Being careless, uncertain, and afraid has never been part of who I am. I am meant to be firm, unshaken, decisive. But Sienna breaks every rule that governs me. She twists my thoughts, blurs my judgment, shakes my pride, and turns my chest into something that pounds wildly when she is near—and aches like it's dying when she is gone.
That is why I tried to let her go.
And that was my greatest mistake.
Letting her walk away was not relief. It was not peace. It was death. The moment I turned my back on her, something inside me collapsed. If this is the "connection" she spoke of, then she owns every part of me. My life has no meaning without her in it. That is why I endured every blow the other kings threw at me—and none of it hurt as much as losing her.
I may never have bonded with her. I may have failed to claim her as my mate. But what I feel for her goes beyond marks, bonds, or tradition. It is love. And it is unconditional.
I will not rely on fate or sacred bonds to find her. I will trust the same instincts that led me to her the first time—before doubt poisoned them, before fear weakened me. I will find her before anyone else does.
My instincts led me to the marshlands.
Willow trees drooped low over dark water, their branches tangled like claws. Reptilian creatures lounged along the banks, some half-submerged in murky pools, others basking on mud and stone. The air smelled of rot, water, and something sharp beneath it all. I knew instantly—I was close.
Before Sienna, I never cared to know other clans. Juno stood alone, strong, untouched. I was taught that mingling only invited corruption. But she changed that. Through her, I learned lands, faces, stories. Through her, I learned what connection meant.
I stepped forward.
"I am Gideon, King of Juno," I said firmly. "I seek your ruler."
A lizard-man stepped out. "You're the first outsider to come looking for Xerxes. He wanders when he pleases. But he's been in his lair lately." His eyes flicked nervously. "Last ones who sought him didn't leave alive."
He led me through twisted roots and narrow paths until a dark opening gaped before us. Then he stopped, trembling.
"I go no farther."
I entered alone.
The lair swallowed light. Hissing echoed through stone. Something watched me from every shadow. The ground was slick beneath my boots. Each step made my skin prickle.
Then I felt her.
My heart nearly tore itself apart.
The cavern opened into a vast stone dome. At its center sat a throne shaped like a nest of bones and roots. And on it—Sienna.
She was in another man's arms.
Her body rested against him, but her eyes… her eyes were empty. As if the light that once lived there had been drained.
"Sienna," I breathed.
"Dog," the man said lazily, licking along her neck. "Do you like what you see? You made this happen."
Rage flooded me. My fists clenched. My body begged to kill him—but she was there. In his arms.
"Sienna, wake up," I shouted. "I'm taking you home."
"She can't hear you." He smiled. "I am Vesper, ruler of Xerxes—and the rightful mate of the Goddess."
He stroked her, and she reacted with trained need. My chest felt like it was being crushed.
"Sienna, I'm sorry," I said hoarsely. "I didn't mean what I said. Come back to me. I'll fix everything."
Vesper tilted her face toward me.
"Sienna, does he matter?"
She looked at me. Her eyes shimmered. Recognition flickered—and then fear. She shook her head and clung to Vesper like I was the danger.
"What did you do to her?!" I roared.
"I healed her," Vesper said softly. "You broke her. I erased her pain."
I forced myself to breathe.
"Then let her choose. If you're so sure, let her decide."
He laughed. "If I win, you surrender Juno."
"So be it."
Sienna stepped between us. Her face was blank—but her body trembled. Tears spilled when her eyes met mine.
"Choose," Vesper whispered.
She walked toward him.
Each step felt like a blade through my chest. I was already preparing myself to die standing.
Then she ran.
She ran into me, crying, clutching me like I was the only solid thing left in her world.
I howled.
The sound split stone. The lair shook. Rocks crashed down. I kicked them into Vesper's path, burying him beneath rubble.
Then I ran—with Sienna in my arms—into the wild, into the dark, into anywhere that was far away from him.
She shook against me, clinging to my neck, breath breaking.
And I swore, to every force that exists:
I will never let her go again.