CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Kiss of deception

"Did you really believe you could scheme against me and leave unharmed?"

The voice of Isolde was silk and steel, seductive but laced with peril. Her red gown swirled at her feet like blood. She stood before us.

Lucian changed in front of me to protect me, but I pressed ahead.

"I don't fear you." Though my heart was racing, my voice remained steady.

Her lips curled. "Oh, Calla". You made your first error here.

Rowan stiffened next to me, his hands closed into fists.

His voice tight, he replied, "you need to let me go." "You now have no hold over me."

I solde laughed, low and sensual. "No hangover over you? Hey, sweetheart. Are you really convinced that?"

She raised her hand, and Rowan gasped strangledly and went on his knees.

"Column!" I moved, then Lucian grabbed my arm.

"She's toying with him," he said quietly. " Stay back."

Rowan's body trembled, his hands clutching his head as though something within of him was separating.

Stop! I cried out. "You already missed. You cannot keep him under your constant control indefinitely.

Isolde turned her eye to me. Oh, darling. Her smile sank more. You're undervaluing exactly how much he still belongs to me.

She turned once more to Rowan.

"Tell them, Rowan. Tell them the real story.

Rowan shivered and raised his head toward me. His stormy blue eyes teemed with pain, strife, and something I wouldn't want to call.

"Calla!--..." His voice shattered. "i—"

I gasped.

Lucian clenched his fingers on his blade.

"Say it," I solde purred. " Tell them what you did."

Rowan's eyes grew black; then, in a voice just above a whisper, "I betrayed you."

"No.". Word leaked out before I could stop it.

Rowan tightened his jaw. indeed.

The laughter of Isolde was leisurely and content.

"Poor Calla," she said with a sigh. "So trusting. Desperate to believe in love then."

Lucian snarled quietly and stepped forward, but I raised a hand to stop him.

" Why?" My voice wavered.

Rowan's hands quitched and his breath stopped.

"Because I had no options."

I gave my head a shake. "That is not sufficient."

"The truth is what it is."

Isolde moaned dramatically and circled us like a hunter. Oh, Rowan. You give it such sorrowful sound. As though you choose not to violate her."

"I didn't!" he said, eyes flaming. "You drove me!"

I solde arched a thin brow. Did I?

Rowan's fists tightened.

His voice low, "You made me lead her here," he whispered. "You licked her into your trap."

One icy blade stuck itself in my chest.

"Rowan..."

His gaze locked with me, angry and agonizing.

"I'm very sorry, Calla."

Lucian's wrath blazed next to me. "Your bastard."

Rowan stiffened his shoulders and sucked hard. "I had no desire for. But if I didn't..." He pauses. She would have killed you straight forwardly.

Isolde slanted her head, laughter glittering in her black eyes.

" Such a beautiful little liar."

Lucian started to snap.

He pounced, blade gleaming, but Isolde only flicked her fingers—and he flew back.

"Marcian!" I hardly noticed him until he slammed into the stone wall.

He moaned, flashing daggers at Isolde.

"You witch"—

"Flattery will bring you nowhere, darling," she said.

I looked to Rowan once again. " You still have a choice."

His throat b bobbed.

"Am I?"

Surely. My voice changed to be gentle. "Help me fight her".

There was battle raging in his eyes.

Smirk of Isolde turned into a frown. "I guess not."

She lifted her hand before I could respond, and Rowan fell once more screaming.

I flung myself forward, snatching his face between mine. " Fight her, Rowan!"

His body shook and his breathing was labors.

I—I can't.

" Indeed, you can!"

Isolde sighed, bored. "This is tired." She raised her palm, pointing exactly at me.

Lucian moved in a flash, grabbing his dagger and straight-forwardly throwing it at her.

She laughed and moved easily to avoid. "Predutable."

And she then disappeared.

Aside from Rowan's ragged breathing, the room was quiet.

Lucian was standing already, his eyes ablaze with wrath. We have to depart. now.

Rowan softly said, "She's not gone."

"No," I replied. " She is waiting."

Lucian held my wrist and cursed beneath his breath. "Before she decides to kill you instead of playing with you, we need you both out of here."

Rowan stood slowly, still not sure. "I deserve not to be leaving."

"Too bad," Lucian growled. We are not letting her have you.

Rowan's eye flicked to me in search.

I matched his stare with a gentle but forceful voice. "Rowan, this isn't finished yet. You still have time to right this.

His face changed to reflect something.

Still, the ground shook.

A voice from the darkness echoed harsh, nasty, power-drenched.

You are not free to depart.

Lucian grasped my arm. "Run!"

The doors closed then as well.

Unauthorized