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Chapter 173
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Iridian Chapter 174
“We have to tell Dain.” I insisted, gnawing on my lower lip as distrust began to form in Aidan’s eyes. “I’m trusting you not to tell him this, Rachel…not yet, anyway.” He looked away, towards the cliff side and sky. “What are you waiting for then?” I huffed, splaying my hands out on either side of me. Urgency painted my voice, straining it to the point of a whisper. “There is an entire town missing, Aidan. A whole town of people gone without a trace. There’s every chance in the world that this is where they went, that they were lured to another kingdom.” “It’s not just a possibility, it’s reality.” He said bluntly, his expression unapologetic and so very unlike himself that I couldn’t help but scoot back an inch. “That’s where they went, only they weren’t lured. They were offered a better life, one where they didn’t have to hide or abide by any rules.” “They went with her willingly?” I sputtered, my jaw dropping in disbelief. No matter how many times I ran my hands over my face, it
Iridian Chapter 175
It was both a good and bad thing that Dain and I weren’t fully mated, that he had faked the mark on our necks using his magic.He’d never know what I had planned with Aidan, that the two of us were going to sneak away right under his nose. On the other hand, if we were mated, perhaps he would’ve been able to feel the Bull’s presence as it entered my mind.Perhaps he could’ve helped me fight it.I thought about these things as I laid in bed, waiting for the sun to fully sink and for the splotches of breathtaking color to fade from the sky. When the rich shades of purple and blue darkened to an impenetrable black, I knew it was time.As I slipped into the hall, weaving magic around my shoulders like a protective cloak, I felt the bracelet around my wrist warm as though it wanted to remind me of its presence. As much as I wanted to use it, to save myself the risky trip down the halls, I wasn’t sure if Dain could track its usage.The sound of my breath, even my heartbeat was muffled by th
Iridian Chapter 176
“You’re sure it’s in this direction?” I narrowed my eyes at Aidan and nudged my head towards the path of lanterns we had completely bypassed. “The last time I was at the lake was during Iridian, and it was practically on the other side of the kingdom.”Together we had crossed the marble bridge and scaled a path that led us further down the mountain Dain’s castle sat on. The second we slipped through the doors, and they closed with a thundering boom, he’d taken the lead.“Part of what I can do is sense magic. I’m good at identifying it and sometimes I can even pick it apart…if I’m strong enough.” He added with a grunt that told me there was more to this story than he was letting on.We came across a pile of jagged rocks from the mountainside crumbling, undoubtedly from one of the numerous times Dain or me had shaken the castle and surrounding earth. Without hesitation, Aidan turned and placed his hands on my hips, hefting me over the stones without any hint of struggle.“You’ve gotten
Iridian Chapter 177
The sunlight that hit my face had a gentle warmth that chased away the chill of night, and also carried a breeze that was both sweet and earthy.From a grove of trees, the two of us emerged. The air behind us rippled only momentarily before returning to its ordinary state. The longer I stared, the more I realized how advanced Dain’s magic was to have created something so flawless.“How do I do this?” I swallowed, walking around the length of the small body of water, staring down at the little flecks of silver as they swirled deep within.Aidan’s expression was much more relaxed than my own. Coming at a stop beside me he spoke. “Their all connected, each one in each kingdom. All you have to do is take my hand, lead me inside, and follow that connection to where we need to go.”“How will I know how to get there? What if I drown us both—” I began to stammer, my mind conjuring the worst and all without the aid of the White Bull.“You’ll know where to go, Rachel.” His lopsided grin helpe
Iridian Chapter 178
I knew what happened the moment I saw Zack’s face within the pool of star-flecked water, his eyes wide with fear and pain, his mouth open as he inhaled water instead of air.He had followed us all this way.It had been Zack I heard lingering within the halls of the castle, hiding from Aidan and I even though he shouldn’t have been able to see or hear us nearby.The glimmer of magic that had filled the air, materializing seconds before Aidan and I vanished, had been him as well. Its source was wrapped around his little wrist, the bracelet Dain had gifted my mom.He’d swiped it from her the moment she turned her head, I was sure of it.I gripped the edge of the pool with trembling hands. The moment my fingertips broke through the watery surface, Zack’s head whirled in my direction. His eyes widened even further, as though he could see me gaping in horror.“I—I have to help him.” I stammered, feeling my lips move though every other word seemed able to emerge.Aidan’s hands fell on my sho
Iridian Chapter 179
‘He knows which side he fights for, Rachel. Won’t you join him? You have no clue the things I can offer you. Join him, Rachel. Join him and I’ll make him your mate…as it always should have been.’The White Bull’s voice slithered into my head, much louder than it had been in the past. I figured it was because of this place, because of the evil that had lingered within the walls for so long.‘Why do you fight? What is the point of it all?’Aidan held up a single hand when the half a dozen guards went to swarm me, forcing them all to halt in their tracks. The fact that they listened to his command made me want to wretch but was meaningless when I saw the mark on his neck. It was milky white in color and raised from his puckered skin like a brand gone horribly wrong. The bruising that surrounded it reminded me of my own skin when the stranger from the alley way had forced himself on me.Without warning and with speed that jolted me from my stupor, Aidan kicked off the ground and charged.
Iridian Chapter 180
I woke up covered in sweat, ready to write off everything—Iridian, meeting Dain, finding out the truth, killing both Ally and Aidan, absolutely everything as a horrible nightmare, but the pungent scent that clung to my hair and skin, reeking of blood, fire, and burnt flesh, kept me from doing so.There was a part of me that wanted to keep my eyes closed, content to drown in misery, convinced that this was hell.I opened my eyes anyway because that part of mee was an ignorant coward.No matter the agony, no matter the guilt or shame, I knew that this was nothing compared to what it could’ve been, nothing compared to what the White Bull had planned for this world. There had been so much death already, but there would be so much more if I chose to drown in my grief.The first face I saw was Dain’s, but all too quickly I slid back into unconsciousness that lasted for what felt like seconds but had to have been hours. When my eyes opened a second time night had vanished, replaced by sunlig
Iridian Chapter 181
Instantly, I understood.“I’m nothing if not traditional.” Dain murmured, rubbing the back of his neck as he sank onto one knee. His throat worked as he swallowed, his eyes fixated on my own, shimmering with a mixture of hope and worry. “Rachel…you’re the mate I never thought I’d meet, and the one I knew I didn’t deserve. This isn’t how I anticipated things would go, not one bit. I never planned on wanting to keep you, but the second you won Iridian and stepped foot in my castle, I couldn’t imagine letting you go. I told myself I’d win you over by showing you the beauty magic could bring into your life. I hoped that in doing so I’d eventually earn your affection, even though that’s something I’m still not sure I deserve…” The color across his cheeks deepened, his eyes concealing flashes of shame. “I’m not a good man, not entirely. It’s not merely my plan that’s motivating me to do this, but the desire to keep you—to have you at my side for eternity. This thing between us, this game wh
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