Page 7 of Secrets of Ruin

Fury simmered in his red eyes when they met hers, but she also saw his concern and… something more. She couldn’t quite put her finger on what that something more was, but the answering emotion rising inside her created a lump in her throat.

I can’t lose him.

The emperor paused outside Ryker’s cell, his head tilting from side to side as he studied the amsirah general. “You’re also a wealthy, popular man, General Ryker. Your king very much wants you alive.”

“Where is he?” Ryker grated out.

“Somewhere safe.”

The emperor moved on to Kaylia’s cell. “Why would they search for you too, witch? Why are you so special to them? What makes you so important?”

“Nothing. I’m just a witch,” she replied.

“She’s more than that,” Brokk stated. “She’s the oldest witch in existence.”

Kaylia knew Brokk was trying to give this asshole reasons to keep her alive, but she didn’t think it mattered to this man. If he wanted them dead, they would be.

“She’s also good friends with the Queen of Dragonia,” Brokk continued.

“Are you now?” the emperor inquired. “Is that why they’re searching for you too?”

Kaylia didn’t know what to say to this man that might stop this, but she was pretty sure nothing would.

“So, she would miss you both?” the emperor asked.

“Yes,” Brokk answered.

“Maybe she’d be happy with only having one of you back.” The emperor’s head swiveled toward Brokk. “The new queen is engaged to your brother, isn’t she?”

A muscle twitched at the corner of Brokk’s eye as they burned impossibly brighter. “She is.”

“Interesting. I’ve heard this new queen is very powerful.”

Kaylia bit back the question on the tip of her tongue… Is she okay?

If the dragons were here and searching for them, that most likely meant Lexi was awake. Kaylia wasn’t about to let this monster know anything had ever happened to her; it was far better if he believed Lexi was near omnipotent.

“She is,” Brokk said.

The emperor rubbed his clean-shaven chin again. “Hmm. Since she doesn’t rule here, that doesn’t matter to me.” He thrust a finger at Kaylia. “Take her out.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Kaylia’s heart plunged into her stomach, her throat went dry, and everything inside her screamed against what was to come. Her back had just finished healing from the last beating she received. The last time they put her on the rack, they broke her arm and dislocated her other shoulder.

She somehow managed to clamp her teeth against screaming at them to fuck off. She’d endured their torture before; she would survive it again, and they wouldn’t see her break.

She told herself this would be no different than the other times, but the emperor rarely came here, and his presence almost always spelled death when he did. And if not death, then it would be so bad she’d probably yearn for death by the time they finished with her.

Two ophidians donned thick, metal gloves and broke out a set of keys as they slithered toward her. They clasped their long, silver poles before them. They’d jab her with those poles before, rendering her useless.

“No!” Brokk exploded. “Take me instead!”

Kaylia shook her head but couldn’t speak past the lump in her throat. She’d gladly go with them rather than watch Brokk suffer in her place.

“Wait.” The emperor held up his hand, and the ophidians stopped slithering toward her. The man’s head tilted as he studied Brokk with a furrowed brow; then, his expression cleared. “Is she your consort, vampire?”

Despite her resolve to remain motionless, Kaylia’s jaw dropped before she could stop it. No, that can’t be.