Page 94 of A Blade of Blood and Shadow
“You could have refused.”
He shook his head. “You know the sort of magic that binds a bargain like that. If I hadn’t gone back, I would have cost my mother her life. I could not have known that she would be killed at the hands of her own people. My uncle led a coup to secure the throne for himself — one that resulted in her death.”
The unguarded pain in Kaden’s eyes was enough to steal my breath away. It was there for only the briefest moment before he turned to the open window. “When you anger the gods and disrupt the natural balance of things, there is a price to pay. Over the centuries, my father has become insatiable, needing more souls every decade to sustain the very existence of his kingdom.
“Two hundred years ago, he hatched a plan to destroythe veil — to throw open the gates to the mortal world so that he could consume enough souls to expand his kingdom. I believe he plans to install me as the ruler of Anvalyn — his half-breed prince and puppet. But to tear down the veil, he needs a witch from the line who wove the magic.” His eyes were dark as he turned to face me. “You cannot imagine his delight when he found you.”
Terror burned my insides like acid, though it was somewhat tempered by the cold hatred I felt for Kaden — the handsome demon prince who’d tricked me into falling for him.
“And your father sent you to hunt for me.”
“Yes.”
I glared at him.
“The more I got to know you, the more I thought — the more Ihoped— that I might be able to persuade you to go along with my plan. But after you found the stone . . .” He broke off, dragging a hand through his hair in frustration. “I knew you’d never trust me again.”
“Why are you telling me all of this?” I asked finally. None of it made any sense. Why hadn’t Kaden just dragged me here in the first place?
Kaden had said the river flowed in both directions — back toward the mortal world. But after hearing his story, it didn’t sound as though he planned on letting me go.
“You said you’d take me back,” I accused, my voice shaking despite my best efforts.
“I know. And I will.” His eyes were pleading as he met my gaze. “But not just yet.”
“Oh, right,” I snarled. “Because your father hasusefor me — just like everyone else.”
“No.”
“Stop lying,” I snapped. “At leastownthe fact that you got close to me because of my lineage — that you’ve been using me all this time. Even Silas managed that.”
“That piece of shit who made you his slave and cut up your back foryears?”
Kaden’s voice was angrier than I’d ever heard it — even angrier than when I’d told him about my bargain with Caladwyn. It had been a low blow, comparing him to Silas, but I was unprepared for the cold wrath that swept across his features.
He closed the distance between us in two swift strides, backing me against the wall. I recoiled as his familiar burnt cedar and leather scent engulfed me, though my traitorous body heated at his sudden proximity.
“I know what it takes to leave a mark on a huntress,” he growled. “Let alone scars that deep.”
I shivered.
“I never lied to you, Lyra.Never. Not once. Not with my words, and not with my actions. And I wouldcertainlynever hurt you.”
I shuddered as he planted a hand on the wall behind me, effectively caging me in. The other reached for me, his thumb outstretched as though he meant to brush my lip, but he froze when I flinched away.
Kaden’s free hand curled into a fist, which he rested on the wall.
“Everything you felt for me, I feel tenfold,” he rumbled. “If you believe nothing else I’ve told you, please believe that.”
My stupid heart squeezed at his words, but I merely scoffed in disgust. “If that’s true, then take — me —back.”
There was a long pause as those stormy eyes met mine,and his mask of devastation was so convincing that I almost believed it. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
Did he really think I was naïve enough to believe that he cared? If he felt anything for me, he would take me back to my realm — consequences be damned.
Kaden swallowed, and his shoulders sagged as his gaze dropped to the floor. “Because I need your help.”
