He still hasn’t moved.
“She truly did not know,” says Asher.
Ky’s eyes flick to him.
“I heard Dane tell her myself. I saw himthreatenher myself.”
The king’s eyes shift back to me, and I watch him glance at my wrist.I remember the bruises that were there the morning we met, and I know he remembers, too.
“How long does King Theodore have?” he says.
“I don’t know. But Dane believes it will be soon.”
His jaw twitches. “No wonder he dragged out the negotiations. No wonder he spentweekson minor points. He was biding his time, knowing I would gain no magic, while he would get my army. And all the while, my people move toward starvation.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. I hadn’t considered thereasonfor Dane’s delays—and I wonder if this is worse than just sending assassins after us.
Ky sighs, rubbing his hands down his face again. “So I have struck an alliance that yields nothing for my people—and merely puts them at risk. More at risk than they already were.”
“Well,” says Asher. “Notquite.”
We both look at him. We both say, “What?”
He shrugs. “No one signed anything. You’re not married.” He looks at Ky. “Didn’t you tell Jory that you’d strike the whole thing and rewrite it withher?”
“Well, yes, but—” He straightens, his gaze darkening. “Wait, were youspying?”
Asher waves it off. “That’s hardly the worst thing I’ve done. But if you already know the truth about King Theodore—”
“And if I’mhere...” I prompt.
Ky looks between the two of us, considering. But his mouth is still a line.
“When was Dane to begin providing food?” I say.
“He wasn’t,” Ky says. “It was the very first thing I asked for.”
Rage surges in my chest. “He wouldn’t give youfood? NowIwant to ride back and shoot him.”
Ky snorts. “I’ll saddle the horses right now.” He pauses. “Princess—your brother was quite resistant to my requests for anything that would provide immediate aid. Knowing this, it’s clear that he designed this alliance with the knowledge that Incendar would be kept weak, while I would be obligated to support Astranza.”
“Dane also thought he could bully me into keeping this a secret,” I say. “But he couldn’t.” I reach out and put a hand over his. “Ky. You reallycouldsaddle horses right now. Our winter stores are full. Overflowing, even. You said it yourself in the inn: Astranza doesn’t know the meaning ofmeager portions. We could have wagons filled and crossing the border in a matter of days—before Dane would even know. Onmyorder.”
A new emotion flickers in his eyes, and he puts a hand over mine. “Notnow, Princess—because I’m not riding back into Astranza without a regiment behind me.”
“Behindus,” I say.
He takes a breath, then pulls my hand to his mouth, and kisses my palm. His fingers are so warm, and there’s so much reverence in the motion, and I shiver. Without warning, I’m remembering the weight of him when we were tussling, the feel of his thumb brushing along the curve of my breast.
But his eyes are still serious. “If your word is good, then yes, Princess.Yes. If you will help me feed my kingdom, then whatever you ask, it’s yours.”
“Sanctuary,” I say immediately.
He looks at me, and his eyebrows flicker into a frown. “I won’t let Dane harm you. I would hope I’ve been clear.”
“Not for me,” I say. “For Asher.”
This time they both go still.
