She breathed deeply, opening her senses to him, to his energy.
“I will not hurt you,” he said, “nor will I demand an answer about our alliance today. I will give you time to decide.”
She tested the flow of his energy, its lack of constriction. His words didn’t feel like a lie.
While she couldn’t imagine anything that could convince her to ally with him, this could give her a chance to learn more. And she had one advantage.
She could worldwalk.
Darius had made no mention of her abilities yet, and he couldn’t have learned about them from his son’s report. Morkai would have relayed details about Cora’s clairsentience, but he’d never learned about her worldwalking powers while he’d been alive. It was possible Darius suspected she was a worldwalker based on their shared bloodline with Tristaine, but the ability obviously wasn’t gifted to all his descendants. Morkai hadn’t been able to worldwalk. Cora’s mother hadn’t shown even the slightest inclination toward magic.
As far as Darius knew, she was just a clairsentient witch, still learning her magic.
Her abilities may not be as impressive as Darius’ were, but if she sensed danger, she could disappear in a heartbeat, just like him. And maybe, if she could catch him unaware, if she could get hold of a weapon, even just a knife…
She could end his life.
But what had Ailan said about killing him?
He can be killed just like the rest of my kind—beheading or excessive blood loss.
He can be killed so long as he can be outsmarted.
She wasn’t sure she could behead or force excessive blood loss while outsmarting him, but there was at least a chance.
And if he could take her away by force anyway…
She sidled closer to Teryn. They kept their gazes on Darius for several long beats before exchanging a quick glance. Cora gave him a subtle nod, which made his jaw tighten. Just as quickly, they returned their attention to Darius.
Cora opened her mouth to accept his terms, but Teryn spoke first.
“I want a blood oath. That’s how humans secured vows in ancient times, predating written contracts.”
Darius smirked. “Yes, I know how history books work.”
“Then cut your palm and state the promise you made earlier. That you will escort Queen Aveline safely to and from Syrus, and that you will take her from Ridine for no longer than an hour, and that neither you nor anyone else will cause her harm.”
Darius narrowed his eyes. “When I asked if blood mattered to you, this wasn’t what I’d had in mind. Are you like my son, then? Dabbling in blood magic because you’re not strong enough to do anything else?”
Cora couldn’t help the furrow that formed between her brows. WhydidTeryn want a blood pact from Darius? She’d never known him to value such old-fashioned traditions.
Teryn shrugged. “You’re about to abduct my wife. If you fear I’ll use your blood for nefarious purposes, then I’d say it makes the terms of our agreement almost even.”
“Only almost?”
“My wife’s safety is priceless. There’s nothing you could give me but your life that could balance the scales. So I’ll ask for your blood.”
Darius continued to eye Teryn, but he drew his knife nevertheless. “Very well,” he said with clear reluctance. Holding out his hand, he sliced the blade across his palm. A red line appeared, and as he squeezed his fingers into a fist, a drop of blood fell to the stones. Then another. “I, Darius Solaria, hereby promise that I will escort Queen Aveline, by way of worldwalking, safely to and from Syrus, and that we will stray to no other kingdom. I vow that I will return her to Ridine by the end of an hourorallow her to leave on her own at any time. Furthermore, I vow that neither I nor anyone else will cause her harm at any time during the course of our agreement.”
Cora analyzed his words, seeking loopholes. Not that it mattered. Like he’d already admitted, this wasn’t a magically binding vow, just an old tradition based on superstition. Maybe what Teryn had said was the important part. Instilling a hint of fear in Darius could make him keep his word.
She breathed deeply, connecting to all the elements and sought any sign that this was wrong. Dread pulsed back, as did anxiety, but she felt no clairsentient warning. No inkling that this might be a trap.
“All right,” she said, voice thick. On trembling legs, she strode out from behind Teryn. He grasped her hand as she passed him, squeezing it. She squeezed it back in wordless reassurance. Her lungs tightened as she released his palm, felt his fingers slip from hers. She took another step. “I’m ready.”
In the next breath, Darius stood before her. He placed a hand on her shoulder, then—
* * *
