"Your father," Ferris said. "He's going to kill you."
"He's going to force me to refuse Siotha."
"Will you?"
"No."
Ferris leaned his head against the bars. "I've heard stories about what they do to punish women here. Sometimes they do it to ensure she never has a chance to disobey."
My stomach turned. I had a feeling I knew what he would say. Father had threatened me with it long ago.
I hadn't thought about it until now.
"They say . . . ” Ferris' eyes found mine. "Your legs get broken and bound—so they won't heal right. So you can't run. If he won't kill you—that'll be your fate."
Ishida's mother was like that. She walked with a heavy limp. Even ascending stairs was difficult for her.
I'd asked my mother why, as a young girl. She told me there was a reason good women did not seek men's company outside their husbands.
Father would not hesitate to do the same to me.
I'd be trapped in the manor—forever.
Ferris clutched the bars. "Let's make a deal. You want to keep Siotha? General Yuudai doesn't have the last word."
I lifted my head, interested.
"The Archdruid of Nazumi is the closest thing Muirashi has to a king. His word far outstrips your father’s.”
Ferris was right—Archdruid was a title given to the most talented mage in our armies. He ruled over our capital and governed the lesser generals.
Mother had often said Western Muirashi differed in culture. Her nose had wrinkled in distaste every time it came up.
Maybe, just maybe, they would listen.
"But.” Ferris smirked. "You'll need me."
"Why?" I asked. "Did you forget that I plan to kill you once we get out of here?"
"Making a truce involves putting off killing me, thanks.” Ferris cleared his throat. "I'm a foreign prince. I can seek an audience with the Archdruid for you. Harming me would land them in a diplomatic disaster, which means they can't hurt you, either." He arched an eyebrow. "Do you even know how to get to Nazumi?"
No. I rolled my tongue in my mouth, avoiding his gaze.
'You pick a direction and go,'Akemi had always said.'It's going to get you killed.'
Squeezing my eyes shut, I tried to think of a way out of my current situation. Aside from bashing my head against the walls and fighting my way through hordes of soldiers, I was fresh out of ideas.
But I would not side with my brother's killer.
"I don't want your help," I snapped, turning my back to him.
The hairs on my neck stood on end. I could hear men walking down the dark corridor toward us.
Torchlight broke the darkness, and I lifted my eyes to meet my father's gaze.
Two guards flanked him. The general said no words as he motioned for one to open my cell. The guard seized my arm and twisted it behind my back.
Ferris' voice rose from the shadows behind me. "Is that any way to treat a lady?"
