Although his reply isn’t a complete surprise, my insides still fold inward. “He’s your brother. Does that mean nothing to you?”
His response is immediate and detached. “Things will be simpler when he is out of the way. This is for the best.”
“I hate you.” In this moment, I do. I truly do.
“That feeling won’t last long. Do you have the procedure set up, Mother?”
“It’s arranged, but she’s going nowhere until she understands what’s at stake here.” Pacing back and forth across the floor, Griselda starts speaking into thin air, unwilling to even look at me while she talks. “The threat to my position, and Ax’s future leadership role, has been intensifying these last few years. My family has ruled Torc for generations, and I will not be responsible for losing that control. Everything I have done has been done with that end goal in sight.” She pauses briefly to look out the window. “I’ve known for years that Rhys and his father were planning to usurp me. Why else would I keep that arrogant man-child in my bed?”
A derogatory snort leaves my mouth, and she turns slowly away from the window to stare at me. I look her in the eyes as I say, “You’re nothing but a prostitute. And obviously not a very good one at that. Rhys knew exactly how to extract information from you.”
Throwing back her head, she lets loose a guttural laugh. “How can you still be so naïve?” She rolls her eyes. “I fed Rhys exactly what I needed to feed him, and the little fool fell for the whole thing.”
My forehead wrinkles as I turn my attention toward Ax. “But he was the one to tell you about your father? I don’t understand … I”—I suck in a sharp gasp—“oh my God, you knew! You knew all along!”
He picks at a loose thread on his pants. “About that? No, I didn’t. I found out the same time you and Logan did.” His eyes flare up as he slants a venomous look at Griselda.
“But you knew something?”
“I knew it was personal; I just hadn’t slotted all the pieces into the puzzle.”
I’m still confused, and before we go any further I need to know how far-reaching his betrayal is. “When we left here, after I blew up the Tempo, was that all part of some plan you two cooked up?” My heart slams frantically against my ribcage as I stare deep into his eyes, awaiting his confession.
“No, actually. That was genuine. I reacted in the moment to save you, and once we landed on Earth, I thought that was our opportunity to be free, to finally be together without anything hanging over us.”
“But you let him down, didn’t you, Sadie?” Griselda cocks her head to the side, scrutinizing me with calculating eyes. “You hurt him in the worst possible way because you promised you would love him for life but you turned your back on him for his brother.”
“It’s his fault. He ruined everything.” Ax’s nostrils flare and the extent of his hatred for Logan has never been more extreme, or more transparent.
“What did you do, Ax?”
“I knew I was losing you when we were back on Earth, after you dreamed of our honeymoon and still told me you were choosing him. When everyone was distracted in G’s compound, I reached out to Mother. Together, we devised a plan.”
“And it would’ve worked perfectly if that idiot Dante hadn’t messed everything up. I thought we were on the same side, but he attacked the High Commission without my knowledge and refused to hand you three over like we’d agreed,” Griselda adds. “If he had cooperated, all of this mess would be over. Logan and Dante would already be dead, and you and Axton would be king and queen of Saven.”
My eyes pop out on stilts. “What the what?”
Griselda smiles in a superior manner. “My revenge is only complete once I have taken Saven under Torc rule. While the driving force has always been personal, I meant it when I said the Saven had to pay for what their ancestors did to our race. But I’m not foolish enough to think it would be as easy as announcing military control over Saven or even installing myself as Saven queen. We all know how much they love to fight, and they don’t need much incentive to incite another civil war. That’s not what I want. They will accept Axton as the rightful Saven king once there are no other contenders for the throne, and provided you are by his side. You give him additional legitimacy.”
She clearly doesn’t understand how much I’m despised by the Saven. Logan thinks he’s shielding me from it, but I know it’s worse than he’s letting on. They aren’t coming around, and, at this point, it’s looking like they’ll never accept me.
“I want my son to claim his birthright, to lead the life he should have led, to have the type of future he dreams of.”
My face contorts disbelievingly. “Now you care about him?”
“I’ve always cared about him.” She looks down at her feet. “It’s not easy for me to show my feelings.”
I snort-laugh as I twist my body on the couch so I’m facing Ax. “Please tell me you’re not buying this crap?”
A pained look shines from his eyes. “Why is it so hard to believe someone could love me?”
My voice is soft as I reply. “You know I didn’t mean it like that. You are so worthy of love, and I love you. I do.”
“Yet you rejected him. Somehow, I don’t think I’m the only one who has trouble expressing their true emotions.” Griselda jerks her head in a patronizing manner, and the urge to zap her irritating ass into dust is hugely tempting, but I must bide my time.
“There are many different forms of love, not that I expect someone like you to understand that,” I scoff.
“Enough!” she snaps. “I want to get this over and done with so we can move forward. Whatever choices you made previously no longer count. You will agree to do this or I will make you. I’m done debating.”
“I’d like to see you try.”
Griselda throws her hands into the air, glaring at Ax with pure venom written all over her face. “You actually want this monster at your side? Even though she’ll fight you every step of the way?”
“Stop it, Mother,” Ax says sharply. “Sadie will do as she’s told. She’ll head up the Assassins Program and officially be announced as my wife. She just needs a little time to get used to the idea is all.” I open my mouth to protest, and he places his palm gently across my mouth. “I don’t want to hear it.”
He hauls me to my feet, reeling me into his arms. I refuse to return the gesture, so I’m like a statue pressed against the length of him. “She needs access to her memories, and then everything will be fine.”
“Very well, Axton. But you had better make her conform this time.”
Due to a mix-up at the lab, I’m thrown a bone when the procedure has to be deferred until later. I’m exhausted from missed sleep and still drained from the mind walk procedure, so I’m grateful for the chance to sleep the afternoon away. Ax goes off to attend to some stuff, locking me in the suite before he leaves. But time catches up with me, and soon the moment I’ve been dreading arrives.
Ax has to practically drag me to the Perception room. I’m pleading with him, begging him not to force this on me, but my pleas fall on deaf ears. The churning pool of anxiety in my stomach has reached tornado proportions by the time we step foot in the room.
I don’t want this. I’ve never wanted this. What is the point in dredging up a past that no longer serves any purpose? A past that’s no longer connected to the present or the future. A past that is bittersweet because the love we shared was doomed from the outset—a stolen love that was never meant to be.
Why would I want to relive that?
All it will do is upset me and upset Logan. And ultimately upset Ax, because I know he thinks this is going to solve everything. That I’ll remember how much I loved him and shelve any notion of loving Logan.
What he fails to realize is that regurgitated memories can’t override the soul-deep love I share with Logan. I don’t doubt that I loved Ax completely in my previous life but no other love compares to what I have with my Eterno.
No one else will ever claim
my heart.
Logan owns it for eternity.
I have complete faith in our love which is why I know this is futile.
But Ax doesn’t.
He emits a frustrated roar as I grab hold of the doorframe, latching onto the sides with all my strength, refusing to step foot in the room. In one foul swoop, he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder. I wriggle repeatedly as he secures me in the chair, my mind computing another idea.
Maybe I’m looking at this all wrong.
I know regaining my memories won’t do anything to change my mind.
Perhaps it will change Ax’s.
He’s expecting me to jump straight back into his arms, believing that I’ve only chosen Logan because I can’t remember how much I loved him.
When the opposite is true, what will he do?
Finally start accepting it or fall completely apart?
Either way, I think it’s my best shot at trying to get through to him. He’s lost under a mantle of heartbreak and confusion, but I know the person underneath is still good to his core.
He’s just forgotten that.
And it’s time I helped him remember.
The memories flow through my mind like a river bursting through a dam, finally free to meander effortlessly wherever they please. They build like blocks in my mind, stacking recollection upon recollection, each one reconnecting me with my forgotten past. Invisible arms reach out, elevating certain memories to the forefront of my mind.
Ax is at the center of everything.
My world is full of him, and my heart soars with remembered happiness. His touch, his words, his comfort, and his love.
I remember it all. I feel it all, vividly.
I recall my first days on Torc as if it was yesterday. The memories are heartbreaking, traumatic, but Ax was there already. Holding my hand and telling me he’d be my friend and that everything would be okay.
Countless memories showcase our blossoming relationship over the years, and my heart pulses with reminiscent emotion.
When I relive our wedding and honeymoon, I can’t contain my tears. My chest heaves as I sob against his shoulder. It was perfect. He was perfect. I touch my lips, remembering the taste of him against my mouth. Tremors dance over my skin as I recall the way he moved inside me, the way we fit perfectly together, his magical caresses as he worshipped every inch of my body.
In another lifetime, the universe started and ended with him, and it was more than enough for me.
But it was all a lie. A fallacy. It was never meant to be. We were always on borrowed time.
Agonizing pain burns an invisible hole in my heart. Ax let me fall in love with him knowing I was destined for another.
For the first time, the full extent of his betrayal is crystal clear and it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. At the same time, it’s hard to despise him for it because he couldn’t help falling in love no more than I could fight the fate awaiting me. And he had so little joy in his life; can I truly fault him for grasping at happiness? The honest answer is I can’t.
We are both victims of circumstance.
Pawns in a deadly galactic game for ultimate power and control. And now I know the truth. I know how hard he fought to free us. I can’t hate someone who tried so desperately to save me.
The person who is still trying to save me.
My heart aches again with the knowledge that it isn’t enough. Will never be enough. All Ax’s efforts have been in vain, because my future is with Logan. He is still the only one for me.
My eyes fly open, tears pouring down my face. My heart thuds rampantly in my chest as I peer into Ax’s concerned, hopeful gaze. How I wish he hadn’t made me do this! I can’t bear the thought of hurting him again, but there is no other choice. I won’t lie to him because he deserves to be loved by someone who has given him her whole heart.
And that girl isn’t me.
“How are you feeling?” His voice is choked as he gently wipes my tears away.
“So much. Too much.” My voice is wrought with pain.
Clasping my head in his hands, he plants a determined kiss on my forehead. “We need to talk in private.” He starts unlatching the restraints securing me to the bed. “And you need to rest.”
“Not so fast, Axton.” Griselda puts a halt to his plans, urgently pressing a few buttons on the control desk. “I need to run some tests first.”
“It can wait!” Ax snaps at his mother.
“No. It can’t. You’ve waited this long, you can wait another few minutes.”
A sharp prodding pain attacks the outer walls of my mind, and I wince, but my barrier is strong, and I know I’m more than capable of resisting her. That thought instills renewed confidence, plus it’s a timely reminder. Regaining my memories means my emotional state is dangerously fragile, and keeping a level head is important if I’m to protect my inner sanctum and control my incendio gift. I inhale and exhale slowly, willing my heartbeat to slow down.
Griselda looks up, scowling, and I understand.
Although it kills me to do it, I release my shields, burying certain thoughts in the furthest corner of my mind for protection, and I openly allow her to penetrate my mind. A pink glaze coats my eyes as I sense Griselda entering my headspace, and my incendio gift starts rumbling to life. Fire sparks in my veins, racing through my body with alarming speed. “Understand something, Sadie. I am still in control in this situation. Of you. Of him. Of all of it. Do not mess with me or everyone you love will pay the price. Have I made myself clear?”
“Crystal.”
“You will make my son happy. You will do exactly as he tells you or I will end you.”
An icy chill crawls over my skin at her naked threat, and I’ve no doubt she would happily follow through. “I understand.”
I slump in the chair the minute she extracts herself from my mind. Instantly soldering my mental shields, I test and flex them, reaffirming their resilience. A comforting sensation embraces me. I’m strong enough to do this. I know I am.
Ax frees the last of my restraints, scooping me up into his arms.
“Wait up,” Griselda commands, striding toward us. “There is one final thing I want to say. To both of you.” Ax places me back in the chair and leans on the edge as he plants a hand on my thigh. She clears her throat, feigning discomfort when the glee is more than obvious on her face. “Your original mating and marriage certificate was never registered so your union isn’t legally binding.”
Ax gasps. “What?”
Griselda licks her lips. “The celebrant passed away before he could process it.”
“So, we’re not actually married?” I hope Ax doesn’t pick up on the relief in my voice. Griselda’s revelation makes me feel slightly less guilty.
“No, and that is something that’ll need to be rectified immediately.”
“I’ll sort it, Mother.” Ax stands.
“I’m not finished,” she snaps, and Ax grimaces.
“I swear you are delaying us on purpose,” he grumbles.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Axton. Our plan only works if Sadie is committed to you and your relationship. What I have to say next should help eradicate any lingering doubts.”
My eyes perk up at that as a panicked, fluttery sensation presses down on my chest. I don’t need any special telepathic ability to guess I won’t like what she’s going to say.
Leaning back against the table, she crosses her feet at the ankles. “I always knew that your DNA sample had been swapped out. I didn’t know why or who had done it back then, and I didn’t stop it because it made sense to inject Saven DNA into your system. It was actually ingenious, and I chose to look on it as a backup plan should things go wrong.” A smug smile kicks up the corners of her mouth.
“Oh, get on with it already,” I demand, fed up of her dramatic game playing.
“Didn’t you ever wonder what sample had been used?”
“No.” I plant a bored expression on my face. Truth is, I haven’t given it
much thought. Why would I? As King Coryn said, there are thousands of hybrid Tor-Saven on Torc, and it could be any number of them.
Blood sluices through my veins as a sudden thought pops into my head. My jaw slackens as my eyes widen in alarm. King Coryn also said he’d asked his friend to find the purest Tor-Saven sample to inject me with. I clamp a hand over my mouth as my gaze slams into Griselda. Her smug smile grows so wide, I swear it’ll split her face in two.
“I see you’ve figured it out.” She pushes off the table and stands up straight.
“Would someone care to enlighten me?” Ax frowns, pulling on the top of his ear.
Smothering my horror, I stare into his face. “It’s you, Ax. You were my DNA donor. It’s your DNA that flows through me.”
CHAPTER 7
Logan
“You’ve known where Dante is all along?” I stare at Navda, dumbfounded at his confession. This is not who I thought he was. “Did you tip him off about the Military Reserve mission?” My eyes narrow to slits.
The Narik technician stares awkwardly at his feet, avoiding eye contact, clearly uncomfortable.
Navda’s eyes wrinkle at the corners. “I did,” he readily admits, and I curse under my breath. “I couldn’t let them take him when the punishment was still undecided, and I was scared that something might happen to him during the takedown, so I sent him a secure comm warning him they were coming, and I provided coordinates to a safe location.”
“You have risked your entire race to save him.” Dali shakes her head in consternation as she speaks. “And I bet Dante doesn’t even care.” She starts pacing back and forth across the small control room. “I can’t believe you’ve done this.” She continues shaking her head.
“What do you expect of us?” I pin him with an earnest look.
For the first time, he looks nervous as he eyeballs me. “I can’t rescue Dante on my own. I don’t want to risk involving too many of my men, so I was hoping you’d all agree to come with me.”
Haydn stiffens beside me, and Dali has stopped pacing to send Navda an incredulous look. “You would ask us to risk our positions for him? Have you forgotten that he tried to kill Logan and Sadie? Or that he killed Alex and Neve? And he only kept me and Win alive so he could barter with my father. Why the hell should I care what happens to him?!” Her tone is growing angrier and more insistent. Win places a comforting arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his side. It’s the first time I’ve seen him acknowledge their relationship in public; he’s usually the embodiment of professional indifference.
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