Page 59 of Own To Obsess

Shaya’s recovery was quicker in their bed, and her moments of consciousness and strength lasted longer each day. She still had to sleep a lot, which annoyed the fuck out of him. He wanted her gaze, his kisses, her touch on him. He wanted to be able to celebrate with her and tell her how much she was loved in the Isles, by the people and by him, but she still needed time.

One afternoon, Zolt came to see him, forcing him to leave her side.

Kardos stormed into his study. “I said I didn’t want to be interrupted!”

“I know, my shinno,” Zolt said hurriedly, “but you said to come to you with this information urgently.”

Kardos stilled. “The attacker?”

Zolt nodded. “Evidence is showing it was Anata.”

Kardos lifted his head in understanding. He should have known. Perhaps she was working for Tribe Obari all along. “Do you have her?”

“Yes,” Zolt said.

“Good,” Kardos growled, storming to the door. “She will die today.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

SHAYA

Shaya lay staring at the ceiling.

Although her fingers, toes, and arms no longer felt numb, a numbness had crept inside her somehow. Not deep enough for her to feel any kind of depression, but enough to give her a strange kind of clarity.

She had been naive. She believed things at first glance without questioning them, taken things at face value without understanding that there were deeper meanings behind everything. Out of principle, she tried to protect her sister by taking her place, but Shaya was the one who’d needed protecting. She hadn’t realized how complicated and manipulative people could be.

Kardos manipulated her from the beginning.

Even if she had not volunteered in her sister's place, he admitted would have found a way to get her to the Southern Lands—to do what he wanted with her. It was unlikely he would have kept her for himself, since he was already betrothed to someone else. He saw something he wanted, and he took it. That was it. It wasn't any more complicated than that. The fact that she was an Omega gave him more reasons to secure her, and once he did, he used it to his advantage in every way. He never would stop using her, no matter how much he tried to convince her or himself that she was important to him. She was important for his seat. But not important the way a mate should be, not in the way her sister had told her.

The bond felt like it was preening. Swirling slowly and arrogantly in her chest, pride and satisfaction dominant within it.

She wasn't even disappointed, just empty, like part of her had been sucked away.

“Shaya.” Rozalia appeared at her side and took her hand. “How do you feel? Still drowsy?”

Shaya kept her eyes on the ceiling, her hand limp. What was the point in engaging with these people anymore?

“Shaya,” Rozalia said, her voice hoarse whisper. “Please speak to me. I've told Kardos you need more time, but I know you are well enough to speak.”

Shaya tilted her head to one side, drawing her eyes down to look at her. “Why did he do it?”

Rozalia's body jerked the question, and Shaya had never seen her expression so troubled. “He felt he had to.”

“For the seat.” It wasn't a question; it was the conclusion of Rozalia’s response.

Rozalia didn't answer; she didn't have to do.

Shaya's eyes returned to the ceiling.

“How are you feeling?” Rozalia asked again, sitting down on the edge of the bed, a fake brightness in her tone.

“Used.”

“Shaya…”

The silence that hung between them was clearly uncomfortable for Rozalia, but Shaya had never been more calm, more clear, and better able to understand what she needed to do.

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