Despite Oleg’s words, Kassandr was unshaken in his choice. Taking Saga had been much like chasing after Nostislav—he felt down to the marrow of his bones it had been the right thing to do.
“The Urkans will come for us,” Kassandr argued, bracing as his beast threw itself against his rib cage. “Who better to have by our side than the one who was raised by them? Think of the knowledge she—”
“King Ivar thinks Zagadka tried tokill him!” exclaimed his father, rising to his feet and beginning to pace.
“If we send the girl back,” said Oleg, “we might prove our innocence. Perhaps with an extra boatload of grains; a tribute of ore and silver. Let us try for peace before we resort to violence.”
The rage of his beast melded with Kassandr’s own. “You are no fool, Father. The Urkans will come for us now, or they will come for our children. Better we die fighting than throw our descendants to the wolves.”
Silence followed in the wake of his bold words, but Kass could sense his father’s anger gathering. Even Kresimir paused in his pacing, as though readying himself for the high prince’s wrathful order.
“It seems my son has not learned his lesson!” bellowed his father. “He shows no remorse for bringing danger to our doorstep. Another ten lashes, Kresimir.”
Boots thudded, and Kassandr managed a single deep breathbefore losing himself to the whip’s fury. His beast yelped and howled, snapping its jaws and gnashing its teeth. He was so lost in the pain, he could not find his way through it. The slavering beast grew louder, stronger. Tattoos pulsed and stretched out along his bare arms, and Kassandr knew he was losing the battle to his beast. But the whip suddenly stilled, leaving him disoriented.
Before he could question why Kresimir had stopped, her scent hit his nostrils, so potent it was dizzying.
Saga Volsik’s Íseldurian rang through the silence. “Oh, I…I must have the wrong room.”
Kassandr blinked, trying to claw his way back to himself.
Mine!howled his beast, ceasing its thrashing.
He was strung to a pole, his back a pulpy mass of hot agony, and Kassandr winced. She’d followed the clues he’d left for her—the mention of the red room when last they’d met; the strategically lit torches leading her straight here. Saga must have discovered her unlocked door; that her guards were not at their usual post. But he hadn’t meant for her to find him likethis.
“Excuse me,” she said tremulously, and the door clicked shut.
Kassandr gritted his teeth as he tugged against his restraints. Had she left?
But the door swung open once more, determined footfalls striking the floor. “No. I—I cannot leave him like—” Saga sighed in frustration and tried again. “You must release him. Let him see a healer.”
“What does she say?” asked his father in Zagadkian.
“She tells you—to release me,” was Kassandr’s broken reply.
His father’s laughter was like knives in his skin, and Kassandr could feel Saga’s apprehension. It had taken much courage for her to leave her rooms and reach this place, and now, because of Kassandr’s poor planning, she’d be further distressed. His beast let out a plaintive wail. He longed to comfort her. To let her know the ruination of his back was nothing he hadn’t faced many times before in his life.
“What is happening here?” Saga pressed on as Kassandr interpreted for his family. A man with ordinary hearing might think herunaffected, but he heard the racing of her heart, the quickness of her breaths.
“Deceivers must be punished,” spat Oleg, “and this man’s deceptions are deeper than the ocean.”
“Saga Volsik,” said the high prince blandly. “I have wanted to meet you for many days now.”
Kass interpreted for Saga. Her breaths were shallowing, and though he could not see her, Kass could hear the gentle tapping of her fingers against her palms. Inwardly, he smiled, glad to have taught her this useful trick. “I cannot—” Saga protested, and she made to leave again.
Kassandr’s heart gave a heavy lurch, but his keen hearing picked up on the moment she paused in the doorway with a breath of resignation. “I will meet with you once he’s freed.”
“You are not in a position to argue, girl,” warned his father after Kassandr interpreted.
Protect,hissed his beast, now reduced to a needy, restless creature.
Kassandr had ordered Rov to follow Saga, and knew his friend would be lurking beyond the doorway, yet he did not like the thought of Saga facing his father and Oleg alone. He yanked against his restraints, the iron rings clanking in the quiet room.
The silence stretched on, and he prayed to all the seasonal gods that she found that fire she’d shown Kassandr on so many occasions. As the high prince let out a long-suffering sigh, Kass’s smile spread. His Saga was so brave. So fierce. She’d needed no prayers from him.
“Release my son,” ordered the high prince.
Kresimir scowled as he freed Kassandr’s hands from the leather restraints, no doubt irritated he’d been robbed of the pleasure of drawing out the beast. Kass’s knees buckled, and he landed hard on all fours, hair falling over his sweat-slicked brow. After several deep breaths, he pushed to his feet, then limped to a wooden bench set before the dais.
