Page 21 of The Sin Binder's Chains

The fact that Riven hasn’t escaped yet means something. Pain makes him stronger. That is an immutable fact, written into his very existence. He isn’t like the rest of us. Pain doesn’t weaken him, it doesn’t slow him down, it doesn’t break him. It feeds him. Fuels him. Turns him into something even more lethal than he already is.

And yet, he’s still there.

Still trapped. Still suffering in a way that is carving through Luna like she’s the one bound in chains. My fingers curl into a fist before I can stop myself.

It doesn’t make sense. Severin wouldn’t waste time with torture for the sake of it. He wouldn’t let Riven grow stronger just to watch him burn hotter. Which means whatever they’re doing to him isn’t just pain. It’s something worse.

And I don’t know what it is. That alone is enough to make my jaw tighten, my pulse drum against my ribs.

Elias exhales sharply, shifting beside me. I don’t look at him, but I feel the way his gaze lingers on Luna, the way his fingersflex against his knees like he’s debating whether or not to touch her again.

He just mutters, “He had to have done something to piss Severin off.”

He’s right. Severin doesn’t waste effort. He doesn’t act on impulse. Every move he makes is deliberate, calculated. If he’s torturing Riven, it isn’t just to hurt him. It’s because he wants something.

Which means one of two things. Either Riven refused to give it to him. Or he gave it up, and Severin didn’t like the answer. Neither option settles well in my chest.

Elias shifts again, rubbing the back of his neck. “You think he’s even capable of giving Severin what he wants?”

I glance at him, frowning. “What are you asking?”

Elias shrugs, but it’s forced. “Just saying, Riven isn’t exactly a reliable source of information.” His voice dips lower, expression unreadable. “Unless what Severin’s looking for is a death wish.”

He’s not wrong. Riven has never folded for anyone, never cowered, never given an inch that wasn’t torn from him by force. If Severin is expecting him to break, then he doesn’t understand who he’s dealing with. But that doesn’t mean he won’t keep trying.

I exhale, dragging a hand through my hair. “It doesn’t matter what he wants.”

Elias snorts. “Doesn’t it?”

I level him with a look. “No.”

His silver eyes narrow slightly. “And what makes you so sure?”

Because it doesn’t matter. Because Severin can’t have him. Because I’ve already decided, Riven is ours. And we’re taking him back.

Luna groans again, a low, fractured sound that scrapes against my ribs like a dull blade. Her body tenses, another shudderripping through her, her hands twitching against the dirt like she’s trying to claw her way out of something unseen.

Elias swears under his breath.

I don’t give him time to complain.

“Pick her up,” I order. “Hold her. Try again.”

Elias snaps his head toward me, silver eyes wide with pure panic. “What?”

I don’t bother repeating myself. I just look at him. He hesitates, but not for long. Because for all his bullshit, for all the joking and avoidance, Elias knows when it’s time to shut up and listen.

Mostly.

He still grumbles, voice full of suffering, “You just want an excuse to make me emotionally available, don’t you?”

I exhale, unimpressed. “Elias.”

He sighs dramatically, muttering something about emotional blackmail before reaching down and gathering Luna into his arms. The second she’s against him, she shudders, her head tilting against his shoulder, her body unconsciously curling toward his warmth.

Elias visibly locks up. He swallows hard, shifting her slightly, and then, because he is incapable of existing without making everything worse, he mutters, “So this is happening. Great. Love this. Super normal.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Elias. ”

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