Page 92 of Kingdom of Chaos
Becks was never boastful about his powers, but they were a part of him, woven into his identity. Losing them must feel like losing a piece of himself.
Becks shakes his head, his gaze hardening. “They were so concerned about losing control over their heir. Well, in the end they lost me anyway. I’m as weak and powerless as one of thesehumans.”
I know he doesn’t mean to hurt me, but his comment feels like a blow because it reveals his true thoughts about humans.
About me.
That they’re weak. ThatI’mweak.
“I’m sorry,” he says, dragging a hand through his hair again. “None of that matters right now. What matters is getting out of here and getting home. You still haven’t told me how you got in. Please tell me you’re not a prisoner too.”
“I’m not,” I answer, trying to shake off the yuck from Becks’ careless comment. “At least, not yet. They let me see you because they want something from me.”
Genuine concern flickers across Becks’ face as he steps closer to the bars again. “What do they want from you?”
“I’m not exactly sure,” I admit. “But I think it has to do with Kerrim. Kade wanted to talk, but I told him I wasn’t saying a word until I saw you. Until I knew you were okay.”
Becks grips the bars tightly, his jaw tightening. “You have to stay away from Kerrim. That shifter is unhinged.”
“I’m aware, but if I help Kade and the Silent Order, he said they’d release you.”
Becks is shaking his head. “Don’t do it, Lock. You could get hurt, or worse. With that dagger, you’re no match for him.”
His words shouldn’t sting—he’s just looking out for me—but they do. I hold up my cuffed wrist. “I’m not as powerless as you think. At least not anymore.”
“What are you talking about?” he asks, eyeing the cuff.
“I have magic now.”
His eyes widen in surprise. “You do? But I thought?—?”
“That I was weak?” I cut in, sharper than I intended.
“No. Never,” he says quickly, shaking his head. “It’s just that they told me a human had to have opened the portal, and humans aren’t supposed to have magic. So I figured . . .” He falls silent.
Sadness creeps into his eyes. “Lock, you have to know I’ve never thought you were weak. You’re the fiercest creature I’ve ever met. You’re strong, and brave, and so beautiful it hurts just to look at you sometimes. Especially when I can’t touch you.” He reaches through the bars and gently strokes my cheek.
Some of the fight drains out of me as I look at Becks. My Becks.
Am I letting my own hang-ups trigger me? Maybe. I’ve spent so much of my life hearing creatures call me weak that even the suggestion of it feels like a slap.
I lean into Becks’ touch. “Well, just for the record, I’m not actually a creature. I’m just a human who happens to have magic.”
He chuckles. “Truly one of a kind.”
His hand slides to the back of my neck, drawing me closer until our foreheads touch. “Thank you for coming for me,” he whispers.
“You came for me first,” I remind him. “If you hadn’t broken through the barrier during that last Chaos trial and fought Kerrim, I don’t think I’d even be alive. I’m going to get you out of here. I promise.”
He exhales a heavy breath. “I believe you. Just, please be careful.”
I lean back just enough to meet his eyes, and the plea in them nearly undoes me.
“I will,” I whisper.
“Lock,” Becks says, his voice rough as his gaze drops to my mouth. “I thought I’d never see you again. And that—” He swallows hard, emotion tightening his throat.
“I know,” I whisper, because I do. Even though I tried not to let my mind go there, there were moments I truly believed I’d never see him again, and the pain of that almost broke me. Just remembering it now makes my eyes sting with unshed tears.
