These Twisted Bonds (These Hollow Vows, #2)(122)

A goblin brought us as far into the Goblin Mountains as he could and left us to travel the rest of the way on foot to the River of Ice. We should arrive before nightfall; then we’ll swim in the water to solidify the bond and make camp. Tomorrow we’ll return to the palace and take the throne together.

Kane leads the way. Apparently he grew up in this section of the mountains—west of Staraelia and farther south than the range we traveled to reach the portal. He hasn’t said more than a few words to me. I know he’s worried about Finn too. Likely worried and torn between his duty to the prince he swore to protect and the court he’s trying to save. I’m glad he’s not talking about it. I know exactly how he feels, and finding the words might break me.

Behind us, Riaan keeps watch, looking for signs of Queen Arya’s Golden Military.

“I want you to promise you’ll give us a chance,” Sebastian says, breaking a long silence.

I flick my gaze to him. I can’t do this right now.

Kane skids to a halt and spins around. “Are you kidding me right now, boy?”

Sebastian glares at him. “Stay out of this.”

I shake my head. “Bash, please don’t.”

“I just need you to give me—” Sebastian stops, gripping his arm, where an arrow has lodged.

“In the trees!” Riaan shouts, stepping closer as Kane rushes toward our attackers.

Magic zips through the air as Riaan gathers us close to him, blocking us with his body.

“Poison,” Sebastian croaks. “Abriella, get down.”

But it’s too late. An arrow strikes me before his words register.





Chapter Twenty-Nine

We’re taken somewhere deep in the Goblin Mountains to a fortress built into a mountainside, but the moment we enter, we’re thrown into a dark cell without instruction or explanation. I weave in and out of consciousness, my body weak from whatever poison they pumped into me.

This toxin is different from the one they’ve used on me before. This one blocks everything—not just my magic, but even my ability to reliably control my muscles. I can breathe, but not well, and every bit of air my lungs manage to accept leaves me desperate for the next. This is death without dying. This is a nightmare.

Sebastian is next to me in this cramped, dark cell. He must’ve been drugged with the same poison.

Every time he tries to shout, his words sound as slurred as I’m sure mine would be if I tried to talk.

I don’t waste my energy on screaming. Not when I can barely muster the strength to breathe.

I think of Lark sleeping. Of Pretha grieving.

I think of Finn’s good heart, his endless sacrifices, and how much he wanted to save his kingdom.

Riaan stands in the corner of the cell, his head tipped back against the stone, but I see no sign of Kane. I hope he got away. I hope he and Finn are on their way to get us now.

But where are we?

What do they have planned for us?

And why did they take Riaan? What do they want with him?

Unconsciousness tugs at me, and I welcome it, slipping down, down and away from this useless body.

“Wake them up.” A sharp feminine voice yanks away the comforting oblivion of sleep. Riaan’s boot nudges my side, and when I peel my eyes open, he kicks Sebastian.

“Brie,” Sebastian rasps.

I lift my head and see Queen Arya standing at the door to our tiny prison, her beautiful blond hair flowing down her shoulders in stark contrast to the bitter, twisted scowl on her face. She is too young to be so old, but the bitterness that has aged her soul shows through her eyes.

“Mother,” Sebastian chokes out as he stumbles to stand. I wonder how he can manage it. I can’t even get my feet under me.

Light blasts from Arya’s hand, throwing Sebastian against the back wall of the cell. “It’s my son,”

she says, “who tried to be king and failed. Only a fool would try to take the Throne of Shadows without the power it demands.”

“I din know,” he slurs.

“But what was lost, really?” she asks, cocking her head to the side. “Is there any real victory in being king of a dying court? Ruler over Unseelie filth?”

Sebastian presses a hand to his chest. “I mmm Uh-seelie, Mother.”

“Exactly.” The queen’s nostrils flare in disgust, and she lifts her chin. “And your inconstant loyalty has proved to me that you’re no better than they are.” Hurt flashes in Sebastian’s eyes, but his mother doesn’t see it or doesn’t care. “You might be young, but you’re not that stupid. You forfeited your claim to that throne when you let that girl keep your father’s power.”

“I din—”

“You gave her the Potion of Life. Magic is life, my son. You know this.”

Half his face contorts in anger; the other half falls slack. “What woo you had me do? Le’er die?”

“Yes. That was the plan from the start. That girl literally stood between you and your father’s throne.” She shakes her head. “You think I didn’t know that you tracked her down? Two years you tried to pretend you were still searching. You thought I didn’t know? ” She stares at her son, her eyes as hard as sapphires. “My magic may have been weak, but my people are loyal. I knew you’d found her, and when you lied to me, I chose to test you.”