“He attacked me,” Vaeris started.
“Liar!” I screamed.
Soren’s gaze locked on me, traveling over the blood soaking my dress, my hands pressed against Kairos’s wounds.
“Please,” I choked out. “Help him! Your Majesty, please!”
Kairos jerked, another slash ripping his stomach.
Vaeris sighed heavily. “I told you inviting him was a mistake.”
Soren turned sharply. “Did you strike him?”
Kairos grunted. “Yes, because hetookher.”
Wait.“No, that’s not what happened! I was the one?—”
“I was trying to bring her home,” Vaeris said smoothly, facing the others. “She was frightened. I was helping her.”
“He grabbed me!” I shouted. “He said he’d kill me!”
“She’s confused,” Vaeris murmured. “She doesn’t know what she’s saying.”
“Yes, I do. You bastard!”
Vaeris shook his head. “She’s completely under his control. He’s had weeks to twist her mind.”
He was erasing me. Turning me into a victim, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.
“He brought bloodshed into your palace,” Vaeris continued, gesturing to Kairos. “If he’ll attack a king in neutral territory, he’ll go after anyone.”
“No! That’s not—he didn’t?—”
“Aelie.” Kairos’s voice was weak. A warning.Stop talking.
Soren’s attention hadn’t left me. “Kairos attacked you unprovoked. Simply because you wanted to escort the girl home.”
“Yes,” Vaeris hissed.
Soren stepped forward, his shadow spilling across the stones. “You violated a binding oath sworn under my roof. The standard penalty is death.”
Vaeris grinned.
I wrapped my arms around Kairos. “No!”
Soren turned, his gaze pinning me.
I swallowed hard. “Kairos didn’t strike first. I did! Please, YourMajesty.”
“Irrelevant. He swore the oath. I will send word to Elwen,” Soren boomed.
My stomach caved in. The room was distant. Muted.
I can’t allow them to do this.
“What about the human?” the queen asked.
Vaeris moved between us. “I’ll take her.”
