Page 76 of Bound By Her

Adria swallowed hard, nodding. “I know.”

If they didn’t break under her hand, the Triune might send Jonathan to finish the job—and then come for her. The danger was no longer distant; it loomed closer every day. But somehow, the young prince still refused to see it.

His arrogance was infuriating. Bryson seemed hell-bent on playing this entire situation like a schoolboy game.

Framing Adria’s face, Loretta said, “I know you are a fighter. And I know that you would never let a spoiled, self-entitled brat get the better of you.”

“After you were born, your mother came over to tell me all about your green eyes. A miracle, she said.Esarnsa.”

“EsperanCa,” Adria corrected. “It means hope.”

“She told me it meant guiding light.”

“I don’t feel very light,” Adria joked.

Loretta looked at her, her gray eyes serious. “Light shines better when you face the darkness.”

Adria dabbed the space under her eyes. “My darkness is locked away tight.”

“Let it out and feed it, or it will feed on you.”

Adria laughed. “My darkness could consume half of North America if I let it.”

Loretta put down her tea, her lips pressed into a line. “I’m worried about Jonathan being back in your life. The photo isn’t enough to keep him away anymore?”

Adria shook her head, dropping her voice to a whisper. “The Triune ordered him to keep tabs on me. Neither him nor I can defy a direct order. But every day that goes by…” Adria trailed off.

Loretta nodded solemnly. “I agree. We may start to lose the upper hand. Perhaps a reminder is in order? Let him know what he stands to lose, should he overstep?”

“The agreement was he would stay away, except for family business. This is family business, so technically, he isn’t breaking any rules,” Adria said. “Anyway, I don’t want to rock the boat any more than I already have. I just want this year to be over so I can start working on picking up the pieces.”

Loretta didn’t seem convinced, but she let the matter go.

As they lingered over the last of their tea, Adria felt some of the weight on her chest ease. Loretta’s estate had become a refuge, a welcome reprieve from the tangled mess of her life. Between Jonathan, X, her mother, and the Triune, she barely had room to breathe.

Part of her never wanted to leave. She could stay, watching her friend work that feisty, dark-haired young foal, letting time slip away in the safety of this place. But eventually, Loretta—ever practical—gently urged her home.

At the car, Loretta kissed her on both cheeks beforecupping her face, her pale eyes sharp and knowing. “When you’re ready, bring them to Club Shale. We love fresh meat.”

Adria flushed. “They’re a long way from that.”

“A little community might help.”

Adria wasn’t convinced.

Loretta smirked. “At the very least,youshould come. It’s been ages.”

That, at least, made Adria smile. Loretta had a way of making everything feel like it was right on track, even when it wasn’t. “That would be nice.”

Loretta waved as she stepped back. “And bring Eric with you. Selena’s been asking after him.”

CHAPTER 20

NORTH CAROLINA

Seth looked beautiful, half bent over a gate in her pole barn. The prior owners of her father’s estate had bred and stabled horses. An irony that was not lost on Adria.

From behind, Seth looked impossibly young. Aside from the spider tattoo etched onto his left shoulder blade, his back was an unmarked, untouched canvas.

---