Page 34 of Heir of Illusion

“And yourwraithwill act as my personal liaison, aiding me in the search however I see fit.”

My brows shoot toward my hairline. Thorne’s gaze momentarily flits toward me, a small smirk curving his lips. What game is he playing? He’s enjoying riling up the king and giving him nothing in return. Does he have any idea how dangerous this is? For both of us?

The room is silent as Baylor stares at the reaper with restrained hatred. He despises being made to feel small, and that’s exactly what Thorne has done.

“My pet and I will need to discuss your proposal privately,” Baylor says coolly.

“Of course.” Thorne rises from his chair, not bothering hiding his smile as he turns to face me. “I’m sure someone such as yourwraithcould truly accomplish anything if properly motivated. You are lucky to have such anangelby your side.”

My breath catches. Does he mean what I think he means? Was that a threat? Either I convince Baylor to let me help, or Thorne reveals my secret. He can’t be serious…

Victory flashes behind his pale eyes, and I know I’m right.

“I’ll be in the hall,” he says to Baylor, “eagerly awaiting your decision.”

A surge of helplessness flows through me as I watch him exit the room. Does he realize the position he’s put me in? Baylor’s temper needs somewhere to strike, and I’m now the only target left in the room.Andhe wants me to somehow convince the king to let me join him in his search? Terror twists my insides as the door clicks shut. I turn to face my lover, my heart galloping in my chest. Baylor moves around the desk, coming to stand before me.

“I’m disappointed, Iverson.”

My fingers twitch at the coldness in his tone, that same icy frost that has overtaken him many times before, making him unpredictable. The emptiness in his eyes makes my skin crawl. Even when I still believed he loved me, I was petrified when he’d get this way. He’s dangerous at the best of times, but this type of fury almost always descends into violence.

“I told you to leave,” he says softly. “You know better than to disobey me, pet.”

Without warning, the collar activates, seizing my throat with enough force to snap my head back against the wall.

Chapter

Ten

My vision blurs as I slide to the floor, pulling at the collar with useless fingers. My mouth opens wide as my lungs cry out, but there’s too much pressure on my airway. I can’t get a breath. Terror has pleading words rising to the tip of my tongue, but even if I could speak, I wouldn’t voice them. I refuse to beg this monster for a life he has no right to take from me.

The vein in his forehead bulges wildly as he watches me struggle. Crimson swirls within his deep blue irises, reminding me of a shark attack I witnessed at the docks years ago. The sailor’s blood staining the water had been an omen, warning everyone to stay away. I wish I’d heeded that lesson with the predator before me.

My back arches off the ground as I twist and struggle, desperate for just a single breath, but Baylor withholds it. I stare in horror as hisverterenatures overtakes him, and the Beast of the Battle rages beneath his skin. His nails elongate into sharp claws that could slice me open with a single swipe, and those lips that profess to love me twist into a cruel smile. The monster he hides within is relishing my pain.

A few drops of blood trickle from his nose, a reminder that he isn’t coming out of this unscathed. Using the collar is physically draining, always leaving him tired and sickly. His brow creases as blood drips into his mouth. A moment later, his head jerks back in surprise, his eyes blinking rapidly. The collar suddenly releases its iron grip and settles back into place against my skin, a killer lying in wait.

The entire episode lasted less than a minute, but it felt much longer.

“I’m sorry, pet,” Baylor breathes as his eyes return to their normal shade and his claws disappear.

He wipes the blood from his face and hurries to my side, helping me stand as I hungrily swallow mouthfuls of air. He wraps me in his arms and pulls my head into the crook of his neck. The position is meant to provide comfort, but instead I’d compare it to being bound by iron chains. The urge to fight his hold is nearly overwhelming as his scent clogs my nostrils, making my stomach churn.

“Forgive me,” he whispers, his warm breath tickling my ear. “I’m just upset.”

“I know,” I assure him, the raspy words scratching my throat as I force them out. “I understand.”

But I don’t.

I don’t understand how anyone could do this to a person they claim to love. I close my eyes as tears threaten to fall. A burning rage simmers in my gut as his hand curves around my cheek, his thumb brushing away a falling tear.

“I’m under so much pressure,” he says, repeating his usual excuse. His temper is never his fault. “But I’ll do better. You’ll see. Everything I’m doing is for us,” he promises desperately, searching my eyes for forgiveness. “You believe me, don’t you?”

I don’t, but I nod anyway.

Exhaustion joins forces with gravity, threatening to pull to me to the floor as it weighs down my limbs. How much longer can I play this role? At some point, my performance will slip, and my lies will no longer be enough to convince him. What will he do to me then?

Something hot and oily coils in my stomach. The desire to hurt him burns through my veins, sending reckless thoughts to my brain. Whatever this whisperer truly is, it’s powerful enough that Baylor doesn’t want me anywhere near it. Which means that’s exactly where I need to be.

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