by K. G. Reuss
I broke the connection and continued toward Conexus house. Brandon had gone out on a recon mission for a haunt. The distance was too great to reach him.
I only had one more street to go before Eric broke into my head.
“Raiden, I found her.”
“Where is she?” I picked up my pace, pushing some healing into myself so my eyes weren’t so swollen, and my legs weren’t so heavy.
“She’s on the edge of Conexus property. I-it’s bad. Hurry.”
My heart fluttered rapidly in my chest as the bond Ever and I had started to fade away even more. With everything I had, I raced across the lawn and streets, finding Conexus grouped around a figure on the ground in a puddle. I didn’t stop running until I’d reached them, then I fell to my knees, letting out a sob as I lifted Ever’s limp, bloody body into my arms.
“B-baby,” I whimpered, resting my forehead against hers. Her heart stumbled in her chest, moments away from stopping forever. This was all too reminiscent of a time long past. A time I’d never wanted to revisit. “Please. Don’t leave me. Don’t go.”
I held her close, weeping. I didn’t have much energy for healing left in me. Eric rested his hand on my shoulder. Then Damien. Chloe. Sloane. Amanda. Jared. Adam. I looked up at my friends as they all connected to one another with their hands on one another’s shoulders.
“Take what you need, brother,” Eric murmured, his blue eyes wavering. “Save her.”
I pulled from them, feeling the power build within me. I pressed my lips to hers in a soft kiss, breathing into her, sending all the healing I had to her. The poison which was eating at her, ebbed away, filling me. Her heart sped up. I kissed her deeper, silently begging her to stay with me.
I hadn’t realized I’d shifted into my shadow form. Her eyelids fluttered as I pulled away from her.
“Shadow,” she whispered weakly, her eyes barely open. “You came back. You saved me.”
“Always, Everly. I’ll always save you,” I whispered. Her lips curled up into the smallest smile before her eyes rolled back in her head, her body going limp once more in my arms.
But her heartbeat was strong, her breathing deep and relaxed.
She was safe.
Sixty-Five
Everly
I awoke with a groan, my body stiff.
“You’re awake,” Eric’s voice greeted me. I looked over at him and winced.
“And alive.”
He grinned, sliding his chair closer. “You had us worried sick.”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little concerned myself. Where am I?”
“You’re in the infirmary. You’ve been out for two days.”
I winced at his words. “Did I miss my palmistry exam?”
“I’m afraid so.” He chuckled and shook his head before growing quiet. “What happened?”
I frowned, gathering my thoughts. Once I had everything in order in my head, I told him about my evening, ending right where I thought I was going to die.
“And then Shadow came. I thought he was done with me, but he wasn’t.”
“Guess that’s good, huh?” He gave me a small smile.
“Eric.” I licked my lips. “D-did you see him?”
The smile on Eric’s lips tightened. Then he looked away from me. “No. I only saw you.”
My heart fell. “Why do you keep lying to me?”
He ran his fingers through his hair, his gaze focused across the room. It took him a moment, but then his eyes found mine. “Ever, Shadow is… He doesn’t matter. He’s going to end up getting you killed.”
I widened my eyes at him.
“I want nothing more than for you to succeed at all you do. But this? This isn’t an endeavor you need to even focus on. You’re in this bed because of him. You almost died because of him. Stop chasing the darkness, sweetheart.”
I swallowed hard at his words, my heart aching. “How do you know I’m in this bed because of him?”
“They want you dead. The Cipher. The sigil. If you’re with Shadow, you’re a target. Hell, you’re a target without him, but with him?” Eric shook his head, frowning. “You’re a beacon, igniting a fire in a war where there are no winners. You can’t keep searching for him.”
“But I could’ve died if he hadn’t come—”
“You’re in that bed because he tried to come.” Eric’s words were a fierce hiss, his eyes darkening. “You’re always hurting because of him. You think he’s saving you, Ever. But look at the facts. He causes you more pain than good. Let. Him. Go.”
I nodded, a tear snaking down my cheek. “Raiden told me the same thing.”
Eric sighed. “He’s right.”
“That’s over too. He doesn’t want me. He’s been with her the entire time. He used me to pass the time.”
Eric gave me a sympathetic look and sighed. “Trust me, you weren’t that to him, Ever. He cares about you. It’s just… complicated. But forget about that for a moment. Let Raiden go for now. With everything going on, you need to lay low. Train. Protect yourself. I’m worried you’re a moving target. It’s only a matter of time before you’re taken out.”
My mouth went dry. “You mean, until I’m dead for good?”
Eric nodded dully. He reached out and clasped my hand in his. “I don’t want to lose you, Ever. Believe it or not, you’re the bright spot in my world.”
I pulled my hand away from his and opened my arms. He reached out, wrapping me into a fierce hug I felt all the way to my toes.
“I’m going to make sure you’re trained in everything,” he murmured fiercely, pressing his lips to my temple.
“Even palmistry?”
He chuckled softly, tightening his hold. “Yes, even palmistry.”
Someone cleared their throat, and I untangled myself from Eric to find Raiden standing in the doorway, his eyes downcast.
“Remember what I said,” Eric murmured, giving my hand a squeeze. I nodded tightly. He was right, whether I wanted to admit it or not.
He got to his feet as Raiden entered the room. My heart fluttered uselessly in my chest, betraying all the thoughts in my head. He was still handsome. Intimidating. Desirable on so many levels. I steeled myself as he and Eric held a quick, silent conversation before Eric left the room.
“It’s good to see you awake.” Raiden sat in the chair Eric had vacated. “I was worried about you.”
“I’m sure.”
He let out a sigh. “I was, Everly, don’t for one moment think differently. Despite everything, you’ll always be my number one concern.”
I snorted at his words. “I’m sure you tell your fiancée the same thing.”
He let out a growl, his eyes darkening. “I have no fiancée—”
“Save your shit for someone else. We both know what happened. So why are you lying about it?”
“I’m not,” he hissed, leaning forward, his head down. He ran his fingers through his hair, tugging on the ends. He lifted his head, his eyes focused on me. “I have something to tell you.”
“I already saw all I needed to—”
“And what do you think you saw?” he demanded.
I shook my head, swallowing. “You kissed her. That cements it for me.”
He let out a derisive snort, shaking his silver locks, his mouth turned down into a deep frown. “I did not kiss her, Ever.”
“I heard that woman. I saw you—”
“You saw me lean down to whisper in her ear that I was going to leave. I only had you on my mind the entire time. I would never betray you like that, Everly. Do you understand me?”
I shook my head, my heart shattering. I didn’t know what to believe. All I knew was that I just couldn’t deal with the lies.
“I’m tired. I don’t believe anything you said. You’re getting married. That’s all I need to know. In case you didn’t know, a rotwraith tried to make a midnight snack out of me while your fiancée left me dying in a rainstorm. You’ll have to excuse my hostilities.”
“She’s not my fiancée. It’s an arranged marriage,” his voice cracked as he gazed back at me with wavering eyes. “I don’t love her, Everly.”
I snapped my mouth closed and stared at him. He let out a sigh and shook his head.
“I’m the prince, Ever. There are certain expectations which come with that. One is marriage to good stock.”
I wrinkled my nose at the distasteful way of describing a relationship.
“It’s not what I want.”
“You were together. Everyone knows it—”
“We were together, Ever,” he said gently. “But that’s over. I ended it long ago. My father didn’t like it. He arranged my marriage to her soon after. I’ve been fighting it ever since.”
“You’ll have to excuse me, Raiden, but making out with someone isn’t exactly fighting it.”
“I already told you. I never kissed her. Anything else I did was to appease my father. I had to buy more time until I could figure out how to get out of it.” His eyes glistened as he stared at me. “My feelings for you were never a lie, Everly.”
“But you’re still engaged.” It wasn’t a question. I knew he was. He winced at my words.
“I am. In my heart, I’m not—”
“Our hearts don’t matter, Raiden,” I snapped. “Trust me, I know.”
“I want you—”
“Well, you can’t have me, can you? I know I’m certainly not interested in being your side piece either.”
“I’d never let anyone say that about you,” he growled.
I let out a sour chuckle. “You can’t go around smashing the heads of everyone who talks shit.”
“You’d be surprised the lengths I’d go to for you, Everly.” He reached out and rested his hand on mine. A warmth swept through me at his touch. I closed my eyes, relishing the way his skin felt on mine.
“We were good together, Raiden,” I whispered.
He brushed his thumb along my bottom lip. “The best.”
“You lied to me about Amara. Even though you were forced into the engagement, you should’ve told me. You had plenty of opportunities to. I even asked you about her. ¡Mira que eres mentiroso! You lied to me, Raiden!”
“I didn’t want to not have you,” his voice shook as I stared back at him. He was still cradling my face, heartbreak and turmoil written all over his handsome features. “You would’ve said to me what you’re saying now. I’m a selfish man. I’ve wanted you since the first time I saw you. I want you now, Everly.”
“I’m sorry. It can’t happen. Not like this. We’re over, Raiden. For good.” The words were bitter on my tongue, my heart aching as I said them. Something else clicked inside of me. Something I’d been putting off for a long time.
“No,” he whispered, his eyes wild. He ran his fingers through my hair. “Let me fix this. I know I can! I just… I just need—”
“You just need to accept it, Raiden. We can’t happen.”
“Everly,” his voice cracked. “Please. Let me figure this out—”
I took his hands in mine and sat up, so I was facing him. “I loved every moment with you, even the ones where we fought. It was far too short. but I felt like I’ve known you my whole life. Let’s just take those memories and cherish them. You have obligations being the prince and a Conexus general. We both know I’m not one of you. There are more important things worth fighting for. Worry about the people, not the person. You don’t have to worry about letting me go, Raiden. I’m letting you go instead.”
“Everly.” A tear snaked down his cheek, breaking my heart into a million pieces. “Don’t—”
“It’s done.” I pulled my hands away, but he was quick to tug me back to him, his lips landing on mine in a fierce kiss. I let out a whimper as his tongue swept against mine. I could get lost in him forever.
And that was the problem. My world changed. I had a duty. I’d been pushing it off long enough.
“Raiden, we can’t—”
“We can,” he pleaded, peppering kisses on my lips. “Please trust me. Believe me. I’ll do anything. I love you.”
My heart somersaulted in my chest, the waterworks turning on. I shoved him away.
“You need to go.”
“No.” He was breathing heavy. “I’m not leaving you.”
“Raiden, please. You’re engaged to someone else—”
He shook his head, a growl on his lips. “My heart is with you, Everly.”
“You’re a liar.”
“To protect you.”
“That only makes you the worst kind,” I whispered.
He winced. I could see he wasn’t going to leave me. But he’d hurt me with his lies. Eric was right. We were from two different worlds. Our paths shouldn’t have crossed. This was only going to end badly if we kept it up. I wasn’t sure I could deal with loving him as much as I did. The hurt would only soar to new levels. It needed to end.
So I said the only thing I could think of to make him leave. “I don’t love you.”
He stiffened as he stared back at me.
I hauled in a deep breath. “Marry Amara. Leave me alone. You’ve only brought me heartache and pain. I hate you for that.”
A tremor went through his body as he got to his feet. “You’re angry at me for lying. But you’re lying now. I know you. Your heart. Your soul. You’re scared, but you don’t hate me. Your mouth might lie, but your kisses don’t.”
I didn’t try to argue with him. I couldn’t lie more.
I maintained my poker face, my voice hoarse, “Please leave.”
He shook his head at me. “I’m going to fix this. I promise you. When this is over, we’ll be together. I know you love me, Everly. I’ve heard you whisper it to me when you didn’t think I was listening. You were made me for me and me for you. Nothing will ever change that. Nothing.”
He turned on his heel and strode to the door. All I wanted to do was call out for him, tell him he was right, I did love him and wanted him more than anything I’d ever wanted before, Shadow included.
But I didn’t. I let him walk out, my heart shattering into a million pieces.
Sixty-Six
Raiden
“Raiden,” Sloane called out, knocking on my bedroom door.
I wiped my eyes and looked up at her. I hadn’t come out of my room in days, opting to just stay hidden. I couldn’t face Everly after everything. Her saying she didn’t love me had gutted me. I knew her words couldn’t be true. She’d called me a liar. She wasn’t wrong. I only did it to protect her. Now everything was falling apart, and I’d lost the only light in my life.
I hadn’t heard from my father after Sangrey set me free. I didn’t know if he had permission to do it or not. But knowing Sangrey, he probably did it on his own. I assumed all was as well as it could be.
“Yeah?”
“Hey.” She stepped into the room. “Sir Sangrey is downstairs.”
I let out a breath. Speak of the devil.
I got to my feet and pulled on a dark t-shirt.
“Are you OK?” Sloane ventured.
“Of course.” I gave her the best smile I could muster. She approached me and wrapped me in a big hug.
“You’re a damn liar, Raiden Hawthorne,” she murmured into my chest.
I hugged her back, trying to keep the tears at bay. “I am a damn liar.”
“You’re going to get through this. It’s just a minor hang up. You know she loves you. We all do, Amara included. We see the way you look at one another.”
“What if I can’t get her back? What if this is it?”
“You’ll get her back. The Raiden I know doesn’t take no for an answer. You may have to make some sacrifices, but she’s worth whatever those are, right?”
I frowned at her words. “She’s worth everything.”
“Then no worries. Now get to your uncle. He’s practically wearing a hole in the floor, pacing.”
“Great,” I muttered, moving to the door. “No guards?”
She smiled knowin
gly. “None. I don’t think you’re being taken back to the dungeons.”
“Good.” I left the room, Sloane behind me only to disappear into her own room. When I reached my office, Sangrey’s head snapped up, a smile spreading over his face.
“Look at you, all healed up.”
I didn’t say anything. I moved to my desk and sank down into my chair and stared pointedly at him.
“Why are you here, Uncle?”
Sangrey gave me a quick smile. “Remember our conversation last time I was here?”
I sat forward. “Yes.”
“I have a way to get you what you want.”
I surveyed him carefully, my heart leaping in my chest. “What is it?”
“Well, first things first. I was tasked with finding your whisperer a husband.”
It felt like I was sucking on a cotton ball as I stared at my uncle, waiting for him to continue. I gripped the edge of my seat so hard, the leather and wood cracked beneath my hold.
“I found her one.”
“Who?” I growled, glaring at him. There was no way I’d let her be married off for breeding purposes.
“You.”
I loosened my grip on the chair. “How?”
“It’s very simple. She’s your other half. We all know it. The only way to get out of a marriage is to be bonded to someone else and take a Votum Aeturnum.”
“Vow of Eternity,” I murmured.
“It’s old magic from the Old Words. One hasn’t been done in centuries. It’s the way out. The loophole.”
I looked into his eyes. “Only Conexus can bond.”
“Yes.”
“I’d have to bring her in. I’d have to induct her.”
“You would.”
I swallowed down the bile burning my throat.
“Raiden, you can say the vow when the blood chooses her for you. No one has to know you’re doing it. Your bonding will be complete. Unbreakable. It’s your only shot.”
“I swore to her I’d never bring her into Conexus.”
