“Yes,” she said.
“Your trial is set for tomorrow. It will mean execution, Kara. I have no doubt.” He said it matter-of-fact, but his eyes betrayed him. “There’s a way to stop it.”
Kara’s pulse quickened. “What way?”
“You tell them Sebastian forced you,” he said, taking her hands in his. “That he used his magic against you. That you had no choice.”
Her stomach turned. “I–I can’t.”
Her father stared at her, disappointment radiating from him. “So you did choose this? Willingly?”
“You don’t understand, Father, please, Draknor are coming, Sebastian is trying to–”
Her father’s grip on her hands tightened. “The Thorne boy doesn’t know what he’s doing. He’s caused untold damage to our lands, our people–”
“No, we need the Shards united to stop them. I’m going to tell the rest of the Council, warn them–”
“You will do no such thing. You will tell them he threatened your life. Dragged you away from your duty.”
“You want me to lie?”
His jaw tightened. “I want you to live. I care not how.”
Kara stared down at their hands joined together in her lap.
“Think of your mother,” Alaric pressed. “She’s cried every day for the last week. She doesn’t deserve to bury her only child.”
Kara’s chest felt tight as her mother’s face appeared in her mind, but she didn’t look away from her father’s gaze.
“You’re throwing your life away for a man who deserves the flames,” he hissed. “Think of it, Kara. My heir tried for treason, publiclyexecuted. The family name ruined. Because you wouldn’t do as you’re told.”
That was it. That was the truth of it. Not her life, or her mother’s grief. Hale’s reputation was all that truly mattered to him.
“You will do as I say. Do your duty to Hale. Say he forced you, and come home.”
She shook her head. “And what happens to him if I do that?”
“His fate is sealed. This will change nothing for him.”
“No,” she said fiercely. “I won’t make him out to be a monster.”
Something darkened in his expression. “Gods.” He dropped her hands and stood abruptly, stumbling back a step, horrified. “You care for him?”
Kara’s bound hands balled into fists. She stood too.
Yes. Yes, I do.
She didn’t deny it.
Alaric’s face twisted. “Days, Karalynna. You’ve known him days. This is infatuation, nothing more. A foolish fancy. You’d be willing to die for it? You’ll never even see him again. He’ll be dead before the week is out.”
The words hit her. Her father was right... Sebastian would be put to the pyre.
No. He’ll escape. He has to. He’ll find a way.
And she would never betray Sebastian again. “It’s my choice. Not yours.”
His voice hardened. “He’s killed people, Kara. He’s a traitor.A criminal.And a Thorne besides. They believe in little else but violence.”
