She straightened. “That isn’t what the history texts say, and—”
I cut her off with a dark laugh and said, “And you believe everything you’ve ever read? Everything that has been fed to you about yourheroancestors? Source-wielders were bound with magic cuffs in their sleep and thrown from that cliff. The Phynnic invented weapons against us—gasses and tonics that could suppress magic. Mortals always find a way to see magic as a threat. They seek to destroy it out of fear.
“You can hate me for the fall of Phynx and for fighting for my people. I’ll happily play the villain in your storybooks if it means you don’t yammer on for the rest of this trip.”
“You’re one to talk. I haven’t been able to get a word in.” Her hands fell to her sides. “You act likeIam my ancestors—as though I am not here, willing to negotiate. My father and those before him might not have been capable of change, but I am ready for it.”
I said nothing.
That response had been unexpected—I’d anticipated more fire, more denial.
Emerald-green irises of pure determination met my gaze.
She continued, “It is no mystery that I want things from you. Henosis has long suffered from the suppression of magic. But that doesn’t mean I have no care for the needs of your people in the Sahlms. If I’m to be your ally, then I should know their needs too. So, instead of being Darvan-dick the Terrible, workwithme and not against me.”
It was unnerving how quickly she’d disarmed my temper. No cutting response came to mind, so a low growl built again in my throat.
She mimicked the sound, her brows knitting together, attempting to imitate my expression.
“Stop that,” I commanded.
She stopped mimicking me but did not stop trying to persuade me. “Come now. What harm would it bring if I better understood what you’re trying to accomplish?”
“I don’t need to tell you anything.”
“Why?” she insisted.
“Are you always this persistent?”
“Only when I want something,” she said.
Why did that statement make my cock twitch?
Probably because she’d leaned in with that ruthlessly anticipatory smile and unnerving eye contact when she’d said it.
“Fine.”
“Fine,” she repeated back to me. I’d expected her to be petulant and spoiled. I hadn’t anticipated that she might be willing to work for anything.
I added, “There’s a difference between hating a person and hating a system.”
“A system...like the Order?” she asked. “That is being dismantled as we speak.”
“Your history under the Order won’t be forgotten or forgiven. Those laws were erected to—” She snorted a laugh. “Are you giggling over the word ‘erect’?”
Impossible woman.
I should have known there would be nothing redeeming in her character, but for a second, I’d felt a spark of hope.
“I’m sorry. The sun has worn me down. Plus, it’s a funny word. Especially coming out of your mouth. Go on, I’m listening.”
I glared. “I have no trouble with that word.”
Sybilla’s cheeks flushed an even deeper crimson. I almost smirked, proud of myself for catching her off guard.
“And you will learn what the people of my realm need when we get there.”
She rubbed a bead of sweat from her forehead, looking like she might fall over. “Alright then,” she said finally. “Sources, it’s hot out here.”
