CHAPTER ELEVEN
Terena sat back against the cool stone and closed her eyes. She’d awakened not long ago but wasn’t sure what time of day or night it was. The meals were sporadic, and between beatings and sleep, she hadn’t kept track of time.
The general had yet to come and see her. Part of her thought it a blessing—maybe he’d believed Ormano’s assessment and hadn’t bothered to check for himself.
Voices drifted nearby and she moved into a crouch, her one good eye blinking in the dimness of the cell. As they neared, she heard whimpers and sobs, scuffling on the floor as if something—someone—was being dragged.
Terena moved closer, reaching out with her bruised left hand and lightly grasped an iron bar. As she peered out, she saw two Imperial Guard dragging someone between them, the small figure slumped over. General Peleon appeared behind them and Terena jerked back, careful to stay out of his sight as she watched.
The guards dropped their burden into the empty cell across from hers and one of them locked the gate before moving back. The general sauntered closer to whatever poor soul they’d dumped in there.
“Your father’s been sent for, but according to his steward is inErmanel,” the general said. Terena leaned closer. “I fear he won’t make it in time for your execution, but we’ll make sure your body is prepared for when he arrives.”
The general paced in front of the cell, his head down, thoughtful. “Of course, I will tell him I gave you every opportunity to confess your co-conspirators, and you refused. I can only assume that means someone you love is involved, so perhaps I’ll detain your father when he gets here.”
No response from the figure shadowed in the cell. Terena couldn’t make out any movement at all.
Long seconds passed before the general shook his head and made to leave. The figure rustled in the rushes on the ground. Thin arms came into view as pale hands grasped the iron bars.
“Please, I beg you,” the person whimpered and Terena startled.
Was that a girl? Gods, he put a child down here? She sounded as if she was ten.
“Please,” the voice sobbed again, “I am not conspiring withanyone!” That last was screamed at the general, a face finally appearing through the bars.
Terena’s blood drained from her face.
Sonah Yahn.
They had Sonah Yahn in a cell.
“You were with both princes when it happened. Prince Isher confirmed for us you did, in fact, taste the wine before either of the princes drank it and then you left.”
Terena’s eyes narrowed.
So. Isher had survived her attack.
“He claims he was drugged,” the general continued, “has no memory of anything after that until he was attacked by Terena Luca.”
At this, Peleon looked over his shoulder at Terena’s cell. She let him see the hatred that burned on her face when she stared back.
“Is that who you’re protecting? Did Terena Luca put you up to this?”
“Terena wouldn’t do that,” Sonah said, her voice weak, her forehead against the bars of her cell.
Sympathy speared through Terena when she saw the bruise marring the young woman’s left temple, how pale she was. “She loved Prince Lerek. She would never harm him.”
“And yet she attacked Prince Isher!” Peleon’s voice boomed as he pivoted, his eyes boring into Terena’s, his face thunderous. “He begged her to stop, but she tried to kill him.” His eyes narrowed when he spoke again, directly to Terena. “The guards heard her, ran to help their prince while she brutally attacked him!”
“No,” Sonah said, her voice firm. The general snapped his head back to her, crouching down so his body blocked her from Terena’s view.
“Yes!” he hissed at her. “Yes, she attacked him. My men were there, and the prince confirmed it. When he finally woke up after what she’d done to him!”
Peleon threw Terena a scathing look before turning back to Sonah. “If you don’t confess, you will die alongside her. And your father will stand trial for putting you up to this.”
At first, only silence met the general’s harsh words.
Then, a soft laugh.
