Kinsey felt some of her anxiety ease as she accepted the truth of that.
If magic had been used, which seemed likely, then she could be trapped in her mind. What better way to keep her from finding the truth about those setting her up?
More of the tension eased from her shoulders. Yes. She trusted herself and her instincts, and they were leading her to the right answers.
Her mind was clear, focused.
She had to find her way back to herself so she could talk to Ryder and get to the bottom of this fiasco. Kinsey was tired of being fucked with by these people—whoever they were. It was time she exposed them and the depravity within Kyvor. It didn’t matter if the entire company was corrupt, she was bringing it all down.
Her steps were long and purposeful now. She might be a simple mortal with no magic, but she had skills and a brain. No longer was she going to stand there and allow this to happen.
There was no excuse for her ignorance of the situation before. Had she really looked, she’d have seen it all. But she’d buried her head in the sand and pretended that nothing mattered. Where had that gotten her?
Back in Ryder’s arms.
Well, besides that, it had put her in a situation that could very well claim her life. She knew now what she wanted. It was her broken heart that kept pushing Ryder away, but as soon as she could, she was going to tell him the truth—that she’d always loved him.
And always would.
She wanted Ryder and his life of dragons and magic. Even if that meant she was in the middle of a war. Because if the war involved Ryder, then she was going to stand by his side and help in whatever way she could.
Though if she really was locked in her mind as she assumed was the case, and she believed it was Tristan who’d contacted her, then she also had to acknowledge that Ryder had some proof of guilt directed at her.
“Just another fight ahead,” Kinsey mumbled to herself.
She was fighting now, and she’d continue when she got out of this mind-prison she was in. Facts were facts, and she couldn’t dispute them. But she could find the evidence and do what was needed to prove it wasn’t her.
No matter what questions Con or any of the other Kings put to her, she knew she was innocent. Maybe Tristan could read her mind and know she was telling the truth. She’d demand he use whatever magic was needed to show that she wasn’t part of Kyvor’s plots.
It was a great plan. She knew exactly what she needed to do, even after she found her way back. There was just one tiny insignificant problem—she didn’t know how to get back.
Tristan made it sound easy. Not that she thought getting out of her mind was going to be a piece of cake. But all he’d said was to find her way out.
As Tristan had spoken, she’d envisioned her mind like a maze. But it was nothing like that. There were no rooms, no doorways, no windows. Nothing.
She could be walking for eternity. If she didn’t know what to look for, she could pass it by without even knowing it.
Kinsey stopped and put her hand to her stomach. Ryder. She needed to concentrate on him. He was the one thing that mattered above all else.
Her injured heart had led her to say and do things from the moment she’d arrived at Dreagan that made her want to cry. Despite it all, Ryder had stood beside her, touting her innocence to anyone who listened.
That kind of man was one in a million. He hadn’t cared what Con or anyone thought. Ryder formed his own opinions and never wavered from his belief that she was being set up.
He’d been kind, gentle, supportive, and loving all while never putting any pressure on her. He’d held her in bed each night, offering her comfort and shelter without her even knowing it.
When she said she wasn’t sure if she could forgive, he hadn’t pushed her away. How she wished she could take back those words and tell him the truth—that she had forgiven him.
He was a man—a dragon—who deserved a woman who stood tall beside him. Kinsey very much wanted to be that woman. She knew she could be that woman. She could only hope Ryder gave her a chance to demonstrate it.
Kinsey began walking again. It would be so easy to fall to her knees and give in to the trepidation and terror that gripped her. To release the dam of tears that threatened to spill at any moment.
But she was going to keep going. For Ryder. For herself.
For their love.
She began to hum to fill the silence. To help her, she let an image of Ryder fill her mind. His beautiful eyes of green, blue, and gold stared back at her, urging her to return quickly.
It seemed as if a great weight had settled upon her shoulders, attempting to slow her, to stop her. She attempted to shrug it off, but it settled upon her like a mantle.
Kinsey quickened her pace. Sweat poured off her as she struggled to keep moving. No matter how she tried to start running, the weight held her back—held her down.
It was magic. She knew it. How did one combat magic when she didn’t have any?