Page 75 of The Stolen Bride

To my shock, horror and admiration, he pulled out a thin, bloody hunk of metal that was notched at the bottom with an elongated shaft and vine-like alloy strips intertwining in an ornate loop at the top. “I’ve never trusted the Valkara, and I doubted the key did what she said. To prevent you from giving it to her, I hid it.”

“I don’t understand. If this key facilitates escape, you’d be free right now,” I said. “Why can’t you ghost out of the cage?”

“Because it must be used in a specific way, by a specific person.” Viktor stood in place,staring at his brother, anger draining, replaced by shame and regret. “All this time, I blamed you. And yet you protected me. Protected our people, despite the risk of my wrath.”

“You can ply me with thanks and apologies when we’re home. Until then, let’s win this war.” Bodi wiped off the metal as best he could, then extended his arm through the bars, handing the key to Viktor.

“Bodi, I will forever love you for this,” I exclaimed. “Like a brother,” I added when Viktor growled. “Always like a brother.”

The prince gave me a half smile. “Ja, I’ve grown somewhat fond of you too.” He inclined his head. “You are my soon to be queen. If you agree to wed my brother, of course.”

My cheeks heated as Viktor shifted the intensity of his focus to me. “When I told I was keeping you, love, I meant it. You might as well say yes.”

I smiled at him, probably as goofy as a golden retriever. “Yes.”

He smiled back. “Well then.” He pressed the key against his sternum–and it absorbed, soon resembling a tattoo. A slight glow framed the edges. He flicked it, and it began to spin like a dial on a clock.

A frowning Deco noticed our actions and scowled, while Valkara resettled Juniper’s gag in place. “What have you done?” he demanded.

At my birth mother’s urging, a guard rushed over to turn a crank on the rack, pulling Juniper’s limbs taunt. Her back bowed, and a muffled scream escaped her gag.

Deco’s scowl deepened. “Stop,” he barked. “I did not give you permission to harm her.”

“Enough!” I screamed, swiping up the dagger Valkara had given me and rushing to the bars.

Viktor rolled his shoulders, grabbed my hand, and I gripped Bodi’s through the bars. We became a berserker daisy chain. Together, we walked out of the cages.

Deco and Valkara cursed. The guards rushed at us. Bodi charged at them. The rage I’d been too drained to summon earlier torched me in seconds. But this time, I didn’t lose my thoughts. I remained present. Ice cold, but focused.

Knowing Viktor would deal with Deco, I locked my sights on Valkara, who paled.

“She’s all yours.” Without taking his gaze from the enemy, Viktor leaned down and pressed a quick kiss into my cheek. “Do whatever you like with her. I care not.”

“You trust me to win?” Wonder filled me for a thousand different reasons.

“From the moment I met you, love, you have always found a way to do so.” That said, he ran at Deco, who ran at him. They converged in the middle of the underground chamber, two wild animals determined to claim the title of king of the jungle. Despite everything I’d witnessed since waking up in a strange new world, their savagery shocked me.

“Consequences go both ways, mother dearest,” I purred to Valkara. High on Viktor’s confidence in me, I tightened my grip on my dagger and stalked toward her.

She stalked toward me, too. To block me from approaching Juniper? We stopped mere feet away from each other. I stared into gray eyes, missing only the hints of gold to match mine. We might share physical similarities, but nothing of importance. I had zero in common with this selfish woman bent on the destruction of her own children.

“Look at me, alive and well, despite your best efforts,” I said, spreading my arms. Heat unfurled deep in my chestand spread along my limbs, collecting in my fingertips, where claws sprouted.

I darted my gaze to Juniper. She struggled to free herself from the rack, and my rage burned deeper. Deeper still.

“I knew it would come to this.” As smug as before, Valkara added, “Just wait till you see what comes next.”

Let her intimidate me? No. Enough chit-chat. I swiped out my claws. With the grace of a gazelle, she leaned back, arching her spine, avoiding contact, ensuring I only sliced through air.

She brushed a piece of lint from her robe. “Is that all you’ve got? Honestly, I expected better.”

Must have vengeance! Must pour all the anguish I’d experienced wondering about who she was, what she was like, if she hoped to meet me as much as I hoped to meet her, into her body until she split apart at the seams. Yes!

A small, rational thought held me steady. Did she purposely antagonize me, hoping I’d lose myself in a berserkerage?

I settled for spewing a taunt of my own. “I might have mourned your loss the first part of my life, but I will celebrate your loss during the time that remains.” This evil woman would never harm my loved ones again.

“You think you can win because you haven’t yet read the writing on the wall. News flash. It spells doom. You cannot defeat me, Clover.” Smile widening, Valkara purred, “Time for Momma to deliver her first spanking.”

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