A man speaks from the shadows as I pass the far corner. “I had no idea you were so dedicated.”
I’m so deep in my thoughts that shock nearly sends me sprawling, and I stumble to a stop. Lord Alek stands by the railing, dressed in shades of gray and purple, his jacket buttoned tightly across his chest. He’s surely not dressed like someone who escaped from prison—but I doubt he’s supposed to behere.
I’m breathing hard, and my heart is still pounding from the run. My eyes flick to the doorway that leads into the palace, then to the distant armory, and finally to the wide opening that leads onto the training field. All deserted. Of course there are no guards around—no one needs to guardme. Should I shout for help? My mouth has gone dry.
“Did I frighten you?” he says flatly. “You seem concerned.”
Irritation replaces my sudden panic. “What are you doing here?”
“Fabrics and textiles are regularly delivered to the palace. Who exactly do you think oversees that?”
“You’re supposed to be in prison.”
He raises an eyebrow. “For what?”
Clouds above, he’s such an ass. “For treason.”
His gaze darkens. “Despite your own accusations and your sister’s charming demonstration in the hallway, there is absolutely no proof that I have engaged in treason.”
“You know what you did.”
“What did I do?” he says. “I was held in Emberfall during the attack in Briarlock. I was at the king’s side during the first events of the Royal Challenge. If I wanted to attack him, I had ample opportunity. I didn’t have to do it from afar.”
He wanted to kill the king. I know he did. He told me himself.
I inhale to say that, but Alek ducks under the arena railing to face me. “This attack was on the queen. I had no part in that.”
My mouth clamps shut again. He’s a liar. He must be. He’s been a liar since the very beginning.
But . . .thispoint doesn’t feel like a lie.
His loyalty to the queen has always been clear. Even when he was plotting against King Grey, it was toprotectQueen Lia Mara.
I don’t want anything he says to be true. I turn away, striding for the armory so I can put up my training weapons. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“Callyn.” He jogs after me and catches my arm.
I whirl, my fist ready. He’s better prepared than he was in the hallway, so he blocks effectively, but I must have learnedsomethingfrom my lessons, because I follow up with another strike from my left hand, and I almost get him. We tussle for a moment before he catches my wrist.
I’m glaring at him, and he’s glaring right back. “There,” he says. “Where’s that spirit when you’re fighting Nolla Verin?”
“You don’t know anything about myspirit.”
“I know you’ve let her drive you into the arena floor as if you deserve it. I know I’ve watched theking”—the disdain in his voice is clear—“heal your injuries while you whimpered. You’ve hardly defended yourself.”
Rage swells in my chest. “You’ve beenwatchingme?” I demand.
“I just told you that I have reasons for visiting the palace.” He pauses, staring down at me. “I can’t help it if I find the arena entertaining when I do.”
I set my jaw. I don’t want to be talking to him. “You’re a traitor and a liar. Let me go.”
To my surprise, he does, and we stand there facing each other. I don’t know what else to say to him. He manipulated me. Heusedme. He threatened my sister. He lies about everything, and somehow makes itall sound so convincing, because even now, there are flickers in my heart that desperately want to believe him.
Alek watches my expression, then sighs. “I never lied to you, Callyn.” His voice lowers a bit. “Never once.”
I heard his voice like that once before, and I almost soften. I have to steel my spine. “Go away. You have no business with me.”
“I have business in the palace, though. Often, in fact.” He takes a step forward, and I refuse to yield ground. It puts him very close, until I can see the blue of his eyes in the dimness of the arena. His voice lowers further. “That’s how I’ve heard the terrible things Verin says to you.”
