Then, the stillness broke.
If Killian had been a step further away—if he’d been a second slower—Kade would be dead. The sword, launched from Fyar’s hands like a spear, would’ve found its target in Kade’s heart.
“What are you doing?” Killain was outraged.
Kade plastered himself to Killian’s back, holding tight to his arm.
“What?” Fyar asked dryly. “You heard them. There is another traitor in our midst. YourdarlingKade was in on it.Delivering the poison directly to Porthos’ hands.You can’t expect me to let that go.”
“No.” Kade’s voice was small. “No. It’s not like that. I didn’t—I would never—Killi, please. I can explain.”
Killian didn’t turn around. He bit out, “Kade, be quiet.”
The truth didn’t matter in this moment.
“I didn’t know,” cried Kade, ignoring him. “I didn’t know it was poison. He— Porthos found out you’d been taking me into the king’s garden—”
Fyar let out an exasperated sigh.
“Shut up, Kade!”
Kade barreled on. “I thought he would tell someone so we made a deal. He would take a vow of secrecy in exchange for a flower. I didn’t know it was poison! Please—”
Killian exploded. “Why didn’t you come to me?”
“I should’ve.I should’ve, but…”
The darkness stretched.
Fyar looked on. Unmoved.
Killian asked, “When did you figure it out? That I really wasthe breech?”
“The night I was poisoned. Obviously,” answered Fyar. “When did you?”
“The hunt. You and me and Hokda were talking. You said something to him and it just…clicked.” Killian laughed harshly. Behind him, Kade’s breath stuttered. “Suddenly, I knew. I don’t know how I didn’t see it before that.”
“Trust is a dangerous thing. It makes us blind. You trusted your brother not to betray you, not to deceive you. And you were wrong for it. A valuable lesson. One I am also learning. Again.”
Killian swallowed. “I didn’t betray you. I didn’t break your trust.”
“Not intentionally. They used my trust in you to get to me, and it worked.” Fyar seemed most angry about that. “I almost died for it.”
Killian flinched, the words landing like a physical blow.
“Nothing to say to that?” asked Fyar.
“What’s there to say? You’re right.” Killian clenched his fists. “No matter how sorry I am, how much I regret my part in this, it doesn’t change what happened. So. Where do we go from here?”
“There’s nowhere to go. There’s only one price for treason.”
Death. “I won’t let that happen.”
“You can’t stop it.” Fyar’s hand twitched towards the sword still embedded in Lyra’s corpse. “You alone are no match for me.”
“No,” Kade gasped. Horror flooding his voice. “No.” He pushed Killian aside, making it one step towards Fyar before Killian was pulling him back. “It was my fault. Only mine.”
“At least he’s self aware,” Fyar said snidely.
