“They scattered when I roared at them,” Lorian said. “They haven’t been back since.”
I sighed. Since I had him alone and we had a few minutes, perhaps it was a good time to clear the air. “We should talk about the other night. About…Thol.”
His face went blank, and he placed me on the bed and then drew away.
“Don’t do that. You can’t be by my side when I almost die and then push me away again.”
“You want to know what happened?” Lorian caught my chin in his hand. “You looked so fucking beautiful, dancing with that piece-of-shit courtier. And all I wanted to do was rip your dress off you and press you up against the closest wall. I thought I knew what jealousy was, and then you saw him. The man you’ve always wanted. The man you’d choose if you had your way. And I almost slaughtered him right there.”
My heart tripped, fluttering in my chest, and awareness burst through me. I’d mocked Lorian about being jealous, but here he was, in the light of day, admitting to it.
That muscle ticked in his cheek. I should probably say something. I managed to close my mouth. “I wanted to rip Pelopia’s hair out,” I admitted.
He gave me a slow, feline grin. And then his mouth was on mine, and all thought fled.
“I want to make you scream for me.” His mouth traveled up my neck, and he caught my lobe between his teeth. “But you’re too weak right now.”
“I disagree.”
He pulled back and gave me a look. “When you can walk to the bathing room by yourself, then we’ll talk. But, wildcat…” He leaned close once more. “When I finally get you in my bed, I’m not stopping until you forget your own name.”
I was speechless for long enough that his mouth curved in a faint smile, and he turned away to pick up something from my nightstand.
I gaped at the sweet fruit. “You’re the one who has been leaving me valeo?”
He gave a sharp nod. If I didn’t know better, I’d think Lorian looked…uncomfortable.
“But how did you— Marth.”
He nodded. He was already backing away. Marth had likely informed him about my reaction to the valeo I’d found in the hunter’s belongings. When he looked into my past.
“Lorian. Thank you.”
His nostrils flared, and laughter bubbled in my chest. This man could take any insult I hissed at him, but the moment I showed gratitude, he looked like I’d run him through with his own sword.
“I need to go before anyone begins to question what I’m doing here.” His gaze dropped to my mouth. “Get some rest.”
My core clenched at the promise in his eyes.
And then he was gone.
Dear L,
I do hope you’re feeling more yourself after your last letter. Please update me on the current situation. Is it true that the woman has the power of time?
C
Dear C,
I’m taking the wildcat with me when we leave. She won’t be pleased by this, so I’m afraid you’re unlikely to meet her at her best—although, you’ve always enjoyed seeing me with my hands full.
And I have no doubt that she will make me pay.
Yes, she has the power of time. And has even kept me frozen for several moments.
Everything else is going according to plan. Apart from the fact that I still can’t find what we’re looking for.
L
I spent most of the next two days in bed through no choice of my own. The one bright spot was that Tibris had told me Thol and his father had left the castle. I wouldn’t need to focus on avoiding them. Each night, I stumbled down to the kitchen, loaded up a sack of food, and hauled it down the dungeon stairs, my limbs shaking. The poison hadn’t just impacted my body. It had also made it more difficult to use my magic. It felt as if I was swimming through mud instead of water.
Demos had glowered at me when he’d seen how I trembled.
“What are you doing down here?”
“You all need to eat.”
“Where’s… Ah, you didn’t tell Tibris you were coming down here, because he would have told you no.”
I scowled. “Tibris isn’t in charge here.”
“And he would have been right,” Demos continued, ignoring me, “because you almost died.”
I wasn’t surprised he’d heard about that.
“While it’s nice to see you and Tibris finally agreeing on something, I’m okay.”
I turned to Asinia, who’d been quiet so far. I let myself into her cell, and she wrapped her arms around me. “I would’ve been really annoyed if you’d died.”
I let out a choked laugh. “Same.”
“Poison?”
“Yes. This court…” I shook my head. “Vicer warned me, but I think Caraceli couldn’t handle the idea that I’d replaced Katina.”
“Do you think they’re lovers?”
I shrugged. That was an angle I hadn’t considered. “I don’t know. At the very least, they’re best friends.”
And I knew just how much a woman would fight for her best friend.
“How come she’s not down here?”
“The queen is having her confined to her rooms. Which means she won’t be a threat for at least a few days. Lorian also paid her a visit.”
Asinia raised her eyebrow. I sighed. “I don’t know what he did. He wouldn’t tell me. But he convinced her not to speak a word of her suspicions about me. She told the queen she lashed out because she missed Katina. And she thought she might be having some problems with her mind. The queen said she will miss the Gods Day ball as punishment.”
“She almost kills you, and her punishment is she misses a ball?”
“The queen summoned me to her chambers today. Formally. She said I had the right to ask for Caraceli’s death, but she would appreciate if I spared her.”
I’d stood in her sitting room, gazing at my reflection in her silver mirror. And I’d agreed. The queen had been elated. She was incredibly fond of Caraceli, although puzzled by her actions.
“And why would you do that?”
“Because if Caraceli knew she was going to die, she would have nothing to lose. There’s a chance people would listen to some of her accusations and pay closer attention to my background. And my papers. Besides, all her accusations are correct.”
“That doesn’t give her the right to poison you!”
“I know. Believe me, I know.”
Asinia let it go, taking the bread I handed her. She was still thin but had gained a little weight. So had Demos. According to Tibris, he’d ordered the prisoners down here to eat as much as they could, hounding the hybrids until many of them were pacing their cells for hours each day.
We needed as many of them able to walk as possible.
Demos studied me as I let myself back into his cell.
“You should be—”
“If another male tells me to rest, I’ll scream.”
He gave me a faint smile. I sat next to him.
“What’s wrong?”
Our gazes met, and I almost sucked in a breath at the hopeless rage in his eyes.
“You were dying, and I was stuck down here. Tibris…he let me know.”
“He shouldn’t have worried you.”
“I’m your brother. I have the right to know. I deserve that much.”
“You do. I’m sorry.”
“It was hell, knowing I might lose you. When I’ve just found you.”