Page 23 of A Bond So Deadly

Instinctively, my hand goes to my neck. “I have some idea,” I mumble.

Blinking back tears, Kenzie squeezes me tighter. “Well, good. Then like I said, don’t do it again.”

I chuckle. “I’ll try.”

When she pulls back, I note the bruises still on her face and arms. Satine looks a little better off and is wearing a fresh new set of leathers, but it’s obvious they’re both still recovering from the games. “You weren’t selected,” I say softly to them.

Satine shifts uncomfortably. “Not like that was going to happen after Ian…” she trails off.

“But hey, we didn’t die either,” Kenzie says brightly.

“Yeah, but you missed your chance at immortality,” I point out.

“You mean we didn’t end up as expendable soldiers for the shadow queen’s army just yet,” Kenzie counters. “Besides, it also means that for now I get to stay here with you. We can try and find Leira and Jensen.”

Blake looks to me for answers, and I explain more about the missing students. She doesn’t look too pleased at the idea of us searching for them, likely because she wants me working on finding the oracle, but I know she understands.

“So, this is your best friend, huh?” Kenzie asks, looking warily at Blake.

I grin and decide to introduce them properly. “Blake, this is Kenzie and Satine. Kenzie has been my roommate since I arrived at Shadowbone. Satine is…” I pause to consider my words, “an ally. Though, she doesn’t want to admit it yet.”

The ghost of a smile touches Satine’s lips. “Your Highness,” she says respectfully, dipping her head.

“Yeah, thanks for not killing us,” Kenzie says with a grin.

Light touches Blake’s golden eyes. “You’re welcome. Shade needs as many friends as she can get.”

I smile, because she’s not wrong.

“So.” Kenzie rocks on her heels. “About that. What’s the plan now?”

Blake doesn’t bring up her suggestion that I find a way to leave the academy, but I’m still surprised when she answers. “It’s simple. We follow the agreement with Queen Krosia. A selection of my top commanders will be arriving tomorrow, and for the next week, your professors will be teaching us tactics to fight against the Xalgrith should the time for battle come.” Her golden gaze bores into Kenzie and Satine. “I suggest you stay away from my demons. They don’t see humans often and have a particular fondness for your kind.”

Satine lifts her chin as if to show she’s not afraid, but Kenzie has the sense to nod.

I smother my smile, though it’s sound advice. The demons can be…a lot.

“But until then,” Blake says, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. “Shade is going to tell me everything about her past, and also, how she met those four delicious shadow warriors. Because I need allll the details.”

Chapter Eight

~ Knox ~

It was insufferable sitting with the demon royals after our mates left the dining room. Our girl. How could they call her that? I wanted to cut out their tongues for even daring to suggest Shade was theirs, and it was fortunate Shade and Blake returned when they did an hour later.

I know I’m using my anger at the demon kings as a distraction. If anything, I should be grateful they saved her, but I need somewhere to direct my fury. My mate had almost died at the hands of the shadow queen for a second time, and until I can find a way to dispatch Krosia, all I can do is keep Shade close.

One day I will deal with Krosia. One day I will savor the sound of her screams as I make her endure unspeakable agony, before erasing her from this realm. But until then, I’ll wait. I think of the shadow blade currently in the possession of the demon queen. I need to get my hands on that dagger. With it, I could devise a plan to finally end Krosia. Swallowing my rage, I down my drink, wishing the alcohol were stronger. Wishing it had more of an effect on me.

We’re back in our private quarters, and my friends and Shade are all positioned around the living room. I’m seated at the armchair closest to the window, and I’m deep in thought when Raith starts speaking.

“Queen Blake is right,” my brother says from where he relaxes on one of the couches. “Krosia might say Shade is safe here, but we all know that’s bullshit. Sooner or later Krosia’s goin’ to try and get rid of her.”

“You think she’d risk starting a war with the demons?” Shade asks, lifting her head from where she’s tucked against Thane.

Fuck. Despite the anger still coursing through me, just seeing her pressed against him has my pants tightening, and my mind struggles to focus. My mate. Mine. My love. The one I’d thought I’d lost. I had still been trying to process this news when I’d nearly lost her again. I think about when the shadow queen had me in her clutches. Oh, how I had burned with the need to kill her. I wonder if Krosia had felt it—that dark rage that had consumed me, and the bone-chilling promise I made to myself, that if she executed Shade I would stop at nothing to destroy her. I doubt it. If Krosia had, she never would have agreed to let Shade live, even with the demon queen forcing her hand. If she had felt it, she would have realized that the prophecy is right. Because I will do anything to protect my mate. Even if it means us losing this damn war.

“It’s likely that Krosia would make it seem like you died by another’s hand or by natural causes,” Galen theorizes, responding to Shade’s earlier question. “I’m sure she’ll wait for some time to pass first, of course. Perhaps, she might even wait to see if we can win this war with the aid of the demons, but as time goes by, she won’t be able to ignore that you’re a threat, and she’ll act.”