Diamond Kisses (The Jewelry Box #4)

“It’s already done.” Victor smirked. With tender fingers, he pulled out the golden collar and, without a word, snapped it into place around Henri’s bruised neck.

I gagged in horror.

I couldn’t breathe as he nodded at a guard who held up Henri’s slack hand. With a grin, Victor secured one cuff, then two, shackling Henri in gold just like every jewel on this island.

Wiping his hands with a smug smile, Victor said, “Take him to—”

“You bastard!” I lost myself.

Soaring upright, I launched myself at him.

I managed to send him tripping backward.

Until something struck me in the head.

And everything went dark.

Chapter Three

………………………….

Henri

FOR AN ENDLESS ETERNITY, I existed with one foot in this world and one in the next.

Some days, I woke with coherency. I’d stay awake long enough to follow the black roof of the dungeon, trace the walls dripping with icy dew, and focus on Ily and Peter shackled by their collars across the small cell.

I’d count the bars locking us from freedom.

I’d trace the scratchy woollen blanket I lay on and groan as every bone throbbed as if they’d splintered into pieces.

But then the thickness in my head would win.

The fog would return…and I’d slip away.

I’d rouse as something hot was ladled down my throat. I’d wake spluttering as someone fed me water, reminding me too much of drowning as the guards chucked a bucket of ocean on my face.

I winced as someone tended to my injuries and begged anyone and everyone to let Ily go and me to die.

I didn’t remember what I said, but I knew I’d entreated every entity I could think of. I prayed when I’d never prayed before. I tried to make my shattered mind find that oasis of calm and concentration.

But no matter how hard I clung to living, death was a fierce undertow.

I dreamed of running in the black.

Being chased.

Being hunted.

Being butchered and eaten and burned.

I’d wake screaming, only for Ily to speak softly in our prison, telling me things I couldn’t recall, sending me back to sleep with her unconditional love.

I didn’t deserve it.

Didn’t deserve her.

But I slipped again, and more time passed.