I slap my hands around, trying to find where they are, but nothing appears. They grow in intensity, until parts of my body rip open. Blood soaks the white cloth, running down my fingers, over my arms, and through my bindings.
Tasting it on my tongue, I wipe my face only to feel it smear. It’s covering me as if my magic has grown too high to control.
This is what she meant.
This is the purification ritual. It’s stripping away layers of who I am—my fears, and my weaknesses. My fear of flames, and my past. My inability to control my magic and the guilt it causes. Every darkness inside of me is being pulled back and forced on me to face.
It wants me to succumb. It wants me to buckle under who I am and run away.
I won’t let it win.
Standing, I let the knives dig into me. I let them pull and cut, twist and hurt, until I’m panting, staring across the throne room. No one is there. Just me, bloody and crying, to face my fears alone.
It’s absolutetorture, feeling the wounds and not be able to stop them. My skin is red—painted from blood and burns, but I endure. What other choice do I have?
Moments fly by and eventually the stabs stop. I drop, chin smacking the sand, hands outstretched.Fucking finally.
Coughing into my arm, I miss the sounds of encroachingfootsteps until twin black boots stop by my head. Twisting my head, I look up into burning amber eyes and my stomach lurches.
“Kaden,” I whisper, throat raw. I was screaming more than I thought.
Kaden—myKaden—stands there as he should. Long black strands, pointed ears, sharp fangs and bright eyes that hold a thousand suns and my heart. Dressed in his riding leathers, sleeves rolled up and a sword on his hip, he looks like he did the first night in the Eternal Night Forest, when I threatened him to leave me alone.
My heart explodes with relief.
He smirks, holding out his hand to help me up. I don’t waste time, letting him tug me into his arms.
Gods above, he feels good. Strong arms, muscular chest and thick thighs, he’s the male I’ve fallen in love with again. Inhaling, I dig my face into his chest, smelling his spicy campfire scent and roses.
Roses?
Shoving him away, I stumble back, eyes wide. Kaden doesn’t smell like roses. Fire, danger and secrets, yes. Never roses.
“What’s wrong, kitten?” he asks, cocking his head like he always does. “Don’t want to hug your mate?”
“You’re not my mate,” I croak, lifting a finger. “You’re not my Kaden.”
“Ah, but I am.” He grins, withdrawing his sword. Instinctively, I withdraw my daggers. “In the flesh. Finally whole.” Kaden swings the sword, testing the weight in his hands. “Isn’t this what you wanted?”
“Of course, but this?—”
He rushes forward, Fae reflexes too fast to track. Without warning, he grabs my neck, stuttering my breath. I scream out, his fingers cutting into the sensitive flesh.
“Butwhat, Max?” He grins, and something about it causes the hair on my arms to rise. It’s not the smile of a lover—but of a predator. “Don’t you want meback?”
Kicking forward, I catch him in the gut, then use my dagger to cut his wrist, and the joint at his elbow.ThankEnyoI’m still fast.His graspreleases and I push him away. Inhaling, I gulp down air, greedy trying to stop the burning in my throat.
“You’re not Kaden,” I say again. “My Kaden isn’t, this. So?—”
“Unhinged?” He laughs, doubled over. Blood drips from his hand, staining the sand. “That’s where you’re wrong. This is me—this has always been me. Just not the me you see.”
I shake my head, unable to connect this version with the man I love.
But as I deny it, something in my heart cracks.
“No,” I whisper.He can’t be like this.“Kaden cares. He’s good. He loves me.”
The imposter straightens, licking the blood off his fingers, as if he finished a great meal. “What’s wrong, pet? Having second thoughts about saving me?”
