The blood…Myblood… It opened the tunnels…
The markings… shadows…
I tried to swallow, but my throat felt painfully dry now. “Then, that means?—”
“Yes,” Malakai answered for me, still watching Mara and Morrigan. “That child that you helped get rid of? That was yourbrother.”
Chapter 38
MORRIGAN
None of this was how I imagined reuniting with Kaiden.
I wasn’t even sure what part of this entire nightmare I needed to focus on. If I thought being made to be a blood bag for the lords was bad, finding out that I had been created in the very image of Kaiden’s first love seemed to feel ten times worse. The pain that buried itself into my chest—caving a hollow emptiness—scared me far worse than the knife held at my throat.
“The gods could place the world at my feet, and I would still choose you… every time.”
Were those words ever actually meant forme? Or was he speaking to the girl that reflectedback at him in my eyes?
The only thing I knew for certain was that Kaidendidn’tkill Mara. Regardless of what these people believed, the pain that Kaiden bore—even in the short time I had known him so far—could never be felt by such a guilty heart.
“Listen to me, Mara,” I whispered, keeping myself as still as possible. “If Kaiden says it wasn’t him, then itwasn’t. Therehasto be an explanation.”
She pulled at the knife, forcing me to arch my back to avoid its cut. “Don’t think for one second that my relationship with Tristan will stop me from killing you. I’ve had to see you every single day, and it has made me sick to my stomach.”
“Mara.” Malakai’s rumble was low and threatening, and I couldn’t deny the guilt I felt in my heart knowing it was aimed athisfriend. “Tristan promised you Kaiden, butshewasnota part of that deal. He isn’t worth it, love. Think of what you’d be giving up. How long have we known each other?”
“It doesn’t matter.” Mara shook her head behind me. “It isn’tfair, Mal!”
Even though my life was the one at stake, I still felt so much empathy for her. Whatever happened, it was a fate she didn’t deserve. Just another way the gods have mocked the very mortals that they created. They didn’t care about us, and that was a hard enough pill to swallow.
But then, after all she had been through, having to face the very person created to replace her in every possible way… Her coldness made sense now. As didKaiden’s.
When I turned to him, his eyes remained on hers in an impossible expression that I couldn’t quite decipher. Was it real? Any of it? Is that why he hated me so much?
“Because the second I saw your face, I fucking loved you.”
Herface.
I hadn’t meant to allow the silent sob to leave my lips, but as the tear fell down my cheek, Kaiden’s eyes shifted to mine. He tracked the tear, and his face fell as though he could hear the thoughts spiraling in my head.
“Morrigan…” he whispered, though I had never heard his voice sound so small before.
Tell me it isn’t true, I pleaded in my mind, wishing he could hear it the same way Tristan could.Tell me I’m wrong.
Just then, the air began to change. A cold breeze swept through the trees, raking a chill through my bones as darkness stretched beyond the shadows. All eyes turned in its direction, and seconds later, Tristan emerged.
His eyes were trained on Mara with a hardness I doubted he had ever directed toward her before.
“Mara,” he commanded with just one word. His voice was laced with bitterness, and I had a horrible feeling of what was to come.
Behind me, she began to tremble slightly. “I’m sorry, Tristan,” she whispered. “I h-have to… I wanther. I know you promised me Kaiden, but I want tolive! No one will even notice! She’s basically a copy of me, Tristan. I can have it—her body. Once it’s done, you’ll get your light back, and Morrigan’s soul can stay here with you. It’s everything you want.Iwant the life I should have lived. Ideserveit!”
Mara pulled me closer to her, but I didn’t care. I turned back to Kaiden, still begging him with my eyes to say anything that would sooth this burning ache in my heart. To tell me he didn’t fall in love with me simply because I looked likeher. That he wantedme. That, with the center of his world now at his feet, just as he had sworn, he would still chooseme.
“Mara, if you so much as leave a single mark on her, I will not be able to forgive you. Release her,” he warned.
“I helpedraiseyou, Tristan.” Her voice cracked slightly with emotion that she held so heavily on her shoulders. “You wouldtruly chooseheroverme?”
