Page 124 of Enchanted Kisses
“I only believe you because you can’t lie. It doesn’t mean I trust you.”
More scuffling sounded outside the door. Dagan stiffened and positioned me behind him, shielding me.
He waited a second. When nothing happened, he continued whispering. “I’m starting to believe trading souls might not be in the realm’s best interest. My father, however, is most confident in his vendetta. Something in him snapped when my mother died. I’m not sure even he knows what he’s doing anymore. If he learns you have vowed to me, he’ll do whatever is necessary to gain control of your powers, even if it means draining your blood. I don’t want that.”
I stepped back, unable to think with his dizzying breath surrounding me.
His features twisted with hurt.
Why did I feel bad?
“I need to think,” I said. “And when I’m that close to you, it’s difficult.” Something was seriously wrong with this scenario. I shouldn’t be trying to make Dagan—my ex-kidnapper—feel better. How did I know this wasn’t one of his tricks?
The corners of his lips tilted with surprise or maybe pride, and a flash shot through his star-clustered eyes. “I’m worried about you. Word’s out that Bianca has plans. And with my zombified brother unable to think for himself or look after you, I’m afraid I’m at odds with myself.” He stepped close again. “You’ve done something to me, and now, I actually care about what happens to you. I can’t leave my realm, nor do I want to. But I can’t bring you back, yet I can’tnotsince you’ve vowed to stay with me. See the dilemma?”
And I thought I had problems. I didn’t mention he couldn’t bring me back thanks to Briella’s spell. “What do you think Bianca is planning?”
“I think she has an agreement with my father.”
I leaned toward him, my eyes wide, as I waited for him to say more.
“It’s the only way to explain the open line we used to cross here, how he knew the coronation was tonight, and how he knows about Bianca and Caiden’s vow.”
My throat tightened. “What vow?” I lifted my hand to my heart, fearing the answer.
33
Home
The door burst open before Dagan could respond.
Caiden stalked in, his hand lifted to Dagan’s throat like he was about to choke him Darth Vader style.
“What are you doing here?” Caiden snarled.
“Cleaning up your mess.” Dagan’s eyes flicked to me. “Isn’t that what big brothers do?”
Caiden lunged at him. “You had me beaten.”
“Stop,” I shrieked, too afraid to jump between them. “He didn’t order your torture. It was someone else.”
When Caiden threw Dagan against a bookcase and he did nothing to stop him, I grabbed Caiden’s arms. “Leave him alone,” I demanded, trying to pull him off Dagan, though it went against everything I felt.
Caiden ignored me, his fingers digging into Dagan’s throat.
Why wasn’t Dagan fighting back?
“Stop!” Heat pulsed to the hand I had on Caiden’s arm.
He jumped away as if burned. The sleeve of his jacket smoked, and the scent of torched fabric assaulted my nose.
“What in the hell did you do that for?” Caiden glared at me, his eyes dark and filled with hate.
“I’m sorry.” I shook with fear and adrenaline. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Had I actually burned him? How?
I needed to get out of here. If I could have crossed, I would have gone home to Georgia.
I fled the room in search of Raysa, Laken, Jorhan—anyone who could get me far away from here. After searching the first floor and finding no one, I checked outside. The grounds were clean and clear, as if there had never been a party or a fight. I roamed the moonlit property, the cool air chilling my clammy skin. The place was deserted and quiet, except for the rippling water of the lake. I stopped at the entrance to the maze and looked up at the tall green archway.
