“Clearly you fucking can’t. Do you think Lika or your father would have been proud of what you’ve been doing? You’re gambling with your soul, Elvara!” He shook his head. “I need you alive. I need you safe!”
“Why?” I was certain I looked as disheveled as he did, and I cursed when warm tears began dripping down my cheeks at the panicked look in his eyes.
“Because…” Ivren debated with himself for a second before he pulled me even closer.
There was something in his eyes that made mestiffen—whatever was going on in his mind was raw desperation, and it was not for the reason I think he wanted me to believe.
“What are you doing?” I asked, my stomach hollowing, and not in a good way. “Let me go.”
Ivren only gripped my hands harder. “Elvara, I?—”
My pulse thundered in my head as an arm slipped between us.
“That’s enough,” Darcke ordered.
Ivren’s chest heaved as his face flew between us. He seemed as confused as I did, especially as it was clear Darcke wanted to be anywhere but here right now. There was nothing noble about the way he pressed a stiff hand into Ivren’s chest.
“Are youprotectingher now? You almost made her fucking cry back there,” Ivren snapped.
Darcke laughed quietly. “Can’t let you have all the fun.”
I still wasn’t sure what was happening, but I wiped at my cheeks, tilting my face to the ground when Kilia stared at me with an expression that looked far too much like pity.
“Leave,” Darcke ordered.
“You can’t tell me what to do,second,” Ivren hissed. “You might have been a trainer before, and as such I had to obey you, but you’re under her command now. That means I outrank you.”
I wasn’t sure what Darcke hated most with that statement, but thankfully he didn’t look my way when a sob fought its way through my throat.
“Is that so?” Darcke said, his tone flat before turning my way. “Do you want him to leave?”
There was too much happening. I wantedeveryoneto leave.
“Elvara.” As Ivren lowered his voice, a plea in it, I ripped my hands away.
“Yes, please.” I needed space. I needed to know I wasn’t going crazy—that what I’d done today had been for the right reasons. That I hadn’t had a choice.
Darcke nodded to Kilia, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen such betrayal cross anyone’s face as when the twin took Ivren by the neck and dragged him away before throwing him to the ground infront of Viljan and the other two men he’d selected for his iron-bound.
He took your second,I reminded myself.He deserves it.
The guilt eased when Viljan didn’t even look my way even though his neck strained from exertion, fighting the order Ivren must have given him.
When I cleared my throat, Darcke took a step back.
“No need to thank me,” the warrior said.
“I hadn’t planned to,” I responded, although we both knew it was a lie.
“Good.” Darcke continued retreating. “That I have to do this doesn’t mean I’m going to save you from everyone who hates you.” He clicked his tongue. “That would occupy me from sunup to sundown.”
“I know,” I replied hoarsely. “I don’t need you to.”
Darcke was about to storm off when he turned my way again. “Whydidyou choose me?”
I didn’t respond, and that cold laugh trickled over me once more.
“I don’t even know why I fucking try,” Darcke scoffed as he stalked off toward the harbor.
