Page 56 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

They may have been caught in some compromising situations and shared a kiss or two, but one thing was for fucking sure. I didn’t smell a hint of lust on him now or before when I had bumped into the two of them. Kaden thought he had control over me because of Xavier, but he was hiding something. They both were. If I wanted to see Xavier again, I was going to use it to my advantage.

“Check fucking mate.”

TWENTY-ONE

SAMKIEL

The natural spring near the mountain’s edge is damn near freezing, but gods, was I happy for a bath. We had made another stop at a neighboring castle to retrieve something so vicious that they had lost six guards trying to contain it. Ultimately, they managed it, and I felt for the creature. It had screamed all night, scaring away the large predators that hunted these hills. It wasn’t until the soldiers opened a crate carrying spears tipped with heated prongs and poked at the beast that it went quiet. Orym had to hold me down so I didn’t interfere.

“Still pissed?”

I heard the water splash near me. “No, but it goes against everything I believe in for one to suffer at the hands of another, especially one already caged.”

“If you had interfered, they’d have killed you.”

“Doubtful.”

“Or worse, your entire cover would be blown.”

I raised a handful of water to my face, scrubbing at the prickly hair along my chin and neck that threatened to grow back. “Sometimes, it is not about me or what I wish. To let another suffer . . . I can’t. If it happens again, do not stop me.”

Orym swallowed. “I have to.”

My eyes narrowed. “And why is that?”

His eyes darted toward the water’s edge and the guards patrolling the tree line. Several of them were talking, but they all watched us carefully.

“I’ll tell you tonight.”

That was all he said before sinking into the water and swimming away. Frustrated, I returned to my makeshift bath. My side seemed less tender but still sensitive. The ominous lines around the wound were still spreading. I felt weaker than usual, more winded, and I wondered how deep that poison lay.

I just wished Dianna were here. I missed her. This was the longest we had been apart since Onuna, and I hated every fucking second of it. Every crackle of leaves or noise pulled me from my sleep, expecting to see red eyes. I wanted her to find me, but I knew she wouldn’t, not until I left here or got a message to her. These realms were dangerous, even for my brave, fiery girl. I needed to know she was safe, alive, and whole.

I glanced down at my finger and the empty space where a mark should be and cursed. She was my amata, and yet it hadn’t shown. If I just had it, I could feel her, sense her, and let her know where I was, but it was not there. The patch of skin remained bare, an empty space where my soulmate bond should be.

Worry made my stomach churn, and I was unsure if it was concern for her safety or from the poison digging deeper. I made it to the water’s edge before what I ate came back up again.

“DON’T STARE.”

I glanced toward Orym as we sat around the fire. It was still only us, the rest of the prisoners avoiding us. I stirred the slop they gave us every night, my stomach rolling.

“I have more of that root in my knapsack if you need it.”

I shook my head. “It’s not helping anymore.”

“If the healers from Jade City poisoned you, then they are all that can help.”

I nodded, stabbing the lumpy mush with my spoon. “Good to know.”

Silence fell, the fire pitching a fraction higher as Orym placed another piece of wood. The guards made their rounds, glaring at us and making remarks as they passed. They hated him the most, it seemed. No one had questioned us about the three missing guards. They had continued to go about their business, claiming the beasts in the woods had taken them.

The fire burned brighter, the crackling picking up and the flames emitting a low hiss.

“I need to talk to you.” Orym moved closer, eating his food as he watched the surrounding area. “Just pretend to eat.”

I didn’t look at him but nodded.

“I wasn’t just kicked out of the legion for rebellion. I was also a spy for The Eye. My sister, as well.”

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