Page 116 of A Shattered Kingdom of Steel

“Viridian. You understand the mate bond better than anyone,” a feminine voice protests, fierce with conviction. Almost immediately, I recognize it as Cryssa, Viridian’s wife and mate. “How can you lock him up?”

“If only it was that simple, Little Fawn.” A sigh. “He may be Lymseia’s mate, but he’s responsible for the attack at Nemos’s pass. For the deaths of good, loyal members of the Guard. If I let that go unpunished, I risk losing the council’s support. Given the existing threats to our rule, and perhaps to our lives—to your life—that’s not something I’m willing to risk.”

They’re silent for what feels like a long while.

Cryssa lets out a huff. Footsteps sound back and forth, as if she’s pacing. “Well, we can’t leave him there.”

Viridian exhales. “I know. I need time to consider what I’ll tell the council. Some sort of solution I can present that they’ll accept.”

That must satisfy her, because the pacing stops. “We’ll think of something. Together.”

“Always,” Viridian murmurs.

Cloth rustles, as if he’s pulling her into his arms.

“Go,” he says, his voice soft. “I’ll come find you after.”

“All right,” Cryssa replies, her tone matching that of her mate. “I love you more than anything.”

“More than anything,” Viridian repeats.

With a set jaw, I straighten my back and train my eyes ahead.

The High King stalks to my jail cell, keeping more than an arm’s length between us. If he suspects I overheard his exchange with Cryssa, he doesn’t show it.

The male I used to be would have been enraged, demanding to be released at once. He would claim the king has no evidence, therefore no reason to hold me here.

But now?

Now I understand. Viridian is doing what he thinks is best for his kingdom. For his mate. I’d do the same for mine. Keeping her safe is never far from my mind.

“What is it?” Anxiety has its tight grip around my throat, threatening to choke me. “Is she awake?” When Viridian says nothing, my hard demeanor falls apart. “Please, I need to know if she’s all right.”

Viridian swallows, tension working at his jaw. He merely shakes his head. “No. She hasn’t awakened yet.”

“Then try something else,” I demand, slamming my hand against the hard, stone wall. “Do something!”

“I am trying something else,” Viridian says, mouth tight. He gestures toward my cell, and with a wave of his hand, the guard accompanying him quickly undoes the door’s magical lock. Opening it, he stands aside, creating a forward path for me.

I stare at the guard and then Viridian. “What is this?”

“Come with me,” Viridian says, already moving toward the door leading out of the dungeon.

Hesitation slows my movements, my feet stopping just before crossing into the space outside of my cell.

Is this a trick?

“If you care for Lymseia,” Viridian says, raising his voice so I can hear, “you’ll come with me.”

“I would do anything for her,” I tell him, my tone icy.

“Her clock is ticking, Lord Larmanne.”

This may still be a trick, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take.

I waste no time. Quickly, I catch up to Viridian, adjusting my pace to maintain a good distance behind him. The guards close in around me, blocking me from all sides, moving as one. Viridian leads us up High Keep’s main staircase, through a hallway, and into a bedchamber.

My heart stops when I see her.

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