Lucas

"Enough serpentine evasions - you will answer plain!" I thundered, patience fraying to tattered edge. "What designs festered secret upon my own mate that you dared not give tongue?"

Keegan flinched but persisted firm. "No dark compulsion moved me beyond vows sworn - only preserve the innocent as conscience dictated, however harshly judged." His eyes met mine squarely. "But freedom dwells always near if you unbar the gates of mercy within. Bonds tested are only tempered stronger."

I slammed the cell door resounding against his fool paralysis clinging to discredited virtue. "Bold words cannot speak over damning truth laid bare!" I towered over his flinching form. "All your honeyed...