She hid her voice from me, shoved me away, concealed her mate’s identity. She knows more about that book than she will tell me, and she knows how my visions are connected, but she’s decided to hide the truth instead of helping me.
I’ve never been able to shake the acute feeling that she possesses every answer I could ever need but refuses to give me the knowledge. Why, when she forced this bond on me to begin with? I really don’t know.
But I’m done pretending I trust her.
There’s someone else that Idotrust, who has always prioritized me. Who looks out for me. Who understands my pain and tends to my wounds. Who tells me everything he knows. Killian was horrified by the Nabbers. He brought one of them to me and helped me torture the man for information. He’s voiced his suspicion of his father and his desire to change the kingdom so many times.
I’veseenthe spark in his eyes when he talks about the future, about the world he dreams of building. Together.
He’ll be even more furious to learn of his father’s actions than I am. Betrayed by his own blood.
Killian will help. He always has and always will.
As I follow Venna back through the passages, I rub my thumb over my bracelet and make a silent vow. The king will pay for this.
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
By the time I reach the empty Rawbond common lounge and part with Venna, it’s become a powerful need. How many times have I gone to him, wounded and in pain, only for him to take me into his hands and smooth it all away?
Help, my bloodied heart screams. I need his help. I need something to make sense again.
I find him still curled up in my bed, sleeping peacefully. I lock the door to my room behind me, then race to him urgently, shaking him awake.
Killian’s dark blue eyes blink open blearily. “Meryn?”
I was right. Just looking at him makes me feel more in control. “I…”
“Are you alright?” he asks, snapping awake and sitting up. “You?—”
“I found her,” I blurt.
The moment the words are out, my eyes well again. I huff in frustration and angrily wipe my face. “Sh-She’s righthere. Below the castle. The entire time, and I never knew. I was right here, and she was so afraid, Killian. It was my job to keep her safe. To make sure she feltsafe, and I failed.”
He reaches out, taking both of my hands in his. His skin is warm. His grip is firm. He’s quiet, but he pulls me closer. “You found her,” Killian repeats. “Saela?”
I nod, chin trembling. Killian moves deeper into the bed so that I can sit next to him. Once I’m there, he rests a reassuring hand on my thigh, smoothing his touch back and forth. It slowly starts to calm me. “Take a breath, Meryn.”
“I don’t havetime. I need?—”
“Look at me,” he says. I drag my tear-filled gaze up to his. “That’s better,” he says, nodding. I breathe out shakily, reaching up with slightly trembling hands to hold his face. “Talk to me. I’ll listen.”
I take a deep breath. “There’s a prison beneath the castle. I went down through some tunnels. It was a maze, but at the end of it, I found her. And dozens of other kids, mostly young. They’re all behind bars, Killian. And Saela was there.”
Killian’s brow tightens, his skin paling. There’s a razor-sharp grief in his eyes, like this revelation is taking something precious from him. “Is she alright?”
I shake my head. “They’re being kept for something. Taken every few weeks for goddess-knows-what. I think they’re dying. They could take her any moment.”
Killian sinks back against the walls. He shakes his head, hand covering his mouth. Then he looks up at me. His voice is hoarse. “Who takes them? Did you see them?”
“Your…” I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to hurt him. But there’s no other way. “Your father,” I breathe.
His eyes widen and he presses his lips into a thin, pale line.
“Saela said he’s the one who picks the children. Takes them away. This is because of him. All of it is him,” I say.
Killian looks hollowed out, like I’ve just extinguished his soul in a single breath. I think this might’ve been the same look I wore on my face, having to leave Saela. It’s loss. Killian and theking have long been at odds, but surely even he wouldn’t think his parent capable of such a thing.
“My father?”
