Iryana kept herself from looking away, holding his stare instead. “He looks about to fall over. Who would bet on him? You said this was a game of odds, and that has me thinking…”
“Go on?” His hand slid over her shoulder.
“It isn’t just about guessing who will win or lose; you’re too smart to be interested in that. It’s about seeing what others don’t, seeing a winner when others see a failure.” Iryana took a slow breath, calming her racing heart. “There is a fight no one will see coming.”
Would she really do it? Throw an innocent man to the wolves to protect Pyetar of all people? Although that man was likely far from innocent himself.
“I’m intrigued.”
Iryana leaned in and whispered in his ear. While she told Karvek her plan, her gaze found Pyetar still standing at the edge of the dais. There was a complete lack of tension in his body, but his eyes were blank. Purposefully blank. She was starting to recognize that look.
“Bring Voor,” Karvek announced, and one soldier who had been standing off to the side rushed off to obey his general. Voor, another soldier with an unbeatable record in the pit, but with a hidden injury that those betting would be unaware of.
She tried to seem relaxed while they all waited, watching the current fight with Karvek. Not letting herself flinch as blows landed. Ignoring Pyetar’s stare.
Then Voor was walking toward them, and she kept her eyes on Karvek’s face as he stared intently at the soldier. His eyes narrowed for just a moment, and sheknew that was the moment he confirmed the slight hitch in Voor’s step that others would miss. He was too observant not to.
“You’ve impressed me in your fights, soldier,” Karvek told the man. “I want to call you into the pit again. I have an impressive match lined up. The prize money will make the rest of your winnings tonight seem paltry.”
Her breath lodged in her throat. If Voor refused to fight, Karvek would go back to his original plan. Or perhaps he would kill Voor and then send Pyetar into the pits. It was hard to tell how much Karvek would retaliate if disobeyed.
She could only hope the soldier’s greed would win out.
“Of course, General,” Voor said with only a hint of hesitation. “I look forward to putting on a show for you.”
But he wanted the money more—she could see it in the flash of his eyes. All the new soldiers had flocked to Myura River Fort for a reason, and that wasn’t Karvek. It was what he coulddofor them. What his poppy operation allowed him to do.
With Voor led away to prepare for the fight, Karvek turned back to his brother. Pyetar was still standing there, waiting. Looking like he might collapse any moment.
“I no longer need you,” Karvek said, dismissing him with a wave. “Go clean yourself up; you’re a mess.”
Iryana didn’t let herself droop, but the relief instantly dulled the fear cutting through her body.
She met Pyetar’s gaze for a moment, and it was like he was shouting at her. There was anger and promise in his eyes—promise of what, she didn’t know. And then he too was led away.
“Should I dedicate this fight to you?” Karvek asked her, voice quiet but still sharp. “It was your idea after all.”
She smiled at him. “The only recognition I want is yours.”
He liked that answer; a satisfied smirk briefly tugged at his lips. Then he turned to watch the starting fight.
Iryana pretended to pay attention, but her mind was spinning.
She knew how much the 18th collected from the settlements, how much they charged to move shipments around and guard caravans. And it was a goodamount of money, enough to let the 18th support living out amongst the dakii with limited land. Let them pay their soldiers well enough. But not enough to entice men like Voor.
No, the men Karvek recruited for his war—those willing to risk their lives for him against more than just the dakii—neededmore. And there was only one way they would get that.
It was all earned from that dangerous little flower.
And that meant Karvek’s control was just as fragile.
A thrill surged through Iryana as she absently let Karvek pull her into his side. She blinked up into his eyes like a dutiful soldier who couldn’t wait to impress him.
She knew exactly where Karvek got those poppies, and she was going to burn them all.
As soon as the fight was over—the outcome just as she expected—and Karvek had dismissed her, Iryana slipped away.
Iryana walked as fast as she dared through the fort, a bland expression frozen on her face. Her whole body felt on the verge of shaking, tension gripping every muscle.
