His hard eyes flit away, looking to the grate holding us prisoner.
The weight of shame crashed over me like a deafening wave, and I wished I could take my words back.I couldn’t imagine growing up without my family, growing up without their love.Where would I be if I had endured such a life?Losing them had been the worst thing I had ever experienced, but I wouldn’t wish never knowing their love to avoid the pain.The pain kept them in my memory, kept me strong.Sane.I had misjudged him.This prince who I thought did nothing more than try to achieve personal gain.Perhaps there was a heart concealed behind his shell after all.
“I’m sorry.”The words tasted like sawdust in my mouth.
He let out a bitter laugh, “Aren’t we all?”
I swallowed.“I possess a tendency to forget that not everyone was given the same advantages in life.We are all given different ones.Having a family that loves you and loves one another is a privilege—a privilege I have known well.I can’t imagine trying to survive life without it, and I wouldn’t wish that fate on anyone.”
He said nothing.Water dripped from somewhere farther up the tall ceiling, no doubt a leak from the earlier rains.
“At least you still have a brother,” Valeris said.“I hope he is one you can trust.”
“He is.”
The door in the other room splintered open with a crash, its now-multiple pieces smacking across the far wall.
“Valeris!”
His hulking bodyguard stormed into the room, fury raging in his wild eyes.
“You know, Howland,” Valeris scooted closer to the grate.“This is one of those times when I wish you would have found me sooner.”
Howland marched over, glaring at the grate as if he could bend it with his bare hands.“You started without me.On purpose.Seven blazing dungeons, Valeris, how did you get yourself into this mess?”
“You would’ve made a terrible sailor, Howland,” Valeris muttered.“The trigger mechanism is on the mantel.”
I heard it when he found the slot, and the grate popped open.Valeris ushered me out, following close behind.
“What—” Howland began.
Valeris rushed past, scrambling out into the stairwell.“Thanks, but no time to talk, Howland.I should’ve been in the throne room long ago.”
I hurried after him, pushing myself to keep pace, our conversation running through my mind.He didn’t slow, and for the first time I wondered what losing the competition would cost him.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
