A sharp piece of metal grazes across my neck. I angle my head slightly and feel the bite of the blade into my skin. “Whoa, this is not a part of the ritual.”
The man looks down at me with malice and then calls to Ryven. Once Ryven sees the blade, he drops his axe and sinks to his knees.
“Let her go, Cedric. Take me. I did this,” he says, his voice a soothing melody.
I try to frantically shake my head, but the knife at my throat stops me. “No!” I cry out and make eye contact with Ryven. “You will not fucking do that.”
“Awe, look at the little love birds, sacrificing one another for the other.” He presses harder on the knife. “Makes me fucking sick to my stomach.”
“Cedric! Let her fucking go!” Ryven yells.
Cedric starts laughing as he slowly glides the knife across my throat, just hard enough to make a tiny cut and draw blood.
I stay still, completely still. Even though every muscle in my body is screaming for me to flinch, to fight, I don’t.
The blade bites into my skin—a shallow sting, but deliberate. Measured. He wants me to know how close I am to dying.
“Was she worth it, Ryven?” he asks.
Don’t look at him. Don’t give him the fear he wants.
If Ryven shows weakness now, we’re both dead. If I react, I give Cedric more power.
I won't flinch. Not for this coward.
Blood trickles down my neck, warm and slow.
Let him see how calm I can be. Let him see he doesn’t own my fear.
“I’ve been watching you a long time, Ryven.” Cedric’s voice echos in my head as two men inch closer to Ryven.
Chapter 32
Ryven
Was she worth it?I meet Rory’s gaze and hold it. She has to know. I’d risk everything—burn it all down—just to keep her in my arms again. I clear my throat. “She’s everything.”
Her eyes shimmer, and just before I can say anything else, two members yank me to my feet.
“Let her go!” I scream once more. Then something cracks against my skull—hard—andeverything goes black.
I blink against the pain throbbing in my skull. Groaning, I place my hand there to feel the damage. My fingers come back sticky with blood, and I try to get up to see my surroundings.
Iron bars meet my gaze, and the memory slams back into me. “Shit, Rory,” I whisper, forcing myself upright.
“I’m right here.” Her voice comes from somewhere near me. Relief punches through me at the sound of her voice.She’s okay. For now.
“Rory?” I call out and try to feel around in the darkness.
Something brushes my leg, and I flinch before realizing it’s her hand. “I’m right here, Ryven. I’m in the cell next to you," she whispers.
I plop onto the ground and lean my back against the bars, never letting go of her. Just to make sure she stays real.
“How did you end up here too?” I croak. My throat feels like I’ve eaten sand for an entire day.
She squeezes her hand in my grip. “They brought me here shortly after dragging you off through the woods. That bastard with the knife said something about a grand show. A public execution. Us—center stage.”
That fucking bastard.That means it will be soon. Not days but hours.
