Page 44 of Tortured

Kian’s attempting to heal me—

From an emotional pain so intense I’m blinded to everything else.

I push them away and scrape to my feet. “I’m fine.”

I’m not fine.

I’ll never be fine.

“What happened this time?” Riahn asks softly.

“I can’t.” I shake my head and stalk off into the dark.

I don’t feel right. Something deep inside me feels all wrong. Broken. Hollow.

My bond with Niawen is destroyed.

I stop a few yards from camp. I twist my neck. Arch my back.

I no longer feel her pull.

She’s truly gone.

I stop, rooted to the spot. I can’t draw breath. I can’t form a coherent thought besides She’s gone. Gone. She’s gone.

I’ll never see her again.

But I never expected to.

I didn’t keep her safe. Staying away did nothing to keep her from Caedryn!

I should have been with her. I could have protected her!

A fury builds inside. My blood races through my body, burning as it goes, imbued by the heat of my light. The scorching fire doesn’t cause the pain I wish it would.

Burn the agony from me!

Moisture dampens my cheeks.

I remain rigid.

I sense my team winding down for the night. From my distance, I hear Riahn telling them to leave me alone and that she’ll take first watch.

What am I doing here? My breaths come strong and heavy. I’ve failed at everything in my life. I failed to be the brother I should have. I failed to be the son I should have. I failed to protect the woman I loved, and now I’m an assassin for someone I don’t care for, don’t owe allegiance to.

All these years abroad have just been to distract me from what I can’t have. Family.

All because of Caedryn.

Why did he do this? Why did he kill Niawen?

And I’m still connected to him!

I have to get rid of him, of this vile, despicable connection I have to Caedryn. Niawen is dead. I don’t have to protect her anymore. I don’t have to hold onto my promise to her to stay away from Caedryn. I just need to be free from his torment.

Get revenge for Niawen.

I skirt around the camp to where Riahn is on watch, right through the bramble bushes and over fallen logs. The stickers cling to my clothes, but I don’t care.

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