Chapter 184 DANE The weak feeling of our connection had been the same since thest time Aurora and I talked , but it stayed in my mind like a dull pain .


    My chains shone softly , their patterns teasing me with theirplex , unbreakable design .


    I had tried everything , from strength to mind tricks but these bindings were made by a power much stronger than I could control .


    But the small sign of weakness I had seen before , the slight fading of the magic , was like a guiding light .


    I had spent many hours looking at it , counting its pattern like a heartbeat .


    If I wanted to escape , I needed Aurora to know everything , but the Nameless had taken her away from this cell .


    I have been restless since he took her away … I dont know whats going on .


    I shut my eyes and reached out with our connection once more , straining the frustrating thread between us .


    Shit … if only I hadnt cut our bond years ago .


    This was like trying to push a thread through a needle in 2/7 Chapter 184plete darkness but after a few painful moments , I felt her presence move .


    I sat quietly , breathing normally as I looked at the shining symbols carved into the chains .


    They pulsed in a pattern , like a heartbeat .


    There was a rhythm to them , a moment when the light faded a little before lighting up again .


    It was small , almost unnoticeable , but it was there .


    This is it , I said quietly to myself , clenching my teeth .


    The Nameless was cunning , but his arrogance made him sloppy .


    He believed no one could understand his magic , let alone exploit it .


    His overconfidence would be the end of him .


    I exhaled slowly , closing my eyes to concentrate .


    The faint thread of my bond with Aurora stirred at the edges of my mind , fragile but alive .


    Aurora , I thought , focusing all my energy on the bond .


    The connection was weak , like a bad signal and I could hardly hear her .


    I pushed harder , which made my head hurt .


    The chains became brighter because of my defiance , but I kept going .


    Then , like a thread going through a needle , I heard her voice .


    Dane ? 3/7 Chapter 184 The quiet sound of her voice shocked me .


    Aurora , I said softly , even though I knew she couldnt hear me like that .


    I can barely … hear you … I heard her .


    Her words were broken , like ss pieces in my mind .


    Aurora , I thought , feeling my desperation in the connection .


    Can you hear me now ? The connection shook and I prepared myself for the pressure .


    Im here her voice whispered , soft but strong .


    The relief I felt was like taking a deep breath after being underwater .


    Listen closely , I said out loud , hoping the connection would bring my words to her .


    Ive found a way to make these chains weaker .


    Theres a pattern to the symbols , a time when they fail .


    Look for it in your ties .


    Dane … Her voice wavered , and I could feel the exhaustion in her tone .


    Its not just the chains .


    The Nameless is tightening his grip .


    I had to make a choice today … My heart sank .


    What choice ? The bond shaken and I clung to it , my knuckles white against the chains .


    You know he gave me a deadline , Aurora continued , her voice cracking .


    Marry Holden or watch Trajan and Evander suffer .


    He made me stand in front of the pack … I had no choice .


    Her words hit me like a de , cutting deep .


    Marry Holden ? The 4/7 Chapter 184 idea of her standing beside that traitor , bound to him , made my blood boil .


    What did you say ? I asked , my voice low and trembling .


    The silence that followed was deafening .


    I said yes , she finally admitted , her voice barely above a whisper .


    Rage and despair surged through me in equal measure .


    You cant , I said .


    You know this is what he wants .


    To break you .


    To break us .


    73 What choice did I have ? she snapped , the bond ring with her frustration .


    If I refused , Trajan and Evander would suffer .


    And if I fought back , he would kill them .


    I couldnt … I couldnt let that happen .


    I rested my head on the cold stone wall and my chains made a soft sound .


    Aurora , I said , my voice quieter now .


    Hes using you .


    This isnt about Trajan or Evander , its about power .


    Dont let him take that away from you .


    Do you think I dont know that ? Her voice broke and I could feel her pain like it was my own .


    But what would you have done , Dane ? Would you have watched them suffer ? Would you have watched them die ? Her words made me silent .


    I had no answer .


    Chapter 184 5/7 She continued , her voice trembling .


    I didnt want to do it , but he left me no choice .


    Holden slipped the ring onto my finger .


    Dane .


    Its enchanted .


    I can feel it pulling at me , like its calling me to him … to the Nameless .


    The thought of that man touching her , binding her with magic , made me want to tear the entire fortress apart .


    Then well break it , I said firmly .


    Whatever hold he thinks he has on you , well shatter it .


    Together .


    How ? she asked , her voice filled with despair.


    Im running out of time .


    The Nameless said … he said the next phase begins soon .


    I dont know what that means , but I can feel it , Dane .


    Something terrible ising .


    Her fear made me feel cold , but I made myself stay calm .


    Well find a way , I promised .


    But you need to trust me .


    No matter what happens , dont let him see that you are scared .


    You are stronger than he thinks .


    The connection between us shook again and I felt her strength growing .


    Ill try , she said softly .


    The connection faded and I was left alone in the deafening Chapter 184 silence of the fortress once more .


    My mind was racing , cach thought sharper than thest .


    The Nameless was ying a long game and Aurora was his favorite pawn .


    But he had underestimated her strength and mine .


    6/7 I pulled at the chains again , and the runes glowed weakly .


    The weakness was there , taunting me .


    I just needed time to exploit it .


    And then , the faint sound of footsteps echoed through the cavern .


    My body tensed , every sense on high alert .


    The Nameless appeared , his shadowy form twisting as he approached .


    His golden eyes gleamed with amusement as if he already knew everything that had transpired .


    God , I was so scared that he may have discovered my little secret , but luckily for me , he said something else .


    Still clinging to hope , are we ? he sneered , his voice like nails on ss .


    I looked into his eyes and did not back down .


    You wont win , I said calmly .


    Aurora is stronger than you realize .


    Heughed , filling the room with a cold and mocking sound .


    Oh , Dane .


    Youve always been easy to predict .


    But dont worry .


    The next part will be much more … fun .


    He turned away and his darkness moved around him as he Chapter 184 des 7/7 faded into the dark .


    My jaw clenched , determination hardening in me .


    Whatever he was nning , I would stop it .


    Aurora wasnt his pawn .


    She wasnt anyones pawn .


    And neither was I.


    But as thest echoes of hisughter died , the runes on my chains red brighter , their magic constricting around me like a snake .


    Something wasing .


    And it wasnt just horrific .


    It was inevitable .