And I’d know those blue eyes anywhere.
Chapter Forty-Four
Daakbarrelsintome,muscular arms enveloping my torso. He lifts me clear off the ground, twirling me in the air, face buried in my neck. His familiar scent surrounds me—fresh snow and spruce andhome.
“Tides, Mayah.” He whispers it against my clavicle like a prayer before setting me down. His depthless blue eyes are fearful as he examines my face, tilting it toward the flickering torchlight, running his hands over my hair, across my shoulders. “I’ve been losing my mind every day, pacing from tunnel to tunnel on the outside, unsure which one would be my salvation. The one that tells meyou’re okay. Tides, you’re okay. Tides forgive me, I’ve been drowning without you. Are you all right? Have they hurt you? Have they—”
“I’m fine, Daak,” I murmur, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He doesn’t seem convinced. The crease between his brows deepens.
He swallows hard, throat bobbing. “They made you marryhim—the Dark Commander.” I flinch at the moniker, and Daak misinterprets it as fear. His eyes brim with remorse, withguilt.“I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. Fuck, Mayah, I nearly flooded the palace when I found out.” His hands grip my shoulders tighter. “Are you—has he hurt you?”
I bristle at the implication. “No. He hasn’t. We haven’t actually—he’s been kind to me.” I don’t understand why I feel the need to defend Zev to Daak, but I do.
“Kind?” Daak repeats, brow raised. “That’s not a word I’d ever imagined you’d use to describe the Dark Commander. Are you sure you’re all right?” He leads me to the damp, stone wall, guiding me to sit before folding himself down beside me. “How much time do you have? Tell me everything.”
So I do.
I tell him about the Rebellion attack on our carriages and Zev’s initial suspicion. Our shaky truce and the journey across two kingdoms. I omit the part about the arrow wound and power sharing—he doesn’t need to know about that. Then, arriving at the palace and Varad’s duplicitous change of groom.
“And the Dark Commander just agreed to marry you?” Daak asks, glancing at me. His eyes keep scanning me, as if searching for hidden injuries.
“Obviously,” I snort, showing him my betrothal ring.
Daak scowls at the large teardrop diamond glinting on my finger, and for a moment, I fear he might ask me to remove it. Why does that thought burn like acid on my tongue?
“But he hasn’t … touched you?” he asks, voice laced with disbelief.
“No,” I lie smoothly.
Zevhastouched me. But only when I begged him to.
Daak shakes his head. “Something must be wrong with his equipment,” he laughs. “To have you in his chambers every night and leave you untouched?” The timbre of his voice drops. “I know whatI’ddo.” His blue eyes darken, and he leans forward,gaze fixed on my mouth. I stiffen—not from desire, but from tidesdamnedguilt.
“I—I can’t stay much longer. I’ll be noticed. We should nail down the plan.”
Disappointment flashes across his face, but he nods.
“You said you’re planning the Equinox Festival?”
“Yes. All the noble families will attend. I’ve ordered zinfadelan—it’ll mask the taste of the poison. You acquired the toxinnia?”
Daak nods. “We have barrels ready to go. No one suspects you? Not the Dark Commander? He’ll drink it, too?”
A sharp pang splinters my heart at the thought of Zev, cold and motionless on the ground, frothy white foam bubbling from his lips.
I swallow down bile. “No. I’ve fooled him.”
Why do I feel like the fool, then?
Daak tugs me closer against his side.
“You’ve done well, Mayah,” he murmurs, arm oppressively heavy over my shoulders. “We’ll bring Arbinj to its knees. With the nobles and royal family dead, you’ll be poised to rule. A safer realm for our people. Just like we planned.”
My lips tremble as I force a smile, but Daak doesn’t seem to notice.
“Parmak’s been wandering about the capital—his dark eyes don’t give him away. Mayah, the peopleloveyou. Every other street, someone’s raving about the sweet, healing princess.” He grins at me. “They’ll welcome your rule with open arms.”
His words twist my heart. I didn’t decide to heal in the infirmary as part of our plan—but because I genuinely want to help people. Because healing is who I am.
