Georg shrugged. “You manipulated vampyres into attacking Lyoness. You led to the death of at least one draken. You kidnapped a child.”
“I SAVED her,” I snarled, pointing at Perri. “She fell off a cliff; their wards are pathetic.”
Ronan stiffened, but it wasn’t anger this time. I knew that smell, at least. I’d scented it all the time in the pits; it was guilt.
“I know,” he said softly. “And we are thankful you were there, but you still took her. That was wrong, and what you did with Anar was wrong.”
I flinched.
“She—she chose me,” I protested.
Perri beamed. “Yep! He’s my friend!”
King Georg nodded wisely. “Well then. Good luck taking him back. I know how Benedict is.”
Ronan snorted. “I know howWrenis.”
The king beamed. “Ooh, you must write and give me all the details.”
Ronan stepped forward and I tensed. He’d been firm and fair so far, but he was also sneaky. I hated the sneaky fighters; they were harder to predict.
“You’re coming back with us,” he said, “because Perri isourchild, not yours. She belongs with her family. And you—you’re the first rogue we’ve ever found, but you have some crimes to answer for. And yet?” He paused, clearing his throat. “You are still one of us and deserve a place. And you protected her. That means something.”
“Even if he fucked it up,” grumbled Canavar.
My breath stuttered.
No one had ever said something like that to me.
You are still one of us.
You deserve a place.
“But when we get back,” Ronan continued, “you will answer for Anar’s death. You will sit before our queen and Anar’s mother, and Peri’s parents. And you will tell them the truth, and ask forgiveness.
Truth.
Forgiveness.
The words landed like stones in my chest.
If they decided I needed to die …
Fine.
If they all killed me …
Fine.
I was tired of it all anyway.
Perri tugged at my hand again. “I wanna see your wings better, now that it isn’t cold,” she demanded.
I unfurled one without thinking.
She squealed in delight.
Ronan watched me closely, eyes troubled but steadier now like he finally understood something I hadn’t meant for anyone to see.
