Page 69 of Claimed By Shadow and Blood
Thalen cast an apologetic look at me. “It’ll be at least a day and a half before the prison here is deemed ready, unless there's a way to expedite that.”
A muscle in Bryn’s jaw jumped. “At this point, minutes count, Your Highness. Firellan’s Spine is worse than you know. Simply being in that place will drain her mind, her body, her spirit, everything. Even the terrain is hostile. It is far worse than you have been led to believe in the bowels of that dungeon. There is no better way for you to ensure her safety. I am aware you most likely made some deal with Colm Ainle. A wise choice, but it is not without flaws. Others not under his command could enter and harm her. Ainle is not as clever as he likes to believe.”
My knees weakened. How could he possibly know?
He raised an eyebrow in open challenge. “I am aware you gave him something of great value. If the rumors are true, it was something quite dear to you, as well as powerful. He isn’t the most discreet individual. No matter the bargain you made, it is not safe for her there. You must take this vow. My method will not require delays or additional councils or permit any petitions. It is already enshrined in our laws and customs."
“Briar wouldn’t want you to make her go back.” Thalen gripped my arm. “Vad, you can’t just decide this for her. She should have the say.”
“Even if it means she suffers longer?” Bryn tapped his finger on the medallion as he fixed Thalen with his heavy stare. “Even if it means she will die?” He scoffed, shaking his head. “If you truly love her, Your Highness, then you will make this vow and prove it. True love is not selfish. It does not think of its own desires. It thinks of the one who is loved. What doessheneed? Does she need to waste away in a place where time does not follow our laws? Where, at every moment, her energy and magic are sappedby their cruelty? Even now, she will struggle to recover from all they have done. Your plan requires that she suffer longer and puts her life at risk. Mine reduces that harm.”
His words cut deep, speaking to my fear and the knowledge that I failed her. The nausea and throbbing in my skull warned me that what power I had was failing fast. What good would I be to her? “Three hours…and she won’t be harmed?”
“I have sworn it.” Bryn’s piercing eyes held knowledge.
I opened my mouth, but my tongue didn’t move. Everything inside me was fighting against this vow, but if my beloved died due to my selfishness… that would haunt me even in the afterlife.
Clenching my right hand into a fist and pressing it against my side, I gritted. “I, Vad, son of Merrick of the Shadows, vow upon my life and breath to do all that is within my power to ensure Briar is happy and safe and that she gets…home.”
The spiraling agony that lanced through my chest and down my spine wasn’t magic of any sort, and I realized something was wrong.
Chapter Twenty
Vad
My magic surged, fighting against some sort of foreign presence. I had no clue what it was, but as the vow locked into place, it wasfurious. I clenched my jaw and hissed through my teeth.
I shouldn’t have made the vow.
The magic retreated, as if my acknowledgment and punishment had been enough for now. It seemed as if Fate had personally struck me, telling me that I’d interfered with her plan. I wanted to retch.
Thalen frowned. His lips pressed into a tight line as he pulled in his wings.
Bryn inclined his head forward. “You have chosen wisely, Your Highness.”
No, I hadn’t.
I’d just made the worst decision of my entire existence. Briar was the perfect woman for me, and now I’d thrown away any chance for us to be together as well as my own happiness in hopes that I could protect her.
Another searing bolt of pain and nausea lanced through me, sharpening my breath. “Tell me what your fecking plan is.”
Bryn closed the wardrobe and took a measured step forward. “Simple. The third trial begins in six hours. All living candidates must be present, no matter their health or condition.”
My entire body went rigid while my blood roared in my veins. “That better be a joke. You cannot seriously intend to put her in athirdtrial after what she’s endured in that scaffing prison. You just told me that your plan will keep her from suffering! Those trials are nothing but suffering and death.” I squinted to the point where I could see only Bryn’s weathered face. My wings flared as my muscles coiled tight and my shadows loomed.
“That’s entirely nonsensical.” Thalen’s wings snapped out, and his hand fisted in his hair. “No. No, you can’t have the third trial.”
Bryn huffed, and his transparent silver shield strengthened, glimmering faintly. He remained motionless. “Briar will be brought here for the third trial. She will enter the third trial. So long as she follows instructions once she is inside, she will not have to actually compete in the third trial. Remember, I made a vow to you as well.”
“She won’t follow instructions if anyone else is at risk.” Thalen crossed his arms. “Did you see what happened in the last two? If not for her…” He paled even more as he trailed off.
“Briar is not fit to fight,” I snarled. A muscle ticked in my jaw. “She needs time to rest and recover. I might as well bring her back here and declare her my queen and deal with the fallout.”
“Yes, then we don’t have to have another trial.” Thalen clapped his hands together.
“If you do that, you will fail and doom her.” Bryn’s tone sharpened. "There is no time. If they even suspect that you’re considering circumventing the final trial, individuals with whom you have not made any bargain will kill her.”
My breath caught. “Do you know who’s behind all this?”
