The Blood Traitor

What happens now?”

It was Jaren who answered, leaning in to whisper three perfect words right into her ear:

“Now, we dream.”

“I was never angry that you lied to me,” Jaren said softly. “I was angry because you didn’t trust me enough to tell me the truth.” His
eyes were locked on hers, everything he was feeling clear for her to see. “Caldon knew all your secrets, and he still loved you. You never gave me that chance. After everything we’d been through together, you still didn’t trust me. That’s why I was so upset. Not because of everything else beyond your control, not even because of the mistakes you made. But because you never really let me in. I gave you every part of me, and I thought you gave me every part of you, but the whole time, I didn’t even know who you really were.”

How d-do you know if y-you’re in love?”

In an entirely unconscious reaction, Kiva’s eyes shot to Jaren, only to find him already looking at her.

If my heart didn’t already belong to Jaren, I think I’d be in
love with you. But then Caldon would be angry at me, and I don’t want anyone else angry at me.

I still have nightmares about her screaming at me to put her out of her misery. And given how rabid she was, I’m not ashamed to admit I considered it.

Something on the ground caught her attention, and she clapped gleefully. “Happy kitty!”

Jaren tugged her back before she could try to pet it. “That’s a dead rat.”

Kiva pouted as he pulled her away. “Sad kitty.

You and your guard can see yourselves out,” Zofia said, not moving from her seat. “I wish you all the best, Kiva Corentine. Your future is as bright as the stars.

You’ll never be able to move forward until you conquer the past,” Zofia said softly. “One way or another, you’ll have to face him eventually.” She leaned forward and whispered, “Don’t be afraid to share your heart, dear one. Only then will you be able to truly heal.” Quieter, she added. “Both of you.

She then turned her musing gaze to Caldon, then Naari, then Cresta, before finally glancing past them all and finding Kiva. The silver in her eyes flared, her lips tipping upward as she declared, “You have a tortured soul.” Her smile widened. “Come with me.”

Kiva’s heart skipped a beat when Zofia stood and moved toward a door at the back of the room.

“She’s not going anywhere with you,” Jaren stated in an unyielding tone.

Zofia didn’t even turn around. “She is if you want your ring. Your beloved is going to provide the payment for it.”

“You made me fall in love with a lie. I don’t even know who you are — and frankly, I don’t want to.”