She saw it, too easily. Sebastian forced to the pyre, waiting for the flames.
Stop. Don’t think it.
Cade’s tone stayed flat, official. “It burns slow. He’ll feel every lick of fire before the smoke takes him. That’s how traitors die.”
No, no–
“I wonder how long before he screams.” His voice dropped. “Maybe the traitor will even scream for you.”
“He’s not atraitor,”she hissed, the words tearing out of her.
He yanked the valmare to a halt. She lurched forward, nearly thrown. He grabbed her roughly by the arm and hauled her back upright. Behind, riders swore at the delay.
“Tell that to the people of Navyr,” he snarled.
Another valmare drew alongside them. An older rider upon its back. Clearly a higher rank. Markus. She recognised him.
“That’s enough, Sergeant. No talking with the prisoner,” he barked. Kara glanced at him – there was something akin to pity in his face. It was worse than Cade’s cruelty. Because pity meant he knew. He knew what was waiting for Sebastian. What was waiting for her. And nothing could stop it.
“Yes, Captain,” Cade muttered, and fell sullenly silent.
They rode on at a merciless pace. The valmares hooves thundered past a sleeping village, shuttered homes, people safe in their beds. None of them knew she was out here, bound, being dragged to her death.
The captain rode ahead, re-joining the front of the column. When he was out of earshot, Cade bent close again. She shivered – every moment near this man was agony.
“He might have escaped if he wasn’t worried about you.”
The words sank in. Her stomach lurched, nausea filling her.
No. That’s not – I didn’t–
But there was truth in it. Sebastian had hesitated when they’d put the knife to her throat. The seconds had cost him. She jerked against the ropes but they held fast. Anything to get away from the sound of Cade’s voice.
He laughed at her feeble attempts, chuckling darkly, “Oh, fight the ropes, Healer, if it makes you feel better.”
Kara swallowed hard, eyes stinging as the tears fell.
Stop crying.
You’re giving him what he wants.
He leant forward, spoke low and cruel into her ear. “Sebastian Thorne will burn because of you.”
Stop it. STOP IT.
She clenched her bound hands into fists, furious, terrified, and hating herself.
This was my fault.
She pushed the thought away and forced the words in her mind, over and over. Not begging. A vow.
The Four, please, if you hear me – don’t let them kill him. Save him. Save Sebastian.
I swear it – I’ll do anything.
Anything.
CHAPTER 24
