Page 191 of Owned

I should have pushed the body into the ravine—

Maybe it was better to leave him to whatever made its home in the forest. It was more than he deserved.

I hadn’t even bothered to take his magic.

Rage was the only way I could process this.

Lucian wanted an heir he could control.

We were just placeholders until he got what he needed.

Until he got her.

The air was thick and heavy and I pressed the heels of my hands against my eyes.

His voice wouldn’t leave me, even in death.

He was right. I’d gotten what I needed.

But at what fucking cost?

Your father has always sought a more powerful heir.

He’ll kill her—but not until she’s served her purpose.

I hadn’t believed it at first.

Hadn’t wanted to believe it.

But that’s why it stung.

That’s why the knife sank so deep.

A breeze stirred the branches, and I caught a flicker of movement between the trees.

The advisor’s final rattling breath echoed in my mind.

A whisper. Faint but clear.

“He’ll kill you too.”

My vision swam, and I braced myself against the tree.

I had to get back. Had to warn Valen and Titus before Lucian set us against each other.

Had to warn Avril.

Too late.

His words lingered like the coppery scent of blood in the air.

“You were never his heir. You were just a placeholder.”

No.

“Until he could create the perfect vessel.”

No.

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