Page 77 of Shadows of Ruin

I screamed, trying to jump through the flames, but it was no use.

I saw him.

I saw Ian lying on the ground, reaching toward me. Andras grinned, grasping a black blade over his head and slamming it into Ian’s side.

I jerked upward, shouting.

Tears stained my cheeks and my heart fluttered in time with my breaths.

I jumped out of bed, scanning the room for Ian. For Andras.

But I was alone.

Sunlight beamed through the large windows, falling across my skin and drawing my attention to my surroundings

I wasn’t in the castle. Not in the dungeons.

But Ian was.

Fates, Ian remained trapped in Ellevail, and I couldn’t get to him.

I wobbled, leaning toward the bed before crawling back into it. This time when I’d relived my nightmare, Ian and I had swapped places.

I drew my legs into my chest, rocking. Squeezing my eyes shut, I pretended Ian sat next to me. I was in Mysthaven. This was real.Real as roses.I heard his voice, forcing myself to believe I heard it.

It was a dream. I repeated it over and over.

My breathing slowed, my body letting go of some of the tension balled in my shoulders and chest.

Gulping in one more deep, slow breath, I let go of all of it.

I’d done it. I’d soothed myself without Elisabeth’s tonic, without Ian. I let myself feel the inner strength I possessed. The triumph blossomed inside of me.

I am stronger than the darkness within me.

I’d need to be strong to rescue Ian, and all of that started today. Cassandra would tell me why Kade needed me here, and then he’d take me home. I’d make Andras pay for everything he’d done to Ian, and my home, in my absence.

I turned my head, looking toward the bright windows with a settled sense of resolve washing over me.

My gaze caught on a beautiful black rose and small silver package on the nightstand. Even in my jealous and then lustful state last night, I’d noticed the immense gardens outside the castle. Black and deep purple roses stretched out past the balcony and into the night. This looked just like those.

I leaned over, picking up the package. A small folded paper lay under ribbons, and I opened it.

Happy birthday, Little Rebel. Since my original gift didn’t last nearly long enough.

My cheeks heated. Groaning, I grabbed the pillow and covered my face. I might be ready to face the world, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to face Kade.

His shadows were just as skilled as he was in the pleasuredepartment. I wanted a distraction, and he’d delivered. Tenfold.

And I wanted more.

Idiot, I scolded myself.

Curiosity getting the best of me, I opened the package Kade left me.

Tearing the paper away revealed a crimson-red box, the edges lined with black stone. Opening the top, I gasped. Inside sat a silver necklace with a small oval-shaped midnight-blue stone surrounded by an intricate woven design of silver strands encasing it. Usually, royal jewelry was elaborate, with an excessive number of gems, but this simplicity—it was elegant, stunning.

I lifted it from the box, holding it up and watching as the sun reflected brilliantly off the gorgeous stone. It was too much, and yet Iwantedit. I hugged it to my chest. My parents were the only people to have ever gifted me jewelry.

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