Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Will to Live

A Clearing

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Shani didn’t think she could ever be capable of feeling so much disgust. It had its own taste—bitter, burnt, and wrong. It felt like something she wanted to be rid of as fast as she could manage.

She still couldn’t wrap her head around Sivard’s sick ambitions. Where did he get them? Why was he h*llbent on pursuing power—and her? It was all devastatingly sadistic.

You’ll never amount to being a queen!

The words rang in her head—but not for long.

He kicked her off him, and the first thing she thought was to engage, because she was angry and felt strong and wanted to hurt him—

Then she saw a black shape in the brush, green eyes watching her, and suddenly she knew… She didn’t have to.

So she turned and fled, knowing Sivard would pursue.

She leapt aside just as Sarnai launched himself out of the brush and slammed into Sivard, who yelped in a way that make Shani want to cry out, too.