Page 112 of Taken By Shadows

And even after everything Eryk had just said, I couldn’t find a way to shake all of those feelings from my bones.

Kaed had stood there, in my place. I had been pinned beneath the magic of the soldiers outside the gates. I had felt the weight of their push, their intent to crush me into submission. And I had seen Kaed surrender to them so they would stop. Whether because of the goodness others saw in him or his own central core to protect what he believed was his, he’d saved me from the agony of their magic.

So I would now do what I could to save him from whatever the council might force him to endure.

“You don’t belong here,” Eryk said, breaking my thoughts.

“Of course, I …” I didn’t bother elucidating that I didn’t know where I belonged.

“There are other options for you. Other paths you might take.”

“Why are you saying this?” I had never had friends, and perhaps I’d missed out on the subtleties of friendships and connections. Bray had always been in my life, but these people didn’t know me. Eryk didn’t owe me his counsel or his kindness.

“Because this isn’t your place. Not by his side. He’s the antithesis of you. Where you are light, he is dark. I’ve watched him over many years, and he is the product of his actions. He might have experienced loss. But he dealt so much more than he ever endured.” Eryk’s voice was as hard and sharp as slate. “He is the son of a tyrant and is no better.”

I stared at the male before me.

“Everything has a price, Imogen. And you’ve agreed to pay mine. I’m just trying to tell you, Kaedian will cost you. And I just hope you’re ready to pay that price.”

Eryk ascended the worn-out steps to the domed chamber building.

He was probably right. This would cost me. Somehow.

I followed, and we entered the council chambers together.

Chapter thirty-four

“What is he doing here?” Kaed’s snarl echoed through the rotunda as he took in the sight of Eryk, me by his side. He struggled, fighting the two guards who walked him to the dais.

Kaed was cuffed again, and I felt a knot twist in my stomach at the sight.

But seeing him forced to his knees by the guards, the cords of his muscles straining against the weight, the effort it was taking him to fight the crippling powers of the faebane, I nearly snapped.

In order to compose my emotions, I forced myself to look away from Kaed.

Rionna had taken up her seat in her alcove again.

Denora and Gavrin were still here, and they followed Kaed into the rotunda. All the while, Denora’s hand rested on her sword at her side.

“I am here on your behalf, Prince Kaedian.” Eryk’s voice dripped with something mirthless and yet twisted into humour.

Kaed’s eyes gloomed as he pulled at his restraints. “Not him,” he gritted through bared teeth.

“Kaed!” I said, going to take a step, but Eryk held me back.

“It’s alright, Lady Imogen. I can imagine this is an unexpected inconvenience for Kaedian,” Eryk offered in a placating tone.

But it seemed to set fire to Kaed’s eyes. For a moment I thought he might react to Eryk’s derision. Rage, shatter the restraints that held him. Something. But the way he forced himself to stand with deliberate slowness, his eyes downcast until he rose to his full height, his gaze latching to where Eryk’s hand rested on me. That was more terrifying than any violent outburst. Eryk’s fingers twitched where they touched me as Kaed took a step off the dais.

Stationed guards moved in unison as Kaed moved.

He paused, one foot off the dais, a guard’s hand hovering at his shoulder.

A snarl rumbled like a storm gathering in Kaed’s chest, and the guard took an unsteady step back, their hand dropping like they’d been burned.

The tidal wave of tension in the room swelled, beckoning a crash.

Varris stood in the upper level. Eryk’s eyes tracked the movement as his body went rigid beside me. Whether Varris was readying himself to protest or enjoy whatever was about to unfold, I wasn’t sure. But there was a cold sweat across his brow.