“The bond will be undone, by magic—and you will bond with another, here today. Aelira, will leave unharmed if you agree.” King Thalorys waved his hand, releasing Lioran.
“Who?” Lioran gasped for air.
“Turns out there’s was a suitable match already amongst you. She came with you,” Thalen said as he dragged Cora into view. Her hands bound behind her back.
No. She wouldn’t. He couldn’t.
“She’s fully fae, with magic too. I believe you two used to have feelings for each other. It shouldn’t be hard to rekindle the spark.” Pyrran crouched beside me.
My sobs rang through the Grove.
“I won’t bond with him,” Cora pushed at Thalen, ripping her bound hands from his.
“Your king commands it.” King Thalorys held his hand up in warning.
She flinched with his words as her shoulders drooped.
A golden glow trailed out of the king’s hands. It gripped us both. The light ran through my veins, tearing away what little remained of my heart. Something popped and twisted inside me.
Memories sped through my mind. Each one was being ripped from me, until my heart was severed. Crushed until only lifeless shards remained. Pain ricocheted through me.
Crumpled and lifeless I lay on the ground. Nausea surged through my core. I tried to rise, but tumbled to the ground again.
We were broken.
“I would have given you everything.” Thalen wrapped his arms behind me and pulled me to stand. My back collided with his chest—he felt unnaturally warm, he felt wrong.
I needed Lioran’s arms around me for one last time.
Thalen pinned my arms behind my back. The weight of him dug into me. My shoulder popped. A wave of pain overtook me. “Watch.” He freed his hand and lifting my chin. “I have given you what you asked, your majesty. Honor our agreement—make her mine,” Thalen sneered.
“I will never bond with you,” I cried.
“Aelira will live out her days in my castle walls. She will no longer be your burden to bear.” Thalen tightened his grip on me, ignoring my claim.
“It will be done,” the king said.
It no longer mattered what I wanted, what I chose—my life was no longer my own. My words would never matter.
Lioran couldn’t protect me any longer.
The King released Cora. Her hands pressed against myhusband’s, just as we had during our bonding ceremony. A ribbon tied tightly around their hands.
Lioran’s gaze never parted from mine, even as I screamed.
I sucked in air, quicker than it would come, collapsing back into Thalen.
Darkness loomed over me—I let it take me.
There was nothing left.
A firm grip tugged at my shoulder, its force repeated—steady and urgent.
Fyn’s face came into view, hovering over mine. “You’re safe. I’ve got you.” He stilled my body with his—his weight grounding me as I convulsed. “Aelira, please,” Fyn cried. “Stay with me.”
I didn’t know if the choice was even mine to make.
Chapter 35
