Page 31 of A Broken Throne of Bronze

“Like hell I’m leaving you.” He’s here because of me. The thought of leaving him here alone has guilt twisting in my stomach.

“Yes, you are,” he says, more forcefully this time. “If you get caught down here, Cryssa… Fated or not, I can’t let myself think of what he’ll do to you.”

The Crown Prince.

My nostrils flare, brows pinched together. Even when he’s not here, he infuriates me.

“That gods-damned bastard.” I hate him for putting us in this situation.

“You can give him hell later,” Loren says, as if he can read my mind.

I open my mouth to protest.

“Please, Cryssa,” he begs. “Go.”

I stare at him for a moment, unblinking.

“Fine,” I grind out at last. “But I’m coming back for you, and you can’t stop me.”

Loren flashes me that toothy grin. “Of course not.”

I reach through the bars to give his upper arm a squeeze before backing away. Once he’s no longer in my line of sight, I quicken my pace, staying close to the stone walls.

Lowering my body, I climb the stairs. My thighs burn, begging for release, but I don’t rise to my full height until I’m back upstairs.

Poking my head out, my eyes sweep the surrounding area.

Whoever was here a moment ago is gone. But I know they can’t be far.

Tiptoeing back into the main floor of the castle, I push the door closed behind me. Hair pin in hand, I quickly turn around to lock it, so there’s no evidence of me being here.

“Where do you think you’re going?” a deep voice says behind me.

Panic rises in my chest. I whirl around.

Viridian stands before me. His pants hang low on his waist, and his thin, white shirt does little to hide his muscular frame. The top of his shirt is untied, revealing the smooth planes of his chest. His shaggy black hair is mussed with sleep, falling in front of his calculating amber eyes.

“How long have you been standing there?” I snap, forcing myself to take my eyes off his physique.

Fear claws at my throat. Does he know I was in the dungeons?

“Long enough.” Viridian’s gaze narrows. The way he says it makes me think that he wants me to believe that he’s been trailing me for longer than he actually has. “I asked you a question, Little Fawn. Where do you think you’re going?”

“To the kitchens,” I lie, leveling my expression. If there’s a chance that he doesn’t know what I’ve been up to, then I can’t slip up now. “I’m feeling a bit hungry.”

“You’re hungry? At this hour?”

“Yes. I’m hungry.”

“You passed the kitchens.”

“Did I?” I ask. “How silly of me.”

Unconvinced, Viridian takes the candelabra from me.

“You may be a good liar,” he says and steps closer, cornering me until my back is pressed to the wall. His chest is like an impenetrable barrier before me, keeping me pinned here, under his intense stare. “But I’m not fool enough to fall for it.”

My body betrays me. Heat rises to my cheeks and gathers in my core. I exhale, forcing myself to breathe through the sensation.

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