“Firebug,” he said, gripping me tightly. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” I said, though it was clear neither of us was fine. I had only a few hours left to live, and he’d just been imprisoned for some reason.
“What are you doing in here?” I asked.
“I was trying to rescue you,” he said.
His eyes filled with tears. “Obviously I failed. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry for all of it. I should never have trusted my father—or Pharis.”
“I don’t blame you,” I said. “I was just as fooled by him as you were. Pharis is very good at what he does.”
“Careful, Wildcat, or I’ll get a big head.”
Pharis’ low voice emerged from the dark corridor before a torch flared to life, bringing his beautiful, traitorous face into view.
If I hadn’t been so parched and had any saliva to do it with, I would have spit at him.
“What a sweet little scene,” he said in an acid tone. “Star-crossed lovers together once more. Who says true love doesn’t exist?”
“Why are you still here?” Stellon barked. “You got what you wanted—Father’s favor. I never realized how jealous you were, little brother.”
“I was never jealous of your title,” Pharis said.
His eyes strayed to me before returning to Stellon.
“As far as Father’s favor… it’s only smart to court it, since his reign will apparently continue unabated for eternity.”
He sounded harsh, angry, almost like a stranger.
“Are you doing this because I refused to join your doomed coup attempt?” Stellon asked.
Pharis’ eyes slid to the side where two men in armor stood guarding Stellon’s cell.
“I have no idea what coup attempt you’re talking about. I’m doing this because it’s the only thing left to do.”
He stepped closer to the bars, lowering his voice.
“Clearly you don’t have what it takes to rule a kingdom if you were not even willing totryto stop the execution and save the woman you supposedly love. You didn’t even fight when Father stood there before you, unarmed,” he taunted.
“I was willing todiefor her!” Stellon said.
“What good would that do her?” Pharis demanded. “Or me or Mareth? Anyway, it’s about to become a moot point. Tomorrow, she’ll no longer be a distraction for you.”
“You’re a monster,” Stellon roared.
“No… I’m a planner,” Pharis said.
He offered a humorless smile. “Don’t worry. Once she’s gone, you’ll be back to your position as the golden child and back in line for what you apparently want most—safety and predictability, plus the throne of Avrandar. Unless…”
He leaned against the bars now, tempting Stellon to reach through them and strangle him. I wished he’d leaned against my cell so I could do it.
Pharis went on in that self-assured tone with a smug look on his face. “If the ‘spell’doesn’tlift when she’s executed, then youmightbe deemed unfit to rule, andI’llbe the new heir and future king.”
“You scheming bastard,” Stellon hissed. “I trusted you.”
“And I trusted you. Everything comes to an end eventually.”
Stellon was clearly fighting back tears of anger and regret. His voice sounded choked.
