Page 120 of Haunted

And I howl.

Kenrik has broken my legs with his bare hands.

I screech into the cavernous recesses of the dungeon. My vision blurs. I vomit from the pain.

Kenrik crouches over Niawen. “You must wake.”

I wipe vomit from my chin. “Is she alive?”

He glares at me. “She is no longer your concern.”

“Just tell me she’s alive.” My legs twitch, and I gasp. They’re rapidly swelling. I might never walk straight again. “Did our child save her?”

“Yes. And you will never set your eyes on her face again.” Kenrik stomps over and punches me in the face.

My world blackens.

Welcome relief to ease me from my pain.

77

I wake several hours later. My men carry me to my chambers, and a physician sets my legs so my light can begin the healing, but it takes time, time I can’t wait for. I’m furious. Rage boils through me. I yell. I throw things. The physician gives me a draught to calm me.

And for the pain, which is excruciating.

I almost have sympathy for Kenrik.

Almost.

But he has my Niawen. He’s spirited her away.

I am told they escaped the city, after Kenrik fought my guards off with inhuman strength.

How?

What did Niawen’s light do to him?

He’s mortal. He should not have been able to harness light and access inhuman strength.

But he does have Niawen’s light. Light that is bound with mine.

Kenrik and I should be connected.

Can you hear me, Kenrik?

Nothing, just yet. Niawen may have warned him and taught him how to throw a block up. I will bide my time.

In the meantime, I think over the possibilities. Kenrik will want to keep Niawen safe. They’re most likely headed south, to his realm, to his family, where they’ll have protection.

I have to stop him before they get there.

I send men to search the plains in the south. They will have the most luck if they intercept Kenrik and Niawen before they reach the mountains.

I can only wait and hope and pry with my might into Kenrik’s mind.

Even with his block, I feel remnants of Niawen, an echo of what we used to have.

My stomach turns.

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