“I will take any punishment you see fit—”
“Kade, no!”
“Please. Leave Killi be. He had no part in it.” Kade slowly got to his knees, begging. It was a horrible sight to see. “Killi has always been loyal to you. Always. I hated you for it, but I never wanted you dead. Do what you will with me, but keep him as your captain, as your friend. Let him live. I beg you.”
Fyar tilted his head, conflicted. “If you think he would ever forgive me if I touched a hair on your head, you’re stupider than I ever thought.” He let out a breathy laugh. “I should just kill you both and be done with it. You’re more trouble than you’re worth.
“But perhaps I’m stupid as well. A sentimental fool. I’d take your deal, Kade del Torau, if I thought he would agree. I find myself hoping he might. Killian keeps his title and position and my friendship in exchange for your life.” Fyar turned to Killian. “What say you, Captain?”
There was no choice to make.
Killian knew that.
Fyar knew that.
Killian stepped in front of Kade and raised his sword.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
“IT’S TREASON TO raise your sword to your king,” said Fyar. Deathly calm.
“I know,” Killian gritted out. “Stand up, Kade. Stand up!”
There was a rustle of fabric and grass behind him as Kade did as he was told.
Fyar said, “Another betrayal.”
“No,” Killian disagreed. “This isn’t a betrayal.”
Fyar eyed him in disbelief. “How do you figure?”
“My hand is forced.”
Fyar licked his lips. “I can’t say I’m surprised. For what is a friend—a king—compared to a lover?”
The breath was punched from Killian’s chest. He grimaced. He didn’t want an answer. He didn’t want to know. “How long have you known?”
“About your little affair? Since before it began. I saw it’s beginnings miles away. You forget, Killian, that I know you as well as you know me. Or I thought I did.”
“I wanted to tell you.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I was afraid.”
“Of me?”
“Of your reaction. Of losing you.”
Fyar’s eyes tightened. “You lost me anyway.”
Killian clenched his jaw. “I know.”
Kade took Killian’s hand, squeezing tight to show he was there. He was still there. Killian still had him. Killian held on for dear life.
“You never said anything,” said Killian. Wondering.
“What was there to say? Would you have stopped it, if I’d asked? No? Exactly. It wouldn’t have changed anything. Your feelings. His feelings. My feelings. None of it mattered. Until it did.” Fyar’s eyes flickered to Kade, peeking out of Killian’s shoulder. Oh, he glared at Kade, eyes blazing in unbridled hatred. “I never cared who you fucked, Killian, no matter how…controversial your relationship. I cared that you lied to me about it.”
