I felt Darcke watching me, and while there was still rage within him, something else broke through the haze that had twined around our bond for days.
Conviction. He believed I could handle Kilia, and while I didn’t need him to, it helped make my voice more assured as I continued. “Leave us. Now.”
After a final look, Ivren did as I said, grabbing Fedic’s jacket to pull him to where Viljan stood. The latter also watched, and his body was so tense he must have been seconds from jumping in as well.
“Come find me after.” Vero saluted me before she joined her brother.
Only Geord stayed, but he looked so drunk I didn’t care as I pulled Kilia to me by the neck of his shirt.
“Whatever you have to say to me, say it,” I snarled. “I spoke the truth when I told you I did everything I could to save your brother. I could have killed you—several times—but I didn’t. Instead I made you my third.” My nostrils flared as I tilted my face to his harsh one. “We are going into a trial any day now, and we’re going to have to work together to survive.”
“You’re going to get us killed,” Kilia hissed. “Darcke and Ilse don’t even know.”
“Know what, Kilia?” I challenged. “What is it that makes you hate me so much?”
“You know what I’m talking about.”
“Then say it.”
I was so tired of this. All the lying. All the fear of discovery. All the hiding. Having everyone hate me because if I showed them the truth, I’d be dead and my people lost.
“Say it,” I demanded again.
After the last trial I’d realized I would need Kilia on my side if we were going to survive. I would not be able to face whatever it was we would if I also had to keep one eye on my third so he wouldn’t stab me in the back.
Kilia pressed a finger into the flesh above my heart. “You know.”
Curiosity wove along the tether to the other man who might be the death of me.
I turned my back to Darcke.
“Then tell everyone.” I placed a hand over my hip. “Tell them what you believe.”
Kilia swallowed, his eyes darting around us. For the first time there was hesitance in the man’s face.
I let the air I’d held inside trickle out through nearly closed lips. It had been a gamble, but I was pretty certain it was about to pay off.
“See, I don’t think you will,” I continued. “Because where does that leave you? Darcke would never trust you when he takes over as heir. Ilse is my friend, and she would hate you for it. You’d be as shut out as I am.” I laughed when his finger dropped from my chest. “But with me? You’ll have freedom. You’ll have honor. With ourunderstandingyou’d be able to do what you wanted as long as you stop threatening me every second you’re around me.”
I took a deep sip of wine before strolling over to the barrels and heaving myself up on one. “Think about that for a while. I’ll be around if you decide to betray me.”
Kilia stood still for long moments, his eyes staring unseeing ahead while I drained my cup. Then the karl went to the barrel of wineand filled two cups.
As he slammed one down on the barrel beside me, red drops splattered onto my still-damp leathers and all the contents spilled, but I didn’t care as the silver-haired man stalked off to finish his drink by himself.
I lifted my empty cup to the other heirs, smiling when Vero waved for me to join her on the makeshift dance floor. The tension in my marrow began to yield, my own conviction making my limbs move easily as I tapped my heels against the barrel.
Perhaps there was a small chance for me to survive after all.
Thirty-Five
“Ineed a break.” I wiped my brow, shaking off Vero when she clung to me, trying to keep me on the dance floor I’d been on for hours.
“Ivren,” I called when she pretended to chase me. “Help!”
My brother’s friend cast his hair back as he patted my former guard’s arm, leaving him and Ottoh standing by the sail.
“I knew you’d need me one day,” he said drunkenly.
