Rhyan told him to shut up, then to me, he said, “Keep the stave pointed at him.”
“I’m not armed,” Tristan said, but now he was speaking more urgently, losing all of his bravado. “Other than the stave. That’s it. You’re wasting time. She can’t even use it.”
“That’s what you think,” Rhyan said. “We know you’re the Imperator’s little pet. You always have been. Now tell me who else is coming, and she won’t hurt you.”
“It’s just me,” Tristan said, now struggling to get up. His mouth was twitching, and his eyes darted back and forth between us, wild and scared. “For now, at least. And he’s not the Imperator anymore. He’s Emperor, and a lot more dangerous. If I’m not back in front of him within the hour,more soturi will come for you. You’re both in grave danger. I’m here to warn you.” He swallowed. “And to ask for your help. Please. Otherwise, Galen is dead.”
“Galen?” I asked. “What do you mean? Isn’t he in Bamaria?” My stomach turned.
“And what does that have to do with us?” Rhyan asked.
“Emperor Avery sent me personally to bring you both before him. In exchange for Galen.” Tristan glared. “Are you enjoying yourself, Hart? Or can I get up?”
Rhyan snarled, but sat back on his knees and stood, freeing Tristan.
He got to his feet, keeping his hands apart, to show he had no weapons and wouldn’t fight. But his eyes were on his stave still in my hand. He frowned, looking quizzically at me. “You can use that?”
I stepped forward. “A lot has changed since we last saw each other.” I flicked his stave at a torch, and blew out the light. “Threaten either of us, and that’s you.” My grip tightened, and I lifted my arm, the point aimed at his heart.
Tristan cocked his head to the side, his neck red. “Things have changed.” His eyes narrowed on Rhyan. “Though it looks like some things remain the same.”
My heart pounded.
“Listen,” Tristan said, holding both of his hands up higher in surrender. “I don’t want to hurt either of you. I swear. I’m here because the Emperor sent me. And if it’s not me, someone else will come. I’m asking for a truce. For your help, because the soturion who killed the Emperor tonight was Galen.”
I gasped. “Galen! Galen was Moriel?”
Tristan’s chest heaved and he nodded grimly. “He entered the trials to try and get close to the Emperor. He … He wanted revenge for Haleika. I was working to get him out, or at least have him cast in some lowly role so he’dbe safe. But when I never found either of you, Kormac ensured he became Moriel—as revenge. He’s promised to keep Galen’s identity a secret and to free him, but only if Lyr breaks her engagement to Arkturion Kane. And Rhyan is brought before the Emperor on charges of being vorakh.”
“NO!” I yelled.
“Fuck!” Rhyan spat. “Fuck!” He ran his hands through his hair. “No. Absolutely the fuck not. I’m sorry about Galen. I am. I always liked him. But I am not sending Lyr to Kormac.”
“You don’t understand. I don’t want to do that either. I wouldn’t endanger her, but this is happening, and it’s better if I bring her in, than someone else does.”
“Fuck you,” Rhyan said. “I’ve already seen you do that, and I know exactly how this game plays out.”
“Like last time?” I shivered. “When you were the one to bind me?”
I’ll do it.
Tristan’s words the night of my Revelation Ceremony still haunted me.
“No,” Tristan said, but his voice had softened.
“What is this?” Rhyan asked. “You try to get our sympathy over Galen, bring Lyr in on the pretense it will hurt less if it’s you? Gryphon-shit! I’m not giving her up to Kormac. You’ll have to kill me first.”
“Then I’ll die beside you,” Tristan said.
“What?” Rhyan looked truly startled.
“Just fucking listen to me. Please!” Tristan took a deep breath, looking like he was desperately trying to regain his composure. “I have no intention of handing her over, or you, Rhyan.”
I blinked. I couldn’t remember ever hearing Tristan refer to Rhyan by his first name.
“I was sent here for you two, and given three guards, loyal to the Emperor. They’re waiting outside right now to escort us back. Help me. Help me fight them. Then we can retrieve my escorts. They’re loyal to me. We’ll all go back to where they’re keeping Galen. And we can fight. There’s only one soturion at the door, and a code to get in. And I have it. We could do this.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Rhyan asked. “You expect me to believe this? We go in with you, and fight to what? Free Galen? And then end up prisoners of the Emperor? This whole thing sounds like a poorly planned trap.”
