Drogaem looks taken back, and it takes a moment to fully understand what I have just said to him. Slowly anger creeps up over his face, but I stand tall, my shoulders back and my head high. I feel the dagger pressing against my leg, and I keep myself aware of it as he points at me, his face a deep red. "I will make everything you've ever loved suffer. I will not kill your family right away, that is too giving, too kind. I will enslave your sisters, torture your father until his skin peels from his bones. When I'm done, I will turn Kane into a banner hung high over my throne so that you have to look at it every single day."
I clench my hands into fists. I feel both terror and complete rage rushing through me. My hand comes to my side, and I lightly begin to scrunch my skirt, feeling the dagger calling to me. I can do it. I know I can kill him right here and right now. I know it can be done because Lux has done it once before.
I carefully pull another handful of fabric up, my eyes falling on the scars that Drogaem still wears from his battle with Lux. I've seen that battle, and I know how it ends. Yes, Drogaem died, but Lux died that day as well. My hand stops moving, and I release the folds of fabric, letting my skirt fall back down to the ground. As much as I hate him, and as much as I want to destroy him, I know that at this point, standing here in the gardens, it will kill me too. Regardless of my disconnect, I'm not ready to leave Kane and the relationship that has only begun between us.
Mistaking my eased expression for standing down, Drogaem laughs as he walks off toward the castle. I will let him laugh, and I will allow him to think that he's won, but just this time. The next time I go for my dagger, I won't stop until it's buried in his heart.
Chapter 14
Briar
When I arrive back in my room, Kane is there waiting for me. He stands from the bed, looking to me with worry. I stop and stare at him as I close the door behind me. I can't lie, it's nice to see his concern for me once again. I know that it's been there all along, but our disconnect plays tricks on my heart. I walk over and sit next to Kane on the bed.
"Where were you?"
I hope he does not chastise me, I've had enough from Drogaem. "I took a letter to the place I leave them for Willem and the rebels. I needed them to know what is happening."
I watch Kane's face, and he looks like he's fighting with himself. He reaches over and puts his hand on mine. "That's very dangerous. You could've been caught."
"I was," I reply, putting my hands quickly up to show him I'm okay.
Kane grabs my arm and narrows his eyes at the torn fabric and stain of blood. I completely forgot about it. I was so angered and full of emotion that I didn't feel the pain on the way back to my room. I pull my arm away. "I'm okay. Drogaem and Gregore found me as I was coming out of the woods, and Gregore threw me to the ground. Drogaem thought I was trying to find a way to defeat him without dying myself. He didn't find the letter."
Kane lets out a breath, and it looks to be one of relief. "Briar…"
His eyes are soft, and I lean forward, knowing we're about to bridge this gap, this empty canyon that has been sitting between us for far too long at this point. But before he can say another word, the sounds of screams and shrieks echo through the windows. We both look at each other and then jump up, rushing out onto the balcony. My hand clasps over my mouth as I watch the soldiers marching in ranks straight into the city. Fires blaze, people run in all directions, and screams, bloodcurdling screams fold and meld together like a chorus of dying men.
Drogaem's soldiers, his minions, are tearing the city and the people in it apart. Kane balls his fists and lifts them high, slamming them down into the stone railing. They crush through, sending chunks of stone in all directions. His eyes completely darken, and I can see the shimmer of his fangs.
He begins to back up toward the doorway, broadening his shoulders. "I will kill and destroy every last one of them. And when I'm done, I will rip Drogaem apart one piece at a time."
Kane prepares himself to jump the balcony. I shake my head and put my hands out. His wings are still broken. He cannot fly. "Wait, if you jump, your wings will not carry you. You'll crash into the cobblestone below, and I don't have enough magical power to bring you back from something like that."
Kane's rage is filling his mind so much, he is deaf to my voice. I know I have to do something, even if I get injured in the process. He begins to sprint forward, and I jump, grabbing him by the arm just as his feet leave the balcony. I'm not heavy, but I use my weight as much as I can to pull him down to the ground. He slams down with a groan, and his eyes dart to me with anger.
"What are you doing?"
"If you jump, you'll die. You'll be no good to anybody. You might be immortal, but that doesn't mean that you will live functionally. I need you, they need you to be strong."
He thrusts his hand out. "And what am I supposed to do? Let my people die right in front of me?"
"Look at yourself! Your wings
