At the mention of Deckard, Evylin checked on his progress. He was nearer, approaching at a faster rate than before. She couldn’t read his emotions through her anxious heartbeat and the wariness she felt in Blount’s presence, but she recognized the slight uptick in his own worry.
Evylin forced herself to calm her heart rate for his sake. She didn’t want to cause concern for him when the trap was almost ready. Blount was in their hands. She just needed to stall a little longer.
“I will be your Warrior,” Evylin lied. “Nothing else.”
Blount gave a soft chuckle. “I’m told that can’t last.”
“Neither can my husband’s life. As a Warrior, I will outlive him by more than a century. Once he dies—ofnaturalage—I will be yours, wholly.”
Blount reached out, cupping Evylin’s chin. He dipped his head. “What if I don’t care to wait that long?” he asked.
Evylin forced herself not to squirm under the violent pressure of his grasp. “I hear patience is a virtue.”
“I’ve never been virtuous,” Blount said flatly. He released her then. “No. I reject your terms.”
Evylin blinked, her heart stalling with disappointment at his unwillingness to play along with her scheme.
“I won’t entertain this childish game anymore. You’re amusing, Evylin. I like that. But don’t ever make the mistake of treating me as though I’m a fool ever again.” His eyes gleamed with cruelty. “I won’t refrain from retribution if you do.”
Having experienced Blount’s retribution in the Water Keep, Evylin didn’t doubt his sincerity.
“I have decades of experience in warfare,” Blount said. “I have studied a millennium’s worth of history and politics. Should I acquiesce to this ridiculous farce of an offer, I would, at best, be faced with another war with yourAlliancea century from now.”
“Why would you care?” Rafferty asked. “You’ll be dead, right?”
“I’ll be Bonded,” Blount said. His eyes darted arrogantly toward Ilain. “And I’ll have another means of survival, thanks to our brethren of old.”
Evylin furrowed her brow, but a sharp laugh burst out of Ilain. “You aren’t serious,” she said in blatant amusement. “You believe you can find the sandgem?”
“The what?” Rafferty said, eyes bright at the word “gem.”
“It’s an ancient magical artifact,” Ilain explained, “rumoredto give eternal life to its bearer. But it was lost to time, along with nearly all other magical antiquities.”
“Money and power can buy you many things, Highlady Calder,” Blount said.
“I wish you the best of luck,” Ilain said sarcastically.
Blount ignored her. “Now, understanding my eternal destiny, you can see,” he said to Evylin, “I couldn’t accept your bargain even if it was genuine because I’m not interested in ruling Wauld alone. I want all of the Isle of Allund under my command.”
“You don’t believe our offer is genuine?” Evylin asked. She would have been bothered by his perception if Deckard hadn’t been on the other side of the door.
“No,” Blount said. “I’ll still Bond with you, of course, and perhaps I’ll let your husband remain with us. I do relish the idea of him watching while I bend you to my will.”
Evylin’s heart thumped at the confidence in his gaze. “I’m afraid that doesn’t suit me,” she said bitingly.
“I’m afraid I don’t care, darling.”
With that, Blount raised his hand. Evylin flinched, sure he was going to hit her. Instead, he snapped.
The throne room doors swung open. Dread spiraled through her as she got a clear read on Deckard’s emotions for the first time since they’d entered the palace: bone-deep dread.
Then she saw him.
A troop of soldiers escorted Deckard, Ethenn, Vayden, Isla, and Brea into the room. Shackles bound them all. It took four soldiers to carry all of Ethenn and Brea’s weapons. Their uniforms were mussed, and several of them bore bloody scrapes. They’d been captured.
Worse, at the head of the party, Lord Sirraus Obel, Duke of Flamesend Crest, Night Mage, and supposed Alliance member, led the way.
Deckard’s eyes met Evylin’s as they were brought into the room. He held his mouth in a rigid line. Worry leaped out ofhim in waves. Whether it was due to their capture or specifically Obel’s betrayal, Evylin didn’t know.
