Page 136 of This Vicious Dream

When Calysian leans forward to loosen Kyldare’s chains, every muscle in my body tightens.

“Wait. You seriously want to work with him?” Something in my chest hollows out, and Calysian gives me an impatient look. Kyldare just watches us avidly.

“He’s telling the truth. I can sense it. Allying with himtemporarilywill allow us to get to the second grimoire.”

The chasm in my chest widens, pushing against my lungs until I can barely breath. Kyldare shoots me a smug look.

The second grimoire. That’s all that matters.That’swhy Calysian wants me to trust him. Even if it means traveling with the man who hunted me, whipped me, imprisoned me. The man who tried tokillme.

Calysian keeps his gaze carefully away from mine, but Kyldare gives me a wide grin, his expression victorious.

Something heavy settles in my chest, even as my blood heats with vengeance.

Calysian knows what he needs to do?

Well, so do I.

I sweep one final glance at both the dark god, and the man who stole three years of my life.

And then I turn and walk away.

Madinia

I spend the night as far from both Kyldare and Calysian as I can while still remaining within the clearing. Kyldare attempts to strike up a conversation with Calysian a few times, finally falling silent when Calysian continues to ignore him.

Now that he’s got what he wanted, Calysian no longer needs to speak to Vicana’s right hand.

Twice, Calysian attempts to look at my ankle. And twice, I make sure my expression communicates exactly what I think of him.

I wrap it myself. It’s tender, but nothing is broken.

As soon as the sun rises, Kyldare spreads out a map and points out all of the regiments waiting for us. Calysian studies the map with a frown.

They certainly look cozy as they work together.

When it’s time to leave, Calysian directs Kyldare toward my mare. Fury rushes through me in a wave. “Absolutely not.”

Calysian gives me an impatient look. “He needs a horse.”

“Then he can ride with you.”

I’m slung over his shoulder and onto Fox before I can blink. I strike out at Calysian, my elbow hitting his gut, and he merely wraps his huge arm around my waist with a put-upon sigh.

My blood burns. “I hate you.”

“I’m not feeling particularly warm towards you this morning either,” he mutters.

Calysian’s arm tightens around my waist, as if he’s reading my mind, and his lips brush my ear. “You agreed to trust me.”

My chest is too tight to speak, so I just shake my head.

“We needed to get past this regiment.” Calysian raises his voice just enough that I’m certain Kyldare can hear him. “In all truth, we’re lucky Kyldare approached us. Vicana was clever, posting her regiments on three sides. We were trapped.”

I ignore him some more. And I continue to ignore him as Kyldare travels with us for three days.

Three. Long. Days.

We stop once at a small town—too small and too far from the coast from anyone to have heard of Daharak or her ship. But Asinia’s pigeon returns, and I watch Calysian for several long minutes before I write my reply.

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