Page 75 of Ashborne Forged

But it was me.

25. Choices

~ VOSKI ~

I fought like an animal, my chin and cheek ground into the stones, because Gil forced my face down. But it was Ronen who leaned down, kneeling on my shoulder, and snarled in my face.

“Voski, shut up and control yourself! We can’t fight for her as long as we’re fighting you!”

I shuddered as the truth in those words settled in my bones. But my heart slammed against my ribs, and shudders rocked my body.

Ronen held my eyes—my eyes that pinched with tears of pure rage.

“She’s my mate,” I said hoarsely.

Ronen swore. “You weren’t making that up?”

“No.”

“I found them last week. It’s real,” Gil murmured from his place on my shoulder.

Ronen cursed again. “I knew something was going on! Why the hell didn’t you tell us?”

“I denied her… sort of. I know how foolish it was. I see it now. But Ronen, I need her. Kham needs Koa. You can’t let them go. Her parents trapped her in this contract. It’s just that bloodline shit.”

“You said she’d been betrothed, but why didn’t you explain that he was still looking for her?”

“I meant to. But everything was so fucked up, I just lost track.”

“Lost track? You lost track of a highborn marriage contract?!”

I winced and shuddered again, the bond shrilling, screaming at me. I needed to fight! He couldn’t take her from me!

Thank God for Donavyn, who’d clearly heard the ruckus, and come to intervene.

The brothers not holding my limbs were inching toward the men and Grace, and I prayed they’d surround them again.

Don’t let her go. You can’t let her go.

Over my head, Ronen and Gil exchanged looks.

Gil cleared his throat. “If you can keep them in the Keep for the night, I can take care of him—”

“No. Absolutely not,” Ronen hissed. “That would just draw different attention. We can’t have Lords and Ladies of other kingdoms disappearing when they conflict with our Furyknights.”

I knew he was right, but the panic in me only screamed harder.

Then Ronen looked down at me and ground his knee harder into my shoulder. I winced.

“Can you remain under control if we let you go?” my squad captain asked me skeptically. “Give me a chance to help?”

“Of course.”

“Don’t bullshit me, Voski. If I’m going to step in, I need to trust you won’t pull a blade or throw a punch the moment the conversation doesn’t go as you’d choose.”

“I’m thinking more clearly now. I’ll keep myself in check,” I said reluctantly.

He and Gil met eyes again, but then both sighed and hauled me back to my feet.