The King’s voice echoed through the room as he boomed, “You were supposed to meet me ten minutes ago.”
“Apologies, Your Majesty,” Atticus said, and he dipped into a deep bow before turning to face me again. “I heard Zara was awake, and I wanted to see her before we left.” He lifted his hand and ran it through my hair, but I batted him away. That seemed only to amuse him, and a feral smile stretchedacross his lips as he turned back to my father, who was now standing before us.
My father didn’t look at me, not even a glance as he bit out. “I don’t care. Go.”
Atticus had the good sense to look uneasy as he lowered his head and stepped around him towards the door. Atticus looked back only once, his dark curls falling over his chiseled features as he smirked at me before shutting the door behind him.
I glowered after him, and reluctantly turned my gaze to my father, who was still standing in front of me. His blue eyes met mine, and I could have sworn they softened slightly before he cleared his throat, tension returning to the air around us.
“Daughter.” His face was an icy mask of indifference, his tone formal and detached.
“Father,” I replied, and we held each other's gaze for a long moment. I expected him to say something else, but instead, he turned and followed after Atticus.
Well, that was heartwarming.
Chapter 7
Xavier
The dark magic hit Zara’s chest, her chestnut hair lifting and swirling around her head as agonizing pain lanced through our bond. Her body collapsed at my feet, and I watched her writhe, the swirling vortex of magic weaving itself into her. I reached for her, calling out her name, but it was as if the magic wouldn’t let me go near her.
My mate was being forced back with her soul, or I guess her memories, and Morgana—my mother—was grinning, her yellow eyes manic, as they locked onto Zara as she watched with glee.
The dream shifted.
I was in a closet, a small child crying in fear as magic swirled around her. I tried to comfort her, my hand stroking her cheek, but that seemed to make it worse.
The dream shifted again, and I watched from the corner of the dark, musty room as my mother tore into Zara’s mind. Her nails were biting into Zara’s scalp as I watched my mate thrash desperately against the bulky silver chains binding herto that damned chair. Blood was trickling from her nose, and I fought to get to her, to help her, but again I couldn't move. I could only watch as these horrible things played out in my mind. I was trapped in this nightmare, forced to feel everything she did. The pain. The resentment. The anger. Each emotion twisted and reshaped under my mother’s will, manipulated into something else entirely. Trust. Love. Obedience.
Rage burned through me, a searing, uncontrollable ache burning my veins.
Zara’s eyes shot open, her cheeks streaked with tears as her blue eyes met mine. I didn’t know if she truly saw me or not, but I stared back, promise blazing in my gaze as I shouted through our bond all the ways I would make Morgana pay.
*
My head pounded, and I jolted upright in bed as a vivid memory of a dungeon flashed, an echoing scream ringing in my ears. The black silken sheet clung to my body like a second skin, my entire frame drenched in sweat. Gritting my teeth, I flexed my right arm. The throbbing pain radiating from it made my veins itch. I slammed shut the barrier, the two doors I pictured in my mind between Zara and me, locking them just as Gunnar had taught me.
The pressure in my skull started to subside, and I panted heavily, running a hand through my hair. A strand fell loose, obstructing my vision as I struggled to calm my racing thoughts. It's been three damn weeks of this.
Of these memories…
Of being forced to witness fragments of her childhood, her life...
Of watching her be used...manipulated, tortured.
I could block her more effectively when I was awake, but when I slept, it was as if my subconscious was drawn to her. I had less control over the barrier between us and would typically wake up like this, only recalling fragments as if from a dream.
The barrier faltered, and I could feel her annoyance pulsing through our bond. A low growl escaped my lips as I ripped the sheet off my body.
Whatever the Fates had planned, it was cruel.
Resentment coursed through my veins, and I wasn’t sure if it was me or her. I fortified the barrier between us, gritting my teeth as I swung my legs off the bed. She couldn’t be allowed access to me, but it was difficult to keep the connection closed.
Her betrayal had ruined me, as if she had gouged out my still beating heart. I expected it to poison any feelings between us, but these memories I've been experiencing had me clinging to hope. Our connection was strong, and it wouldn't be if some part of her didn't still care.
My mate's mind had been laid bare, and that version of her was good. She wanted to stop Morgana and help our people. That version of her would never have done something so cruel. She was my mate, and though we hadn’t known each other for long, I felt it in my soul, that something wasn’t right. I saw what Morgana had twisted her into–a killer, a weapon. If she could do that, what else could she do? Didn’t I just witness her pilfering through Zara’s mind, manipulating her thoughts, her memories. Erasing them? How many other times had that happened throughout her life? And what lasting damage had that caused?
Morgana still had part of Zara’s soul… I knew that much. I could feel it through our connection. It wasn’t whole, still fractured like it had been before. I just needed to find a way to undo the damage my mother had inflicted. If that was even possible.
