Marked

Chapter 18

Ryn POV

The moment Thalen dismissed the others, I knew I wouldn’t leave that chamber without speaking to him.

I lingered at the edge of the room as the guards led Riv away, his hands still bound, his head held high. The blindfold was gone, but the weight of too many eyes still followed him down the corridor.

He didn’t look back. But I did. When the chamber finally emptied, Thalen turned to face me.

“I should have you chained next to him,” he said.

There was no fire in his voice. Just cold. Disappointment. And maybe… something like betrayal.

“I spoke out for him,” I said quietly, “not for the king.”

Thalen didn’t respond right away. He studied me instead, his eyes calculating.

“You know what he is.”

“I know what they say he is.”

“Don’t play games, Ryn.”

I stepped forward. Steady. Unflinching.

“I’ve watched him. I’ve spoken to him. He hasn’t hurt anyone. He’s—”

“Manipulating you,” Thalen cut in. “That’s what assassins do. Especially that one.”

I shook my head.

“I’ve seen enough manipulation in my life to recognize it when it’s happening. That’s not what this is.”

A long silence stretched between us. The sound of water dripping somewhere in the tunnels echoed faintly around us, the mountain holding its breath while we decided how this would go.

Finally, Thalen sighed and rubbed a hand over his face.

“What do you want from me, Ryn?”

I met his gaze, firm and unwavering.

“I want your word that he won’t be tortured. Not unless he breaks the rules. Not unless he actually gives you a reason.”

Thalen stared at me.

“You’re asking me to spare the Shadow Hunter.”

“I’m asking you to be better than the monster we’re fighting.”

He didn’t like that. But he didn’t argue. Because he knew I was right. Another long pause. Then, finally, a nod.

“Fine. No torture—unless he gives me a reason.”

Relief didn’t flood me. It didn’t even come close. Because this wasn’t a win. It was a delay. And I had no idea how long it would last.

-------------------------

RIV POV

The corridor felt narrower this time. The torches burned lower. The mountain seemed to lean in on all sides.

I didn’t stumble, didn’t falter, but the guards flanking me walked as if I might. Like I was a beast with teeth just barely leashed. They didn’t speak to me. I didn’t speak to them.

I didn’t have anything left to say. They led me back through the tunnels, deeper into the belly of the mountain, until we reached a corridor. Stone floor. Iron door. Cold as the grave.

My cell.

One of them stepped ahead and pulled the door open. The other motioned me forward. I walked in without resistance.

Chains clinked faintly as the guards hooked the manacles into place—one on each wrist connected to a heavy iron ring bolted to the floor. They didn’t yank or jeer.

They didn’t need to. I was already caged. The door slammed shut behind them. Bolts slid into place. Silence followed.

But it wasn’t like before. Because this time, I’d watched her stand between me and the fire. She’d spoken for me. In front of them all.

The same female who’d once glared at me like I was a monster… had just put her reputation—maybe her life—on the line to protect mine.

I didn’t understand her. Didn’t trust what that meant. I sat down against the wall, resting my head back against the cold stone. I hated this place.

But not as much as I hated the part of me that was already waiting to hear her footsteps again.

----------------------------

RYN POV

I didn’t wait long. I couldn’t.

Thirty minutes after they locked him in a cell, I returned—arms full, chest tight, head still spinning from everything that had just happened. From what I’d just done.

I’d stood between him and Thalen. I’d made a deal for him.

And now I was here—again—bringing him comfort, even when I wasn’t sure what he deserved.

The guards posted outside his door looked up as I approached. One of them—Bravic, I thought—arched a brow.

“Visitng so soon?”

“He needs a chance to wash. He just hiked through half the realm, wounded.”

They said nothing.

I jerked my chin toward the door. “Unchain him. Let him wash and change. You can lock the door while I wait out here.”

Bravic exchanged a glance with the other guard, then nodded reluctantly.

“You wait out here. He stays inside. We’ll be listening.”

“Fine.”

I passed the basin to one of them—steam still rising from the surface. A fresh tunic and dark trousers folded neatly over my arm. A towel. A bar of herb-scented soap. I wasn’t sure why I’d grabbed that, but… it felt like something.

Something normal. When they opened the door, I didn’t look at Riv—not fully.

I just stepped in long enough to set the clothes, towel, basin and soap on the small table inside, then turned to the guards.

“Please.”

They hesitated. Then they crossed to him and unlocked the shackles. No roughness. No smug smiles. Just iron clinks, and then silence. I stepped back out of the cell. The door shut behind me, locking again with a heavy clang.

I waited.

Arms crossed, back against the stone wall. Listening. He didn’t speak. Not even when the water sloshed in the basin. But I could hear him moving. Quiet. Methodical.

Cleansing off the blood. The dirt. The shame that clung to this place like a second skin. When the door opened again, he looked… different.

Still the same scarred male in dark clothes—but cleaner now. His black hair still damp, pushed back from his forehead. His sharp jaw no longer shadowed with blood and dust. He didn’t speak either.

He didn’t have to.

“I’ll take your armor,” I said softly, holding out my hands.

He looked at me for a long moment. Then handed it over. One piece at a time.

The leather was heavier than it looked, still warm from his body, and worn down in places that said he’d been wearing it far too long. I hugged it to my chest and stepped back.

“I’ll keep it safe. In my quarters.”

I placed his armor in a neat pile outside of the cell. He gave me a look I couldn’t read. Something in his deep blue eyes flickered. Not trust. But maybe… Reluctant belief.

The guards stepped forward again to re-shackle his wrists. He didn’t fight. Didn’t flinch. Just sat back down on the cot, silent and still as they clicked the manacles back into place.

I waited until they were done, then returned with the next armful I’d brought: blankets.

Two thick wool ones. Clean. Worn, but warm. I laid one down on the cot over the thin bedding that had already been there, then handed him the other. He took it with quiet hands.

Then I sat. Not far.

Just at the foot of the bed, while he leaned back and started eating the food I’d brought—a hot plate of spiced stew and flatbread. A cup of fresh water.

He ate in silence. And I watched. Because I didn’t know what else to do but be here. He didn’t speak until the food was nearly gone.

And even then, it wasn’t a word—just a glance. A quiet look cast in my direction from where he sat hunched on the cot, forearms resting on his thighs, chains taut between him and the wall.

The blue in his eyes caught the low torchlight. Less like ice now. More like dusk.

“I made a deal,” I said quietly.

His gaze sharpened, but he didn’t interrupt.

“You’re safe,” I added. “For now.”

Still nothing. So I explained.

“Thalen agreed you wouldn’t be tortured. Not unless you break a rule.”

That got a reaction. Not dramatic. Not vocal. Just a long, level look. Then a single nod.

And a murmured, “Thank you.”

I wasn’t sure why that quiet, simple thing landed in my chest like a stone dropped into a still pool. But it did. He’d said so little, given so little. And somehow, it still felt like everything. I glanced toward the door.

The guards hadn’t moved, but I could feel their attention like heat through stone. Of course he wasn’t talking more. Not with them just outside.

I stood, brushing invisible dust from my tunic, and crossed to the cell door. It was still ajar. I stepped out and addressed the two guards posted nearby.

“I’ve got it from here,” I said.

Bravic blinked. “You what?”

“He’s chained. He can’t reach me unless I’m within three feet. I won’t be.”

The other one frowned. “He’s a killer.”

“He’s also exhausted. And not going anywhere.”

They hesitated.

I pushed gently. “Go grab something to eat. You’ve been here all day. I’ll call if I need anything.”

They looked at each other again. Then, finally, Bravic grunted.

“We’ll be back in an hour.”

“That’s all I need.”

They left. I waited until their footsteps faded into the tunnel before I stepped back inside. The door shut behind me. Not locked. Not bolted. Just shut.

He looked up as I crossed the cell again and returned to my place at the edge of the bed. I didn’t sit as close this time. Just near enough.

Near enough to remind him he wasn’t alone.