Page 6 of Veil of Night & Flames

“I went for a walk,” I say. “I thought you’d sleep for hours. Maybe days.”

“I feel like I have.” He winces as he pushes himself up against the headboard. “And I’m sore,” he adds with a grimace. “But mostly I’m alive.” His eyes meet mine. “Thanks to you.”

“No,” I say, moving to sit beside him on the bed. “Thanks to Adric.”

He nods, then silently takes my hand. I’m quiet, too, lost in this surreal moment. Chase is alive because the blood of a brother he’s been at odds with for more time than I can comprehend now flows in his veins. The same brother with whom I’d just⁠—

No.

I shut that thought down hard. Because how can I tell him? He doesn’t need that awkward truth added to everything he’s dealing with.

“Why?”

I jump a little, then remind myself that he can’t read my mind. “Why what?”

“Why did he save me?” He reaches out to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear. “I’m a huge thorn in his side. I have been for years.”

I wave a dismissive hand. “You’re his brother. Of course, he’d save you.”

But I don’t quite meet his eyes when I say that. After all, Adric hadn’t exactly jumped at the thought of playing the hero when I’d begged for his help. Instead, he’d asked for payment. And I was the price.

And that’s why when morning comes, I’ll be standing at Adric’s side as the betrothal ceremony officially binds us. A ceremony that Chase still knows nothing about.

“Trust me,” he continues. “I know my brother. If he hasn’t already extracted his price, he soon will.”

“Maybe he’s not as bad as you think.”

Chase almost chuckles. “I know him better than you. I’m his brother, and yet he tortured me for a millennium.”

I draw a breath, then take his hand. “I know you were tortured, but it’s not what you think.”

He chokes out a small laugh. “I was there.”

“One day,” I say, then realize I’m crying. I wipe away the tear and continue. “Adric ordered you held for one day.”

“The hell he did. I still remember every⁠—”

“Kali.” My voice is firm. Certain. “He never intended you to be held that long, much less tortured. She acted on her own.”

“And you know this because he told you?” I can hear the sneer in his voice.

“I think you know it, too. You know the man. You never understood how he could do that to you. And you were right. He never did.”

I watch his face, catching the moment when he believes.

“I’m so sorry.”

He looks away. “He’s not a fucking saint. He demanded a price for my cure, didn’t he?”

I nod. He’s right about that.

I draw a breath. “What if it were me? What if I’d been the one dying, and you’d been the one begging him to help? What price would you have paid then?”

He’s quiet for a beat, then his eyes lock on mine. “Anything,” he says. “I’d give the bastard whatever he wanted.”

I nod, my throat choked with tears, and I reach up to brush an errant one from my cheek.

He squeezes my hand. “Tell me.”