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Home. That fucking word again. A void I would never fill because of him. I felt my nails bite into my arms.
“Let’s get one thing straight. I never had a home with you. My home is spread across the Naimer Sea because of you. Now, what are you making, Kaden, and why do you need so much iron?”
He twisted his head slightly and inhaled deeply.
“You still smell divine even from this far away. I would recognize that scent anywhere.”
Kaden stepped closer, but I ignored him, refusing to back away from him. I would never do that again. Incorporeal or not, my entire being raged at the monster of a man who made me.
“Is it for the weapon to kill Samkiel? The iron? You have the book of Azrael but haven’t used it yet. It’s been months.”
He reached out as if he could touch me. “Was your hair always this long? I miss the way it bounces when you—”
A small laugh left my lips, the pieces snapping together in my mind. “You don’t have what you need. You’re missing a final ingredient, and you’re stalling.”
His eyes flashed, and I knew I was right.
I stepped forward, invading his space for once and closing the remaining distance between us. No longer the docile girl who bent or lowered her gaze in fear of him. Never her again. “You know what the funny thing is? I don’t think you’re as evil as you want others to believe. You collect these people and surround yourself with these creatures so you don’t feel so fucking alone all the time. My guess? You’re just a damaged little boy who just wasn’t loved enough.”
His eyes flashed bright crimson. “Says the woman so desperate to be loved, she conspired with and fucked the enemy.”
“Oh, I never fucked Samkiel. Got pretty close, though.” I let out a low whistle. “The things that man can do with his hands. I can only imagine the rest. Which, you know, I have.”
I added the last part, knowing it would cut him, and if I could hurt him even a fraction as badly as he had hurt me, so fucking be it.
I saw the jealousy flash in his eyes as he snapped his teeth. “Yeah? I think he is using his hands right now on his betrothed.”
It was always tit for tat between us. One always aching to hurt the other worse. Only this time, I knew every pressure point and a way to make him wince in pain for once. I knew I had gotten under his skin, and Kaden knew… I finally registered what he’d said, and my thoughts scrambled, everything coming to a screeching halt.
Betrothed.
My control over the fiery anger that smoldered ceaselessly inside me snapped, and a volcanic rage bubbled to the surface. An emotion I was a fool to think I had any control over.
My head jerked back. “What are you talking about?”
Kaden’s triumphant smile made my stomach turn. He thought he’d won something. “Oh, you didn’t know? He and Imogen are destined to rule the twelve realms. Arranged marriage and all that.”
I said nothing.
“Hmm, I can’t believe he wouldn’t share that with you.”
My eyes narrowed. “You’re lying. I saw Samkiel’s past.”
“All of it? Doubtful. Even with your blooddreams, you’d have to consume him daily to get that, and by the look on your face right now, I know you haven’t.”
I shook my head. “No, you’re lying. You’re trying to distract me. I asked him.”
I fought to keep from cringing, realizing how ridiculous I sounded.
Kaden pouted, his bottom lip mocking me. “Did you ask him? And he told you the truth? Please. Does that ruin your dreams of a castle with a view?”
I didn’t answer this time. Kaden reached out, and I felt a phantom hand slide through my hair. I knew he would have wrapped the long strands around his fist if he’d been there in truth.
“A king must always have a queen, and you are not his. I told you this already. I mean, come on. Samkiel and Imogen have been together almost as long as you and I have. Do you really think he cares more for you than her? He has known you for mere months. You’re not important to him. He’s got a world to save. You know, from creatures of the night like you and me.”
I studied him, desperately looking for any tell that he was lying, hoping against my better fucking judgment. Still, none came. The edges of my vision seemed to blur. Kaden was telling the truth.
He clicked his tongue. “All you did was bring The Hand back, including his intended.”
