“Plenty.” He came closer again, his full attention settling on me with an intensity that made the hairs on the back of my neck lift. “And I also know you’ve been visiting Midna these pastweeks, desperately searching for answers about how to lead this poor, unfortunate realm forward.” He circled me as he spoke, like a serpent trying to ensnare its prey.
I moved carefully, calmly out of his reach. “So what if I have?”
“Have you found anything interesting during your adventures?”
“Nothing I feel inclined to share with you.”
“That’s too bad.” He continued his attempt to trap me, backing me toward my desk. I braced a hand against it, subtly noting how close my fingers were to the sharp letter opener in the center of the desk. I’d foolishly left my dagger in my room; the letter opener was a poor substitute, but I could make do with it in a pinch.
If only the thought of actually piercing Aleksander’s body with it didn’t make me want to vomit.
Lorien licked his lips, as if tasting the fear rolling off me. Savoring it. “There’s so much we could accomplish together, you know. It would be easier than fighting me.”
“I’ve no interest in beingtogetherwith you, in any sense of the word.”
“Unfortunately, I still need you either way.”
“Thatisunfortunate. Mostly for you.”
“Mm…but luckily I have a bargaining chip, don’t I?”
My heart slammed against my ribcage. I tried to speak in the same cool, collected tone he seemed to have mastered, but I’m not sure I managed it. “I don’t understand. Why do you needme?” The words of King Marius slithered through my mind?—
For over a century, Lorien Blackvale managed to keep the balance of magic and power shining brightly over Soltaris. He had no help…
“You have Aleks, and his body and magic,” I said. “You have the magic you stole from me. You should be stronger than ever.”
For a brief moment, something like…uncertaintycrossed his face. Or maybe it was regret?
But no—neither made sense.
Monsters weren’t capable of feeling either of those things.
“The answer to that question is difficult,” he said. “And delicate. A conversation meant for elsewhere; this room really doesn’t provide the stage I was hoping for. Which is why I wrote and tried to arrange another meeting place.”
I inched my hand closer to the letter opener, but I still didn’t grab it.
Part of me knew better than to play his games, yes.
But the other part was desperate to know what he was planning.
Quietly, I asked, “What were in the messages you allegedly sent?”
“Invitations.”
“Towhere?”
“The central throne room in the Palace of Midna. Meet me there tomorrow night, why don’t you? Come alone.”
“Alone?” I bit back a harsh laugh. “Why? So you can finish killing me?”
His smile sent a fresh shiver down my spine. “If only it were that simple.”
My fingers wrapped around the letter opener’s handle. I heard voices outside—the changing of my guards was underway, and they were swapping notes and orders. There would be no less than eight of them out there right now. Enough to overwhelm Lorien, maybe.
Or maybe not.
“Do I have your word?” he asked. “Or do I have to make him suffer a little more, until you’re willing to submit?” His voice was softer toward the end, almost to himself—or to Aleks, perhaps. “Make your choice, Nova.”
