Five sentries filtered into the room behind Vic, still dressed in their Naming Day armor. Three of them circled Stone, the others flanking her sides.
“Stone is a free man, Lord Raffe,” she said. “He was heading back to the Boneyard District.”
Raffe and Vic shared a look that made Aesira’s stomach plummet. “It seems you and my betrothed here have gotten to know each other well the last few weeks, Mr. Stone," Raffe said, "but I’d say it’s awfully inappropriate to have you sneaking out of her room.”
Stone stole a glance at Aesira over his shoulder.I told you I'm not good, she wanted to say.I told you I'd hurt you.
“What are you doing here?” Stone’s voice had turned cold. Emotionless. The sentries next to him made a move to draw their weapons but Raffe waved them off.
“You of all people should know who holds the desert's secrets,” Vic said. “My long time client here”—he slapped Raffe on the shoulder—“told me of a very peculiar group ofOdegas traveling to find the king. After your indiscreet visit to the Outpost it didn’t take much to piece together where you were headed and why.”
Aesira reached for her sides, but all of her weapons were surrendered. No hidden blades. No swords. No knights by her side.
Stone bent his head down, just enough to reach Vic’s eyes. “We were sent to look for the king, nothing more.”
A cruel smile curled Vic’s lips. “Is that so? You know people talk in the Outpost and when they don’t, they’re forced to. She kept your secrets for a long time and I'll admit she was a tough one,” he said. “But with enough persistence, eventually all things break." He pulled a yellow flower from his pocket. “She said you had a plan. Amap."
Soo.
“If you touched her, I will fucking kill you.” Stone lunged, his fist colliding into Vic then Raffe but there were too many sentries. One slammed Stone into the wall while another’s fist flew into his cheek with a sick crunch.
“Raffe stop this! There is nothing out there. We foundnothing!”
Raffe stepped away as the other sentries surrounded Stone, taking their turn beating him. Hitting his face. His stomach. His back. Stone groaned as he dropped to his knees, glasses broken and thrown from his face, eyes clouded and nose bloody.
Vic pulled a scarf from his pocket, wiping his nose until it was clean. “The only one to blame here isyou.” He spat in Stone’s direction. “Coming intomyhouse, talking tomypeople behind my back.” He knelt down and gripped Stone's hair until his head was forced back, whispering something in his ear.
“Take him,” Vic said before standing and straightening his shirt.
Aesira tugged free of the sentries grip and ran for Stone. She dropped to the ground, blood on the floor soaking through her night dress. “Stone,” she whispered, holding his face in her palms. “I’m so sorry.” His eyes were swollen, lip torn open. “I’m sorry—” The sentries from before ripped her backwards, one grabbing each arm.
“Please,” Aesira begged. “Please just let him go. I know the way on my own, you don’t need him.”
Raffe tsked. “But what kind of husband would I be to allow my wife to face such dangers in the west?” Her stomach roiled. “He’s going to show us the way.” Raffe snapped his fingers again. “Now.” The three sentries pulled Stone to his feet and dragged him out of the room, leaving a bloody trail in his wake.
“And don’t fuck him up too much more,” Vic shouted, “we need his head clear.”
Raffe turned to her, a tiny speckle of blood staining his shirt. “And you,” he said, “need more taming than I realized.”
Everything had gone quiet and dark.
The noises outside. The people scurrying about the Citadel. Her racing heart.
Aesira couldn’t get Stone’s face out of her head.
Not the broken and bloodied one, but the one just before that. The one where she told him she wasn’t going with him.
The General's words rang true, even now.
She could not love someone without hurting them.
She should have left with him the moment he asked. Should have fled this kingdom and this duty and honor without hesitation.
She had been always broken but now Stone was broken too, because of her. Broken and imprisoned when he deserved to be free.
She allowed herself one cry. One moment to sit with her regret before she raised her chin and wiped her cheeks and let out one last wavering breath. She would meet her father in the council room. She would meet Lord Raffe and accept his proposal. She would restore the treaty before anyone noticed it was broken.
She was a weapon, yes. But she was also the spare. Born as a backup in the chance Kamari could not uphold her duties.
