“What you are doing, Lady Saga?” asked Rurik. “Taking queen’s letters? Is dangerous.”
Even through the haze of sleep, Saga knew she shouldn’t have told him. But she refused to give up, and with her muddled mind, she was in no state to accomplish this task herself. “You,” she said, reaching for Rurik’s arm, missing it by miles. “I need your help.”
“I have given you my help.” She could hear the wariness in his voice.
“You must get the letters,” Saga soldiered on.
“I cannot,” he said. Perhaps it was the narrow space or the torchlight that made Rurik seem impossibly tall. But in his expression—in those stunning, green, hunter’s eyes—Saga also saw remorse.
Rurik crouched, lowering his voice. “You must understand—I am sorry for your situation. It makes me sick, Saga, what these Urkans have done. But I cannot wrap myself in your troubles. Would cause great problems for my country.”
Problems.
The word echoed in her skull, the tonic’s grip ever tightening. Distantly, Saga felt smoldering anger. She knew it had been too good…too perfect. The wax sealer and then the information—it had fallen into her lap too easily. The gods toyed with her, reveling in her misery.
“I’ll give you anything you want,” she whispered. And in that moment, itwas true. Her life was already forfeit. But Eisa…Eisa was out there, with a chance to live free.
“I do not want?—”
“Anything,” she pleaded. Rurik had never leered at her in the way that made her feel soiled, but she sent a silent prayer he wouldn’t ask for…that. And when she forced herself to meet his gaze, it was clear it was the farthest thing from his mind. He looked as though he waged an inner war. He was silent for so long she was certain he’d refuse. But when Rurik opened his mouth, the most unexpected word fell out.
“Tunnels.”
“Tunnels,” she repeated.
“There are other tunnels in Askaborg?”
“Many,” replied Saga. Gods, but she couldn’t hold on much longer. She’d just close her eyes for a moment. Just for a heartbeat. But as she blinked at Rurik, she realized the confident, arrogant Zagadkian looked slightly undone. Raking a hand through his hair, he muttered something incomprehensible under his breath.
“And you need me to?—”
“Intercept letters,” said Saga. She dug deep for her energy. Nodded at the wax sealer. “Tell them the queen sent you with the wax sealer to vouch for her word. The letter’s details were incorrect. And then after I’ve changed them, you will bring them back for sending.”
Rurik’s eyes narrowed.
“I’ll be quick,” said Saga. “Just a few details to change.”
Rurik scowled at her. “What have you gotten into, Saga?”
“Please,” she begged. “Lives are at stake. Please, Kass.”
Distantly, she could tell his name on her lips had impacted him in some way. Rurik scrubbed a hand down his face. “All of tunnels,” was his hard reply. “I will do this for you, Saga, one time. But you…you will draw for me a map with all tunnels of Askaborg Castle on it.”
Saga was nodding. It didn’t matter what he asked of her, she’d do it.Eisa.She shoved back at sleep. Eisa was all that mattered.
“We shake to seal deal,” said Rurik, sliding his palm into her gloved hand. It was warm and firm, shaking her with envious strength.
“Wait here,” he said brusquely. “I will be back.” The wax sealer slid into his pocket. The door swung open then closed.
Saga was alone in the passageway, with nothing but a torch for light. She curled onto her side. Stopped fighting the tonic’s pull.
And within a few measured heartbeats, Saga was sound asleep.
Chapter Eighteen
KALASGARDE
As she and Rey entered Harpa’s home, butterflies swarmed in Silla’s stomach. Her gaze jumped from a pallet laid out in the farthest back corner, to Rykka, twisting and whirling about in the hearthfire’s flames, but as it landed on Harpa eyeing her intently, her restlessness grew.
