POV: KIERAN SOLIS
Timeline: Same time
Location: The Shadowlands – Shadow Court Prison
---
I wake up in darkness.
Complete darkness.
The kind where you can't see your hand in front of your face.
I try to move.
Can't.
My wrists are bound.
My ankles too.
I'm sitting against something cold and hard—
stone wall, maybe?
"Hello?" My voice echoes. "Anyone there?"
Laughter.
Mira's voice comes from somewhere in the darkness.
"Finally awake. Good. I was getting bored."
"Where am I?"
"The Shadowlands. Specifically, a very special prison designed for people like you."
"People like me?"
"Prophecy children. Ones with power. Ones with… connections."
I hear footsteps circling me.
"Your bond with Kaelis is blocked. Your husband can't track you through your marriage bond—we're suppressing that too. As far as anyone knows—"
She's right beside my ear now.
"—you've vanished."
"They'll find me."
"Will they?" She moves away. "The Shadowlands are vast. Constantly shifting. And we've taken precautions. Even if they somehow track you here, they won't get in. Our wards are… extensive."
---
Light flares.
Sudden.
Blinding.
I squeeze my eyes shut.
When I can finally see, I'm in a cell.
Stone walls.
Iron bars.
And outside the cell—
Mira.
And behind her, a dozen shadowy figures I can't quite focus on.
Shadow Court members.
---
"Why am I here?" I ask.
"Because you're useful."
She sits on a chair someone materializes for her.
"Queen Isolde wants both prophecy children. But she can't get to Kaelis—he's too well protected. So we took you instead."
"And?"
"And now we have leverage."
Her smile is cruel.
"Do you think Kaelis will stay safe in the Tidelands when his twin is suffering? Do you think Nyx will stop him from coming to rescue you?"
My blood runs cold.
"This is a trap."
"Obviously." She examines her nails. "You're the bait. They're the prey. We lure them here, into the Shadowlands where we have the advantage, and we take all of you at once."
"They're not stupid. They'll see through this."
"Will they?"
She stands.
"You're betting on their intelligence over their love for you. I'm betting on love."
She steps closer.
"Love makes people stupid. Reckless. Willing to walk into obvious traps because the alternative—losing someone they care about—is unthinkable."
She's right.
---
Ravion will come.
Even knowing it's a trap.
Kaelis will come.
Even if it means danger.
They'll walk right into this because of me.
---
"What does Isolde want with us?" I ask. "The prophecy says we'll save or destroy. But save or destroy what?"
"That's the question, isn't it?" Mira moves closer to the bars. "The prophecy is old. Vague. But Isolde believes you two are the key to ultimate power. That if she controls you—"
She smiles.
"—she controls everything."
"That's insane."
"That's ambition."
She turns to leave.
"Someone will be along shortly to make sure you're… comfortable. Well, uncomfortable actually. But we need to keep you weak. Can't have you escaping before your rescue party arrives."
"Wait—what do you mean—"
But she's already gone.
---
The other Shadow Court members move closer.
And I realize what's about to happen.
Torture.
Not to kill me.
Just to weaken me.
To make sure when Ravion and the others arrive, I can't help in the fight.
"Please—" I start.
One of them raises their hand.
---
Pain explodes through my body.
Not physical pain.
Worse.
Magical pain that burns through every nerve, every cell, every thought.
I scream.
Can't help it.
The pain is everything.
---
And through it, one thought:
Please don't come for me.
Please don't walk into this trap.
Please—
But I know they will.
Because family doesn't leave each other behind.
Even when they should.