Everything begins to tilt and sway. This man, this filthy, repugnant man, set foot on the shores of my home. He put Robin in chains. He set every event in motion. It washim.
The Emperor speaks on. “And he told me that Robin was wide awake and watching when your mother’s throat was slit, ear to ear, in front of all the citizens of your tiny nation. And he didn’t do a thing to stop it.”
Every muscle, every nerve, turns to ice.
That didn’t happen. I know it didn’t. I know because Robin told me. They’re just trying to get to me.
“Your mother, with her long dark hair…”
My chest turns inward. How could he know?
“Lydia,” Kane fills in, and the word slices into me. “And there was the brother.”
“And your father…”
The air, the walls, and all of Victora crushing me.
One breath. Just one good breath…
“Tomás Verus,” Kane supplies.
My eyes fall closed, tears forcing their way through.
“Yes.Verus.” The Emperor’s silk rustles, coming closer. “You know, we did attempt some negotiation with your people. But your father refused to be ‘owned,’ as he put it. Didn’t want to be ‘subjugated.’ Well… you see what happens to those who refuse to help build Victora’s empire. They end up like Robin. And they end up like you.” His fingers, repulsive, wrap tight around my chin, and I squeeze my eyes harder. “Like father, like son.”
All the grief and anger slam into me, and I burst to my feet, only to be yanked back again, my arms tight behind my back, that collar strangling the air out of me.
The Emperor leans in close. “Why do you fight, Marco? Haven’t I been good to you?”
He turns away, fingers floating in the air as he points out all the treasures of his room. “I invited you into my home. Gave you one of your own. I’ve dressed you, educated you, raised you up out of obscurity and made you a star. And now you want to throw it all away over some stupid boy?”
I would rip his throat out with my bare fingers if I could only get one hand free.
But he stands there, placid, smiling. “Have it your way. But I seriously doubt the man who left your family for dead, used you for the riches I bestowed upon you, is going to pass up his chance to take your place.”
When he sees the sickened understanding dawn on my face, his smile deepens, cruel. “That’s right. I’m offering him captain once he smashes your head in. Everything you’ve had, it will all be his. What do you think he’ll say to that?”
“You won’t touch him,” I grit out.
His smile drops, dead eyes boring into me. “Is that what you’re worried about? Even now, when you know what a worthless coward he is?”
“You won’t touch him!” I scream. A guard pulls at my chains; my back hits his chest, useless. Even as I fight with all my strength, I can’t beat this many of them. I can’t do this one thing. Protect him. Protect Robin when…
When I have no one else.
Not one other soul on this earth. Because my family…
They can’t be gone. And so recently. All these years, and me so close to escape, and now…
Why now?
And Robin knew… All that time, he knew.
As if to twist the knife, the Emperor says, “You must see, your opponent has every reason to kill you out there today. Is your freedom worth throwing away for a man who didn’t even respect you enough to tell you about your dead family?”
I make no reply, my chest too tight to speak, but he barely even pauses, enjoying every second of my misery, finding just the right place to sink his teeth in. “I can see from the look on your face, you had no idea. This entire season, he didn’t say a word, did he? He just let you carry on, unable to mourn them, so he could keep on using you.”
“Thenyouknew my family were gone?” I snap at him.
