Immortals After Dark 07 - Kiss of a Demon King

there?" Sabine cried. "Oh, gods, help me!" She rattled the chains. "I'm being held against my
    will!"
    "Is that Sabine?" Cadeon bit out. "Was she your ace?"
    "Please help me!"
    Rydstrom peered at him hard, daring Cadeon to do something.
    Clearly striving for a casual tone, Cadeon said, "So, you've got an evil sorceress chained up in your bed, then?"
    Rydstrom knew what his brother believed. "She's mine," he seethed. "I'll do whatever the fuck I want to her. And it's nothing that wasn't done to me," he snapped, recalling the humiliation she'd subjected him to. The memories burned worse, because he'd intended to be so good to her, had planned to completely forgive her for her treatment of him. His fists clenched.
    "Hey, hey, no need to slug me, brother. To each his own, yeah?" But he was studying Rydstrom.
    "Once I'm done with her, I'll contact you."
    As he closed the door, he barely heard Cadeon mutter, "Fuckall, does this mean I'm no longer the bad brother . . . ?"
    Before Rydstrom locked the sword in the armory, he took it to the bedroom to show Sabine his prize. "This is the sword that will kill Omort."
    It glinted in the light, and her eyes followed its every movement as he checked the weapon's balance, swinging it in a circle by his side.
    "Soon, I'll return to Tornin for his head. Would you like that? How does the idea of your brother's death make you feel?"
    "Like I'm hearing a weather report for a town I don't live in."
    "I almost want you to have loyalty to him."
    "Don't you understand? You'll never get close enough to use that weapon on him. He rarely leaves Tornin. He has guards and mystickal traps surrounding him at all times. Damn you, Rydstrom!" Her wrists were bleeding. "Let me go!"
    He'turned from her and left the room. As he headed to his study, he gazed down at the sword-the most

    remarkable one Rydstrom had ever beheld. The weapon felt like an extension of his arm.
    This was all he'd wanted, and he'd barely spared a glance at it. His brother had risked his life to claim this for him, and Rydstrom hadn't said a word of thanks.
    Just now, Cadeon had looked at him like he'd lost his mind.
    I think I have.
    39
    She sagged with relief. "Lanthe, where are you?" Her sister's voice had come to her once before when Sabine had screamed for help, but then it had faded again.
    Dimly Sabine heard, "Dodging really big birds. What happened to you?"
    uThe demon caught me and chained me to his bed."
    "He did what? As soon as I lose these assholes, I'm com-ing after the demon."
    "What are you going to do? Portal him to death?" Sabine said. "Can you evade the Vrekeners for much longer? Wait, I hear him coming . . . just stand by!"
    Rydstrom returned to her then, gazing at her with pain and confusion in his dark eyes. He reached for her, but instead of touching her body again, he began to free her bonds.
    She held her breath. Was he letting her go?
    "Do you know what I saw when you told me to dream of what I needed most?' His voice was hoarse as he unchained her ankles. "I dreamed of you and of our son. We were happy, Sabine. I was able to make you happy- and to protect you. The feeling was indescribable."
    "Lanthe, he's freeing me - just hold on a little longer!"
    Rydstrom continued, "But now I know that will never happen."
    Once he'd released her, she shot to her feet and scrambled back from him, but he just sank onto the side of the bed, his face exhausted, his cheek marked from her nails.
    "Lanthe, are you still there?" Sabine took only enough time to snatch up the undershirt he'd left out for her and drag it over her head, then she headed out.
    At the doorway, she said, "Look, Rydstrom, I'll be back in six days. I promise you."
    "No, you won't. I'm done, Sabine."
    She whirled around. "What? Rydstrom, no-"
    "I'm not like this. You bring out the worst in me." He was holding his head in his hands.
    People did that in grief, or in the realization that something they'd wanted was forever out of reach.
    He'd given up on her. And she wanted to ask him not to. Even give him reasons why he shouldn't. But Lanthe was out there alone, defenseless.
    "All we're going to do is continue hurting each other. I don't want you to return," he said quietly, but with steel in his tone.
    "Demon, wait.. . ."
    He met her gaze. "Do not come back here."

    When she felt her bottom lip trembling, she made herself invisible. Casting another glance at him, she ran from the room.
    "Abie, are you there? What's happening?"
    "I-I just got broken up