“It took all of my skill to stop the bleeding,” she added. “She was in and out of consciousness for days. She was in a sickbed for the entire voyage back to the island. She… she didn’t tell you any of this?”
Gideon’s fists clenched beneath the table.
Seraphine frowned at Gideon. “Rune defied Cressida, knowing what would happen. She did it to break your curse.”
To break my…
He thought of his dream. Of Rune climbing into his bed. Of her softness and warmth, nestled against him.
It wasn’t a dream.
“Cressida was going to kill her,” said Seraphine. “The only reason she didn’t is because I gave her what she wanted: the name of the missing Roseblood heir.”
Gideon’s head spun.
Cressida knows Rune is her sister.
Who else knew?
Seraphine wouldn’t state it outright, not here, because it would put Rune’s life at risk. But if Rune ended up back in Cress’s hands…
He pushed out his chair and rose to his feet.
“Where is this hot spring?”
SIXTY-FIVEGIDEON
HE FOUND HER INthe waterfall, her back to him, her eyes closed as she turned her face into the spray. Her pale, naked form stood out starkly against the dark gray rock.
With her wet hair pulled over one shoulder, Gideon had a full view of the harm done to her.
Vicious red lines crisscrossed her back, from shoulders to hips. Deep, fresh scars. Gideon’s stomach clenched at the sight.
At the thought of Rune beneath a whip, his rage swelled.
He would make Cressida pay for this.
Dismounting Bart’s horse, he strode out onto the flat, glistening rock.
“Is this why you’ve avoided me?”
Rune jumped, startled, and turned to face him. Her eyes were red from crying.
“Wh-what are you doing here?” She grabbed a towel resting on a nearby rock, quickly wrapped it around herself—hiding herself from him—and started toward Lady, who was grazing nearby. “You’re not supposed to be here.”
Gideon moved to intercept her, stepping into her path. “And where am I supposed to be?”
No way was he letting her evade this conversation.
With no answer to give, she padded backward on her bare feet, returning to the spray, which quickly drenched her towel.
“Rune.Why didn’t youtellme?”
At his question, her face crumpled.
Suddenly, her fear made sense. Rune now knew firsthand what it meant to be at Cressida’s mercy.
She’s terrified.
