Sweat slicked my brow, my hair sticking to my face as I sat up on the thin mattress in my cell.
I rubbed my thumb across the mark marring the inside of my palm. The black luminescent line throbbed, the sensation tingling out into the black webbing and the gold vines snaking around it.
The mark was a constant thrum. A constant reminder of who it linked me to.
Of what my mission was.
Of my goal.
Get back to Luka.
Get back to mymate.
It pulsed like a drum, the sensation in my palm matching the palpitations of my heart.
Mate.
Mate.
Mate. It beat.
Luka.
Luka.
Luka. Like a cruel cosmic joke.
A constant reminder of where I was.
A captive to the Panateia.
A queen forced to bow to the wishes of another—to Adreona.
Although I would not bow willingly.
I had done this to myself. Given myself over to her to save my sister. If I had known Luka was my mate before sacrificing myself, would I have gone so willingly? Or would I have stayed with my mate and left my sister to suffer the consequences of my actions? Found another way to get her back somehow?
Both options soured my stomach.
My pulsing mate mark made me think I might have been selfish—but my bleeding heart for my sister—I’d already lost my brother. I didn’t think I could bear to lose her too.
The door to my room creaked open. I didn’t bother looking up at the guard who entered. “The mistress says you start working today.” His footsteps were heavy on the concrete as he stepped further into my room. “She demandsyou bathe and get dressed. You shall be presentable or face consequences.”
There was a thud as he placed a package on the table. “I’ll be back for you within the hour.”
After her visit a few days ago where she revealed Luka was my mate, I hadn’t heard from her. The new compound must be fully set up now if she was requesting me.
I stood, retrieving the package from the counter and heading toward my bathing chamber. I unweaved my hair from its braid, assessing myself in the mirror. Besides the dark circles under my eyes, I still looked the same on the outside—it was on the inside where I was shattered. My heart broken into a million shards that sliced at my skin with every breath I took, reminding me what I had given up. What,who,I had left behind.
But I’d use that pain, I’d use my pain as I always did, use it to make me stronger. I’d use it to fuel my revenge.
My escape.
I’d make it back to Luka and my friends and I’d take down Adreona and the entire fucking Panateia with me.
I was ready by the time the guard came to fetch me.
Despite my urge to disobey Adreona’s instructions, I bathed. The water was frigid without my magic to heat it. It made me miss the power that sizzled in my veins even more.
