“Did he also tell you that if any harm does come to your friend, it’s not from me or my men. His sister is the mostdangerous one in that tower.” He picks his fork back up and stabs a piece of potato.
“I have no reason to believe anything you say.” I take another sip of my wine.
“Believe what you want, my little raven, but she’s not just locked away to keep Brevan in line. To be honest, it’s probably more the other way around. Brevan under our control keeps us safe from her.” He chews slowly, keeping his eyes on me. I know he’s watching for a reaction.
“It sounds like she fights back against her captors and you don’t like that,” I say.
“Perhaps. But for now, she and Anya stay where they are and you and Brevan help me gain my army.”
I slam my fist on the table, making the silverware and plates rattle. “You have to let me see her! You can’t keep changing the rules!”
He grins, as if my outburst was what he was hoping for. “Oh, but I can. I can do anything I want. I’m the emperor.”
I ball my hands into fists and narrow my eyes. “And I’m the empress.”
“That you are, darling. That you are.”
“I hate you,” I seethe.
“I know.” He stabs another potato. “You should eat before it gets cold.”
“With any luck, Ludis will betray you and you’ll be dead before you gain his army.” To my horror, my stomach growls.
Caiden smirks. “I told you, you need to eat.”
Reluctantly, I pick up my fork and spear a piece of carrot. Starving myself isn’t going to help anyone.
Caiden takes a few more bites, watching as I do the same. I have to admit, as usual, the food is delicious. I hate how much I enjoy it.
He takes a sip of his wine, then wipes his mouth with a napkin. “Where were we? Oh, yes, Ludis. He wants the Shatterlands as badly as I do. His reasons are purely for power and wealth, making him much easier to manipulate.”
I finish chewing. “You can’t hold that continent. Nobody can.”
“I don’t need to hold it. I need to destroy it.” He doesn’t look up from the meat he’s cutting on his plate.
My lips part in surprise. “There’s millions of people who live there. You can’t be serious.”
He pauses, a chunk of meat on his fork. “You came here with a plan to kill me and my father. You would have seen hundreds or thousands dead for your rebellion. And you have. The rebels have more blood on their hands than I do, and you’re lecturing me?” He pops the food into his mouth.
“Good point. In fact, I should be encouraging you to go. You’re going to lose and then I’d be a widow. I’ll make sure to put on a good show at your funeral.” I set my fork down again, my appetite gone.
“You know, I thought you didn’t like me, but here you are, getting emotionally involved in my plans. I’ll break you yet,” he says.
I clench my jaw and consider what to say next. This whole thing with him has been nothing but confusing. “You don’t even actually want me. What if you just let me and my ladies go? We’ll leave. Move to a village where nobody knows us. Leave you alone.”
He smiles. “You know I can’t do that.”
“Why not?” I could name a hundred reasons why that would be a terrible idea for him, but I’m genuinely curious as to why he insists on keeping me around.
He stands, then walks around the table, then holds out his hand, palm up.
I look up at him, brow furrowed.
“Go on then,” he says.
“What?” I ask.
He moves his waiting palm closer. “Give me your hand.”
