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“I love you,” I whispered.

He nodded. “I love you. And I always will.”

Then he turned toward the distant castle, and his grip on my hand tightened as he led me back with shoulders and jaw set.

Return the Circle

~ VOSKI ~

I found Breckon’s horse grazing in a clearing not far from where his body lay, bleeding into the dirt, which meant we could travel more quickly. A win, because dawn threatened. I had to get her back before the sun rose.

Before we were within sight of the final clearing where they’d formed the circle, I positioned Grace over the horse’s withers in front of me, her body slack, arms and head dangling on one side, legs on the other.

Grace did an admirable job of appearing unconscious. I needed her face down so they couldn’t see she didn’t have the paste painted on her anymore.

I laid a hand on her back, between her shoulder blades and grimaced, once more hating myself because we couldn’t communicate in the bond. But as I cantered the horse toward the edge of the wood, where the morning light would soon light up the clearing, I prayed that block would disappear quickly.

The moment we broke through the trees, I cursed under my breath. I felt Grace tense, and I patted her back surreptitiously. She couldn’t give any indication that she was conscious. And I was glad that she couldn’t see what I saw.

Which was the clearing empty, except for my mother.

No. Fucking no! The ritual required the Circle. The Circle couldn’t be broken until the hunt was fulfilled, or the sun rose! Even though the horizon glowed with hints of dawn coming, it hadn’t risen yet.

“What the fuck have you done?!” I spat at my mother as I slid the horse to a halt on the grass, then leaped off, dragging Grace with me, folding her over my arm and carrying her. “The Circle has to be completed—”

Mother stood, arms folded and lips pursed, her chin high. “You took too long. What the hell happened?”

“Where the fuck is the Circle? Bring them back!” I snarled, letting Grace crumple to the dirt at my feet, praying I’d positioned her in a way that didn’t hurt, but I couldn’t let Mother think I cared more for her than for my own victory. “We are here—I won!”

“The dawn rises—”

“The sun has not appeared!”

“The light took the skies, and they left. Don’t blame me for your fucking failings!” she snapped back. “Just like your father, looking to lay blame when—”

I feinted, snapped a hand up, pretending I would take her by the throat again, and she flinched. But we both froze.

I didn’t miss the fear that flashed in her eyes… or the underlying self-satisfaction.

I shook my head slowly. “What the fuck are you up to?” But I didn’t let her reply. “It doesn’t matter. Do you hear me, Mother—you don’t matter. I’ve already won. She’s mine. Claimed. Paired. And I defeated the challenge. Breckon is dead, and with him, so goes his claim. The challenge is over. And if you don’t bring the Circle back and give me what’s mine, then I have no reason to assist or expand you, or anyone who remains after this shitshow is done.”

She showed no response to the threat, but her expression lit up at the words that Breckon was dead. “Truly?” she breathed. “You removed him completely?”

“The body lies next to the stream not far from where you hid her. Next time, be more clever,” I said dismissively. “The challenge wasn’t in finding her, but in ensuring she remained alive after you overdosed her with the plants. For fuck’s sake.” I shook my head as if she were a disappointing teen.

She only smiled wider. “I’ll send the caretakers to—”

“You’ll remove the shackles,” I muttered. “Now.”

“Of course, of course,” she said, laughing, placing a light hand on my forearm. “We’ll return to the ritual chamber and I’ll have—”

“No, Mother. I overcame the challenge. I took the adversary. I won the prize. Now, you’ll remove the shackles and give me the Dominus—save face. You don’t have to be humbled before the rest of them. But it is time. Now.”

She continued to smile, but her eyes narrowed and she tipped her head. “But… how? How do you expect me to do that alone? It requires the Circle—”

“Then bring the fucking Circle back.”

“Make me.”