I’m quick too. I snatch a knife with my opposite hand.
He grabs my wrist, his fingers pressing into the bones and tendons there. I try to jerk away, but he holds fast. It turns into a struggle, and I swear, aiming a kick for his shins.
Then my back hits the stone wall beside the oven, hard enough to make me cry out. He slams my wrists into the stone over my head, pinning them there. Only sheer luck keeps the knife in my hand instead of dropping it on my head.
“Cally-cal!” Nora is yelling. I hear the guards’ boots shift against the floorboards.
“No!” I shout. “Nora, stay upstairs.”
“Stay upstairs,” Lord Alek calls more casually. “Your sister and I are only exchanging words.” He glances at the knife in my fingers. “Right?”
My breathing is too quick, rough and furious. I strain against his hold, but he’s too strong. He tightens his grip, and I have to bite back a whimper.
“Answer me,” he says.
“Yes, my lord,” I seethe.
“Now, tell your sister.”
“We’re just—we’re exchanging words,” I call. I draw a breath and try to keep my voice even. “Nora, it’s all right. Go pick a book for us to read together.”
I don’t know if she listens, but I don’t hear feet on the steps, and the guards haven’t moved farther.
“I drew no weapon on you,” Lord Alek says. “What stories has the blacksmith been telling you?” He pauses, his eyes narrowing. “Or have you been hearing lies from the king’s fawning lackey?”
“No one needs to tell me any stories,” I grit out. “I saw what you did to Jax.”
His eyebrows go up. “What I did toJax? Jax, who accused me of treason? Who demanded a fortune in silver to hold a slip of paper?” He leans closer. “If he doesn’t like such dangerous games, he shouldn’t play.”
Damn, Jax. I knew he was asking too much. Risking too much.
“What were you going to do with the knife?” Lord Alek says.
I glare at him. “Let me go and I’ll show you.”
He laughs lightly. “I like you better than that greedy blacksmith.” He pauses. “This is quite a welcome for a man who once saved your life. Was I wasting my time?”
My breath catches, because for a moment, I don’t know what he’s talking about.
And then, in a snap of realization, Ido. I remember the flash of red hair, the loud clash of his sword stopping another.
She’s a child! Get her out of here.
“The Uprising,” I say. “That wasyou?”
Alek nods. “I find it fascinating that your friend accusesmeof treason when you were right there on the palace steps yourself.”
I try not to struggle, because I don’t want to give him the satisfaction. “So wereyou.”
“I had my own reasons for being there,” he says. His blue eyes search mine. “You were there, but you didn’t breach the castle. Where does your loyalty lie?”
“I wanted to protect my sister.”
“That’s not an answer.” He pauses. “Jax made the choice to carry our messages, but why are you keeping his secrets?”
I swallow, and my breathing shakes. “He’s my friend.”
“So you’re willing to hang alongside him? Is that it?”
