My belly twists into knots. I can barely breathe. “I never lied to you, Rosomon. It’s true that I long knew of my father’s aspirations. But until we returned from Lymbo, I didn’t know he’d become king. I didn’t know he’d joined forces with the Prime Klerick, and I certainly didn’t know that my father had orderedyourfather’s execution.”
Tears well in Rosomon’s eyes, and I drop to my knees. I hold up my hands, not in prayer or to beg, but preparing them for chains. Because my father’s accusations are valid.
I might have grown up resenting his cruelty, but I did nothing to stop him. And if Saxon had never brought me to camp, if I’d been in Khotor when all of this happened, I can’t say what I would have done. Would I have stood up to my father like some of my brothers? Or would I have gladly accepted my place as his heir—the place I have now.
“Put him in a prison cell,” Zogar says.
Rosomon cries out and leans against Zogar but doesn’t disagree.
“May I speak?” Xendus steps forward. I didn’t notice when he returned.
“Of course,” Zogar says curtly.
“I have heard this man’s thoughts.” Xendus points toward me. “Far too many of his thoughts.” A dark chuckle rumbles up from inside him. “He’s not skilled at hiding them.”
All eyes turn toward the fierce man, including mine. “I can’t know his every thought from the past,” Xendus says. “But I know them from the day he climbed on my pommel. And based on his memories of life in Khotor, if he’d spoken out against his father, he’d be dead.”
“We should pardon him because he’s a coward?” Zogar asks Xendus, while still glaring at me.
“Tynan’s no coward.” Xendus folds his arms over his chest and shakes his head. “Reckless? Yes. Over confident? Also yes. Arrogant? Definitely.” One side of Xendus’s mouth quirks up.
“But from the moment we returned to the Light, Tynan’s done all he can to help us. He was shocked that Khotor had joined with the klericy. And he only stayed in Khotor and cooperated with his father to obtain a pardon for Saxon, and in hopes of freeing Rosomon’s family.”
“Thank you,” I say.
Xendus shakes his head. “I’d keep that trap shut, if I were you.”
Rosomon takes Zogar’s hand. “Tynan freed my bindings today.” She looks up at him. “He also freed Xendus, Surath and Saxon. And he was the one who encouraged the workers to expose the trickery behind the image of Othrix.” She gestures toward the pile of metal.
“And last night—” She looks into my eyes and stops short, clearly wondering if revealing what I did last night will hurt or help my cause.
“What the Queen says is true,” Xendus says. “Based on all I know.” He points toward my father. “This man should beexecuted, but Tynan is innocent—mostlyinnocent.” His mouth quirks again.
“The boy lies!” Father calls out. “He is weak. He’s always been weak. Tynan is easily manipulated, easily lured by power and praise. And he lies to get what he wants.”
“Silence!” Zogar frowns and points toward my father. “Take this man away!”
Guards lead Father from the room, and Zogar remains silent for a long time. I’m beyond grateful to Xendus for speaking on my behalf, but still expect to be jailed. Being separated from Rosomon—yet again—breaks my heart, but once they form their court, I’ll mount a defense and take my punishment if need be.
Zogar turns to Rosomon. “What are your thoughts, my queen?”
She remains silent for a very long time. So long that the fear clutching my chest twists into despair. Not despair that I might lose my freedom, or even my life, but a deep sinking despair that she no longer loves me.
It’s possible she never did. It’s possible that my belief in our love was fueled by my overconfidence, my optimism—and my hubris.
Rosomon clears her voice. “Tynan was raised to be arrogant and cruel.” She lifts her gaze. I can’t tell what she’s thinking. “But Tynan overcame his brutal upbringing.” She turns toward Saxon. “With Saxon’s help, he changed after coming to the dragon camp.”
Saxon nods. “And he changed even more, once he met you.”
Rosomon takes two steps toward me. “I could never love a man who’d use treachery and trickery to get what he wants.” Hervoice firms. “A man who would use force or brutality to gain power.”
I drag in a shaky breath. She’s describing me. Telling me why she could never love me.
“But I know Tynan. And both Xendus and Saxon know Tynan.” She turns back toward Zogar. “And we all saw the role he played, today, in exposing the lies behind Othrix and the Prime Klerick. Would he have done these things, if he backed his father?” She shakes her head.
“We support Prince Tynan,” Ham and Ovren call out.
“As do we!” Some of the other temple workers gather around Ham and Ovren.
