I knew exactly who he meant.
“Don’t,” I hissed, stepping forward. “Don’t youdaretry to turn me against him.”
Ashterionlaughed, shaking his head. “Predictable.” He took a step back, slipping his hands into his pockets as though the entire conversation was of no consequence to him. “Just keep what I’ve said in mind.”
I wouldn’t.
I refused to.
I forced my breath to steady. “I don’t need your bullshit advice,” I said icily. “I want to go home.”
A slow nod. He had expected that.
“Then go.”
I eyed him suspiciously. “Just like that?”
“What else would you have me do? Keep you here? Throw you in a cell?” He glanced down at Xyliria’s body, his expression umoved. “You’ve already done me a favour.”
A chill ran through me at the way he dismissed his wife’s life and death as a passing inconvenience.
“You’re letting me walk away?” I pushed, testing, needing tounderstand.
Ashterion let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. “I have no reason to keep you. Your friends are already gone.” He gestured vaguely with one hand. “Returned to your court, safe and sound. I have nothing to gain from your continued presence.”
My hands curled into fists at my sides. “And what about the war?” I demanded. “What about the destruction you started? What about?—”
“There is no war,” he interrupted smoothly.
“What?”
“You can tell your High Lord,” Ashterion said, his voice neutral, “that my forces will return to my territory. We seek nothing.”
I didn’t trust him. I wouldnevertrust him.
My blood burned at the way he spoke, the sheer detachment.
I clenched my jaw. “You really expect me to believe you’re going to walk away from all of this? No war? No retaliation?”
Ashterion studied me for a long moment before he said, “I have other priorities right now.”
The hairs on my arms rose. “Like what?”
“Oh, I have plenty of plans.” Ashterion smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “But for now, I think I’ll return you to your court as requested. Wouldn’t want dear Varyth crawling all the way back here for you.”
I scowled. “Go to hell.”
“Been there, done that.”
I stared at Ashterion as shadows curled at his feet. Xyliria’s blood clung to my hands. Merrick watched us from the floor with rapt curiosity.
“That’s it?” I demanded. “After weeks of torture, after everything she did—you’re done?”
His lips curved into that infuriating half-smile. “Disappointed? Were you hoping for one last fight?”
I wanted to lunge at him, to sink my blade into his throat and watch his smug expression fade. But exhaustion weighed on me, the aftermath of power tingling beneath my skin.
“I should kill you too,” I said quietly.
