Page 112 of Bound By Darkness

My head rapidly shook as I took a step back. “No,” I whispered, my voice raspy.

“I didn’t ask.” Every word mixed with his pride as he took a step forward. “But I guess a deal is to be had.”

With a flick of his wrist, the woman with ruby lips peered forward, a bundle of papers resting in her hand. With a turn, he cleared his throat. “My informant interceded these rebel plans on their way to this town. My spies are excellent and notified me immediately when two strange women visited this town… especially a woman resembling my wife,” he said. “Regarding these plans, I do not need something so trivial.”

His gaze traveled to Naexi who stumbled to her legs. Her hand cradled her arm.

“I’ll give you these plans in exchange for my daughter, as it is in my blood right to do so. I wish to avoid an altercation with Iyanna, and killing you would place an unnecessary target on my back.”

“Why? Do you believe I’m a fool who would fall for such a naive plan?”

“You are a Fae woman following her orders. It is a liability for you to hold a weapon you have no clue wielding, let alone a sword,” he scoffed.

Naexi bared her teeth as she stumbled beside me. “You say a sword in the hands of a woman is a liability,” she said as her uninjured arm rose in defense. “Let me smother you with my bare hands and see if you still sprout such nonsense. At least it won’t be quick.”

Euris laughed, low and wicked. “You have one hand. It won’t do much against me, dear,” he said before waving a hand in dismissal. “I’ll state the option once more before Ruby here lights the plans on fire. Leave Moria behind, and these are yours.”

Naexi glanced at me, her eyes tinted with a strange gleam. She turned back to Euris, her hand lowering slightly. “How do I know those are real?”

Euris gestured to the scroll. “Show them.”

The woman unfurled a corner of the paper as the rebellion crest, inked onto the paper with thick wax, came into view.

Naexi grew still.

Euris smiled. “You see what I hold is true,” he said as he placed a hand over his chest. “You have my unbroken vow I will hand over these papers if you agree to hand over Moria. You can tell Iyanna I provided this as a… gift. A gift to keep her war far from King Hywell.”

“King Hywell sent you?” Naexi asked as she assessed the High Fae male.

Euris flicked lint from his shirt. “Of course. Your little rampage on Galar enraged him, and he sent me to clean up your mess,” he snapped. “A peace offering, if you will. Rebel plans in exchange for your cooperation. Well, your silence.” He jerked his head to me. “Moria is my priority, and I will include her in this deal for personal reasons.”

My father’s smile widened as Naexi took another step forward. “If you take her with you, what do you plan to do?”

Euris’ jaw flexed. “It is not your concern, and time is waning. Someone will spot us soon, and I won’t be caught in a filthy alley with rats.”

Naexi looked back at me once more before locking eyes with Euris. “So… for the rebel plans, you need my silence and Moria?”

Euris grinned, his eyes blazing with power. “As the Mother blessed Cethlaes.”

Naexi’s brows furrowed before turning to me. “I’m sorry,” she said finally. “These plans will save my people.”

I stumbled back. I knew it was coming, but the blow stillsurprisingly hurt. She wasn’t even an acquaintance, but it stung more than anything to know my life was worth less than a bundle of papers.

Euris laughed as he took a step forward. “Come, Moria. Do not make me fight you.”

I took another shaky step backward, the mist lifting from the alley as my father smiled at me. I couldn’t go back. I’d prefer to spend my entire life in prison than spend another minute locked in Raha under my father’s reign.

Reaching to grab the dagger at my hip, I figured death would be sweeter than another life of servitude. I would not let them take me. Abuse me. Use me as another weapon.

Thalia’s face flashed in my mind at the promise I had made her in prison before we were separated. What would she say if she found out about what I’d done? About the promise I’d broken?

Gripping the hilt, I steadied my racing heart.

Mother, give me strength.

A piercing cry from the back of the alley startled me as Ruby fell to her knees. A dagger protruded from her heart as a trickle of liquid escaped down her chin—the same color as her lips.

Naexi huffed as she yanked the dagger from her chest. The woman’s body crumpled to the ground, her face lying in a puddle of mud.

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