by G. K. DeRosa
The moment I drank the Evanescium, the invisible link that connected Solaris and me dissolved into nothing. Vanished. It was gone. I couldn’t feel a thing from her. My emotions were all my own.
I was empty inside.
And uneasy.
I glanced around the large field, seeking out my father or Xander. If my brother had turned Solaris in to the king, I would know about it. If he had compelled any of our dark secrets from her—finding out that I healed her, I killed for her, and about the blood bags—I would have been taken in for questioning by now.
She must have consumed the vial of my blood.
I dropped my shoulder as a blade twirled toward me. It smacked into the wall with a solid hit. My brow arched in the direction it had come from, finding Hazon. I should have known.
With the loss of the bond, I thought I’d feel like my old self again. Cool, calm, collected, and certain. I was far from any of those things. Thoughts of Solaris still plagued my mind. Her golden hair, those blazing green eyes, and her reckless bravado.
She wouldn’t have sold me out to the Collective had roles been reversed. She would have told them to take a flying leap off a bottomless cliff or something equally as vivid. A smile twitched my lips. Solaris probably would have walked right up to a human officer and decked him.
I shook the thoughts from my head, shattering her image. Too bad I couldn’t shatter the ache in my chest.
A whistle blew, and the knives stopped.
“Good job, Prince Kaige.” Captain Maxum walked over, grinning up at me from the ground. “You did amazing. Your brother is going to have a hard time keeping up.”
I easily jumped down from the tall wooden pillar. “Have you seen him?”
His lips thinned. “No. He skipped training. Again.”
My stomach knotted. I brushed my hair back from my face, feeling the cool wind. My eyes flickered up to Hazon, catching his sneer. Did he know where my brother was? Xander wouldn’t have been stupid enough to tell him about Solaris before telling our father.
Maxum clapped my shoulder. “Why don’t you take a break while we set up the next agility challenge.”
I gave a quick nod and spun around, heading toward the inner corridor of the arena. I snatched a bottle of water from a table and downed the entire thing. I bypassed the food and tore open a bottle of synth. The metallic, briny taste was even more lacking than usual.
Solaris would have been better.
“You totally sucked out there.”
I flinched. Zabrina was leaning against a wall, smirking. “What are you talking about?” My brow furrowed. “And don’t say sucked.”
She scoffed. “Sucked is not a bad word.”
“Little girls shouldn’t say it like that, especially a princess.”
Zabrina crossed her arms against her chest and rolled her eyes. “Let me rephrase it then, big brother. You looked terrible out there.”
I licked the room temperature synth from my lips. “I was perfect. I didn’t fall once or let a knife hit me.”
“Yeah, but you looked like a robot.” She leaned off the wall and stepped closer to the table. “Your head was somewhere else.”
I averted my eyes. When the hell did my eight-year-old sister become so perceptive? “I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”
“Does this have anything to do with you disappearing for the past few days?”
I hid my shock by chugging another gulp of synth. If my father were half as observant as Zabrina, I’d be in trouble. Or more precisely, I’d be settled in the dungeons, awaiting my execution. “I’ve been busy training,” I lied.
She made a humming sound as if she didn’t believe me. “It’s a girl, isn’t it?”
I nearly choked on synth. “It’s not anything like that.”
A smile tugged at her lips. “It’s exactly that.” She started making kissy faces. “Kaige and a girl sitting in a tree—”
I shushed her. If anyone even thought I was having a romantic fling, rumors would spread like wildfire. The trials were too close, and every young noblewoman wanted a chance to be queen. “It’s no one,” I hissed, pressing my palm against her mouth.
Zabrina mumbled something.
I lifted my hand away. “What?”
“I asked if she was all prim and proper?” She held up an invisible dress and performed a dramatic curtsey.
I scoffed. “Not at all.”
Her sapphire eyes widened. “Really? Tell me about her.”
“It’s not like that. She’s just a friend.” I jammed my fingers through my hair. A friend was not quite the term for Solaris. Besides, people wouldn’t sentence a friend to death to save their own hide.
“Why do you look so sick all of a sudden?” my sister asked, her face crinkling and scrunching up the light smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose.
“She’s in trouble.” I shoved my hands in my pockets. I really needed to shut my mouth. “And if I help her, I could get in trouble too.” Even if the bond were numb, I’d know if Solaris was dead. I still had time to change my mind and try to get her out. I could still save her.
By dooming myself.
Zabrina’s lips puckered and her gaze lowered to the table of refreshments. She grabbed a bottle of water, twisting it around in thought.
Was I really confiding in my little sister for advice on the worst situation I’d ever gotten into? Would she hate me if she knew I was referring to a human?
“Well, I’d help my friend either way, but that’s just me.” She plucked a grape and rolled it between her little fingers. “I like getting into trouble.”
My smile didn’t reach my eyes. “You sure do.” I tugged on one of her braids, earning a scowl.
“Xander wouldn’t do it,” she said. “He’s selfish that way. Father might help if it didn’t put too much risk on The Crown. We have to remain the leading family.” She popped the grape in her mouth, chewing as she thought. “And mom, as long as it didn’t hurt any of her children, she’d follow her heart.”
Involving my heart was the last thing I wanted to do. It could trigger the prophecy.
I sighed and ruffled her hair. “I need to take a walk to think.”
She swatted my hand away. “Maybe it would do you some good to get into trouble, Kaige,” she winked, “if that’s even possible.”
She had no idea.
I stalked down the corridor, gritting my teeth and squeezing my hands into tight fists. Even without the bond, guilt still ate away at me. And anguish. They both twisted through my chest like a deadly disease weakening me.
I slipped into an empty stone room that housed weapons for training. Knives, swords, bows, arrows, and spears glittered on the walls and shelves. Armor and protective gear were neatly stacked. A few wooden tables lined the floor.
My head was throbbing, and I kept imagining horrible things happening to Solaris. Was she in chains? Was she hurt? Scared?
Nothing came through the bond, and I was beginning to think the quiet was worse.
I hunched over a table, pulling on my hair. I was a selfish bastard. I kept Solaris in Draconis to figure out what was on that plane. It turned out to be a dark secret I wanted nothing to do with. And now, because of me, she was going to be murdered the moment my father found out.
Heat bubbled up through my chest, and my fangs slid out. My hand gripped the edge of the table, flipping it over. Wood cracked and splintered, scattering across the stone floor. I wanted to roar at the top of my lungs like a beast. I had gotten myself into a colossal sized mess, and there was no way out of it. Either choice left a sour taste in my mouth.
I do nothing and Solaris dies.
I rescue her and forfeit my life.
But, if I let Xander have the upper hand, control me, my life would never be my own. He’d always see me as weak and try to use it against me.
I had to figure out a way—
My thoughts were torn right out of my head as pain sliced open my chest. An invisible wave of emotio
n hit me, knocking me to my knees. I gasped for air, and black spots began to converge over my vision.
Was the bond returning? Garridan said it would last twenty-four hours. It’s barely been half that.
My fingers clawed at the ground, and I fought to stay conscious. A buzzing filled my ears, drowning out any other sounds. Once the initial shock began to wane, I could distinguish the sensations rippling over me. Fear and pain. Pain and fear. It was all one big ball of agony churning in my core.
Solaris. She was in danger.
It was too much to bear. I couldn’t let her die.
I pulled myself up and tore out of the corridor as fast as my legs could carry me. I ran through the halls of Castle De La Divin, not caring who saw me. I didn’t answer when they called my name. I just ran. Ran to the dungeons. Ran to Solaris.
Chapter 22
Kaige
A guard stood at the gate to the dungeon, attempting to block my entrance. His hand lifted and his legs spread in a fighting stance. “No one is allowed in the dungeons.”
My jaw clenched as I halted, searching the area for any other sign of movement. Nothing stirred in the shadows. No other guards materialized.
Xander hadn’t told a soul about Solaris yet.
My eyes flickered toward the guard’s gold nameplate. “Nyx, I’m going to need you to get out of my way.”
He shook his head. “No can do, Prince Kaige. I’m under direct order to keep everyone out.”
My nostrils flared. Damn Xander. He’d compelled him.
He should have compelled more.
“Sorry about this.” I reared back and punched him.
Nyx stumbled and shook his head as if in shock. Before he could grab his weapon, I snatched his arm and spun him around. I slammed him against the stone wall and then rammed my fist into his face again. A crunch echoed and blood spurted from his nose.
The guard stared at me with wide eyes as he staggered. I was definitely past the point of no return.
One more punch sent him to the ground with a thud. He was unconscious. Hopefully he’d stay that way for a while.
I grabbed Nyx’s feet and dragged him inside the gate out of view. I didn’t need more guards rushing into the dungeons. The dank air hit me as I entered the tunnel, but so did the metallic scent of blood. Human blood.
Two figures came into view, one attached to the other. A whimper bounced off the walls followed by a deep groan of pleasure.
A red haze descended over my vision. This wasn’t some starving taranoi draining Solaris. It was my brother.
I rammed into Xander, yanking him off Solaris and tossing him into the stone wall. I caught her before she hit the ground.
Those green eyes stared up at me, dull and hazy. “Kaige?” She blinked. Crimson leaked from the bite on her neck. The second bite.
Before I could apologize for betraying her, a roar tore from Xander. I moved quickly, gently placing Solaris down. I spun around and dug my heels in, taking the oncoming attack. A fist flew through the air, smashing into my cheek.
Stars popped in my vision as pain exploded across my face. We’d fought before, but Xander had never been this fast or strong. He’d never had human blood either. Before I could fully recover, the heel of his boot struck my torso.
A crack echoed, and I choked on air. It felt as if a rib had been crushed inside my body. I hunched over, trying to breathe through the pain.
Xander’s laughter throbbed against my skull. “Looks like I’m the stronger twin now.” His fist caught my chin, and I flew into the wall. “Perfect Kaige isn’t so perfect anymore.”
My hands held me up as I stumbled, scraping against the rough stone. Xander didn’t give me a moment of reprieve, his other fist punching me across the jaw. The metallic tinge of blood coated my tongue. I slid to the cold ground.
“Kaige!” Solaris’s voice sounded muffled.
My eyes met hers as she pleaded with me to get up. I wanted to. I just couldn’t get my limbs to cooperate. A deep growl curled from Xander’s bloodstained mouth, and he turned around, zeroing in on Solaris.
Time suddenly slowed. He stepped toward her, his bloodlust so strong it vibrated through the air. I could even smell it—thick, pungent, and unforgiving. Solaris’s eyes widened as she crawled backward on her hands until she slammed against the opposite wall.
Xander was still coming. He was going to drain the rest of her blood. He was going to kill her.
My gaze drifted to the two wounds he’d savagely ripped into her neck. Bruises in the shape of his fingers marred her arms, leaving them purple and blue. He’d hurt her. He’d terrorized her while I sat back and pretended it didn’t matter.
It did matter. Her life mattered.
My jaw clenched, and my fangs lengthened again. I let my primal instincts take over, ones that Solaris had awakened. We were connected. A dark part of me had laid claim to her blood. It was mine. And anyone else who stole it from me would suffer. She was my little human, and no one was going to steal her life, least of all my twin.
I stood, ignoring the pain twisting through my torso, then launched myself at Xander. The world shifted back into real time as I slammed into him, knocking him down. Solaris rolled out of the way just in time.
My fist connected with his face not once, not twice, but three times. Blood spilled across his cheeks and splattered my knuckles. The viciousness of my attack caught him off guard and allowed me to crush my knee into his side. “I knew you wouldn’t keep your word, Xander. The deal is off.”
“Like hell it is.” He bucked me off and stood, wiping his face with the back of his hand. “You’ll still throw the trials.” His liquid silver eyes found Solaris, watching her slowly stand.
“Go to hell, Xander,” she spat. “You won’t get one more drop of my blood.”
My brave little human. She wouldn’t go down without a fight.
He smirked. “Oh I will, and I intend to take my time savoring every last sip.” He licked his lips.
My insides scorched, shooting hot anger through my veins like fresh lava. A guttural growl tore from my mouth, shaking the entire dungeon. I only hoped no one was in the vicinity because it wasn’t a sound that could be ignored. It meant danger.
A burst of strength shot through me, and I jumped up, grabbing Xander around the neck and crushing him into the wall.
An astonished cry slipped out and some of the silver sheen dissipated from his eyes. As he stared at me, he began to realize I wasn’t the same Kaige from a few days ago. I wasn’t calm and collected anymore.
“You’re going to go sleep it off while I take Solaris back to Imera,” I growled. “Not a soul will know about her.”
“You’re crazy,” he spat, trying and failing to get free. “I’ll tell father—”
I slammed him into the wall again. “You’re the one who fed from her, Xander. You’re the one who will be executed for this. Father will compel her and find out the truth.”
His cheeks paled. “I-I’ll tell him it was all your plan. You wanted the human’s blood too.”
A leer curled my lips. “I’ll deny it. I’ll say I found the human and was turning her in when you attacked her. Who do you think father will believe? You or me?”
As my words sunk in, the fight drained from my brother. “You’re pathetic.”
“Think whatever you want, but make no mistake, brother.” I leaned in, catching my reflection in his eyes. I looked wild and terrifying like an untamed beast. Xander stunk of fear. “I will tell the king of your treason if you threaten me again.” I released him. “Make sure you compel Nyx when he wakes up. I knocked him out.” I turned my back on him.
“Why wouldn’t you just feed from her and kill her?” he called after me. “Why not keep this secret and enjoy her blood?”
“Because.” Part of it was the bond and part of it was because I hated the thought of her life fading, especially in my arms. As much as caring about a human was wrong according to the prophecy, so was killing one.
I reached for Solaris, gritting my teeth against the throbbing in my torso. I was already healing. She hesitated, her body reluctant and betrayal spilling through the bond. She didn’t trust me. I didn’t blame her.
Finally she slipped her hand in mine, and we walked out of the dungeon together.
Once outside, she jerked away. “What are you doing?” she hissed.
“I’m getting you out of here.” I tried to pull her along, but she dug her heels in.
“I’m not going anywhere with you. You turned me in.”
My nostrils flared. “We don’t have time for this. I will throw you over my shoulder and haul you out of this castle if I have to.”
She slapped me, a sharp sting whipping across my cheek. I saw it coming, but I let her do it anyway. I deserved it. And more.
Her lip trembled. “You left me with him. He almost killed me.”
I swallowed hard as my stomach twisted. “I’m sorry. I had no other choice. I didn’t know what else to do.”
“And the bond. It disappeared.”
“I took something to temporarily numb it,” I admitted. “I needed to think.” To figure out if I was going to risk my life to save hers.
Solaris spun around and quickly wiped the tears that had escaped her eyes. “Fine. Let’s just get out of here before you change your mind again.”
Pain arced through my chest, and it was both hers and mine. “Solaris, I’m—”
Her hand lifted, cutting me off. “I just want to go home. I hope you already have a plane.”
“Yes. In the woods.”
Chapter 23
Solaris
I couldn’t look at him. He’d betrayed me, and I’d almost been killed because of it. By his twin. I didn’t think I could ever look at Kaige the same way again. I hurried by his side in the dark as we moved quietly through the forest. The pain in my chest made my shoulders slump. It was so heavy it was suffocating. The worst part was that I couldn’t decipher if it was his or mine.
The blood bond was back in full force, and its intensity was enough to swallow me whole. I stepped on a branch and stumbled, its dry twigs wrapping around my shoe. I splayed my hands out to brace myself for the fall, but it never came.