“No. He sent you to Esperance.” Tiras’s expression darkened, just a little. It was the only hint of his underlying emotion, because his words remained flat as he said, “I learned of that too late to stop it, but I know what he did. He forced you to marry a man who would kill you without hesitation if he learned of your magic. I also know you’ve nearly died as one of the Chosen. Rix will pay for all of this with his life.” His gaze swept over her. “Would you like me to kill Vincetti as well?”
Her stomach dropped. “No! Please don’t hurt Carver.”
The hint of a frown crossed his face. “You care for him.”
I love him.It seemed wrong to give those words to Tiras before she gave them to Carver, so instead she said, “Yes. Very much.”
“That is . . . unexpected.”
Amryn bit the inside of her cheek. She didn’t know this man in front of her. Didn’t know how he felt about her. But he was here, apparently wanting to protect her. That had to mean something. “Please don’t take Carver or Rix from me.” She paused, then added, “Don’t takemefromthem.”
Tiras watched her, silent and inscrutable.
She held her breath, her pulse racing, her fingers twitching. She had no idea how she would fight back against Tiras. Didn’t know if she could use the bloodstone somehow to shield herself if he tried to take her emotions from her again. Because if he tried to take her—if he tried to hurt Carver or Rix—she would fight him. Even if she had no hope of winning.
“You’re happy here,” Tiras murmured. “With him. Your husband.” Again, his words emerged stilted, as if it was difficult for him to comprehend them.
“Yes,” Amryn said, barely daring to breathe.
Her brother continued to stare for a long moment before he said, “I will leave you, then. If you’re happy.”
Shock blasted through her. “You will?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.” Relieved tears blurred her vision, but she tried to hold them back.
Tiras watched her. For just a moment, she swore longing rippled inside him. Then his emotions went silent once more. He straightened. “I have things I must do.”
Amryn pursed her lips, struggling to fight the unexpected wave of emotion that hit her. He was leaving. Again. “Tiras—”
“I will return.”
She wasn’t sure how to feel about that smoothly spoken vow.
Her brother took a single step back, his eyes fixed on her. “Goodbye for now, Ryn.” And then he was gone, slipping into the crowd and disappearing from view.
As if he’d never been there at all.
Chapter 40
Carver
Carverdodgedthebladethat swung at him.
Rhone darted to the left, a calculated move that split the attacking rebels between them.
They each had two to take down.
The rebels struck with furious abandon, but none were particularly skilled. It was almost too easy for Carver to deliver the first killing blow. His blade sliced into the first attacker’s gut. The man cried out, doubling over.
The second rebel lunged at him. Carver spun to avoid the flashing blade, then dove under the man’s guard. The rebel’s eyes flew wide, his terror palpable, as Carver’s knife sank into his heart.
As he collapsed, Carver twisted, his eyes darting to Rhone.
The knight had already felled his first attacker. The second was shoved against the alley wall, Rhone’s blade buried between his ribs.
The quiet lethality of Rhone’s skills made Carver’s blood chill.
