12: Fly, Babies! Fly!

I shook my head to no one. I couldn't have made such a mistake. The man I had tried so hard to flee was the same one I was now bound to. Could life be any more cruel?

I took my shaking hands and fisted them with my dress. Blood rushed to my ears. I couldn't hear anything through the pound in my head. I was trapped. The invisible leash on my neck strained so hard I could die. Master Kaine had won.

I turned away from the door, heading up the stairs, but just as soon, Kaloyan blocked my path. He stood on the first riser before I could even approach it. I hated the fear that seized my windpipe. Cara Smyth had never been the type to be weak, but that household had taken so much from me.

Why and how could a man be so cruel? I struggled to reach the foot of the grand stairwell, struggling to keep my chin raised like Mattie's.

A frown crossed Kaloyan’s face with just one look at me.

"You were eavesdropping," he said.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't feeling too well and—"

"Would there be a need