He moves closer to me, his voice low. ‘Think books are going to help you survive this thing, Thorn?’ he scoffs.
‘Maybe I need the library to find a way to spell you into admitting what you did all those years ago.’
The slightest hint of a smile flickers on his lips. ‘You are so damned prickly. And you need magic to spell. Something I believe you’re lacking.’
His eyes lock on mine and it’s war again – a battle not to be the first one to look away.
‘Ky—Your majesty.’ It’s Leilah’s voice that causes us both to look away. ‘If you don’t mind …’
She gestures to the women around her, all looking extremely uncomfortable, not to mention unable to do their jobs. With a flush of embarrassment, I edge back.
‘I’m sorry,’ I say as I turn back to the staircase. ‘I didn’t mean to disturb you.’
I hurry past the women.
‘Hey, Thorn?’ Kyor calls out to me.
I stop, only to curse myself for responding to his stupid bloody nickname. I grit my teeth and start to move, but he speaks again. ‘You’ll find access to the library through the guards’ temple. Maybe there’ll be a book to help you save yourself. But I doubt it.’
Chapter 22
Kyor is lying. He has to be. I can’t think of a single reason in the world why he would actually help me. Send me into a forest full of hungry dire wolves? Absolutely. Throw me into the path of a speeding carriage? Again yes. But help me with anything? No.
And yet I head to the guards’ temple all the same. Of course, there’s a good chance the door was somewhere in that kitchen and Kyor was left chuckling to himself the moment he sent me on this wild goose chase, but if I can’t find a way in through the temple, then I’ll just go down to the kitchen later, once the cooks have left, and have a proper look around.
As I make my way across the battle yard towards the white stone building, the sound of his laugh echoes in my memory, stirring my hatred to a new level. What must it be like to laugh so freely? To know that whatever happens, life will always be one big party. He’s never known hunger. Never known suffering. And it’s not like there’s any real chance of him dying in this thing. The king just wouldn’t allow it. I’ll admit that the fact he knew the cook’s name caught me by surprise, but there’s bound to be a reason for that. Something he gains from pretending to be friends with the staff. Better portion sizes, probably.
I do my best to quash all thoughts of the prince as I reach the temple and push the wooden doors open.
This is not a temple to Etta alone; it’s a temple to all the Gods. It makes sense given that space in the High Hold arcs is limited. If they put in atemple for every God, there wouldn’t be any training space left for the guards.
As I step inside and am hit by a blast of light from the stained-glass windows, I see a figure seated a few rows ahead. I don’t want to disturb someone’s prayer by wandering around searching for doors, so I hover, unsure if I should stay. But just as I go to leave, the praying man stands and turns to exit himself.
‘Commander Zelle, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you,’ I murmur, voice low in deference to our location.
‘You’re not. I was just leaving,’ he says gruffly as he walks towards me.
My body tenses, recalling the thinly veiled threats from Holden in the cave. Does Zelle also want me dead? If he does, then now, alone in a temple with no witnesses, would be a perfect time. I shift back, offering him a clear route through to the door, yet as he reaches me, he stops. My heart squeezes as he tilts his head to the side, studying me. I do my best to ignore the row of blades strapped to his belt, any of which could run me through within a heartbeat. ‘You’re Elyas and Reeva’s daughter, aren’t you?’
Hearing their first names spoken aloud causes a throbbing in my chest I couldn’t have anticipated. He is the first one to call them by name, rather than a spatKultavaris.
‘You knew my parents?’ I ask.
‘I did. I’m sorry to hear they passed. And for what happened before.’
The throb transforms as my back molars grind together. Such a simple phrase for the utter destruction of my family.
I change the subject. ‘I was told there was a route to the library through here. I was hoping I could visit.’
Zelle smiles, a small but knowing twist of his lips, as he dips his chin in a nod.
‘Yes, beside the altar to Aitara. But I hope I will see you in the battle yard soon. Come early enough and we can have some training time alone,’ he proposes casually.
It’s an extraordinary offer, and I find myself gaping at him.
‘Your parents were phenomenal fighters. And good people. I’m sure they taught you well.’
‘When they were able to,’ I respond truthfully.
