Chapter 35: THIRTY-FIVE

AURORA

I glared at the smug look on Thane’s face. Even though I had initially been playing along to the letter I received I didn't know Kaidos would look so broken it made me feel bad. 

“Why are you doing this?” I whispered. 

He merely smirked and I knew that he heard me as he kept grinning, his thumbs flicking through the small notes I've received over the past few days. 

I was surprised at how he had these letters because I was certain of one thing. 

I had destroyed that letter with my own hands. I made sure it burned to nothing but ash. There was no way he could have it now.

No.

This wasn’t possible.

And yet, there it was, the damning words staring me in the face.

I was also supposed to seduce Thane but how could I seduce someone who hated me so much for merely being human? 

At this moment I wanted nothing more than to just disappear into the ground. Why was this happening? 

Kaidos turned to Thane, his expression dark. “That letter proves nothing.” His voice was steady, but there was an edge to it—like he was fighting to believe his own words.

It was sweet that even though Kaidos was skeptical he still wanted to believe me. 

Thane chuckled. “Oh, brother,” he said, shaking his head like he pitied him. “You’re still defending her? Even after this?” He lifted the letter slightly, taunting me with it. Then, his sharp eyes locked onto mine. “Do you want to know where I found it?”

I couldn’t speak. I could barely breathe.

Thane was cruel. He didn't even want to let Kaidos give me the benefit of doubt he was intent on ruining that too.

“Delivered in an envelope,” Thane continued, voice smooth and slow, as if he was savoring every word. “Right to Aurora’s room.”

I shook my head. “That’s a lie.”

Maybe if I denied I could get Kaidos to believe me over Thane but that was a long shot.

Thane ignored me, keeping his focus on Kaidos. “You know what this means, don’t you?” His voice turned sharp, deadly. “She’s a traitor. She’s working with the enemy.”

Kaidos’s fingers curled into a fist. His jaw tensed, and he reached for the letter.

He turned it over, reading the words carefully again, as if searching for some hidden answer.

His eyes flickered to mine, and for the first time since I met him, I saw something I never wanted to see from him.

Doubt.

No.

Not doubt.

Disappointment.

A deep, sinking disappointment that made my stomach twist.

“Kaidos, please.” My voice was barely a whisper.

He looked at me for a long time, his blue eyes filled with something almost broken. Then, without a word, he let the letter slip from his fingers.

The paper fluttered to the bed like a death sentence.

“So last night…” His voice was low, almost hoarse. “It wasn’t real, was it?”

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

“You didn’t mean any of it,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

I took a shaky step forward, reaching for him. “I—”

Kaidos stepped back. Just one step.

But it felt like a thousand miles between us.

Pain flashed across his face, raw and unguarded. He looked more heartbroken and betrayed.

Thane clicked his tongue. “I told you,” he said smugly. “You couldn’t possibly love her, Kaidos. Not after this.”

Kaidos didn’t move. He didn’t even breathe.

Thane’s smirk grew darker. “She’s bewitched us both.” His eyes gleamed with something sinister. “But don’t worry—I know just the right punishment for her.”

My stomach turned to ice.

Punishment?

“What?” I whispered.

Before I could blink, Thane grabbed me.

“No—wait!” I gasped, struggling as he yanked me from the bed.

The cold air hit my bare skin, and humiliation burned through me as I realized I was still naked.

Thane didn’t care. He dragged me toward the door, his grip like iron around my wrist.

Kaidos stirred, his jaw tightening. He didn’t stop Thane, but he did one thing—he picked up my nightdress from the floor and tossed it to me.

I caught it, fumbling to slip it over my head before Thane pulled me away completely.

His grip didn’t loosen. If anything, he held on tighter, his pace quick and unyielding.

I dug my heels into the floor. “Where are you taking me?” I demanded, trying to twist out of his hold.

Thane only smirked. “You’ll see.”

Behind us, Kaidos followed silently. He didn’t try to stop Thane. He didn’t defend me.

That hurt more than anything else.

We moved quickly, deeper into the fortress, until the familiar hallways gave way to darker, unfamiliar territory.

A sinking feeling settled in my stomach.

We were going underground.

The air grew thick, humid. The scent of something rich and exotic filled my nose—a mix of perfume, sweat, and something heavier. Something… indulgent.

Then, suddenly, we stepped into a different world.

The underground pleasure house.

I had heard whispers about it. A place where desires ran rampant. A world of indulgence and submission.

The moment we entered, a curvy woman with dark, painted lips stepped forward, her emerald-green dress hugging every curve. She looked me over, a sly smile curling at the edges of her mouth.

“Well, well,” she purred. “If it isn’t the famous Aurora. Or should I say Rory?”

My stomach twisted.

How did she know my name?

I turned to Thane, my pulse racing. “What is this?”

Thane smiled down at me, his expression disturbingly pleased.

“She’s the one preparing you.”

I stiffened. “Preparing me for what?”

The woman’s fingers trailed along my arm, her touch light but unnerving. “For the Slave and Master room, of course.”

My blood turned to ice.

No.

I jerked back, trying to pull away from Thane, but his grip tightened.

Kaidos was still there. Watching. Silent.

I turned to him, my voice breaking. “Kaidos, please—”

He looked at me, his expression blank then he turned away from me.