And thenDuskbaneflinches.
Turning my head, I look to Eres. He stands barely a foot away, watching me with a thoughtful expression. I inject as much bravado as I can muster into my words. “Does this count as a betrayal?”
Perhaps the Binding will strike before Kaelen does.
He sounds thoughtful. “If it did, you and I would both already be dead.”
Eres shifts. As I watch, he moves to stand beside Darian, adding another barrier to Duskbane’s path. “Darian is right, Kae. This changes little, as far as I’m concerned.”
“Vaelion is her father,” Duskbane growls. “This changeseverything.”
“He won’t trade for me.” They all turn my way, but I direct my words to Duskbane. “His stallion holds more value than I do, if that’s your idea. And I would prefer you killed me now, if that’s your plan.”
His head tilts. “I highly doubt that.”
“I know him far better than you do—”
“I wasn’t talking about that cunt. And for fucks’ sake, stopsnappingat me, witch. Are you so eager to die?”
I’m not entirely sure how to answer that.
But Duskbane sighs. And my knees hit the ground with a painful thud as he…releasesme. “Nobody elselearns of this, or Nythen will try to have me brought up for treason.”
My breath catches in my chest as I look up at him. Eres kneels beside me and reaches for my wrist, checking one and then the other. “What do you want in exchange?”
Nothing is ever given out of kindness. Whatever price he wants for my life, I might not be able to give.
“Right now?” He swipes a hand over his face. “For you to get back in that cell so I can get some fuckingsleep. Everybody else leaves.”
There’s no heat to his words. His eyes tighten as I look beyond him to Darian. He’s staring at Duskbane’s back, and I have to look away. Something about it makes me feel uncomfortable. “Fine.”
“I’ll be back for you in the morning,” Eres reassures me, but Duskbane cuts in.
“Tomorrow, the witch is with me. Darian, you’re going to the healer's quarters with Eres so he can check you. I’ll watch the door tonight.”
All three of us fall silent at that.
I clear my throat. “If death is still a possibility—”
“Get in the damn cell.”
Right. Not dying today.
Darian looks more bruised in the aftermath of my dreams than when we first met. Pausing as I head past, he offers me a tired smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I hesitate. “Why did you stand in front of me?”
“Two reasons.” At his low words, I look up. His eyes are soft. Raising his hand, he touches a finger to my temple, barely brushing the skin. “Because nobody else ever did. And because I saw a little of the real Lyra in here.”
“How unfortunate for you.” I attempt to keep my tone light, but the tremble beneath my words gives me away. “Hopefully you don’t see her again.”
At least if I have anything to do with it.
“Not at all.” He moves aside to let me past. “I liked that Lyra. Very much.”
Oh.
Eres escorts me back, checking me once more before leaving with a small, quiet smile. Duskbane doesn’t appear, but I can hear him. Despite his words, the noise tells me that he’s not sleeping at all. I close my eyes to the sound of pacing footsteps at the end of the hall, turning Darian’s words over in my head.
