Mayah doesn’t look at me. She just asks, “Why did you attack us? When we were leaving Tundrayn.”
“We wanted to take you then, before you ever made it to Arbinj. But my men didn’t expect you to be in the prisoners’ carriage.” Her smile is sharp. “And we expected Faramir withyou. Not Vayru.” She smiles, and it looks almost prideful at the fact that I’m a skilled killer. “My son is quite clever. By the time they saw you, Vayru had already decimated most of my men.”
Truth.
“And in the woods near Arbinj?” Mayah asks. “What about those rebels?”
Her lips purse. “We found their … remains. Those men didn’t know who you were. They’d have never attacked otherwise.”
Mayah’s knees buckle, and she leans against me for support.
Skies, my mother is the leader of the fucking Rebellion. And judging by her shrewd gaze, fixed on Mayah, she wants my wife for something.
And I know it’s nothing good.
Mayah must wonder the same thing because she asks, “What do you want with me?”
“I promised your mother I’d look after you.” Her eyes flick to me. “But that’s not the only reason.”
She wants Mayah. Theleader of the skiesdamned Rebellionwants Mayah.
“You’re lying,” I growl. She isn’t, but an overwhelming pit of dread tears open in my gut.
Thunder rumbles in warning.
Tairna clicks her tongue, calling my bullshit. “Easy. I know better than to lie to you, Vayru.” Her dark gaze slides to Mayah again. “The Rebellion needs you, Mayah. We’re planning something—something big. We need your help.”
Say no. Refuse her. Don’t go with them.
When she says nothing, I scrub a hand down my face. “Mayah,no. They want to use you as a pawn.”
“I remember the night Meerah died, Mayah,” Tairna says softly. “Tormik took many lives. You were so small—asleep in a nameless warrior’s arms as they brought you from the house. Your father had just murdered your mother and couldn’t evencarry you himself.” Her voice grows hard. “I want him gone, Mayah. Both him and Varad. Come with us.”
Like fuck she will.
I step in front of Mayah, blocking her from their view. “She’s not yours to command.”
“I will respectherdecision,” Tairna says, arms crossed.
Truth.
Mayah leans around me, meeting my gaze. An unparalleled fear churns through me and sets my every nerve into a panic. The Rebellion will endanger her,useher for their goals, they’ll—
“How can I trust you?” Mayah asks my mother and guts me.
“Trust is built over time. I don’t expect to earn it immediately. But I swear by the Flames, Mayah, I mean you no harm.” Her eyes cut to me, almost in challenge, then adds, “And your husband is welcome to join us, if he chooses.” She pointedly eyes my tight hold around Mayah’s upper arm. I don’t ease my grip.
Maybe she won’t go with them.
Maybe she’ll realize she’s trading one cage for another.
Maybe she’ll—
“I—” Mayah starts.
A loud rustling echoes in the small clearing.
A faint energy signature—female judging by the size—bolts toward us.
