His eyes darkened, flashing down my body.Hmmm. They only have two shards. But now I hear Julianna and Meera have rejoined them. That’s four Guardians.
And?I scoffed.My sister and cousin are weak. And we don’t know yet if they will come to our side, if given the chance.
Aemon laughed.I can be persuasive. I think we can get them.
I frowned, my stomach lurching.What do you mean?
You look worried,he thought.Wouldn’t you be happy? I thought you wanted them to be here with you.
I swallowed roughly, trying to calm my nerves.Of course, I do. I just don’t want them to be hurt on their way to us. I’d rather they choose to come here willingly. Or at my request.
I didn’t say I’d kidnap them,I said persuade.His hand stroked my hair, twirling it in his hand, wrapping it around his wrist until he pulled my head back. His lips found mine.But maybe you shouldconvince them, if that’s what you want.His tongue pushed between my lips, one hand sliding my robe off my shoulders.
Maybe,I thought.If you trust me to go to them, I will.
Hmmm.He reached for my ass, grabbing it roughly.
Are you truly still mad at me?I asked.I swear I did what I thought best.
You lost us a shard, a powerful akadim, an entire fucking soturi.
And—I brought a Guardian in!
I’d had to get into Kane’s mind. Understand his twisted wants and desires. And then fuck him. It was always about fucking in the end.
But it worked. He was ours now. And so was Glemaria’s first legion. The North was officially unstable. The Empire primed to fall. I just had to promise him more power than Devon Hart had ever allowed. Reveal the truth of his identity. That Kanewas a God. And Devon Hart was not. Especially now. Now, he was dead. Everything was already working in our favor. The first hole in the Empire’s strength had been made, a hole we would exploit.
“Well, I have good news,” Aemon said. “We’re going to be able to get to the yellow shard. Restore Kane’s power. Very, very soon.”
I frowned, willing my heart to beat normal. “How?”
“The eighth Guardian. Turiel has been found. Andromeny’s got him and she’s on her way here. They should be arriving … right … now.” His lips widened into a grin.
A line of akadim marched into the cave, Andromeny walking behind. She was glowing, her black hair wild and unkempt. Right behind her, a giant akadim carried a mage in his arms, bound with magic and actual rope. His mouth had been gagged, his eyes blindfolded.
But I recognized the floppy brown hair of Tristan Grey.
Aemon laughed. “Sit him on the ground over there.”
Tristan struggled as he was put down, moaning against his bindings, his body jerking as he tried to free himself from the ropes.
Andromeny leaned down, removing his blindfold. His brown eyes widened in fear. She ripped the tape from his mouth.
He let out a yell. “You. You! Murderer! You fucking bitch!”
Andromeny slapped him across the face. “Shut your mouth! I did what I had to for my king. If you had died, none of this would have happened. But here we are.”
“Died? What—what wouldn’t have happened?” His body trembled, and his brown eyes filled with tears. “Morgana?” he asked. “Morgana? Where are we, what is this?” Then he shook his head, like it didn’t matter. “Help me.”
“I’m sorry, Tristan,” I said sweetly, my head starting to hurt. “I can’t. Justice must be served, the way you served justice to my kind for so many years.”
“No,” he said. “No!”
“Welcome to our court, Lord Tristan,” Aemon said.
“Arkturion Aemon? Please, I can pay, whatever you want,” he begged.
Aemon shook his head. “It’s King now. And I don’t want your money. What we need from you, is something else.”
