reath, I was painfully aware of the bond that stretched between Lucien and me. Even though he kept his d

es, his face loomed in the darkness, that piercing gaze of his burnin

didn't attempt to escape. But it wasn't the guards that held me here. It wasn't the chains of steel or the iron

cold beneath my feet. The walls felt too clo

es of mythical creatures, some of which I barely understood. Werewolves, vampires, fae, and other creatures of legend. But no

ery part of my body tensed, as if the

ke a storm rolling in, dark and foreboding. The bond pulsed faintly between us, like a

me, smooth and deep. "That's not surpris

u," I snapped, though I couldn't keep the edge from my voice.

breaking people like me. But there was something in his eyes-somethin

his eyes scanning it as though assessing every inch. "This place

orted, lifting my chin. "I didn't ask

s expression unreadable. "You think you can wish it awa

could stop them, the frustration and helplessness spilling over. "If you think this bon

ng over his features. For a moment, I wondered if I had cross

die?" he asked, his voi

didn't want to die. I had never wanted to die. But I didn't want

fragile than I intended. "I don't want to be yo

peated, his voice carrying a strange, bitter edge. "That's what you thin

confused by his word

ld you cling to so desperately?" His voice dropped to a near whisper, but there was a raw edge to it. "You were never free, Aria

o his cryptic words. "You're insane

parents' death wasn't an accident, Aria. It wasn't just a random act of violence. It was part of a la

in my throat, panic flooding me. "What are you t

Your parents were more than just healers. They were key players in the res

spinning. "You're lying. You don'

an unexpected jolt through me. It wasn't the bond-no,

a murmur. "But I can show you the

most unbearable. His presence, his words-they unsettled me in ways I couldn't explain. Pa

ou," I whispered, my voice tre

hing lightly over the back of my hand. "You don't have to trust me yet,

, deep down, I knew he wasn't lying. He wasn't just the Monster King, the feared ruler of this

e a low growl now. "But you can choose w

rd, my eyes lo

t this? Could

. But one thi

d never be t