I pushed the sandwich tray away, needing something to do with my hands. “I will when I'm ready.”
Dedra's expression hardened. “I suspect they're waiting for Zara to wake up,” she continued. “Why else would they want your bond to form? Morgana knows Zara is the ultimate weapon to use against you, to manipulate you.”
“That's hardly news,” I grumbled. “And she woke up this morning.”
Dedra and Theo exchanged nervous glances, and my blood heated.
“What?” I snapped, my eyes darting between them, waiting for them to tell me why they were looking at me like that.
“You realize that Morgana is going to use Zara to get to you, possibly harm her, maybe even kill—”
Dedra lunged backward as my fist flew toward her, my vision going red at the thought of my mate dying.
“No.” The word sprang from my mouth like venom, and Theo’s elbow crashed onto my arm, slamming it down onto the table before it could reach Dedra. The tray of sandwiches flew in the air from the impact, my shoulder connecting with the wood at an odd angle, and I hissed, as pain lanced through my arm—my tattoo.
Dedra was now standing, her brows furrowed, but not in anger. Real concern flashed across her face, and my anger dissipated on a sharp breath, my mind clearing as guilt crashed over me.Shit.
“Dedra, I'm sorry, I didn’t mean to.” The apology choked out of me, but Dedra only shook her head as I got to my feet.
“Your bond is still too fresh, not even fully formed. And that right there just proved how risky this all is,” Dedra said, sadness darkening her eyes. “The mere thought of her beingharmed…” Dedra trailed off, her voice tightening. “Zara won’t be able to control those impulses either, and Morgana is going to weaponize that. Weaponize you.”
Theo stepped up beside his sister, running a calloused hand over his closely shaven blonde head. His scar, which ran from the middle of his throat to his right chest, bobbed as he swallowed. His lips turned down and his gaze was fixed on the floor. I realized he wasn't upset I had just lunged at his sister... no, he was upset about the damn sandwiches, now a tragic mess on the stone floor.
“I know Dedra.” And I did. My stomach twisted, and bile rose in my throat. I was now my kingdom’s greatest weakness.
A sudden pulse of awareness struck like a blade to my spine, and an image obscured my vision. The feeling made me dizzy, and I grasped the table for support. I knew that forest. My muscles locked and my fingers curled at my sides.
The twins watched me with concern, and I forced a smile, shoving that infernal barrier closed again and locking it tight.
“We’ll figure it out,” I mumbled, and without a goodbye, I shadowed from the room, the castle grounds appearing around me. The conversation wasn’t over, but I had to go.Neededto go.
My power surged, and my body contorted and broke once more, shifting as massive, iridescent black wings burst from my back. My claws dug into the earth as I launched myself into the sky, turning west.
My little stalker was back in Nexia.
Chapter 8
Zara
Lana’s heeled boots clattered behind me, and the sound made me grit my teeth. She’d met me in the training yard after lunch so that I could shadow us to Territan for a meeting, and she was still wearing that damn shirt.
I wasn’t sure why it was bothering me so much, but my skin itched at seeing it on her.
My nails scratched across the skin on my left arm, my gaze narrowing on the emerald tattoo that was now branded onto my skin. Lana sighed heavily behind me, and I shot her a glare over my shoulder. A crimson cloak billowed behind her, and I was pretty fucking sure that and the brand new boots she was wearing had come from my closet as well.
Lana’s lips twisted into a smirk as she noticed me staring, and her pale eyes nearly glowed in the dim tunnel.
I pulled my emerald cloak tighter around my shoulders as I faced forward again, wincing as milky, enormous eyes flashed in my mind. The stench of foul breath filled my lungs.
I nearly tripped at the memory and shoved away the lingering image.
The hair on my neck stood up and my blood boiled, knowing this was why Lana had chosen a cave for this meeting.
Turning into an alcove, we were met by a cluster of witches in dark cloaks. Their outfits were a riot of color as we strode past, their heads bowed. I knew it was out of fear, not respect, but their opinions mattered little to me. Lana and I ascended a stone platform overlooking the room, and as we turned to the sea of faces, my voice cut through the silence, echoing off the stone walls.
“Freya, update.”
A tall, slender woman stepped forward, her pale blonde hair braided tightly against her scalp. Beneath her black cloak, she wore a flowing cerulean dress with gold embellishments that complemented her ebony skin. Small golden charms adorned her hair. Her sharp, angular features seemed to sharpen further as she lifted her chin to meet my gaze.
