She inhaled sharply. To even entertain this thought was a betrayal. She couldn’t accept his words, nor could she trust him. All these months, he’d concealed the truth, and she’d been a fool enough to fall into his lies. She could never help him.
“Listen. I’m sorry for your plight, but it’s not my concern.” Hands on her knees, she willed them not to shake. Doubt stabbed at her gut, but she dismissed it. “I won’t help.”
“Once the first snow arrives, you’ll see how mistaken you are.”
Trisha’s fingers dug into her knees. “You think you can make me stay?”
“How do you plan to leave, exactly? Where’s your precious lyre?”
In a disquiet haste, Trisha rose from the chair, but vertigo quickly assaulted her, stripping the strength from her muscles. She slumped back into soft cushions, gripping the wooden armrests, and glared at him, prematurely gasping.
“Where is it, Blainor? What did you do with it?”
“It’s a sublime instrument, you know. Its craftsmanship… magnificent.” The words were delivered in a deceptively velvety tone. “And the magic woven into its grains… I’ve never seen anything quite like it.” A few steps brought him closer. He leaned in. A slanted smile curved his lips, more mock than admiration. “Don’t worry. It’s safe.”
Trisha didn’t flinch, fingers pressing into the armrests. Her skin hurt. “It’s mine, Warlord. Give itback.”
His head tipped back in refusal. “No. Call it collateral. A guarantee. I’d be an idiot if I didn’t.”
“You have no right, Blainor,” she seethed.
The absence of her lyre cut deep. To know he had touched it… that it lay somewhere near.
He scoffed, retreating. “I have all the right. I’m the Warlord of the Twelve. The ruler of Eichlandt. I will do what I must to see my land prevail.”
A silence landed between them. Trisha couldn’t speak, didn’t dare say a word. Didn’t know what would come out of her mouth if she tried to. She couldn’t believe that he could do this to her, after everything.
“So, what am I now—a prisoner?” she finally asked.
“If you don’t agree. Don’t make me your enemy, Trisha.” Underneath his words ran intensity close to a plea. A storm raged behind his eyes.
Her mouth opened and closed, words lodging in her throat. Just thinking about what he was doing to her felt like twisting the knife. How could he be asking this of her?
“Don’t do this, Blainor.” She looked up at him, face pale. Her voice sounded quiet and weak. She hated it. Hated how her heart ached.
“Then tell me you’ll help.”
“You’re not even giving me a choice,” she said quietly, reality settling over her. “You’re demanding something I can’t do.”
His eyes closed, shoulders falling. When he looked at her again, his face cleared of all emotions. Nothing even resembling warmth remained in his gaze. He straightened and said, “Fine. If that’s what you want.”
Hot anger flared, burning away the numbnessand her hesitation. “Don’t you dare blame me,” she snarled, pushing to her feet. They wobbled, but to her relief, she didn’t stumble down this time. “Go ahead. Lock me in some dungeon, for all I care. I’ll never trust you again.”
“I don’t need trust, Trisha. I need collaboration.”
“You deserve nothing, Blainor! And that’s all you’ll get from me!”
He watched her for a long time, expression unreadable. “You’ll change your mind. Trust me, Trisha, when the first snow comes, you will find out just how wrong you are.”
“You’llbe the one waiting. Even after the last snow has melted.”
A smile lifted the corners of his mouth, but the stare of his eyes remained cold. “We’ll see.”
He moved to the balcony’s entrance. Beyond the swell of the mountains, the sky was darkening. The door. If she ran… But no. She’d gain nothing if she tried to bolt. Her legs barely carried her weight, shaking just from the strain of staying upright.
“The word about what happened today will get around.” His words snared her attention. He stood framed against the light, a dark form of broad shoulders and strength. Blainor let out a dry, unamused chuckle. “I daresay Annath’s son won’t be too disappointed. Hjorsen will challenge me. More for his clan than for himself, I’m sure. I’ve sent for him to take a seat at the meeting. It will cause some delay.”
Hate and dismay, fire and ice, roiled inside her. “You plan to parade me in front of your chiefs?”
