Page 12 of Caged Love

I brace my feet apart. I’m not going down without a fight. I’m not fucking dying and leaving Milana out here alone to live with these assholes using her as they see fit.

I’ve killed before. I’ve taken lives. I’ve never claimed to be innocent.

I know people make assumptions about me. But that’s what made me a good mercenary and an even better royal guard. I’m always underestimated.

But I’m protective.

Possessive.

And I look after what’s mine.

I’m not ready to leave this realm just yet.

She’s going to know unconditional love if it’s the last thing I do.

The vines wrap around my shoulders, snaking around my arms to hold me back, and when the first strike of electricity hits me, my head slams back against the wall.

I don’t know how long the torture goes on for, but I pass out, and when I come back, it’s just Rion standing over me, a knife in his hand.

“We’ve decided we’re going to keep you alive a little longer and send Zython a little present to show him how serious we are,” he says, stamping his foot down on my open palm. Pain spears up my arm, and when he brings the knife down toward my fingers…

“What are you doing?” comes a sweet yet stern voice.

My eyes snap to hers, but she’s looking directly at Rion. Her expression is carefully blank, and I hate that she’s seeing me like this. Absolutely fucking hate it.

“Showing our prisoner what happens when he doesn’t cooperate.” Rion smirks, stepping off my hand and giving me his back. “Go back upstairs, Milana.Now. You don’t need to see this.”

For once, I agree with the bastard.

“I don’t think I can, Rion,” she murmurs, reaching out to touch his shoulder. He freezes, Milana’s magic holding him in place while she drains his magic from him. A booster is a very dangerous person and not one you want to be on the bad side of.

But even when she was kept in our castle, she never drained me.

Not once.

And now I can see just how easily she could have done so.

She only gave, never took from me.

“What are you doing?” Rion barks between clenched teeth. “Your father?—”

“He’s gone, Rion. And you won’t be hurting August anymore. This rebellion… do you even know what we’re fighting for anymore? We wanted fair leaders, a fight for freedom against the royal family, but look at what we have become. We aren’t any different from them. We just want their power and control. I’m done being a pawn in a game I never wanted to play.”

Rion crumples to the floor, passing out from losing his magic. Milana takes the keys from his pocket and unlocks the shackles.

She made a quick decision.

And right now, it’s me.

Her mate.

Fuck everything else.

She takes my hand in hers, helping me up.

And then we zip the hell out of there.

Chapter Seven

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