Page 28 of Bound By Darkness

I expected him to lash out, to harbor hatred toward a half-breed, but he spoke flatly. “What she said is true. I rescued you to save Cethales—the greatest weapon in centuries.”

“I’m… not a weapon,” I said, stumbling through my words.

He shook his head. “You are one, half-breed. King Hywell made you believe you were a prisoner when in fact you were kept alive all these years to serve him. To be one of his playing cards in the war.”

My eyes widened as I took a step, my back hitting the wooden railing. All that suffering I’d experienced—the torture buried into my spine was for the man who’d murdered my family? To be hisweapon?

“That can’t be true,” I whispered. “The King—the King told me personally my family name would die. He told me I wasn’t valuable. I was cursed… my family was cursed forever.” This couldn’t be—“Then how come the King gave his blessing to trade me if I was so special?”

“He didn’t. I orchestrated theentire thing. All it took were a few lies… and a few truths about who rested in that prison.” He paused. “Well, and a Fae’s lust is a powerful tool, too.”

I gaped at him, shivers crawling up my spine like spiders. “You told Lord Haville about me?”

“Yes, but the result was always going to end with you here,” he said. “I even killed both bastards in retribution for you.”

His words struck me deeply. “The man with a satchel of gold,” I whispered so quietly my voice barely rose above the roaring in my ears. “He’s dead? You killed him?”

“He made it two steps. The sick bastard was too occupied counting his gold to see the sword strike through his heart.”

Tears welled in my eyes as a quiet sob escaped through my lips. My hands covered them quickly.

Gayle was dead. He would never hurt Moria ever again. Never force her to commit heinous actions. Never force her to do anything again. It provided more comfort than any warm bed.

His eyes narrowed. “Was he a friend? I assumed the opposite.”

I shook my head. “No,” I choked out. “No, he wasn’t.”

Ivan stared, his jaw clenching tightly before dipping his head in a curt nod. “I’ll give you some space,” he said as a hand reached for the door.

“Ivan?”

Flecks of silver met mine. “Yes?”

“If I am this… weapon you say I am, how does that help Cethales?”

He stayed quiet for a moment, the wind sending melodies to caress my ear.

“Because Cethales needs a hero,” he finally said. “Who better than the person born with casting? The only person in Cethales to have powers gifted by the Fae gods.”

His words sliced through my heart. “I’m… not a hero.” My eyes locked onto his. “This kingdom has done nothing for me. Why would I ever be a hero for Cethales when all it has done is curse me?” Truth spewed from my lips. This country had done nothingfor me except gift me a curse, and, in return, took all I cared about.

“Because it’s the right thing to do. If this war doesn’t end, there won’t be a place for you to go.”

“So?”

“Innocent children are dying! Your people are being slaughtered left and right by Hywell and the rebels. I rescued you to bring peace to Cethales, and to eliminate his greatest playing card.”

“What does that have to do with me? I didn’t agree to stop a war. I didn’t ask you to kidnap me. To… to thrust me into the middle of your choices.”

“I removed Hywell’s largest threat. He would have used you until nothing but ash remained.”

I swallowed. “I can’t fight in a war. I want—” What did I want? To live alone? To live peacefully? I had nothing I wanted except?—

“Your friend,” he blurted.

My head snapped to him. “What?”

“Your friend, Moria. She’s still in the prison, correct?”

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