I’m not ready to die–
“I’m not ready – please–” she begged, the terror taking her.
I didn’t get to tell him.
Flames licked at her boots. The heat unbearable. Her hands trembled against the nightshade bindings, the ropes. She gasped, gagged–
Sebastian, I love you!
Tears spilled. She couldn’t breathe. Her body shook.
Cade tilted his head, watching her. Studying her. Calm. Curious. With theatrical boredom, he lifted a pail of water. He met her gaze – just for a moment – before he poured it on the flames. Deliberately slow. The fire hissed out in a burst of steam and wet ash.
What–
Kara coughed, shaking violently. Drenched in smoke and water. As she blinked back tears, Cade stepped close, and leaned in so his lips brushed her ear.
“Not yet,” he murmured. “But at least you’ve seen the view.”
Kara went still.
It was all a game.
He’d never intended to kill her. He’d wanted to watch her break. And she had. She’d given him everything he wanted.
Cade smiled slowly. “You’ll make a pretty fire, Karalynna Hale,” he said fondly, like he was paying her a compliment. He stroked her cheek whilst she shuddered, powerless under his touch. “But not tonight. Tonight was only for me.”
Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.
Monster.
He began unbinding her, his hands lingering too long at her waist.
“When the real time comes,” he added smoothly, “there will be a whole crowd to watch you burn. I wouldn’t have deprived them of it.”
He pushed her down from the platform, hauling her roughly back towards the dungeons. Smoke clung to her tongue. Coated her throat. The smell of ash – she couldn’t escape it. Her body revolted, nausea rising before they were even halfway across the courtyard.
Oh no–
She doubled over, retching, as vomit splattered on the stone.
Cade stopped, still holding her arm, and laughed delightedly. “Ha. You really are entertaining, Healer.”
He yanked her upright again, uncaring that her legs buckled beneath her, and pulled her on.
She didn’t fight. Couldn’t if she tried.
He pulled her down the stairs in silence; the only sound was her ragged breathing. But as they walked the corridor to her cell, he chuckled to himself. “That scream,” he said, savouring it. “It was beautiful. Like music.” He leaned close, voice delighted. “I should have let it go on longer.”
When they got to her cell, he threw her in like garbage. She hit the stone floor hard, wrists still bound, dress soaked from the water and reeking of flames.
“Sleep well,” Cade said. “Now you know what you’ve got to look forward to.”
He slammed the door. She was alone in the darkness once more. Her chest was rattling from the smoke. Her eyes stung. Her arms raw from where the ropes had bitten into her skin. She could still feel the fire – phantom heat blistering her skin. Could still hear Cade’s voice, cool and amused.At least you’ve seen the view.
Kara sat there, shaking all over, her pulse running wild. Every breath came too fast, too shallow. Her throat burned. She coughed and curled in on herself. She could still taste the bile in the back of her throat.
It wasn’t real.
