She glared at him. “He’s trying to save Vallenna. But none of you are willing to see it.”
“I won’t stand by whilst my daughter shackles herself to a butcher,” he said icily.
He’s not–
“You’re behaving like a fool,” Alaric spat. “And worse – his fool.”
“Better his fool than blind to the truth.”
Alaric stared at her as though she were a stranger. “I don’t recognise you anymore, Karalynna. You’ve shamed our family.”
Kara swallowed hard, unable to speak. Her father turned, and walked out without looking back, the lock clanging into place behind him. She sank back to the floor, hands trembling. She’d really done it. Defied Alaric Hale. Told him no. And it could cost her everything.
Did I actually just throw away my chance at freedom?
Her father’s voice rang in her ears:
You care for him?
The truth hit her then – blazing, undeniable. And completely terrifying. This wasn’t care.
Gods–
Her breath tore out of her.
I love him.
Her hand clawed at the fabric of her dress over her chest. Her heart thundered against her palm. And then the tears came. Hot and unstoppable. Because she’d never be able to tell him. She thought of his piercing blue eyes, of his crimson magic that surrounded her when they touched. The faint scent of leather and pine that he always carried. She filled herself with it. Let herself imagine the warmth of his arms around her. Solid, safe. Everything she would never have.
What could it hurt now?
So she sat there, tears streaming down her face, and thought of nothing else but Sebastian Thorne.
The iron door groaned open.
Sebastian didn’t lift his head.
He knew those footsteps. Would recognise them anywhere. They paused at the threshold. He heard a sharp inhale, as if breathing in disappointment. Tobias Thorne stepped inside, alone. The guards stayed behind.
“I came as soon as I received word of your capture. I thought I’d find you sulking,” Tobias said. “Though I admit, this is more theatrical than usual.”
Sebastian’s head tipped back against the wall, his hands still tied behind him, blood dripping from his face. He’d been in the cell more than a day – watched the sun rise and fall through the narrow window. He’d tried the locks, thrown himself against the wood, looked everywhere for something he could use to cut his bindings. There was nothing. Hope had started to rot in his chest, slow and bitter. There was no way out. He looked at his father with utter hatred. He had sent soldiers after them. Taken Kara.
He did this.
“You here to gloat, Father?” he asked bitterly.
“You should thank me,” Tobias said at last, voice clipped and formal. “The Council would’ve had you in chains in the City dungeons by now. You wouldn’t have seen sunlight again before the trial.”
Sebastian scoffed. “So this is better?”
“I kept you out of their reach,” Tobias retorted hotly.
He crossed the cell slowly and silently, hands behind his back, gaze sweeping over the ruined state of his son – the bruises, the dried blood on the floor. But when he finally spoke again, his voice was level. Distant.
“You’ve broken half the laws in Vallenna, Sebastian. You dragged a Hale healer into it. Stole Arcanth Shards.”
He let the words hang between them.
