Kel’s Winter squadron were not only elite soldiers but dedicated to him. As was I. We would do whatever it took to free him from Caspian’s possession.
More images flash before me: infiltrating the Below, goblins dying beneath our blades, breaking into Caspian’s personal chambers, the objects he’d stolen from the realms above crushing beneath my boot.
Kel returned with me and the army. But his loyalty to Caspian didn’t break.
At least not until after Caspian tore a hole in the world and all manner of ilk from the Below leached from the Great Chasm to march upon Frostfang.
“I did that to protect you,” I force out.
Kel shakes his head. “I didn’t need your protection, brother. I needed your trust.”
Anger flares in my chest, and I grab Kel’s wrist, yanking down his sleeve and revealing the bargain bracelet. “Look where your trusting nature has put us. Was your fucking love worth it?”
Kel rips his hand away and sneers.
I need to leave it. I need to stop. But the rage is too hot, cursed memories too fresh. I need someone to hurt like I’m hurting. I gesture behind me to Rosalina. “Look at her and tell me Caspian was worth it!”
Keldarion’s eyes glitter and he opens his mouth. Closes it. Turns away from me. “One day you’ll understand, Ezryn,” he mumbles. “You’ll understand what it means to shatter yourself for love.”
The edges of my vision are black with rage, my breathing ragged. But when Kel turns away, the rest of the world comes back to me.
There’s shouting. So much shouting. Rosalina is right under Farron’s nose, eyes blazing with anger. Farron stands still, brow furrowed, and fists clenched. Dayton paces beside the two of them.
“I don’t understand how you could make a deal with Caspian! Did you learn nothing from me? You know better!” Farron yells.
“That’s exactly it!” Rosalina screams back. “I know.I know, Farron. There is good in him. Trust me!”
Farron stalks away, throwing a dismissive hand in the air. “That’s what he does! He manipulates people. He offers them something, gains their trust, and then uses it against them. He did it to Kel. He did it to me. And he will do it to you.”
“You don’t know him like I do,” she whispers viciously.
Farron gives a harsh laugh. “Listen to you! You’ve known him for less than a year. We have livedcenturieswith him. Believe me when I tell you this is all a game to him. He will take your kindness and turn it ugly.”
Dayton grabs Rosalina’s shoulders. “Rosie, I know you want to see the good in people. But Farron’s right on this. He’s not just dangerous. He’s sadistic. It’sfunfor him to ruin people.” Dayton’s eyes shine. “Don’t give him the opportunity.”
She shakes Dayton off, pushing past him like he’s a mere nuisance. Instead, she chases after Farron, grabbing his arm. “You’re scared again, Farron. But you don’t have to be. I can handle him.”
“Can you?” Farron turns on his heel and holds her with a flaming gaze. “Did you forget what he did to me, Rosie? To my people? My history? He brought anarmyof goblins into Autumn to kill my soldiers. He used my beast against me and destroyed my realm’s ancient texts.” There’s anger and hurt in Farron’s voice like I’ve never heard before. “And Dayton nearly died because of him! Doesn’t that matter to you at all?”
Rosie steps back, tears welling in her eyes. “Of course it matters.”
“And you know why he did that?” Farron’s voice shakes. “Because I ripped the damned little book you gave him. I ripped his book, and in return, he murdered and pillaged andruined.”
Lightning seems to cross over Rosalina’s gaze. “You ripped it? That wasmygift. You had no right!”
Farron’s brow furrows. “You think you can change Caspian with compassion? Kel thought so, too. Look at him now.”
We all turn to stare at Keldarion. A dark shadow has fallen over his gaze. His shoulders shake, but he stays silent.
Rosie looks down, eyes wide, chest heaving. “He hurts people because he hurts inside.” She clutches at her heart. “Ifeelit, Farron.”
Farron shakes his head. “I can hear what you’re thinking. He’s not your mate, Rosalina.”
Silence erupts in the entrance hall.Her mate?The thought staggers me. The idea that Rosalina could be mated to someone with such evil…
My fingers itch for a blade. Freedom. There has to be freedom for her and Kel from this—
I turn to him. Of all of us, Kel would know—
