I gawked at him, the pieces falling together. “So I shattered the peace between the realms.”
“Yes.”
I leaned forward. “If peace meant so much to you, why did you kill the entire court?”
Darkness flickered over his face. His eyes went cold and predatory. “Because one hundred years in chains doesn’t make you very rational.”
He got up, brushing petals from his tunic, then gave me his hand.
I hesitated, then took it.
His palm was warm. He pulled me to my feet, and I stumbled on the uneven stones. He caught my elbow, steadying me.
For a moment, we stood too close.
His gaze dropped to my mouth, and I felt a pull like a held breath. Then he released me and stepped back. “I’ll have Thessia bring you trousers before you kill yourself climbing something else.”
19
LOVE AND OTHER LIES
Two days since the dungeon.
Two days of forcing myself up at dawn, memorizing guard changes while trying to forget the sound of tearing flesh.
I hadn’t seen Kairos since. He was avoiding me, or he was deciding what to do with the runebreaker he’d claimed.
Though he’d sent a dressmaker with bolts of silk. New gowns appeared in my wardrobe—emerald green, midnight blue, colors I’d never worn in Skalgard. Yesterday, a jeweled comb. This morning, a velvet box of perfumed oils arrived on my desk. Thessia delivered meals on silver platters: roasted quail, honeyed figs, wine.
Whenever Thessia came by, I asked questions. Casual ones. How many warriors? Where did the supplies come from? When did the council meet? I’d learned the kitchen entrance had the fewest guards. The library was unprotected.
A tap at the window made me freeze. A hawk perchedon the sill, parchment tied to its leg. Its yellow beak clinked against the glass.
My heart kicked as I rushed over and unlatched the window, my fingers clumsy. The bird didn’t flinch as I slid the note free.
Aelie,
You have the right to ignore this. After what happened, I wouldn’t blame you if you burn this letter without reading it. But I’m writing anyway, because you deserve the truth—even if it’s too late.
That night in Skalgard, I tried to save you. I know you may not believe me, but there were forces at work beyond either of us. I fought for you, but I failed you when it mattered most. That failure haunts me every waking moment.
I need you to understand something: you were never a distraction to me. You were everything. The only light in a world that’s been dark for so long. Those nights we spent together were the only times I felt truly alive.
I think about you constantly. About what we had. What we could still have, if you’ll let me make this right.
I love you, Aelie. I always have. And I will prove it to you—I’ll bring you home and give you the life you deserve.
But you must be careful. Kairos is more dangerous than you realize. Don’t trust him.
Wait for me. I’m coming for you.
Yours,
Vaeris
The letter trembled in my hands.
I love you.
