“Stop fighting, Thorne,” one of them huffed as they climbed.
Never. Not whilst you have Kara.
He saw it then – the oak door of the tower cell, the metal bolts that would imprison him – and something in him snapped. He hurled himself sideways. No plan, just pure fury. Sebastian crashed hard into one of the guards and they fell together into the stone wall. The impactreverberated through his whole body. But another guard tackled him from the side–
No, fuck–
He collided with the opposite wall; another elbowed him in the face and stars exploded across his vision.
He didn’t stop.
Even as they shoved him to his knees, Sebastian kept fighting.
Even as the door creaked open.
Even as they dragged him inside and threw him to the ground.
His cheek struck the stone floor. Blood dripped from his lip. He tried to rise – just in time to see the door slam behind him.
The bolt thundered shut.
He looked around the stone room – a bare bed, chamber pot, and a table with a water jug. Cold air blew through the open window. Only one thought screamed through his mind.
I have to get out. Get to Kara.
Somehow.
The next day, Kara saw the gates of Vallenna City rise tall and pale against the clear autumn sky, the sun lowering as the afternoon wore on – the flags of the High Houses fluttering in the wind. The City lights shimmered just beyond them. When had she last made this ride? Four weeks ago? Not even? For the Arcalon.
It seemed like a lifetime ago.
She remembered wishing she wouldn’t be put on Sebastian’s team. What a foolish worry that seemed now.
The valmare’s hooves clattered on stone as they crossed into the capital. Her wrists had started to bleed and she was stiff and sore – Cade hadn’t let her move an inch. He hadn’t let up during the two endless days of riding. Despite his captain’s orders, he’d kept needling, tormenting, laughing at her. It had been hell. They’d stopped once – for the valmares, not her. Cade had shoved Kara down at the base of a tree, far away from the fire and the other soldiers.
“Can’t have you getting free in the night, can we?” he’d sneered, tying her chest to its trunk tighter than necessary.
Although she’d been left alone, she hadn’t slept. How could she? Her thoughts spiralled as she sat there, trembling with cold, untilCaptain Markus had appeared without a word and draped a blanket over her shoulders. A small mercy.
As the valmare slowed beside the Hall of Justice, Kara felt a tiny glimmer of relief. The cell awaiting her would be an improvement. The pressure of Cade’s arms would be gone. His breath. His words. He couldn’t follow her into her trial.
Markus barked an order from the front.
“Sergeant Sarren. Take the prisoner below.”
“Gladly,” Cade’s voice came from behind her.
Kara’s heart sank.
No, please, anyone but him.
He dismounted, smirking, and untied the rope that bound her to the saddle so it hung down from her wrists. He seized her by the waist and pulled her roughly from the valmare, fingers biting into her skin. She thought he’d take her arm. But no. He took the rope that trailed from her wrists and yanked it so hard that Kara stumbled, her ankle twisting underneath her. She gasped in pain, but didn’t cry out. She wouldn’t give him that.
“Come along, Healer,” he said smoothly, grinning. “Make sure you keep up.”
He turned and strode ahead, dragging her casually behind him. Faces turned as they passed. People pointed, whispered. Kara’s face burned red-hot, and she dropped her gaze to the floor. The stairs that led to the cells were off the courtyard of the Hall of Justice. Past the platform where the pyres were built. Her body shook at the sight of it. The condemned never had far to walk. Cade just looked back at her and smiled. When they reached the dungeon corridor, a blast of ice-cold air hit her. She shivered violently. He jerked the rope hard, forcing her into a half-run, which made her ankle throb. They stopped outside the last cell on the right – it was completely empty. No bed. Only barred windows and stone walls.
So this is where I’m spending my last few days.
