hair on the side of her head. She winces again as she sways, and I grab a hold of her arm to steady her.
“You have no idea what you’ve unleashed,” Dante says. His voice is low, but it vibrates through the room, setting every nerve in my body alight.
Nadya shifts again beside me. I feel her tug subtly at my sleeve, trying to inch us backward, little by little, toward the door.
I glance at her out of the corner of my eye and catch the tension humming in her body, the way her fingers twitch like she’s gathering something unseen.
Magic.
I keep my face carefully blank, hiding the surge of hope—and fear—that pulses through me.
Torbin only laughs. “You always were sentimental, Dante. Still desperately hanging on to scraps of loyalty. Still fighting for people who would fuckingspiton you if given the chance.” His gaze sharpens. “You don’t belong with them. You belong here—with me. With us.”
Dante shakes his head once. Slowly. “You made your choice. Don’t pretend this was ever about loyalty.”
Torbin’s expression hardens, the false humor draining from his face.
“You’re weak,” he spits. “Just like our father always said. A bastard prince playing the hero. You have no idea what it means to actually have a backbone and take what you want.”
“I’ll never trade my honor for false glory,” Dante retorts, circling Torbin with measured steps.
Torbin cants his chin. “Perhaps you are a lost cause. But there’s still hope for Celeste.”
Dante scoffs. “Is that what you want? For her to be like you?”
“No. I want her to bewithme.”
Dante shakes his head. “How’s that working out for you? You think you can make her love you if you fall into power? Think again, Brother.”
“Power is everything, and if you think any differently,then you’re a fool.”
Dante’s jaw tightens. The muscle ticks in his cheek.
But he doesn’t move, doesn’t lash out.
Because despite everything, he loves his brother. And I know it’s tearing him apart to confront him like this.
Torbin prowls closer to Dante, his hand straying toward the dagger at his belt. “You’re not leaving here with her. You’re not leaving at all.”
Torbin pounces, his blade swinging.
Without warning, Nadya strikes.
A suddenwhooshof heat blasts through the room as the tapestries along the far wall burst into flames. The fire spreads fast, devouring the heavy velvet, smoke billowing in thick, black coils toward the ceiling.
Torbin staggers back, cursing, shielding his eyes from the sudden blaze. The fire dances chin-high between him and Dante, trapping Torbin against the wall.
“Now!” Nadya hisses at me, grabbing my hand.
A muscle jumps in Dante’s jaw, the flicker of relief fierce and wild—but he hesitates..
“Come on!” Nadya shouts over the crackling fire, dragging me toward the door.
Dante stands frozen, staring at Torbin through the growing inferno.
