The sun glared down on Taryn’s face, momentarily blinding him as he opened his eyes. He stared at the ceiling–a barred skylight window ten feet above him, the source of the light. It was dawn, the golden hue of the morning sun painting the sky in a blend of pink and orange.
His eyes widened as he took in the four stone walls surrounding them, familiarity coursing through him, a Runean prisoner cell he had managed to score himself in during his youth. He sat up, chains encasing his wrists and ankles clanking with the movement. His skin burned, and he didn’t have to look down at the green substance to know they were drugged with donstentye. And aheavydose of it.
Airess lay unconscious against the wall opposite him. He sighed inrelief that they were together. She looked unharmed, only dirt caking the side of her face and legs from the cell floor. They were both still in the clothing they’d worn at the ball. He leaned over to wake her but was yanked back, the chains linked to the walls separating them with distance. He steeled himself away from panic, trying his best to formulate a plan. He could get his mate out of here–hehadto.
“Air.” Taryn whispered, his voice scraping against the parched feeling in his throat. “Airess.”
She stirred awake, bringing her hand to her forehead, the chains grazing her body. At once, she shot upwards with panic in her eyes, until she found him.
Taryn smirked, trying to keep the energy light. “Fancy seeing you here. We’ve truly got to stop making a habit of getting incarcerated together.”
Her face contorted into a panic, brushing off his humor as she looked up to the skylight. “They drugged us.”
“We’ve been betrayed.” Taryn confirmed. “A bold move for them, considering none of them will be left alive when we escape this place. We need a plan. How did you access the Godspirit back in Rune?”
“I don’t know how I did it. I saw you get hurt and became so angry. Itconsumedme–
“It doesn’t matter.” said a dark feminine voice in Mrkynian, her Runean thick. “You won’t survive long enough to set yourselves free.”
A figure stepped near the skylight, bending over to peer down on them.
It was the Dowager Queen.
“Happy to see you’re both awake, just in time for thefun. So sorry it had to be on your birthday, of course.”
Taryn’s brows drew together as understanding washed over him. Hot anger ran down his body in waves.
“How dare you betray us?” Taryn barked.
“Are you really so surprised?” the Queen Dowager asked as she let out a cruel laugh. “I am a queen and a mother. You are a danger to my son, and you are a danger to Rune. I’m protecting the best interest of both, and that means getting rid of any threats that may pose. You two, for example. You may have pure intentions now, but in time your power will grow,” the Queen Dowager smirked. “My sweet, idiot son thought we needed you for the prophecy, but I think we need to getridof you.”
“Where is Roz?” Airess called out, her face twisted into a scowl.
“Let’s say my son is… indisposed at the moment. By the time he wakes up, you will belonggone.”
“We would never have ill intentions. We came here inpeace!” Airess countered, straining against the chains.
“Power breeds destruction, girl. It’s only a matter of time until you both realize what you are capable of. Now, you’ll never get the chance. You will be negotiated back to who you belonged to. Did you really think by coming here, Luciena wouldn’t declare war on its lost bride?”
Airess blanched, the words hitting her like a physical blow. “What are you talking about?”
The heat simmering within him increased to a boil, his sight turning red at the words he was hearing. How she was speaking about Airess, as if she were stolen goods. As if she were anobject.
“We have changed the course of history for the better. For the first time in a century, we have reached a peace agreement with Luciena. Prince Arzhel has arrived on our shores, and we will begin our negotiations for peace. Perhaps you can view this as a victory–you being a small price to pay for the peace of the world.”
Taryn snarled. He would kill them all if they dared to touch her. He would destroy this fucking continent and everyone in it.
Airess’ frantic words cut through his reaction. “You’re being manipulated! Arzhel will stop at nothing to expand his empire. Letting him come here to claim me as his bride was a mistake!”
The Queen Dowager chuckled, her voice like velvet. “You think he would take you back after being sullied by this Fae male? After the intellect we’ve shared during our correspondence, we are negotiating yourlife. An exchange of power for peace.” Her words slid over Taryn like cold water. She turned her head toward him with the slightest curl of a smile. “With my plans in place, I am assuring Rune’s success and victory.” she said bitterly as she stepped out of view.
“Bring the girl.”
The rock wall behind Airess shifted into a door opening, two earthborne guards grabbing hold of her chains. Taryn shifted forward as they grabbed her arms, and he barely noticed that the movement tore the skin on his wrists.
“Don’t you fucking touch her,” Taryn roared, thrashing against his chains with an incessant rage. The guards lifted her up, and the panicked look in her eyes was the last thing he saw before she was dragged away. “Airess!” he called out as he threw all of his weight against his restraints. Pain tore into his limbs as he fought to free himself, but it was no use. “I swear to all five Gods if you touch–
The panicked look in Airess’ eyes was the last thing he saw as The wall slammed upwards, leaving Taryn alone.
