Daigen tipped the sack in his hands and pebbles poured into the hole Fraleigh had just dug. As soon as the sack was empty, Daigen pulled a few gold coins out of his vest and shoes and handed them to Fraleigh.
Fraleigh conjured a tiny golden flame with green edges on her fingertip. She burned the Sudrian double eagle off the sides of the first coin as Daigen buried the pebbles.
Fraleigh had just burned the Austlandian cross off the last coin when she frowned. “There’s blood on this one.”
Daigen stomped on the covered hole to flatten the earth. “Don’t worry about it.”
Fraleigh’s head snapped up as a dark shadow cast over the opening of the trap door. Alastar the Conqueror leaped into the dungeon instead of climbing down the ladder.
His deep blue eyes glittered as he scanned the stacks of coins. He turned to Daigen and a few smooth Latiman words rolled off his tongue like rainwater on stone.
Daigen glanced at Fraleigh and spoke in Old Tongue. “He compliments you on your work and has a gift for you.”
Alastar flashed Fraleigh a nearly charming smile as he reached for the satchel against his hip. He unbuckled the satchel as he talked, low but fast.
Daigen’s eyes widened. “Fraleigh, say no.”
Alastar flashed him a deadly look. “You think I have not learned your barbarian tongue, boy?”
Fraleigh froze. Daigen’s eyes were wide, but he did not answer.
Alastar turned his eyes to Fraleigh. “Darling Fraleigh, your power is so great that men from nearby nations will try to steal you. I will offer you my protection, on one condition.”
He pulled a golden collar out of his satchel and set it on the table. “Use your magic to bind yourself to the House of Hyton for eternity, swear to never use your power against us, and I will unlock your chains.”
Thiswas the bad deal with the Hytons. Why would she have taken it?
Fraleigh stared at the golden collar, speechless.
Daigen stepped forward. “Fraleigh, don’t—!”
With a quick swing of his arm, Alastar grabbed Daigen and pressed his forearm into his neck. Daigen struggled but could not get free.
Alastar’s eyes gleamed. “I will make the decision easier—agree or he diestonight.”
Daigen’s eyes bulged and his face turned scarlet, but he shook his head over and over.
“Darling Fraleigh, have I been so horrible to you?” Alastar’s voice was impossibly kind as he strangled Daigen. “Other kings and conquerors would bemuch worseif they took you. I am just trying to keep you safe.”
I was not foolish enough to believe anyone named “the Conqueror” was kind, but I had never imagined the revered legend of the Dukedom could be such a…such a monster.
Fraleigh’s hands covered her mouth as her eyes watered. Even though I knew that collar was going onto her neck, I still held onto hope that she would resist.
Daigen’s face turned purple and his head lolled forward.
Fraleigh threw down her hands. “Stop! I’ll do it!”
The air in the dungeon shifted, growing heavy like Fraleigh was burying herself alive. Alastar dropped Daigen and walked to the table.
When the golden teeth of the collar shut around Fraleigh’s neck, the bargain was made—Fraleigh’s life for Daigen’s.
A life for a life given in love. How could I have ever thought I could just manipulate Duke Hyton into releasing Fraleigh whennothingwas more powerful than that kind of agreement?
Alastar lifted Fraleigh’s chin and examined the collar. “You belong to the House of Hyton and its sons forever.” He dropped her chin. “But the boy still dies.”
“What?” Fraleigh cried. “But you said—!”
“I agreed that the boy would live tonight.” Alastar swept the stacks of gold coins into the open mouth of his satchel. He held up the sack of gold. “Robbing the port will still cost him his head.”
