Page 7 of Caged Love

Would my dad want to kill Astrid because he couldn’t have her?

I might not have believed him—if I didn’t have a memory to prove it. One night, I walked in on Dad talking to Rion, and I still remember what he said…

“She has succubus blood, so she’s either with me or against me. I can’t have her just out there existing. She can’t have succubus babies that will rule the Fae Kingdom instead of ours.”

My father was all about trying to keep our bloodline as pure as possible. Without the incubi giving birth to daughters, it was almost impossible. I was born before the curse hit, and I’m still of mixed blood, not that that is common knowledge. No one knows the truth of who my mother was.

Would August care if he knew his mate has some human blood in her? If he knew my mother was half human, half fae?I know my father cared. The male who cared so much about the incubus bloodline had a daughter with some human blood.

It was a secret he took to the grave with him.

What would August think?

It might not matter, though.

Because after this, he may never look at me the same again.

Chapter Four

When Rion leaves, I’m in the most pain I think I’ve ever been. I’ve basically been electrocuted on repeat, and that bastard didn’t let up. Every inch of my body hurts. My skin feels hot and dry, and I know my back is bleeding from the sticky wetness I can feel sliding down it. My clothing is torn and ragged, and my mouth is parched. In a painful haze, I remember looking at his black mating bands as the sparks flew from his hands.

He didn’t even give a fuck who killed Declan.

He wanted other information like King Zython’s weaknesses and the castle’s layout. He wanted to know how many guards we have protecting the king and how often they change shift—shit I’m never going to give him. I might not have originally been from this kingdom, but they’ve been good to me.

I’d die before I betrayed them.

I feel like I am dozing when I hear a familiar voice.

“August,” Astrid whispers, reaching out to touch my shoulder. Instantly, all of my pain fades away, her healing magic leaving behind nothing but a comforting warmth. Opening my eyes, I see her standing before me, dressed in all black, her longbraid dangling over her shoulder. Standing behind her to her right is Rave, and on her left is Soren.She brought the cavalry.

“What did they do to you? Come on, let’s get out of here,” she murmurs, leaning down to help me stand, but I shake my head.

“No, I need to stay a little longer. Milana?—”

“I’m not leaving you here to be tortured!” Astrid whisper-yells, turning to Rave. “Talk some sense into him,please.”

Rave studies me, his ice-blue eyes giving nothing away. “They could kill you.”

“I’m not leaving without her,” I state, my jaw twitching. “She’s my mate. You would both do the same thing.”

Soren and Rave share a look.

“We will give you a few days, and then we are coming back for you. Let’s hope you are still in one piece,” Rave replies, resting his hand on Astrid’s shoulder.

“August, don’t do this,” she quietly pleads.

“Star…” I whisper, using the nickname I’ve always called her.

“It’s his choice to make,” Soren says, nodding at me. “At least let us check in and bring you some food.”

I nod, knowing I’m going to need all of my strength.

“Who hurt you?” Astrid asks, searching my eyes.

“Rion.”

She nods. “No good deed goes unpunished. We shouldn’t have helped that asshole in the first place.”

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