Chapter 126

The night air was thick with unease as I sat in the dark temple, my hands clenched tightly in my lap and my heart racing wildly in my chest. Across from me, Kaelin glared, her expression a mask of fury and disgust. A few days in she wherever she had been held had turned her into something else. She was dirty with a gaunt face and determined eyes. Even bound as she was, she looked at me as if I were the one trapped.

And I did feel trapped, even more than she was. 

"I can't believe you," she spat, her voice sharp as a blade. "After everything I did for you, you had me captured? After saving you from being executed from the likes of them?!” 

I swallowed hard, keeping my expression neutral. "Kaelin, you know I had no choice. I couldn't risk—"

"You couldn't risk?" she cut in with a bitter laugh. "I considered you my family. I thought because, because you were just like me you would understand. I thought that you were my family. Do you even remember that? Or has your cushioned throne erased all memory of who you were?"

Her words stung, but I forced myself to remain calm. "I remember everything, Kaelin. And that's exactly why I'm here. I want to make things right. I want to make everything right again.” 

Kaelin scoffed. "Make things right? By keeping me locked away like some war prize? Is that your plan for me or you have more in store.” 

I took a slow breath, then leaned forward. "Capturing you was a mistake. We shouldn’t have done that. But you have to understand, we were scared, we were doing it for our own safety. I will release you. But only if you help me."

She barked out a humorless laugh. "Help you? And what do you need help with?!”

She looked over at me again and her face turned serious as she saw my hand on my belly. 

“Oh Ariadne. Are you really that scared of the prophecy? I didn’t think you’d even believe me. What if I was just blabbing nonsense? Did you ever consider that?” 

I stiffened but said nothing. I didn't need to confirm it; she already knew the answer.

Her eyes narrowed. "You want me to get you out of Zaire. That's why you're here. Isn’t it?”

I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "Yes.” 

Kaelin tilted her head, studying me. Then she shook her head, amusement flickering in her dark eyes. "Not a chance. You and your precious wolf husband wants me to rot in the dungeon for the rest of my life, that’s what I’ll do.” 

Panic clawed at my throat. "Kaelin, please—"

"No," she snapped. "Not after what you've done. You don't deserve my help. Besides, Braam will come for me soon. Their wrath is swift and endless, no need to try and make any amends now.” 

I sighed, shaking my head. "Wake up, Kaelin. You've been captured for days, and no one has come for you. Not one spy, not even Lilian , no threats, no attempted rescue. Isn’t it obvious that they don’t care about you? Braam is only fighting for its own interests, not for you."

She faltered for the first time, her expression flickering with doubt.

"We are both Otsayak," I pressed. "Hate me all you want, but we are the same kind. We have to stick together. There was a time we were close, when we trusted each other. Don't you remember?"

Kaelin looked away, her jaw tightening.

I reached for her wrist, my voice raw. "I'm scared, Kaelin. If I stay here, something will happen to my baby. To Rowan. I just want to protect them. Rowan is doing his best, but I think it’s too late to try. I don’t want to put him in arm’s way. I love him and I want to stay by his side but our love seems forbidden. Everything seems to be against us and Lucian—he already knows what I am. He's threatening me. He wants the throne in exchange for his silence. But I know that even after giving him that, it still might not be enough for him.” 

At the mention of Lucian, her gaze snapped back to mine, searching. 

"Please," I begged. "Help me run away. Spare my life. Spare my baby’s life. If I’m far away, Rowan won’t have to worry about losing his throne. He’ll be safe.” 

Silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Kaelin exhaled sharply. 

"How many guards are here with you tonight?” 

I hesitated, then answered, "Three. I was cautious not to bring too much so as not to draw suspicion. I didn’t pack anything, only some money. And I asked them to wait outside."

Kaelin's lips curled in a grim smile. "And you trust them to stay there?"

"They are Rowan’s personal guards. They will obey me blindly. They won't interfere. I am sure of it."

She considered me for a long moment before nodding. "Give me a weapon. If I am to do any saving, I have to get out of these ropes that bind me.” 

My fingers closed around the small knife hidden in my cloak. Slowly, I handed it to her. She took it without hesitation, cutting through her bonds with practiced ease.

The moment she was free, she moved like a predator. In a blur, she was behind me, the cold steel of the knife pressing against my throat. 

"You really do trust too easily," she murmured. 

I kept my breathing steady. "You won't kill me. I’m with child, I know you won’t do it Kaelin.” 

Kaelin's grip tightened before she let out a frustrated sigh and pulled the blade away. "The underground tunnels," she said. "That's how we'll leave."

I nodded, relieved. "I chose this temple for that reason. I knew it would be our best chance."

“And you’re okay with this? Leaving Rowan? All of it behind?”

She asked me as she searched my face.

“No I’m not. But if there is a way to be with him without both of us risking our lives I would find it. But for now, I’ll stay away to keep all of us safe.” 

We moved quickly, our footsteps silent on the stone floors. Just as we reached the entrance to the tunnels, a voice rang out behind us.

"Who's there?"

A priestess. 

She took a step forward, eyes widening as she saw Kaelin. Her mouth opened to scream, but Kaelin lunged, clamping a hand over her lips.

"No!" I whispered harshly. "Don't kill her. Please!” 

Kaelin scowled but, after a tense pause, knocked the priestess unconscious instead, binding her hands and gagging her. 

"You're too soft," she muttered as we hurried into the tunnels.

The air grew damp as we ran, the path twisting beneath the temple foundations. We moved quickly, the urgency clawing at my lungs. When we finally emerged into the dense woods, the cold night air wrapped around us like a warning.

Kaelin glanced back at me. "Run. Now. The guards will notice soon and they will be waiting for us.” 

I hesitated. "What about you?"

"I'll be right behind you," she promised. "Now go!"

We ran, side by side, our footsteps thudding against the earth. My heart pounded as I pushed forward, my body screaming in protest. The moon cast long shadows as we reached the edge of a cliff, the river roaring below.

I turned to Kaelin. "What now—"

Pain exploded at the side of my head as something hard crashed against my skull. My vision blurred, my body collapsing.

The last thing I saw was Kaelin standing over me, her expression unreadable, before the darkness swallowed me whole.