Page 131 of Blooms of Darkness

“Ian,” I sobbed and struggled to get out of Kade’s grip so I could run to him.

But Kade was stronger, and his shadows snatched me to his chest, holding me there despite my fighting. “Get your hands, shadows, and everything off of me.”

Kade ignored me, instead focusing all of his attention on Ian. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

Ian drew his sword from his side, his face a mask of rage. “Then get your hands off of her.”

Storm bolted into the room next. “We need to go.”

“I know,” Kade shouted. “Having a bit of trouble.”

Storm glanced at the king, then back to Kade. “What the fucking hell?”

“I’ll explain lat—Behind you!” Kade shouted.

Storm spun on his heels, knocking the dark one behind him off balance. He lit him on fire and shoved him from the room. In seconds, the Fae turned to ash.

My eyes widened in fear. Storm and Kade were so much more powerful than they ever let on. We’d stupidly trusted them, bringing them into our inner circle.

I seethed, taking Kade by surprise as I turned into his arms instead of trying to get away. “Murderer. Is it why you fucked me?” I shoved at his chest, reaching down into my boot for my last dagger. “You wanted to get close to the royal family you've been criticizing since we met?”

“This isn’t what it seems, Illiana. Stop!” His voice was firmer now, but nothing he said would make me listen to him.

Nothing.

“We will not hurt you,” Storm said behind me, moving toward Ian, who turned his sword from Kade immediately on Storm.

Ian snorted. “Right, but you murder our king?”

Kade lunged, wrapping his arms around me again, shadows tighter than before.

I renewed my vigor in struggling, stomping my foot on Kade’s. He grimaced, but didn’t budge, or even flinch in his hold on me. “I hate you,” I wheezed out, my strength fading.

What was happening? My body weakened, and even though it slackened, Kade still held me.

Storm started talking in low, hushed breaths to Ian, his hands in front of him. The second Ian let his guard down, Storm wrapped his arms around Ian’s neck.

“No,” I shouted.

Storm’s lips were moving next to Ian’s ear, and then, his eyes rolled back.

“Ian!” I cried, something irrevocably breaking inside of me. I was trapped. Trapped in a hold like I was trapped in a cell allthose years ago. Trapped while I watched Ian die. With nothing to do to save him.

“Shhh, it’s all right. He’s not dead. I swear it. We would never.” Kade’s shadows stroked my hair, and I could hear his voice, trying to reassure me in my ear. But I didn’t trust anything he’d tell me.

Not ever again.

“I don’t believe you.” I kicked my leg out and fell, Kade picked me up, while his shadows kept my arms tightened to my body.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “Please forgive me and know all of this is for your own good.”

One of his shadows danced closer to my face and shoved a vial of liquid into my mouth. I knew this bitter taste. A sleeping draught.

“I’ll hate you for the rest of my life,” I managed to whisper.

My body sagged into the solid muscles of the man I thought I was falling in love with, and the pain and torture my heart had just gone through faded into oblivion.

Chapter 38

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