A new dawn crept closer than anyone imagined, promising the birth of a joyous day. But to Kayden—still nerve-wracked and broken—it was nothing short of a nightmare. It was the day of his execution, and yet... nothing seemed to be happening.
Stephen had told him to trust him, to wait. But right now, that trust felt pointless, like trying to crack an indestructible stone with bare hands.
Groaning, Kayden stood up and attempted to stretch—only for a sharp, blinding pain to shoot through his abdomen. It stung so badly that he squatted immediately, curling his neck to the floor, his breathing ragged.
His body was dehydrated, weak, and starved. He hadn't had a proper bath—only the cruel splash of chilling water Thane had poured over him. And that had felt like a thousand blades piercing his skin.
Coming here was the worst mistake of his life. What had he been thinking? That something might change? That fate would finally show him mercy?
Ridiculous.
