Chapter 72 The Prince of Chains

Kai followed Patrona through the wide halls, his boots loud against polished stone. The guards knew them now; the path to Enzo’s chamber was burned into Kai’s mind. He ignored the gold-framed portraits and marble floors. His focus was on Elijah’s wife and daughters—the ones Enzo had stolen.

Patrona stayed close, eyes sharp. Every time a servant passed, her hand twitched toward her blades. She didn’t trust this place. Neither did Kai.

The chamber door opened. Enzo lounged in a carved ivory chair, a goblet of wine in hand, smiling as if he had been waiting.

“Kai,” he said smoothly. “And an elf. I wondered when you’d return.”

Kai didn’t waste words. “Elijah’s wife. His daughters. I want them back.”

Enzo laughed softly. “Straight to business. Admirable, if rude. Sit. Drink. You’ve earned it.”

“I don’t want your wine. I want them released.”

Patrona stood too, arms crossed, gaze locked on him.

Enzo sighed, swirling his goblet. “Beastfolk are valuable. Merchants begged me to part with that rabbit family already. Mother and daughters together? Quite the set.”

Patrona’s jaw clenched. Kai’s fists curled. “They don’t belong to you.”

“Belong?” Enzo chuckled. “Ownership is coin, contracts, retainers. You know this, or you wouldn’t be here.”

Kai stepped forward, but Patrona caught his arm. Enzo’s smile widened.

“Still, I’m not without heart. You’ve made quite the name in my arena. Revenue up thirty percent in a week—do you know what that means?”

“I don’t care about your profits.”

“But you should.” Enzo tapped his goblet. “Because profits decide whether you see your rabbits again. Pay the fees—retaining, registration, release—and even months of fighting wouldn’t be enough.”

“Then make me a deal.”

Enzo’s grin sharpened. “Exactly. You fight until I say otherwise. Every victory earns coin. Enough to buy them back. Perhaps even Elijah—though prison labor has kept him busy.”

Patrona’s voice was ice. “You’re stringing him along.”

Enzo placed a hand to his chest. “I am a businessman. If he earns the coin, he earns his prize. But it will take blood.” His eyes glittered. “So much blood.”

Kai stayed silent. His silence was answer enough.

“Good,” Enzo said. “Tomorrow—a special match. Do well, and the path becomes clearer.”

Patrona bristled, but Kai touched her arm. He wasn’t agreeing aloud, but his eyes said it: I’ll do it. For them.

Enzo raised his goblet. “To chains, Kai. May they bind as easily as they break.”

Outside, the night air felt heavier than the perfume inside. Patrona spat to the side.

“He’s playing you,” she snapped. “He’ll take until you’re nothing but blood.”

Kai adjusted the strap across his chest. “Maybe. But if that’s the only way, I’ll keep fighting.”

Patrona stopped. “And if he never intends to give them back?”

Kai stared at the city lamps. Elijah’s daughters’ faces flashed in his mind—white hair, red eyes, small hands reaching out.

“Then I’ll take them,” he said quietly. “One way or another.”

Patrona held his gaze, remembering the kiss she’d stolen, the fire it left in her. He didn’t remember—but this man, who would fight through chains and blood for children not his own, she couldn’t leave.

She nodded once. “Then I’m with you.”

Kai felt the weight of her vow steady his steps.

Tomorrow he would bleed again. Tomorrow he would start tearing Enzo’s empire down.

Brick by gilded brick.