Page 62 of Lady of Starfire

“A what?”

“An out. If this is no longer what you want to do—if being my Second is no longer something you wish for—I want you to know you can walk away from it,” Sorin said.

Cyrus stared at him. “You want me to leave?”

“No,” Sorin said quickly. His gaze cut to Eliza, who still hadn’t looked up from her glass. Rayner shifted slightly. Sorin blew out another harsh breath. “But perhaps it would be for the best.”

“Cyrus.”

He blinked several times. Back in the prison. That’s where he was. Briar still crouched before him, so much worry filling his features.

That wasn’t how that conversation had gone. They had offered him an out, yes, but they had wanted him to know that he would still have a place in their family. The Fiera Palace would still be his home, but if he no longer wished for the role of Second, they understood. Eliza wouldn’t look at him because she had tears in her eyes, not wanting him to go. Rayner had been agitated at the thought of him leaving, at the idea of having to bring another into their fold. Sorin wanted to give him a choice, even though it pained him to do so.

But maybe they had wanted him to walk away? Maybe he had gotten it all wrong?

“Prince of Water,” the Sorceress called, and Briar’s eyes widened as he quickly rose to his feet. “Did no one teach you not to play with other people’s things?”

A thing. That sounded about right at this point.

Alaric turned, cold amusement glimmering in his dark eyes. “Do not worry, Prince Drayce. Mikale delivered a message from my Wraith. She comes for him tonight.”

“Then I will be freed,” Gehenna gasped, clinging to the bars.

Alaric glanced back at her. “In time.”

“In time?” she repeated in horror. “You said you would free me!”

“You said that spell would help find the lock,” he replied with a shrug.

“You will regret this choice, Alaric.”

“It appears you are already regretting yours,” he retorted. He began striding for the stairs. “Come, Prince. We will come back for the Fire Second later.”

Briar looked down at Cyrus, an apology written on his face.

“Go,” Cyrus said. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Cyrus—”

“Go, Briar,” he snapped. “Before you pay yet another price.”

Briar gave him one last look as he murmured, “Soon you will be free of her,” before he turned and followed Alaric up the stairs.

Cyrus could feel the Sorceress’s eyes on him. He inhaled deeply, steeling himself to look at her. Be free of her? He never would be.

He lifted his head, meeting her violet stare. She tilted her head, a finger sliding up and down a bar. “We don’t have much time left together, pretty Fire Fae.”

“I would say let’s make the most of it, but I would really rather you didn’t.”

She smiled, and he flinched back.

“Still so funny,” she said softly. She began pacing slowly behind the bars, fingers dragging along them. “Our time will end, but you will not be free of me.”

He knew that. Not only did he make a bargain with her, she still had his blood.

He’d had to give her more.

Just one part of what he agreed to in order to keep his memories of Cassius free of her ministrations.