Page 132 of Bound By Darkness

“The rebels discovered the location of this camp in their efforts to search for you,” Iyanna blankly stated. “Meaning there is a traitor among the camp feeding the rebels information. Information that will cost the lives of everyone at the Hideaway.”

Everything spun and shifted.No.

I took a step back. “Because of me, the rebels are going to attack?”

“They would have attacked anyway,” Ivan cut in.

“Stop it with the lies,” Iyanna pressed. “Of course they are attacking because of you. A woman of prophecy such as yourself should handle the blame that title comes with.”

Ivan growled. “Iyanna?—”

“Bite your tongue, dog.” Iyanna tapped the parchment. “This is because of you, Thalia. Do you see what your presence does? Why I am deliberate in you using your casting? Because the rebels, Armas, hells, all of Cethales will continue to come after youuntil this war ends,” she snapped.

“Then give me time to learn! The lessons at night aren’t helping. I should be training with Ivan instead of filling my head with writing and reading,” I bit back. “At least he teaches me how to fight. How to wield a sword to defend myself.”

Iyanna’s nail pointed at me. “You think we have time for you to spar? What we need you learning is your casting. War does not allow time, especially now with Euris Feyron and King Hywell on our backs.”

“What do you mean they are on our backs?” Ivan asked, his face growing paler by the minute.

Iyanna waved a hand. “Moria and Naexi ran into Euris Feyron and fell for the trap he had placed. He used the rebel plans as bait, and now King Hywell is after us on top of the rebels barking at our door.” Iyanna flicked her thick braids over her shoulder.

“You ran into your father?” Moria only mentioned terrible things about her father in prison. For her to have met him?

Moria’s eyes softened. “Yes. He’s cruel, but he never lies. He never intended to fight. The goal was for us to take the rebel plans so he could tell King Hywell we stole them. He planned it so it would look like we instigated war against the King.”

“With the rebels and King Hywell closing in on us, we have no choice but to fight back,” Iyanna added. “You will fight to protect this camp.”

“I have no issues with fighting to protect these people,” I spat. “What I do not appreciate is you telling me I have to use my casting when I’ve yet to master it. It could lead to ruination instead if I don’t learn to control it.”

“Then learn to control it,” Iyanna snapped. “For the time being, your training with Ivan will cease. You will train with me every day until we get an idea of when the rebels will attack.”

The command sliced through my body, hot and thick.

“If I so much as see you lounging about, I will add a weeks worth of work before you are able to search for the Book of Spells.”

“You promised?—”

“Quiet!” A hand raised in the air. “It is settled. Go and fetch Naexi for me.”

“Why?” I snapped.

“If we are about to discuss battle plans, I want her in here. Go fetch her,” she growled, the command slicing through the room.

Irritation flowed through me as my body acted on her words, my feet propelling me to the cascading jewels.

“I will fight for this camp, but I won’t fight for you,” I said before exiting the room, my blood boiling with rage.

Chapter 39

Ghostly Deals

KAYDN

Iyanna clicked her tongue.“What the hells are you doing?”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Wasting my time with the both of you. Especially since you like putting orders on Thalia whenever it’s convenient for you.”

Iyanna’s fingers curled around the edge of the desk as a snarl rose from her chest. “You reek ofher.”

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