Iawoke back in my dingy cell with no recollection of how I got there. Fuck, I really had to stop getting myself into positions like this. I’d been unceremoniously dumped on the floor from the way my body ached all over. It would seem that someone got some hits in while I was unconscious, no doubt working out some sort of pent-up aggression. My leg had been crudely bandaged. I could barely move it. If I was a gambler, I would have bet on the perpetrator being Orion or Trystan.
A sudden recollection of the night came crashing into my head. Mates. Matthew was myfucking mate.Or so Trystan said.
I didn’t really believe him. Not at first. But the more I sat and thought about it, the more it made sense. We had an undeniable attraction from the moment we’d set eyes on one another. There was a constant pull toward each other, and I found myself strangely in-tune to his emotions. There were moments when I had wondered where he was or if he was okay, and I had a gut instinct with the answer. That damn tether in the pit of my stomach. It was both a blessing and a curse.
This was a shit show of the highest proportions.
I thought about Damien and how he fought to be my mate. But no matter how much I cared for him, it’d never felt like this with him. I’d known him since my birth, while I’d known Matthew a matter of months.Fuck. I would die for him, and I almost had. Matthew didn’t treat me like property. While he wanted to keep me safe, he hadn’t caged me in or asked me to be anything other than what I was. It was actually easy to be with him, but I was the one making it difficult. I mean, our situation was problematic. My father wouldn’t accept him as my mate, but I’d have to make him see reason if Matthew and I stood a chance.
I also couldn’t wrap my head around Orion being the traitor in Helia’s ranks. And would Damien have been involved in his father’s treachery?Surely not, I thought. Damien had always fought hard against injustice, but maybe that was all an act?No, no one could hide who they were for as long as we’ve known each other. Yet somehow Orion had been playing our family for gods only knew how long.
I groaned as I pulled myself up and rested my back along the rocky wall of the cell. Judging by how stiff my body was, I’d been out for at least a day, perhaps two. It was likely to be the closest thing I would get to resembling mercy. The skin on my back seemed blistered, but the coolness of the wall abated the sting even if the texture wasn’t smoothed.
So, this was his idea of punishment? Tit for tat, I guess.
How in the world did I get into this mess? The past few months swirled around in my head. They were a complete disaster. It never failed to amaze me how quickly things could change, how much they could go to hell, frankly.
And how was I supposed to get out? Gods only knew where Damien was; even worse, what Orion had told him. Of course, I couldn’t forget what happened the last time that I saw him. The words exchanged. He wouldn’t be so forgiving, and I wouldn’t blame him for that. I don’t know if I would forgive myself if I were him. And convincing him of his father’s treachery would be more difficult than it would be for my father. I shook my head.
Then what about Matthew? He was Trystan’s brother, Lachlan’sson. No doubt he couldn’t be trusted. Yet, I remember the story he told me about Lachlan’s sons. One was groomed for power but didn’t want it. The other craved attention and sought to receive it by any means necessary. Clearly, he was the heir, and he was my mate. I would love him no matter who he was or what he had done, and I was offered the same respect.
The cell door creaked open and Talia’s head poked in. It took an effort to bring a slight smile to my lips at her approach. Sitting up had taken far too much energy than it should have. My lips were parched and cracked, my belly empty and growling. I’m sure I looked like shit right now, but I put up one hell of a fight and at least I’d carry that with me.
She closed the door quietly behind her and materialized a carafe of water and a loaf of bread and butter out of thin air. She quietly poured me a glass of water and cut the bread, spreading the butter evenly. The water was brought to my lips first, and I gulped it down quickly, letting it quench the unending thirst that was buried inside. The bread was next; soft and exquisite.
I sat nibbling on the food while she tended to my wounds, ensuring that nothing was infected, nor would it be. Magic was a wonderful thing. Already, my injuries seemed to be fixing themselves. I was beyond grateful for the sweet nymph. She was undoubtedly putting herself at risk to help me, so I had to ask. “Why do you help me, Talia?”
Her eyes met mine and shone with unshed tears. “Because you are our only hope. Because you are powerful enough to end this madness.”
Her words struck me. The hope that she put in me was unnecessary. It made me feel uneasy to have so much faith laid upon my shoulders, especially for something like this. It wasn’t a simple task. Hell, we were talking about the end of our civilization as we knew it. If The Horde was in charge, it would mean enslavement and chains, not the peace that we’d worked so hard to achieve.
She looked at me, tenderness etched into her features. “I know it isn’t that simple. I know it will be a long journey, but you must prevail. You must,” she said.
I rested my head on the wall and closed my eyes. “I know,” I whispered. “I just don’t know how.”
“You know,” she said, before clearing her throat. “With him by your side, you will not fail. You’re destined for great things apart, but together? You would become unstoppable.”
I opened my eyes and peered at her. “You’re an oracle.”
She smiled sheepishly. “It doesn’t change the fact that I speak the truth. Even if I wasn’t, I would know it to be true.”
“Who is the mystery man, Talia?”
She shrugged. “I can’t tell you that, but I think you already know.”
Yes.
I knew.
* * *
A sudden bangingon the cell door pulled a groan from my lips. Thanks to Talia, I could lie down after she took care of my injuries. She stayed as long as she could, offering me companionship and a shoulder to cry on before slipping back into the darkness beyond the door.
I looked around the room and noted that nothing had changed, but the banging persisted. Shouts came after, but they were incoherent, and I couldn’t make them out.
Slowly, I dragged myself up to stand. I still couldn’t put my full weight on my leg, but I hobbled over to the door, hoping I could make out what they were saying. Still, more screams were coming in and out, but the banging had halted.
A violent shake suddenly shook the walls of my cell.Explosions. We were under fucking attack, and I was locked in a cell.
