She might not have heard everything, but she heard that part.
“Please,” she says.
I want to resist.Iwant to be the one to keep her safe.
But I can’t. I know I can’t. I’ve known it for hours.
Honestly, I’ve known it foryears.
I run a hand down my face, then clench my fists, my fingertips digging into my palms. I draw a ragged breath and look back at the king. “You cannot leave her alone,” I say in a rush. “You cannot leave your back unguarded. The other Hunters know the sewers. They can getinthe same way we got out. Don’t stay in Astranza one second longer than necessary.”
He looks at me intently, like he’s memorizing every word. “Understood.”
“They arefastand they arebrutal. Don’t eat the food. They have poisons. Weapons. Disguises. And you may trust your men, butIdon’t. Someone from Incendar paid for that order.” I don’t even wait for a response, I just look at Jory. “Do you truly trust him?”
“Yes. Asher,yes.”
I clench my eyes closed. My fingernails feel like they’re drawing blood from my palms. But I keep thinking about the cold. The marks on my face that make it impossible for me to go anywhere without being interrogated. Her silly suede boots that probably came close to freezing her toes off. The fact that she’s never been anywhere outside the palace without a dozen guards and attendants.
I really do adore her. I would give her anything she asked. My heart aches.
I open my eyes and look at the king. “You swear it?”
“I do.”
“Fine.” I draw the blade buckled to my thigh, and before I can reconsider, I slice through his bonds.
The king makes a sound that’s half relief, half agony, followed by a gasping breath. My heart is thumping, and I keep a tight grip on my dagger, ready to plunge it right into him. For one tense moment, I think he’ll summon his magic and the room will be overcome by an inferno. But aside from the reflection of firelight in his eyes, there’s nothing. He’s just a man gingerly rubbing his wrists, hunching his shoulders as if they ache.
“Thank you,” he says.
I swallow, because this doesn’t feel like a moment for thanks. My heart is still pounding.
Jory lets out a breath. “Asher.”
I sheathe the knife and turn for her, half rising on my knees to shift to standing. “Jory—”
Her eyes flare wide and she sucks in a breath, and that’s all the warning I have before the king tackles me. My jaw slams into the stone floor, and my right arm is wrenched behind my back, and then his weight pins me there. I’m scrabbling for weapons, but he’s too heavy, especially with his armor.
Fuck.Fuck.
His grip turns searing hot, and I cry out. It forces me still, and almost pulls a whimper from my throat.
Stars. I was sostupid.
“No, Princess,” the king says sharply, and I realize she’s drawn one of the blades from my jacket, and she’s holding it up in front of him.
Good girl. I hope she stabs him.
But she shrieks and drops the blade. It’s glowing red. She scrambles back, clutching her hand to her chest like it burned her.
“I’m sorry,” I’m gasping. “Jory—I’m sorry.”
The king grabs my free hand and wrenches it behind my back using every ounce of force I used on him. I brace myself for him to melt my hands together or something even worse, but he only tethers my wrists, likely with the same leather strap.
I’m so stupid.
Sostupid.
