The words surprised me as much as they did Vaeris, but I felt them in my bones. Kairos had never lied to me. He’d protected me, even when it made him look like a monster. I trusted him. That terrified me less than trusting Vaeris.
Vaeris stilled. “What?”
“I’m staying in Sanguir. I like it there.”
A shadow crossed his face. “You’re joking.”
“I’m not.”
“Aelie,” he said sharply. “He’s spent a century butchering innocent people.”
“You chose to let him kill your enemies. So what does that make you?”
Vaeris’s jaw clenched. “That’s different. I had a purpose. He kills because he enjoys it.”
“That proves you don’t know him at all.”
“Aelie, listen to me.” He stepped forward, his brow furrowing. “You’re traumatized. You’ve been through hell and you’re not thinking clearly. But I can bring you home, put you in a nice room in the castle, reunite you with your sister, give you a life where?—”
“Where I’m useful to you.”
“Where you’resafe.”
“I’m safe with Kairos.”
“Kairos,” he snarled. “The fucking executioner.”
“Yes.”
Vaeris darkened. “You don’t realize the danger you’re in.”
“You got what you wanted. Your court is gone. You have your throne. I’m just asking for my sister. You have your realm to rebuild. Let us go.”
“Let you go.” He echoed it softly. “To stay withhim.”
“To live somewhere that’s better for me.”
His head tilted slightly, eyes narrowing like he was working through a puzzle that didn’t fit together. The furrow between his brows deepened. Probably searching for the weakness he could exploit, but whatever he expected wasn’t there.
“You’re serious,” he mused. “You actually believe you’re safer in Sanguir.”
“Why do you care? You don’t need me anymore.”
A dark smile carved into his cheek. “That’s where you’re mistaken.”
What the hell was he doing?
“I’ve discovered your sister’s gift. It’s not as catastrophic as yours…but useful. Deadly, even, when directed properly.”
My grip whitened on the mirror’s handle. “What does that have to do with anything? You swore to find her for me!”
“I did.” His smile turned apologetic. “But nowhere in our bargain did I promise tobringher to you. Next time, sweetling, be more careful with your wording.”
I backed away. “I’m not going with you.”
“Then you’ll never see your sister again.”
Mist spilled across the floor, thickening until it bled into a broad-shouldered male with silver hair.
