Chapter29: Prisoners

*Maerilee* Pale sun filters into the tent, and I blearily open my eyes, for a moment forgetting where I am, how desperate our situation is. Then, the cold iron cuffs bite into my wrists as I sit up, and I remember exactly what’s happened. Permiton betrayed us. Akin, River, Brook and I are all prisoners in exchange for… what, exactly? His freedom? Refuge in Oceana while the war wages on? Whatever Permiton has gotten out of this deal, I can’t imagine that it would be worth betraying us. I would never do that to anyone, but definitely not to the person I’m supposed to be mated to for an eternity. Sure, our situation is unusual, but we are bound to each other regardless of what he’s done. Those are the ancient laws that come from having a One. As I turn the situation over and over in my head, the Commander Heela enters the tent. From my place in the dirt, I glare at him with all the hate I can muster. His smirk is infuriating, smug and cruel, as if he’s savoring the sight of us, bound and