Page 35 of Tortured

It’s too late, Kenrik, Caedryn wheezes, as out of breath as both Niawen and I are. I feel her.

No. I groan. No.

By rights, I would have been the one to feel this anyway. She’s my wife. That’s my child. We made bonds.

You don’t have them anymore. I have them.

Half of them, he snarls. You’ve never taken her in your arms as I have.

Shut up!

Open your sight to her, Caedryn says. Show me what she sees. Tell me what you hear.

Another pain slices through me. I curl into a ball. My sight takes me far away, to the inside of a cramped cottage. I recognize the face that stands over me. The fur trader. A friend of Niawen’s. Owein.

The fur trader. Interesting, Caedryn mutters as he sucks in a breath. It gives me great satisfaction to know he’s feeling this all as well. Show me more.

I can’t deny him. I can’t block. I try. I shake my head as I will the light fused to my mind to deny Caedryn access.

Sheep bleat nearby. A cool breeze stirs across my face from an open window. The sun’s rising.

Caedryn laughs. You’ve just sealed Niawen’s fate, young prince. She’s in Brenin’s realm. They are a few hours behind me. The sun rose here hours ago. I thank you.

Go to hell!

“Kenrik.” Riahn kneels over me. “This isn’t food poisoning. What is it?”

“It’s Niawen. The woman I have a bond with. She’s in labor.”

She snorts. “And you can’t block her.”

“I’m not like the half-emrys. I’m not always good at blocking, and apparently labor is not something a man should ever feel.”

“Westin,” she calls. “It’s emotional pain.” She chuckles. “Our dear seafarer is giving birth.”

Kian and Gilmar both break out in laughter.

“Settle in.” Riahn waves Westin over. “You’re in for a long night.”

“No.” I grunt. “No. I deserve to feel it. I deserve to feel it all.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. What about this Caedryn you told me about? You don’t want him to feel her.”

“It’s too late,” I grumble. “It’s too late. He knows.”

“Well, then, just take a rest. Nothing you can do to change that.”

Westin sits near my head and presses his palms to my scalp. “You so owe me.”

A warmth courses through me. I relax onto my back, and my body goes slack. I lose all connection with Niawen and Caedryn. I don’t feel anything.

I hear nothing but the crackle of the campfire. A meteor streaks overhead as a tear leaks from my eye.

I am sorry, Niawen. I am so sorry.

Chapter 17

I crouch outside the fence. Riahn grunts as she slides into place beside me. Rain drenches us.

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