I turn to the two guards and say quietly, “Bring a bucket of water and the most flea-ridden blanket you can find in the stables.”
They leave us, and I busy myself by swinging the door shut, letting theeeeeekof the rusty hinges crawl up the back of his spine.
It shuts with a satisfying slam.
“The Castlekeep is bringing the key.” I let my hand fall on the heavy iron lock. “And then we’ll see if I leave you here to rot for all eternity, or if your gamble to save your skin pays off.”
Suddenly, his hand falls on mine. I flinch, expecting an attack, but he leaves it there as his brown eyes sear into mine.
“I never wanted her harmed,” he insists, low and urgent. I try to pull my hand away, but he tightens his hold briefly. “Tamarac.”
I jerk my hand back, stung by the word that used to bind us like brothers.
“Could have fooled me,” I mutter.
“I knew King Rachillon was coming for her,” he continues in a rush, his bandaged hand curling around the bars. “And yes, of course, I wanted the throne for myself. Would the kingdom have been better off with that ass, Beneveto, on it? So, I struck a deal with Rachillon that I knew would benefit me—andalsoSabine. I sold her out, yes, but only because I knew that if anyone could keep her safe, it was you.”
“Me?” I whirl on him, more like an animal than a king. “You had a fucking army to protect her!”
He tips his chin up, bruised eye unflinching. “And you had her trust.”
I stagger back like I’m slapped, turn away from Rian, and wipe a hand over my face. My heart can’t seem to find a steady rhythm. It’s fucked up, all of this. That I want him dead. That a part of me is glad he’s alive. That…maybe Icouldhave done more to protect Sabine.
Rian presses closer to the bars and whispers, low and intimate like we haven’t become enemies, “What happened up there, north of the border? Did you get your memories back?”
A block of ice forms in my stomach, and I snap, “Trying to get intel, even now?”
He doesn’t skip a beat. “Intel? Of course. Just as you always are, with those ears of yours that catch everything. I have a strong interest in saving my own ass, but I swear to you, I care about you and Sabine. I want to keep us all safe. The people of Astagnon, too.”
I give a harsh laugh.
“I’m serious.” He flashes his teeth, the lantern light catching on them. “Talk to me. I can help you. If the fae are truly awakened, then we have bigger problems. This messiness in Old Coros between my Sentinels and your royal soldiers? It’s child’s play. You know that therealwar will be between the forces of fae and those of humanity. Who’s going to advise you then, eh? Kendan?” He barks a laugh. “He’s good with strategy, as long as it’s something he’s studied in history books. But he lacks creativity.”
I pace deeper into the shadows, rubbing the back of my neck.
Rian’s always had a golden tongue. He knows exactly what to say, every damn time.
And the worst part?
Half the time, he’s not even lying.
That’s the thing about the Lord of Liars—something only I have ever really understood. He doesn’tneedto lie when he can wield the truth like a weapon.
A growl rumbles in my chest. This old shirt of Joruun’s is so damn stiff—I seriously need to get Ferra to make me something I can move in. I might wear a crown, but the truth is, I feel like a royal ass.
I want Sabine to talk to—but she’s been so distant. Not out of malice, just stretched thin. She has challenges bigger than anything I could ever deal with.
And dammit, I’m tired of feeling alone.
Rian’s a dead man, right?I reason.Who is he going to tell my confession to?
I lean on the bars, letting my hair curtain my face. I give a gruff, “Fine,” because I don’t want him to see the loneliness in my eyes. “Give us a good strategy for dealing with the fae, and maybe you can earn yourself an upgraded shit bucket.”
Rian’s lips curl into a lopsided smile, marred by the dark bruise.
And just like that, it’s suddenly ten years ago, and we’re just two boys conspiring to break into Sorsha Hall’s confectionery to steal honeycakes.
Slowly, I unburden the heaviness on my chest to him. Cautiously. Carefully. Being incredibly fucking selective about what details I give him about Volkany and Vale and the fae, knowing full well he’ll use them to his own advantage if he can.
