If he was being honest, a part of him resented her for it. And yet, another part loved her. Ached for her.
“Aye,” she answered softly, narrowing her eyes. “But I’m also still me.”
Lerek scoffed, shaking his head. “I think perhaps the seer is right. You are who you were always meant to be. You just hid it better.”
Folding her arms, Ren gave him an arch look. “Funny. I was thinking maybe the trauma of you dying and me being accused and almost executed for your murder made that part of me come out. It’s been a fun year.”
Lerek’s eyes widened. “I get that you’re still angry with me. I really do. But that’s no excuse for this.”
Ren stared at him for a moment and he shifted beneath her regard.
“Do not make the mistake of thinking any of this has to do with you,” she said at last, her voice barely above a whisper. She walked closer until she had to crane her neck to look at him. “That time has passed. I’ve moved on.”
“Oh, I’ve heard,” Lerek replied, hating himself for the jealousy in his voice. He was careful to keep his face neutral but there was no denying the edge in his words.
Terena’s face hardened and Lerek cursed himself some more. What was wrong with him? She was a god, aye, but he was still in love with her. He should be doing everything he could to win her back. And yet a small part of him couldn’t forgive her for hiding her divinity from him.
And then, of course, there was Daris Antonius.
“Whatever you’ve heard makes no difference to me.”
Lerek opened his mouth but she’d already moved away, her gait stiff as she passed a disdainful Soros. The captain of this ragtag group swaggered over to him with a quick glance over his shoulder at Terena’s retreating form.
“I don’t see you getting back into her breeches anytime soon, princeling,” Captain Soros said, and those close enough to hear sniggered at his words. Lerek felt the color blooming on his face as he glared down at the captain.
He turned his mount away, but one look at the line of soldiers nearby and Lerek stifled a groan. There wasn’t a friendly face in the bunch. Croak and Orry had been his last hope, but Ren had sent them away to gods knew where. Lerek could only hope that?—
“Captain!”
Lerek turned to the man jumping smoothly from his horse as he strode toward Captain Soros. Terena changed course to intercept the man.
“What news?”
“The army approaches, lady,” the man panted, his eyes swinging between his captain and Ren. “Looks to be five thousand strong.”
Terena’s lip curled, and she took off running, grabbing the man named Rydon by the arm as she leaned in to speak with him.
Lerek’s heart pounded as he looked over his shoulder, wondering how far out his father’s army was.
He knew Xoran would’ve sent a message to the emperor once he’d been taken, but he hadn’t anticipated this response.
As if he’d known exactly what Lerek was thinking, Captain Soros grabbed him by the cloak and yanked him off the horse. Lerek cried out when he landed, pain shooting up his back and legs. His hands were still bound so he couldn’t use them to break his fall and now he shifted awkwardly to sit upright, only to be grabbed by the back of his collar.
“Take him and put him at the center of your ranks,” Ren cried out, pointing at them as Lerek was dragged away, his feet scrambling to keep up with his upper body. Everywhere he looked, the men were moving into battle formations, and Lerek tried desperately to see beyond them to the city.
He began shouting, his voice hoarse as he screamed for Galen’s men, but the gates were shut after Ren’s destruction. Lerek prepared to call out again when something was stuffed into his mouth. His eyes flew wide and he jerked violently against the soldier’s hold, to no avail.
When he was surrounded, Soros broke through to stand in front of him. The man’s scarred lip twisted and he tapped his finger against his chin.
“I don’t think you’ll want to be awake for this,” the man muttered. Before Lerek could protest, the man lifted his hand and struck him with the pommel of his sword.
“Let’ssee you get out of this, you bitch!”
Terena didn’t bother replying to Ravos’s taunts. His screeching grated on her nerves. Despite the emperor’s army at their heels, Terena was preoccupied by the brief conversation she’d had with Lerek.
It unnerved her how he’d behaved toward her. Granted, he’d never actually seen her use her powers before. Being a god was also a topic they hadn’t broached earlier.
Walking with Rydon as he offered advice on their next move, Terena glanced over at Soros. Ignoring the fact Rydon was still speaking, the captain offered his own input.
