“So, you are just going to give up? Let her win… It’s what you do best, right?” she scoffed incredulously.
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, come on, Zara. Do you hear yourself? This isn’t a fucking pity party. Fight back. Do something. Try. Don’t just give up!” Cynthia growled. “Fight until your last fucking breath. Be angry. At least then you can say you died for something.” Cynthia’s words cut into me like a blade, and I snarled. Cynthia only laughed. “She took your life from you, Zara. Your mother, your mate. Take something in return, don’t make it easier for her. Make it fucking hard.”
That coiling snake inside my chest seemed to warm and roar as if agreeing, and I sucked in a breath at the sensation. It had only ever been that icy, coiling snake, but this, this was different. This was warm and fiery, like a bird clawing to rip free and take flight.
My mind drifted to the countless other women, souls, and lives Morgana took—stole. It felt as if all of those lives I just thought of were reaching out, forcing me to listen. My chest swelled with the vengeance of centuries of women whose lives were taken, just as my own. But then the dungeon door burst open, startling Cynthia and me, shattering the intense moment.
I quickly wiped away my tears, but Cynthia’s eyes stayed locked on mine. She was still waiting for my response, for me to say something. But the burning fire in my chest winked out,returning to ice, and that dark thing coiled tightly against my ribs again, stealing my breath.
Theo strolled down the hall and stopped in front of Cynthia’s cell. He didn’t glance my way, his focus entirely on Cynthia, as he rested an arm on her cell door. Theo yelped and quickly pulled it away, rubbing at the now cut on his forearm. Cynthia frowned, looking in his direction, and I almost smiled. Almost.
I quickly frowned as I noticed the barbed metal was still on her cell–but not mine.
“Time to go mouthy,” Theo said, smirking, unlocking the door to the cell and swinging it wide as if he were making some grand gesture.
“My trial beginning, is it?” Cynthia spat, and Theo flinched, rubbing the back of his neck. His gaze landed on me, and he grinned.
“Look who is awake. Must have been some night you had,” Theo said, winking, and my cheeks burned. He probably scented me on Xavier, and I glowered at him. “You are missing out on some great sandwiches in the hall. Too bad you’re a prisoner and stuff.”
My stomach, to my annoyance, grumbled at the idea of food, and he must have heard, as he laughed. I didn’t bother to respond.
“Mouthy, on the other hand,” Theo said, slicing his gaze back to Cynthia.
Cynthia rolled her eyes and huffed as she glided past Theo into the hall. Her shoulder bumped his, and he feigned pain, clutching it as he turned and followed her down the darkened hallway. “Don't worry, I made sure they had extra cheese, just the way you like it.”
I watched them walk down the hall, my brows furrowing at their exchange. Cynthia didn't spare me a single glance back, not even a parting goodbye.
I hugged my knees to my chest, resting my head on them. Citrus and cedar filled my lungs with each breath, and I felt the bond between Xavier and me open. I flipped him off, projecting the image in my mind, hoping he could see it. A dark, silky chuckle hummed in my thoughts, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. The barrier slammed shut again, and then I was alone.
Chapter 30
Xavier
My talons felt no impact from the feeble fists that struck them. My wings sliced through the air, a grin stretching across my fangs.
Glancing down I spotted Zara still flailing, her curses and shouts swallowed by the wind. I'd cast a protective spell on her, shielding her from the elements, yet she was panicking, eyes wide, as she continued to kick and slap at me. I had no idea what she expected me to do—let her fall from mid-air?
My smile widened at the thought, and I tucked my wings tightly to my side, plummeting. Free-falling toward the ground, I opened the pathway between our bond. The shrill panic sent me into laughter.
You fucking bastard, let me down. What are you doing?! Don’t you fucking dare. Ahh!!
After nearly falling a hundred feet, I unfurled my wings, leveling us out as I glided upward to regain the lost altitude.
Are you trying to kill me?! Put me down! This is humiliating! At least let me ride on your back or something! I'm not luggage!
No, but you are my prisoner. That means I get to decide how you are tortured. Although I do prefer making you scream in other ways.
My words rumbled towards her, a silky purr of desire lacing them.
Pig.
I chuckled, not bothering to respond, and Zara seemed to give up on her futile attempt to unfurl my talon.
We were heading toward the camp, following Soren’s instructions. He had dominated the meeting the other day, and as much as it ticked me off, I knew we had to trust him. Soren gave Theo a scroll and instructed him to take Cynthia to meet with the rebel leader in Velra.
He gave Jaxon two scrolls, and my stomach twisted at seeing them. I knew what one of them would contain… but Soren instructed him vehemently not to open that one until after the battle. So, at least it gave me more time to prepare for the inevitable fallout when he finally discovered the truth.
