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“No way.”

“Adrian—”

This time a small tug pulled at my chest. Like Leo had heeded my request.

I was beginning to think there was more to this bond than Leo had let on.

This visit with him could work in my favor, though.

“Adrian, I don’t think he’s giving me much of a choice. And I really don’t feel like being tugged throughout the castle for the rest of the day until you move him. And . . . I have an idea . . .”

Adrian arched his brow.

“What if there’s a way you can unbind us? Leo’s soul and mine. You were able to remove Leo’s powers from inside Sigrid and Cal’s minds. You literally pulled a curtain back on their thoughts. You share the same magic as him. What if⁠—”

“I could remove his magic from you?”

“Exactly!” I whispered excitedly.

“I don’t know, Bryn, this is different. You died. I’m almost certain it’s not going to be as simple as removing the magic.”

“But what if it is?” I doubted it as much as he did, but it was a good start. If we weren’t connected anymore, Leo’s death would be swift. By my eager hand.

Adrian raked his hand through his hair. “Alright, Queen.” He bent, nipping my earlobe. “But the second he pushes you too far, which he will, because he’s a complete asshole, we’re leaving⁠—”

“I understand.”

“—and there’s a good chance I won’t be able to detect anything. You heard what I said: no magic in or out where he’s being kept.”

I nodded. But the lingering pull in my chest told me the cell he was in would do nothing to stop him from reaching my soul.

CHAPTER FORTY

BRYN

Asking to see Leo might have been a mistake, but I realized it too late as one of the wooden dungeon doors swung open before us, revealing a small stone room. There were no windows, only low-lit sconces mounted every few feet, the only source of light this far underneath the castle.

A cage made of hardened cadmium, like the Cad-Jets from Four, enclosed Leo, who lay on a cot without a blanket. A bucket in the corner to relieve himself, the only other thing in his cell.

I could feel the pulsing of the metal bars from where I stood that was nullifying the fallen king’s magic; so uncomfortable that my own magic attempted to get as far away from the invisible vibrations as it could.

I hated myself for it, but I felt pity for Leo, seeing him in a place like this. Even though he had kidnapped my brother, slaughtered innocents like Niall, and killed me, I, for some reason, still felt sorry for him.

As we entered the room, Leo sat up on his elbows, his eyes flicking behind me to Adrian. “When I called for you, it was a one-person invitation. Your husband can wait outside.”

“We both know that’s not going to happen.” Adrian scowled. “So, get to saying whatever it is you think you have to say to her. You have five minutes.”

Leo laughed, lifting his hands up. “Alright, alright.”

I crossed my arms, waiting.

“You think I’m the bad guy, Bryn, but I’m not.”

“No?” I asked, my temper quick to flare.

“No. You’re a soldier, you know better than anyone there are two sides in every war, each side fighting for what they think is right.”

“You had innocents killed. The good guys don’t do that.”