Again, Sonah lifted a hand to wipe at her face. “Daris killed the prince.”
Blood thundered in Terena’s ears. She was chilled to the bone, as if she’d fallen into the stream at their side.
“What prince?”
Sonah looked at Terena sadly. “Yourprince.”
Terena had a sense everything happening right then was a dream.
A nightmare.
Not one of her visions, but a nightmare, the likes of which had tortured her for months after Lerek’s death.
Now, she was living one.
She stood slowly. Sonah scrambled to her feet, reaching out to clutch Terena’s icy hands in her own. “I was drunk,” she said desperately. “I probably misheard what they were saying. And then they switched to Greek and I for sure don’t know what else they said.”
Terena pulled her hands away from Sonah and took a couple steps backward. Her feet were heavy and she trembled.
“I’m wrong,” Sonah was saying, her voice rising as Terena continued to back away. “I’m sure I am. I was so drunk and sick and I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to say anything! I don’t know what I’m saying!”
Terena turned and ran.
Daris was laughingwith his friends, enjoying the fire and the company, his heart full and realized he was truly content. He looked up, and spied Terena coming toward them. His smile grew.
Terena.
She was the reason for this contentment. This fullness in his heart. He knew it now, looking at her as she neared.
He loved her. Wasinlove with her.
Had loved her long before he’d realized it. Had loved her since that night seven years ago when she’d crept into his mind, his dream, and ruined him for anyone else.
Daris rose, his lips widening as he made to greet her, but stopped when he saw Sonah running behind her, crying, screaming at Terena to stop. Croak and Rydon ran after Sonah. Gabriol went to Terena, but she pushed him away, her eyes on Daris. She unsheathed one of her short swords, pointing it at him.
His smile faltered when he saw the rage and panic on her face.
What is going on?
Terena turned the sword a bit, stiffening her arm.
“What—”
“Did you kill him?”
He stilled. “What? Who?”
“Who?” Terena’s voice was shrill. “Lerek!”
The blood rushed down his body, his hands slowly rising in front of him. Around him, his men went silent, tense. Out of his peripheral, he saw Jason rise slowly.
Daris swore the air had paused.
“Ren—”
“You didn’t, did you?” she whispered, her voice cracking as she swallowed a sob.
His heart shattered.
