“Is Fabia in danger?”she asks in concern.
“No.”
“Is she hurt?”
I hesitate.“Not physically.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
“I can’t say.”
“Does it have something to do with what you did to Lief?”
“Arienna, please.”
Her lips purse, and shelooksaway.Eventually, she nods.
After a quick kiss, I lower her back to the ground.“I need to talk to her in private,” Isayas I exit theThroneRoom.“Stay here with Jace.”
Shemakesa noise of protest, but nothing substantial passesher lips.
“Look after her,” I order him as Ileave.
Hedoesn’tbother with an answer, and Idoesn’tpause to listen.I know he’ll guard her with his life and that for all his flirtations, he won’t do a thing about it without permission.Jace’s heart belongs to one person and one person only.Everyone else is just a game.
Catching up with Fabia down the hall, I grab her arm and pull her into a room.The door shutsbehind us, leaving us in the dark.Afterturningon the light, Ilook her in the eye.“I know what his crimes are,” Isaysoftly.
“Then why won’t –”
“Because Arienna doesn’t know, does she?”
She looksaway, her jaw tight.“I never felt the need to tell her.”
“And I get why, but if you challenge him, she will find out.”
Her emotions war across her face – her need for revenge, her need to protect her friend.
“I’ll have Echo enrol him in my guard,” Isay.
Her eyes snap to me,hating me for forcing him into her space.Her lips part, but then they still.As she searchesmy face, understanding slowlytakesroot.“Accidents happen…” she murmurs.
I nod.“Especially in the pit.Choose your moment.And Fabia?”I wait for her to focus on me and not on whatever thoughtsarecoursing through her mind.
“What?”
“Make sure the fucker suffers.”
A slow, demented smile curls herlips.
Leaving her in that random room, I make my way back to my wife.But despite knowing Lief will never be able to hurt her or anyone else again, every step I take fills me with dread.Nothing good ever survives in Raza, andI’m so damn terrifiedoflosing her to this place.
The Court will break her.
And if not them, then the wars.
And if not that, thenthe sight ofour soldiers cominghome –crippled in mind and body, returning to a kingdom that’s as violent as the front lines.
Nothing good ever lastsinRaza,I know.
