All Chapters of Throne Of The Broken Bonds : Chapter 31 - Chapter 35

Aiden’s PovI didn't knock. I just pushed the heavy oak doors open and walked into my father’s study. Rowan was sitting behind his desk, looking over a map of the northern territories. He didn't look up when I came in."You're late," he said. His voice was like a saw hitting a stone. "And you look like hell, Aiden. Wash your face before the council sees you.""The council isn't here," I said. I pulled out the chair opposite him and sat down. I didn't ask for permission. "And I don't care how I look. We need to talk about the vials I found in your desk."Rowan finally looked up. His eyes were sharp, scanning me for weakness. He leaned back and folded his hands. "You've been snooping. That’s a dangerous habit for a boy who can barely hold his liquor.""I’m not a boy," I said. I leaned forward, my hands gripping the edge of the desk. "You've been putting that stuff in the Omegas' tea for years. You’ve been putting it in mine, too. I checked the logs from the healer’s wing. It’s a suppre

Elara’s PovThe ground was cold against my cheek. My lungs felt like they were full of dry sand, and every time I tried to pull in a breath, my ribs felt like they were rubbing together. I didn't move. I just lay there, staring at a single piece of gravel an inch from my eye. The silver heat was still humming in my ears, but it wasn't a roar anymore. It was a dull throb.Aiden was groaning nearby. I heard him roll over, the dirt crunching under his weight."Elara?" he croaked.I didn't answer. I was busy checking my own body. My fingers twitched. My legs felt heavy, but they weren't broken. I pushed myself up, my palms stinging from the scorched earth. I sat on my heels and looked at him. He looked like he’d been hit by a truck."That... that wasn't supposed to happen," Aiden said. He was sitting up now, holding his chest. "The bond wasn't supposed to have that much kick.""Everything your father told us was a lie, Aiden," I said. My voice was flat. I didn't feel sad. I didn't even fe

Elara’s PovI stayed in the garden corner, leaning against a stone bench that felt cold through my leggings. Marcus hadn’t left. He was standing near a rose bush, pulling at a loose leaf. He looked like he had a lot on his mind, but he wasn’t rushing me to speak. I liked that about him. He never pushed."You're thinking about what I said," Marcus finally said. He didn't look up from the plant."I am," I admitted. I looked at my hands. They were steady for once. "You said you're developing feelings. Real ones.""I meant it, Elara." He let the leaf go and turned to face me. "I’ve watched you for a long time. Even before you started breaking floorboards and scaring the guards. I liked the way you never let them see you cry in the kitchens. I liked that you were stronger than all the Alphas combined, even when you were just scrubbing floors."I looked at him, really looked at him. Marcus was handsome, but it was more than that. He was safe. "You aren't afraid of me, are you? Even after wh