Bloodbound to the Beastly King

Adina was alone.

Kora and Mason had been taken to another part of the inn. It was their punishment, they said. She was to go without water and light. "Let her wallow in pity and despair," Carter had said.

Now she was curled up against the wooden floor, the air was cold, almost freezing, but Adina didn't dwell on it. She shut her eyes tight, whispering into the air.

"Goddess… please. Give me a breakthrough. Give me a way out. Anything."

At this point, she wished her mother would show up. Would show herself and tell her it was all going to be alright, but she knew it was impossible. With the collar around her neck, blocking her energy, she couldn't reach for her mother. Tears stung Adina's eyes at this. For the first time since the whole ordeal, she felt truly alone.

It had been hours since she was locked in here, and not only was she dying of thirst, she also knew they would be on their way soon. Carter was desperate, she knew that much.

Just as she predicted, the door opened, light came in from behind. Standing by the door was the one person Adina hoped would drop dead. Radek.

His lips curled into a grin as he laid eyes on her. "Up. We are leaving now. I came to get you personally," he said, stepping forward and pushing Adina up.

"Get your filthy hands off me," Adina snarled, jerking her body away from his touch.

Radek, of course, didn't listen. He leaned closer, grinning as he tried touching her cheeks. Adina jerked backwards and spat straight into his face.

The glob slid down his cheek. For a moment, none of them spoke. Radek froze.

Then, his eyes lit up, a sinister grin stretched on his face. "Radek dragged his finger over it and brought it to his lips, licking his finger. "Mmm. Sweet. Just as I imagined you'd taste."

Adina's stomach twisted, bile rising in her throat, but she didn't look away. She looked at him with so much disgust. "I swear to the goddess, when the time comes, I'll kill you myself. I'll make sure your last breath is spent choking on your own filth."

Radek blinked, caught off guard by the venom in her tone. Then, he chuckled. "Keep dreaming, little sage," he taunted, leaning close enough that his foul breath fanned her skin. "That day will never come. You'll be mine before it does."

Adina's jaw clenched so tightly her teeth ached, but she refused to look away, refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing fear in her.

"Move," Radek barked finally, shoving her outside the room.

Outside, Carter's men were already waiting with Mason and Kora. Alma stood near them; she arrived a while ago, after hearing of the incident Adina and Mason pulled. Her cold eyes flickering with disdain. Carter gestured impatiently to the carriages.

"Load them in," he ordered, and once again, Adina, Kora, and Mason were shoved into the tight carriage.

Soon, the carriage began to move.

Mason shifted closer to her, "Adina, are you okay? Did anything happen?" he asked.

Adina couldn't help the faint smile on her face. "I'm okay, thank you for asking, Mason. Are you okay too?" she asked.

"He's not. Lord Carter tortured him some more after we were taken out. I swear, one would think he has a personal vendetta against him," Kora replied.

"He did?"

Mason shook his head, "Nothing I can't handle. I was just worried about you," he said.

"It was only because we were at the inn, that's why he didn't do worse," Kora continued.

"Kora! That's enough," Mason cut in, and the others deflated seeing Adina's face. She tried reaching for her hand, but it was of no use. They were all chained up even in this tight space.

"What do we do now? This is going to ruin the realm if Lord Carter finds this crest he's so desperate for."

"The healer at that village turned on us. I guess money really does go a long way," Mason said bitterly, remembering how the healer had jumped for the pouch of coins.

"It doesn't matter now. What matters is finding a way to inform his majesty of what's happening. If this lands in Carter's hand. I'm certain it'll ruin us all," Adina replied.

"So what do we do?" Kora asked, but none of them answered… what could they do?

Adina's powers were caged. They couldn't find a way to inform Thorne of the pending doom. What could they actually do?

"What if—" Kora blurted, but the three of them froze when they felt the banging against the carriage.

"Shut it!" Someone snarled from outside.

"Sorry," Kora mouthed to Adina and Mason who nodded, shifting closer to her. "What if what?" Adina whispered.

"What if you pretended to be sick? We can buy more time that way," Kora said.

Adina shook her head. "With how desperate Carter is, he'll drain all the blood in my body if it would lead him to the crest. He doesn't care if I get sick or not," she replied.

Adina's words hung heavy in the carriage. For a moment, none of them dared breathe too loud.

Adina let her head fall back, eyes fluttering shut for a moment. Please, goddess, she thought. Even if you don't answer… let me live long enough to see him again. Just once more.

"Don't lose hope," Mason whispered, "We'll find a way out. We have to."

Adina turned her head, giving him the faintest of smiles, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I hope so, Mason. I really do."

The carriage lurched suddenly, throwing them against each other. Outside, Carter barked an order, and the sound of horses quickened.

Adina forced her eyes open, and there—through the slit in the carriage—she caught sight of it. The wolves patrolling religiously. They'd reached the Crystal Moon border.

Kora's breath hitched beside her. She looked at the two of them, her voice barely a whisper. "We're here."