Darren caught my hand with his own, rough calluses enfolding my fingers in his. We were two warriors fighting for what we believed in and suffering our faults in silence. “Promise me the same.”
Too late. I nodded, not trusting myself to speak, refusing to speak the betrayal aloud. I let the dark prince pull me into the crook of his arms, and as he fell asleep—for the first night in days—I spent the hours counting cracks in the walls and the lies drowning my heart.
*
My eyes were locked on the tree line ahead. I just barely made out a growing cloud of silver on the heady orange horizon. Chainmail glittered against the morning sun and crystalline white of snow. Winter had come early this year.
As the squad drew closer, my stomach twisted and turned. Would Alex look at me the same as before? Would I see the hate that had shattered my heart?
It turns out, I needn’t have bothered.
“Ryiah!” My twin dismounted and ran the last twenty or so yards. Ice crunched under his heavy boots as he shoved past the rest of his squad.
I stood there, numb, as he pulled me into a giant embrace, crushing me against his chest. Alex smelled like iron and sweat—so different from before. When he released me a moment later, his gaze was earnest. I couldn’t find a hint of that festering rage from before.
I knew it was all for the prince. Nyx had already sent envoys to warn Maxon’s squad. But that didn’t stop his smile from warming my chest.
“Ry! Ooompf!” A second set of arms locked around the pair of us both. That reassuring voice had supported me every year of the apprenticeship. It was the voice of reason, one that promised not to take itself too seriously so long as I did the same. It was one of the best sounds in the world.
Ella’s arms were draped in heavy furs. How could I have forgotten her distaste of the cold? Her black curls brushed my face as she leaned in close, enveloping us both. “I missed you—we missed you. So much.”
I didn’t bother to reply. I just stood there, holding on to that moment. I didn’t want to let go. Letting go would mean it had passed, and I wasn’t ready to give it up to the rest of the world.
“Ella. Alex.” Darren was standing just behind us when we finally pulled away. I blinked back hasty tears, and for a second I could have sworn my twin did the same. “We missed you at our wedding.”
Alex brushed his dirty palms on his shirt. “After what happened… I couldn’t possibly return.”
“She explained your reasons.”
Alex shot me a look.
“You wanted to find the rebel who recruited Derrick,” I said quickly.
Darren continued. “I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same, were it Blayne.”
“Your Highness,” Sir Maxon, the leader of Derrick’s former squad, stepped forward to introduce himself. “I understand you’re investigating our keep for rebels. Nyx sent envoys prior to our arrival. May I offer up my own squad at your convenience?”
“And here I was just about to ask.”
The man clasped the prince on the shoulder. “Think my men can grab a quick bite in the dining hall first? We rode most of the night.”
“I’ll join you.” The prince followed the knight, and the rest of us trailed behind.
And so began the first hour of the end of our stay.
*
Make it look good. Make it real. Convince Darren. Try not to think about the blood. Tallus knows his role. Don’t think about the pain you inflict. Think of how many his confession will save.
I backhanded the knight before using my other hand to pull him up by the collar of his shirt, rattling him against the bars. “Confess! Your comrades claim they saw you go off with Derrick alone. The innkeeper claims not to recognize your face. You were never playing cards. You were converting my brother and stealing supplies.”
I raised my hand again, telling myself flesh was better than the blade.
“Ryiah!” Darren caught my fist, dragging me away from our chained prisoner. “What are you doing?”
“He’s a rebel!” I was shrieking loud enough that our audience outside the chamber could hear. “Just look at him! This is the man that took my brother and made him one of them! Took him in with his lies and his status as a knight!” It hadn’t been hard to steer the investigation and then take over when Tallus started to stammer over his words. It was surprisingly easy, the words flowed from my mouth like a script. A small part of me admitted this was the way I had longed to confront Nyx the day I arrived.
Make it as emotional as possible and he’ll miss the lies beneath.
“He’s a rebel!” My lungs expanded and contracted with the heavy intake of air. “I know it, Darren. Just listen to him. Look at him!”
“You don’t want to make the same mistake as me.” Darren locked his arms around me. “Love, I’m going to take over now.”
“Don’t you dare set him free!” I clutched Darren’s arm.
“I promise this man will not leave the cell until I am thoroughly convinced—”
“Check his clothes. Check his belongings and his cot. Check his saddlebags! There has to be some proof. There has to be something to show!”