There it was again:us.
Juniper stared her down. “The same could be said about you.”
Our. Us.Despite their squabbling, they spoke as if they were on the same side, even if they didn’t know it yet.
“I’ve never given Cressida reason to believe I’m disloyal. She trusts me.” Juniper spoke to Gideon now, ignoring Harrow. “As soon as I learn where Elowyn and Analise are preserved, I’ll report back.”
“I’ll go with her,” Harrow cut in. “To ensure she doesn’t double-cross us.”
Juniper’s brows shot up her forehead. “You? You’ll be recognized and put to death the moment you set foot in the capital.”
“And you care about that?”
Juniper glanced away. From across the table, Harrow couldn’t see the shine of tears in Juniper’s eyes. Rune squeezed her hand.
“And if this entire plan fails?” Rune demanded, cutting through the argument.
She glanced from Harrow and Juniper to Gideon and Seraphine. “You will be responsible for the slaughter of those you give false hope to. If your barter doesn’t pay off, and Cressida wins, she’ll torture and kill everyone who stood against her. You know this.”
Seraphine studied Rune with her onyx eyes. “You’re right. But if there’s a chance—”
“You were supposed to be gone,” said Gideon from across the table, pinning Rune with his heated gaze. “And yet, here you are.”
Anger ignited in her chest. Rune wanted to say she didn’t have a choice; Cressida had tortured her and dragged her back. But the thought of Cressida brought back the sting of the whip and that bone-deep fear.
“You want to run away?” he said. “Go.No one is stopping you.”
The words stung. He glared at her, as if he no longer cared whether she was here or not. As if her doubt annoyed him.
As ifsheannoyed him.
Bess and Antonio shattered the tension by stepping onto the terrace, each one carrying a large, lidded platter.
“Breakfast is ready,” sang Antonio, setting his platter down on the table.
“You have some more visitors, Captain Sharpe,” said Bess, lowering hers.
Summoned by her words, a ragtag crew of people stepped out onto the terrace. At the sight of them, Gideon rose to his feet.
“Ash?Abbie?What are you doing here?”
It wasn’t just Ash and Abbie, but the entire group from theArcadia.
Gideon’s old comrades.
“I got a strange telegram from Laila,” said Ash, rounding the table to pull Gideon into a fierce hug. “All it said was you were in dire straits, and to come if we could. I must say, things are pretty grim out there.”
They pulled apart. Gideon stared at his old friend, eyes full of wonder. “And you came all this way to…?”
“To help, of course.” It was Abbie who spoke.
Abbie stepped forward and Ash moved away, until it was just her and Gideon, considering each other.
“We’re here to support you.”
Rune couldn’t help but notice the way Abbie looked at Gideon. Like she believed in him. Like she would follow him into hell, if only he asked.
It wasthisthat made Rune push away from the table and flee.
