“You’re so gods damn beautiful,” he said, unable to stop the awe from appearing in his voice.

She blinked, and her lips popped open in surprise, but he just squeezed her hand, guiding her to their bed. They could talk more tomorrow. For now, he needed to finish what he’d started.

Another orgasm and one hour later, Jaren lay half-asleep, the steady rise and fall of her chest lulling him to join her in sleep. He tucked her in closer, burying his nose in her hair as he finally closed his eyes.

“I can’t lose you again, little star. I wouldn’t survive it.”

Chapter 13

TREY

I need her to rage. Those five words banged through his head in time with his constant headache, mercilessly repeating on an endless loop, even in his sleep, making him agitated and restless.

I need her to rage.

It’d been days since Eithan had visited him. Or, at least, that’s what it felt like. It was impossible to know given he hadn’t seen the sky or a window since he’d first been arrested. The only thing he had to go off of was the almost clockwork arrival of Healer Perry.

From what Trey could gather, he checked on him twice a day, removing his restraints long enough for him to use a chamber pot, change his sheets, and bring him a small amount of food.

He didn’t bother trying to speak to him again. It hadn’t worked the first time, and he sure as fuck wasn’t going to thank him for keeping him alive.

Because of that, part of him thought he might actually hate the young healer more than he hated Eithan. To the point that if just sitting over a bucket to shit didn’t wipe him out, he’d have strangled the motherfucker the first time he removed his bindings.

But in the hours between his visits, Trey’s mind always seemed to wander back to Eithan’s taunt. Back to Vera and what that psycho was going to do to her when she finally returned.

There was no if she returned. He wanted it to be possible she wouldn’t; gods, did he. But he knew his friend, and as much as it should’ve warmed his heart to know what lengths she’d go to for him, it didn’t.

The thought stalled his heart and rattled his mind, making him feel like he was going even more mad than he’d been before.

Not only had he failed in every aspect he already hated himself for, but now he’d also be at fault for whatever future awaited her when that bastard got his hands on her. His nausea swelled, and he gagged, unable to rid himself of the lump that seemed to permanently sit in his throat these days.

He knew Eithan wouldn’t hurt her at first, not when he clearly needed to use her. But her usefulness wouldn’t last forever, especially when she discovered he wasn’t the charming prince he pretended to be.

Vera was strong in a way neither he nor Eithan could ever be, but even her abilities couldn’t protect her in a city full of loyal Matherin guards.