Page 18 of Sworn to Revenge
I knew it was too good to be true.He’ll never let me go.I rest my elbowson the counter and bury my face in my hands as Pedro gently rubs my back. I can feel everyone’s pitying eyes on me now.
“Before you give up, it took me a while because my mother and I were trying to figure out a way to do this, and we found one,” Alin says, and I immediately lift my head to look at her with anticipation, my heart pounding in my chest. There’s a way—she hasn’t let me down.
“Bay, this is the only way, but it’s just as dangerous. And when I say dangerous, I mean your life will be walking a very thin line...” she adds, but even that doesn’t shatter the hope rising in my chest. I’d rather die than live tethered to that disgusting creature and endure him all the time.
“Well, am I going to have to wait much longer?” I press again, feeling like I’m sitting on a bed of sea urchins pricking me from behind.
Alin sighs, probably for the millionth time since she walked into the kitchen. “There’s something the dragon wants more than his bride, and that thing is with Jocelyn.”
No.She said dangerous, not a guaranteed suicide mission.Anxiety floods my eyes as Pedro’s gaze now bores into me, waiting for a response.
“Jocelyn, the Sea Witch,” I say aloud, as if Pedro and Cora have any idea what that means, and I turn back to Alin.
“I hope you two spent the last two days planning how we’re going to do this, because going to Jocelyn without a plan is certain death,” I say in despair, burying my face in my hands again, this time in frustration.
“Certain death? You didn’t tell me you were going to risk your life!” Luca suddenly appears behind us, turning Alin’s chair to face him, his face hardening with anger. “You’re forgetting that we agreed your adventuresare over now—you’re pregnant. I’m not letting you go there under any circumstances!”
For once, I agree with him.
“I agree, none of you should go there. We’ll find another solution,” Pedro now demands, as if he has any right to make demands or control anything in my life now. I won’t let him.
I ignore his response and turn to Luca. “You’re right, it’s too dangerous. I won’t take Alin with me; I’ll go alone.”
“No!” All four of them shout at me at once, and I jump in place from the unexpected wave of protest.
“Then how do you expect me to get it? Should I send her a text?” I ask sarcastically. “Alin found me a solution, and it seems like it’s the only one we have right now, so I’m going, whether you like it or not.” I get off the high chair, but before I can take a step, Pedro grabs my hand.
“Can’t one of us go with her instead?” Cora asks before Pedro can open his mouth. His expression looks slightly irritated by my impulsive decision, but he’ll have to deal with it. My life is on the line here, not his.
“The only power I have left is my voice, Cora. When they exiled me, they stripped me of my other ability. I can’t maintain oxygen for any of you,” I remind her, now looking at Pedro, who still holds my hand without saying a word.
“Let me help. Don’t be like Alin, shutting everyone out and going on dangerous missions alone,” he pleads, his gaze softening, his eyes now full of desperation.
“This is Bay’s choice, Pedro. She’s an adult. She needs to decide for herself and take full responsibility for whatever happens,” Alin answers firmly, stepping between us when I can’t find the words, my chest tightening from the vulnerability I’ve seen in him over the past few days. How can I walk away from that look, knowing it might be the last time I see him like this?
“Shut up!” Pedro snaps, his voice cutting through the tense air as his gaze darts at Alin, his eyes burning with frustration.
“Pedro,” Luca growls at him, glaring as if fire might erupt from his ears. Pedro sighs, his eyes now bore into me, still waiting for my answer.
“Bay, go back to your room and pack all the gold, gems, and valuables you brought with you to the surface. We don’t know what price she’ll demand if she agrees to help,” Alin instructs, and I nod taking a step forward passing Pedro, silently grateful once again for her presence in my life.She’s always on my side.
“Brother, are you really supporting this twisted idea?” Pedro’s voice rises again, louder this time, his frustration boiling over. The edge of his anger is palpable, sharp enough to cut through the air. The room grows heavier, thick with tension, and I’m almost sure I hear something shatter on the floor behind me—a glass, maybe—his frustration too great to contain.
Pedro has guts—more than most. The way he dares to speak back to Luca, to defy him like that. If I had spoken to my parents like that before my banishment, I wouldn’t have been sent to the Hunters’ pod. My head would’ve been displayed in the city center as a grim reminder of why you don’t defy royalty.
I hesitate for just a heartbeat, my feet pausing, wondering if I should step back and try to explain myself. Maybe I can ease this tension betweenus—calm him down before it escalates further. Why does it hurt so much to walk away from him like this?
But then I shake off the thought, forcing myself forward. I have a bag to pack. There’s no time to linger. No time to dwell.
I brush past them and make my way toward Pedro’s apartment, where the guest room waits. The weight of the moment presses heavier on my chest with each step. I don’t belong here—not like this. Not with him.
I’ve got things to gather. And then... I must leave.
Pedro
If Luca hadn’t stepped between Alin and me, her neck would be in my hands right now. How can she be so heartless toward her own family? She’s sending Bay to her death without even blinking.
My blood’s boiling. “Even we wouldn’t stoop so low as to send our own blood to die like this,” I snarl at her without thinking twice about the consequences. She looks like she’s about to respond but then hesitates.Good, she knows I’m right.
