Page 63 of To Bind A Dark Heart

She shook her head. “No. She left right away. I don’t know why I did it. I wanted her to see that you’re—” She cut herself off. “It doesn’t matter. What did she want to talk about?”

“An alliance.”

“And you said...?”

I snarled. Just the thought of letting Raura have power over me again sent a visceral rage through my veins. “I’d never ally myself with her. She’s worse than Varzorn. I’d kill her if I could.”

Her eyes flew open, shocked by my vehemence. “Why do you hate her so much?” Kael asked, her voice softening as her brows drew down.

I hesitated, undecided if I wanted to reveal the true depths of Raura’s depravity, uncertain of Kael’s reaction. Maybe she would understand? I’d told no one before, and I didn’t know if I was ready to relive the memories of my past.

“I told you that Rhazien killed my father,” I said, my voice low and pained. “And that he brought me back to court with him. But I didn’t tell you what happened after.”

Kael’s hand tightened on my arm, her eyes locked on mine.

“I was kept in a cage, like an animal,” I continued, my stomach quaking with the memories before I took a deep breath. “Rhazien would come in and beat me, pretending it was for interrogation or teaching me a lesson. But it was just because he was a sadist and I had become his toy.”

Kael gasped, horror and anger warring on her face.

“I lived in fear for years,” I explained, my voice barely above a whisper. “Hearing his voice was enough to make me shake in terror. My mother would ignore me for months on end, trying to force me to obey her every whim just for a shred of affection. I was alone, missing my cousins, mourning my father...” I shook my head, my eyes distant and seeing the palace under the mountain that had been my prison. “Then Raura found me and pretended to be my savior. Doting on me and showering me with praise. She seduced me and made me think she loved me. But really, she was trying to use me to get pregnant because she hadn’t conceived for the emperor.”

Kael’s eyes were filled with tears, her hand shaking on my arm.

“I was only thirteen. Too young to truly understand.”

“Theron, I’m so sorry.” She said, her expression tortured. “She’s sick. Anyone who touches a child doesn’t deserve to live.”

I nodded, an unexpected release spreading through me as I met her gaze and saw nothing but understanding. I hadn’t understood how much I’d been holding in until I spoke the words aloud.

“After I grew older and realized what her intentions were.” My voice hardened as I continued. “I vowed to never let her touch me again. To never let my heart be controlled by anyone else. Ever.”

Kael nodded, her expression unreadable. She cupped my face in her hands and looked at me with so much understanding that I knew she’d experienced something similar. She held me close, stroking my hair and murmuring soothing words I couldn’t make out.

Warmth spread through me that had been missing for so long and I realized hope wasn’t lost after all. Maybe there was still a chance for happiness in this world, if only I could look deep enough within myself to find it. Kael’s touch was like a balm on my soul. Healing wounds I thought would never close. I leaned into her, my eyes closing in gratitude. It was the first time I felt protected.

As she pulled away from me, her eyes met mine, and I knew at that moment that I wanted her with me always. Not for a physical release, but for the connection we shared. I’d known from the moment I’d seen her she was meant to be mine, but now I understood why.

“Kael,” I whispered, reaching for her, but she stepped back, shaking her head.

“Not now, Theron,” she said, her voice low and hesitant. “I can’t. Not yet.” I’d never seen her look so vulnerable.

I nodded, understanding, but that didn’t stop the ache in my chest. I wanted to lose myself in her, forget about the pain and the past. But that wasn’t fair to her. Not after what we had shared.

“I’m sorry,” I said, stepping back. “I didn’t mean to push you,” I said, embarrassment reddening my neck. “Just... I don’t know what came over me.”

Kael stepped closer to me, the heat of her body pressing against mine. “I understand,” she whispered as she drew me into her arms, holding me. I sighed, feeling as if something I’d been missing had finally settled into place. Maybe I was yearning for somebody who comprehended the suffering I had endured. Someone who understood what it was like to be used. I didn’t know what it was, only that Kael had become the answer to my every question.

She tilted my head up and pressed a tender kiss to my lips.

“You need a bath,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “You stink.”

A laugh escaped me, and for the first time in my life, I felt light. “No, I don’t.”

Her eyes twinkled merrily and my breath caught in my chest. Has any woman ever been as beautiful as she?

“Let’s wash up,” she murmured, her voice gentle as she stood, readying a bath. My gaze softened as I watched her gathering the supplies to bathe me, the firelight framing her face. Every other woman paled in comparison compared to the intensity of my feelings for her. I’d never felt like this before.

The warmth that filled me when we touched, the trust I had in her, and the way my heart skipped a beat when our eyes met. Was this love? If so, it was far more intense than anything I’d ever experienced before.

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