I swallow, but stay silent.
Kaden walks around me, keeping an arm’s length between us. The sickening sweet smell of roses suffocates me and he grins, fangs dipping over his bottom lip.
“I’ll let you in on a little secret,” he murmurs, grabbing the knot on my scalp and tugging me into his chest. A shriek is wretched from my lips. “The Kaden you know and the Kaden you see before you, are one in the same.”
“No,” I deny, closing my eyes.
This Kaden is terrifying, deranged with this intensity that can only be described as psychotic. The Kaden I know falls to his knees to worship me, to soothe my fears, and cherish my heart.
“You’re wrong.”
“No?” He shakes me, turning us to glare into the perfectly cleaned wall. It reflects us, two beings, locked in a tight hold. “Doesn’t this look like the male you let between your thighs?”
“Shut up,” I command, looking away.
He doesn’t let me get far. He forces my head back, one hand on my neck, the other in my hair. “The man who you let feed from your throat? Whose bite brings you to new heights of ecstasy?” He snickers. “The man you love is only one piece of the real him. You see theside he wants you to know—but tell me, little kitten, did you think he was saying sweet nothings as he killed that lord that tried to take you in Griffin’s palace?”
Nausea swims in my gut.
“Do you think he asked nicely to drain him of all his blood, before depositing him at your door? Do you think he was in control when he threatened the Human who tried to force you to your knees on the raid?” His presses his lips to my ear. “Do you think he really had nochoicewhen he claimed you so Wulf couldn’t have you?” He scoffs, tossing me into the sand.
“Your precious Kaden is a menace, built off of blood, torture, and mayhem. He is as much a monster as the one who owns his soul.” Kaden kneels before me, grinning, and I see the flash in his eyes—a flash of glee, seeing me weak before him.
The same flash in his eyes as he held a sword to the human’s neck. The same glee when the claim left his mouth.
“You only see one side to who he truly is, but he isme.” He lifts my chin with one finger. “He would gladly crush anyone who opposes him, and laugh as they scream in anguish. Is that the male you love?”
Kaden drops my chin and I fall forward, catching myself stiffly.
Sniffling, I look up and narrow my eyes.
“You’re wrong,” I mutter, clawing at the sand to stand.
He picks at his nails with his blade. “I’m not. Your precious Kaden is a monster—a beast. He is his father’s favorite son. If you can’t see that side of him, you’re doomed.”
On wobbling knees, I dig my heels in for balance. “He isnothinglike Zelos.”
Those eyes glint again. It hurts to look at them, see the male I love, but only know this isn’t him.
Yet, itishim. This version only speaks the truth. Kaden is a monster—he kills without concern for consequences, he takes what he wants, and has no problem holding back truths if it serves his purpose. I’ve seen it—experienced it. Kaden will do what he thinks is best, even if it’s not good.
He is as much of a monster as this image says.
But so am I.
“Kaden might be all those things,” I say calmly, “but he is so much more than that. He chooses to control those dark impulses, he chooses to care for me. All those other things—he does out of his love for those who matter.”
The Fae in front of me scoffs, holding the sword out to my neck. “You are only denying what he is. Who he is. You cannot hope to love someone if you do not know all of him. If you do notacceptall of him.”
And there it is. This is what the purification ritual is. It isn’t to purify my intentions, or my love, but to see all the darkness and stillchooseit. I’m to see the most terrible parts of my mate and still choose to love him.
All those vicious parts might terrify me, but I know, Kaden would never harm me. He would choose me every time.
“I choose him.” Holding out my daggers, I clash against his sword, throwing it to the side. This image, this imposter, smiles, eyes blazing with a fury I know well. “I will always choose him”
The fight begins immediately. Kaden fights like he does everything—perfectly. It’s hard to keep up with him, but I have my speed as an advantage, and Fee’s training. Blades hit and loud clangs resonate around us.
Soon, I’m panting and he throws me back against the wall, pinning me with the sword at my neck, and my daggers lock against him. One wrong move—too big of a breath, and he’ll slice my head off.
