Page 112 of A Bargain with the Fae King

“I need your word.” I throw all the command into my voice I can muster. “Bound in magic.”

He rolls his eyes. “How has that worked out for you so far?”

The verbal jab causes me to wince, but I straighten my shoulders, staring him down.

“There’s no time for that, Lia. If you want your sister, give me the key.”

Sigurd’s eyes practically glitter as I pull the stone from my pocket.

“Well?” he asks Galen.

Galen’s jaw stiffens, but he nods with a jerk of his head. “It looks like the stone.”

Sigurd’s head snaps to the left, as if he’s heard something, but the forest is eerily quiet. “So soon?”

I don’t have time to ponder his words before his attention flicks back to me. “Give it to me now, Lia, or this offer goes away.”

I search Galen’s face for guidance, help, anything, but his features give nothing away. Nothing other than pain and deep sorrow. My fingers clench around the stone as I war with my decision. The fate of so many lies in my hands, in my decision. The weight of it pulls on my very soul. But for May… I can’t falter. I grit my teeth and thrust it out to Sigurd.

Instead of just taking the stone, he grabs me, jerking me away from Galen and into his arms. Breathe whooshes from my lungs in a gasp. The stone is plucked away and I’m bound tight against Sigurd’s chest by arms strong as steel.

“Lia!” Riven’s pained roar echoes through the clearing.

No. Searing agony rips through my ruined heart. Pain at the voice I most dreaded and most longed to hear, at the raw anguish it holds. I don’t want to hurt for him. How can I still ache so badly when I’m so hollow inside? The fight and struggle building up in me reverses in an instant. I bury my face in Sigurd’s chest, going almost limp as his warmth and heady pine scent flood my senses. It’s a vain attempt to hide from the male behind me, perhaps a subconscious attempt to wound him, but I don’t have time to look too closely at that.

“Let her go!” Riven demands.

Sigurd turns me to face Riven. His arm still locks around my waist, holding my back to his chest.

I open my eyes slowly, embracing the pain that comes with it.

Ten feet separate us, but even the moon feels closer.

Riven’s claws flash out, raised at the man he vowed not to harm until May is found. Can he even break that promise? His focus slides from me to the arm around my waist, the one holding the door key. Surprise registers first—his widened eyes and barely parted lips—then betrayal. His claws curl in, and sharp canines slip into view. And finally, devastation, as his gaze slides to Galen then back to me.

Claws and fangs vanish. His shoulders droop. The myriad emotions rushing across his face are as easy to read as a flashing sign.

“How does it feel to have someone you love taken from you?” Sigurd taunts as he caresses my cheek with the back of his hand.

My skin crawls at his touch, but it’s his comment that causes tears to well up in my eyes.

Someone you love.He can’t say it if he doesn’t believe it, but…

“Give her back.” Riven steps closer, but Sigurd pulls back. “Please.” Riven’s voice cracks over the word.

“Her and not the key?” Sigurd asks, flashing the object he holds.

Riven swallows. Not even I can guess the emotions on his face now. “Yes.”

“Fool.” He laughs. “But no matter. You kept the human I loved from me, just like your father. Now I’ve taken your human from you. At least her heart.”

Sigurd shoves me—hard.

I stumble, falling to my knees as Riven leaps for me. His arms cradle my body as I crash into him in a tangle of limbs and tears.

“Galen,” Sigurd calls sharply.

Magic stirs behind me, thick and heavy, before it slips away entirely.

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