“No,” Terena groaned, defeated. She ducked her head and Sonah winced against the stab of guilt.
But she had no choice. She would do this to save her sister.
At last, the king shifted his eyes to Terena, then back to Sonah. “And why should she do so if she has what she’s come to Sparta to retrieve? I understand from Commander Antonius you are friends, but even friendship has limitations.”
Sonah saw Terena take a step forward, as if she knew what Sonah was about to do.
“You’re right to be cautious,” Sonah said, her voice strong. “You don’t know her, and you’ve only my word for it, but she will come back for me. As she would come back for any of her friends.”
“I cannot?—”
“But she would definitely come back for her sister.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Terena exhaled, and her shoulders slumped.
What have you done?she thought as she gazed at Sonah in resignation.
No one spoke after Sonah’s revelation. She watched the stunned expressions on both the king’s and the commander’s faces as they swiveled their eyes from Sonah to Terena.
Sonah shifted, breaking the spell.
“Your sister,” the king said, his voice soft as if speaking to himself.
“Aye,” Sonah said, and Terena looked at her again, noting the proud lift of her chin as she stared across at Terena. “Now. Do we have an accord?”
Terena looked to the king and waited. He stared back, thoughtful, then nodded absently. Daris Antonius waited another heartbeat before going to his king, the royal whispering in his ear. The commander stiffened, but gave a brief nod. Walking away, he motioned for a guard to follow him as they went behind the dais. Terena watched them as they exited from a concealed door in the curved wall.
“Youarea god,” the king said, snapping Terena’s attention back tohim. He hadn’t moved, his back straight as he fully recovered from her assault.
Terena said nothing as she regarded him warily.
“And if she’s your sister,” he said as understanding dawned. He shifted and turned his gaze to Sonah, his brown eyes narrowed.
“I will kill you if you touch her,” Terena snarled, hands balled at her sides. “Bargain or no, you will die.”
“I believe you,” the king said, his voice sincere. Terena relaxed a fraction when he turned back to her, his expression almost reverent.
The silence settling while they waited for the commander to return was tense. Terena thought her nerves might snap. At last, the door opened, and the commander strode into the room, carrying two short swords. He glanced over at Terena, his lips pressed tightly, as he stopped before his king. The royal motioned for him to give them to Terena.
As he neared, Terena glanced at her sister. Sonah’s lips opened and she let out a shuddering breath.
The commander did not speak as he held up the blades in front of Terena, his eyes hard as he stared at her. Terena stared back, taking the short swords from his hands without breaking eye contact. The Liodari stepped back and walked to the king’s side.
As soon as she held them, a jolt coursed through her hands and arms. Power surged under her skin, racing through her veins. Terena heard a gasp and looked down at the swords. Light flashed back and forth across the blades, illuminating symbols and letters, disappearing when the light faded. The swords appeared normal once more.
The king laughed and Terena lifted her eyes. He gazed at the swords with wonder.
“What you hold,” the king said in a rough voice, “are what the man who sold them to my father over twenty-one years ago called The Twins. When I came into power, I went to see the oracle in Messene. She told me one day, a woman would come to claim them, and I was to give them to her, for they are her birthright.” The king laughed in disbelief and Terena looked up at him to see him shaking his head at her. “I was angry at her, because I had wanted what every king wantswhen they go to see the oracle. I wanted to hear her tell me how to secure the safety and prosperity of my people. I had hoped to hear her speak of my destiny. Instead, she had instructions for me on how to helpyou.”
Terena snorted. “There’s a surprise.”
“What?”
Terena arched an eyebrow. “That she was not helpful. I went to her as well. I left more confused than when I’d arrived.”
The king flashed a grin and ducked his head. He lifted his eyes to her again and said, “She told me you would bring me Bethana’s fangs. So that’s why I asked it of you.”
