Chapter 402
My heels were bound with rope, but I still kicked Edward as hard as I could.
He hadn’t expected the blow to land on his chest. He stumbled backward, thrown off balance.
I pulled my legs back in and curled into a defensive fetal position, inching toward the edge of the bed.
Edward rubbed his chest, eyes fixed on me. Then, suddenly, he lunged. “You’re so disgusted by my touch, I can’t help but wonder. Did you ever love me? You didn’t, did you? I was just a way out of your miserable life.
“And now there’s Soren Kenway–the glittery, golden ticket–and suddenly I mean nothing. That’s why you ran straight into his arms without a second thought!”
He started ripping at my dress.
I couldn’t help but let out a small, bitter laugh. So he’d finally figured it out on his own.
It had taken Soren spelling things out for me to realize the truth, but Edward had apparently spent enough time brooding to reach the same conclusion. I almost wanted to applaud the self–reflection.
“Edward, stop! Think about your future! You won’t be able to run from this! You’ll be imprisoned, just like your sister! Stop now, before it’s too late!”
Suddenly, a barrage of heavy pounding echoed from the door. I heard a voice–one I knew well.
It had to be Soren.
Edward froze. He turned to the door, then looked back at me.
“Fuck, why is he here so soon? Fuck!” he snarled.
His lips twisted into the most nightmarish smile I had ever seen. He leaned over me–he wanted to kiss me.
I shoved his head away with my bound hands, pushing with every ounce of strength I had left.
The rope bit into my wrists, digging into the skin like wire. It felt as if the fibers would split my flesh open.
Pain shot through my arms, rattling through my entire body.
I trembled, but I wouldn’t–couldn’t let go.
Outside, the crowd began slamming into the door, harder and harder.
Enraged that his plan was crumbling, Edward slapped me across the face with full force, then scrambled to the window.
The world tilted and blurred with pain. My senses reeled.
Was he about to escape? How?
My consciousness thinned, like tissue paper tearing at the edges.
The door flew open; and several large figures stormed into the room. Most of them looked like Medhelanonians.
Except one.
A familiar, handsome face swept the room with wide–eyed panic.
“Taylor!” Soren shouted, rushing to me. He yanked a bedsheet off the mattress and wrapped it around my body.
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Chapter 402
+25 BONUS
I was still trembling from the struggle, my limbs weak and shaking. He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly.
“Are you okay, Taylor? Are you hurt? Oh God… It’s okay now, hmm? I’m here,” he murmured, trying to calm me.” I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let you out of my sight… I was careless…”
Others began tearing through the room in search of Edward but he was gone.
Soren took a dagger from one of them and cut through the ropes binding me.
Angry blue–black marks ringed my wrists and ankles. Blood welled along my wrists where the rope had torn the skin.
I pointed toward the window and rasped, “He… went there…”
At once, they bolted from the room, leaving only Sean and three others behind.
Moments later, even they slipped out, taking positions outside the door.
Gradually, my nerves began to settle.
“Hey, I’m fine,” I said, trying to soothe Soren in return. He looked even more shaken than I felt.
I cupped his face gently. “Soren, I’m fine. It’s just a scratch. I’m okay.”
