She hesitated, then fled without a word.
“Did he alter it?” Reagan asked, keeping Madden pinned on his knees.
“No,” I said. “We caught him in time.”
Madden’s blistered face twisted into a sneer.
Reagan’s power flooded the room until my own swam in it, as if he were siphoning straight into me as well. He looked smug and slightly dishevelled as he smoothed his hair and sauntered to my side.
My pulse roared in my ears as I stared at Giddeon Madden before us, straining against Reagan’s hold, veins standing stark along his neck.
My chosen grinned beside me.
“I hope you enjoy Pavilion,” Reagan said coolly. “You will have plenty of time to reflect on your failure.” He met Madden’s glare. “You know, you had me wondering why you wouldn’t negotiate for her release. Then you told me you knew she could divine. She is likely the greatest threat to a time weaver who has been messing with Fate, isn’t she? Which is why she was worth more to you than anything I could offer.”
Though I followed his logic, there was too much anger burning inside me to absorb it fully.
“You’re done, Giddeon,” he said.
“You think this ends me?” Madden rasped, forcing a laugh. “The Order doesn’t end with me. It is ingrained in our people, and it will prevail. There are many in this country who will fight to their last breath before they allow your filth to rule it.” Hesmiled then. Truly unhinged. “In my rest, I will be waiting for the next who rises to free us all.”
“We will make sure you wait for a very long time,” I said, savouring the resentment flaring in his eyes. “And I will be watching every move from now on.”
The sight of him rendered helpless made my blood sing, even if his words unsettled me.
I stepped forward and looked down at him. Placing my hands on his shoulders, I drove my knee into his middle.
It was indulgent and petty, but I didn’t care.
He grunted, trying to fold, but he was trapped upright, forced to feel every pulse of pain. Not nearly enough pain. Not compared to what he had inflicted.
“This is for every innocent you ever abused,” I said, driving my knee into him once more. “And this is for myself. I hope you drown in Pavilion.”
Giddeon could not turn away, his jaw clenched tight.
I stepped back, winding an arm around Reagan’s waist. He turned us toward the door, leaving the former leader bound on the floor. He paused only long enough to add, “Send our regards to the associates you left rotting below.”
Chapter 66
Jane
The ballroom was perfect for dancing. The polished marble floor shimmered with pinpricks of silver cast by the stars on the vaulted ceiling. Magelights illuminated the space, while sconces decorated the walls. Dark red curtains had been drawn back, granting the mountains a view of our ceremony through the balcony doors.
From the far end of the room, I watched faces I recognised and many I didn’t, all of them gathered to witness the public ceremony.
Our bonding rite and my Ladyship oath.
Their voices blended with the lows and highs of the violinists I had chosen.
My leg bounced beneath my skirt in anticipation, waiting for the moment we could actually dance.
Round tables draped in ruby linens and crowned with snow-bright centrepieces brimmed with conversation. Dark gowns and velvet vests dominated the room, which only made me stand out more.
When I had first tried on the pale blue dress, it had mirrored Caedmon’s eyes, and that was why I had chosen it. However, beneath the ballroom lights, the silk deepened into turquoise. It didn’t matter. There were not many things that could mimic his eye colour.
The absence of sleeves made it easier to dance, and the thin straps left my clavicle bare in a way that kept drawing Caedmon’s attention. He didn’t bother to hide it.
“You should really be more aware of your expression,” I murmured after the last guest had greeted us.
