“One more, son of Tommak,” I rasp, still smirking. “I’ll give you one more hit before I kill you.”
The warrior hauls his arm back again. I brace for another blow—
“Parku!”
The warrior freezes. Behind him, the waterwielder rises from the grass, spine rigid and gaze narrowed. Her hands are clenched into fists at her sides. “Come help me with these supplies.”
Parku glowers at me for good measure before jogging over to her. She shoves her supply kit into his arms, and they walk toward her tent, Tormik watching them closely.
Why did she stop him?
It was almost as though she cares for me.
I grit my teeth. I’m a foolish idiot, even now.
“You stopped that man from beating me.”
She’s back, healing me under the cover of night for reasons I can’t fathom.
“You’re an idiot for provoking him.” Her glare is icy. “Making more work for me.”
“Why did you stop him?”
She swallows hard. “I couldn’t bear to watch him hurt you. It hurtmeto watch.”
I study her closely from the faint crease between her brow, down to the quiver of her chin.
“Such pretty lies,” I finally whisper. “Even now.”
She finishes healing what injuries she can in silence and creeps back to her tent.
I know I should think of a plan—a way to escape.
But I can’t muster the motivation.
Chapter Fifty-One
Sunlightburnsmyeyesthe next morning. I stand easier in my chains, broken bones healed and internal bruises soothed. I can’t bring myself to feel any gratitude, though.
Not when the waterwielder’s father is stalking toward me, his face a mask of lethal calm.
“Arbinji filth,” he sneers.
I spit at his feet.
A muscle twitches in his jaw. He slams his staff into my neck. Pain erupts across my throat as air becomes a luxury.
“How many men are stationed at the border?”
I wheeze uselessly until my airways loosen enough for me to draw a shallow breath. “Don’t you … have scouts … for that?”
My hard-won breath rushes out of me as the staff crashes into my abdomen. Drops of blood spray from my mouth, landing on his pristine blue robes.
“Careful, Commander.” His voice is a silken threat. “If you don’t cooperate, I’ll be forced to kill you.”
“And leave your daughter a widow?”
Rage flashes through his eyes before he masks it. Hetsks before the back of his hand cracks against my cheek.
