Lucien takes one stack, turning before Kazia sees his grin widening. Then he nearly drops them at the sudden voice in his head.
That was rather interesting.
Lucien doesn’t reply, because he isn’t alone. He heads for the nearest shelf with empty spaces and shoves a book in at random.
Tezurit continues.I’m not an expert in human behavior, but I think the runt wants to mate with you.
Lucien isn’t sure about that—but the idea isn’t horrifying. Fuck, how long has Tezurit been riding in his head?
But he also wants you to leave him alone,Tezurit muses.Very confusing.
That part isn’t confusing. Kazia is cooperating out of desperation. He’s already revealed far too much to Lucien, so he has nothing left to lose. But Lucien is a mage, and Kazia has lived his entire life seeing mages as threats.
In a better world, Lucien would take the time to slowly, slowly win Kazia’s trust. But he doesn’t have time. People are dying. Kazia is hurting. Lucien needs Kazia to trust him enough to work together. He needs Kazia not to flinch every time he moves.
And he has an idea.
?
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Kazia
All Kazia can think about is his messed-up hair. Today’s final blow knocked him to the ground, and his hairpin came loose. He twisted it back up after Aliza healed him, but he was rushed. Surely someone will notice the stray strands fallen around his neck. He has to fix it before he calls for Lucien.
But when he arrives at his quarters, Drasgard Salarin and Herald Hyda are waiting. From the looks on their faces, they have something to tell him.
“Is there a problem?” Kazia pushes a strand of hair behind his ear, hoping he doesn’t knock everything out of place.
Hyda glances at Salarin, uncharacteristically nervous. “You should start.”
Salarin shrugs. “This was your idea, but sure.” She takes a deep breath. “Your Highness, Hyda and I are concerned about your relationship with the prisoner.”
Kazia freezes, mouth half open. “We’re not in a relationship.”
Salarin takes another deep breath. “Not what I meant, your Highness, but that’s good to know too.”
“We’re concerned that you’re spending so much time alone with him,” Hyda says. “It’s risky. He’s dangerous.”
Oh. That’s easier to address. “I’m well aware of the risks, and I’m taking all necessary precautions.”
Easier to lie about, at least, because Kazia is absolutely neglecting precautions.
“I’m charged with your security,” Salarin says seriously. “Considering everything else we’re working on, I would feel more comfortable if I had more information about your intentions with the prisoner.”
Hyda winces along with Kazia, but Salarin seems not to notice how her words could be interpreted.
Kazia braces his hands on his hips to stop himself from fidgeting. He hates that Salarin is right. Salarin and Hyda are his chief agents orchestrating his escape route from Ostomar. Sooner or later, he’ll have to tell them certain things.
He’s well aware of the risks—but he’s taking them anyway. Lucien’s earring doesn’t work, and he holds the key to the collar. Kazia is essentially powerless over Lucien. He’s stupid enough to take that risk for himself, but putting his people in danger isn’t fair.
“Lucien has proven more cooperative than I expected,” Kazia says. “He’ll be joining us when we leave Ostomar.”
Salarin stares at the ceiling for a moment. “Understood, your Highness.”
“If he steps out of line, I’ll order you to kill him,” Kazia says.
“Understood, your Highness,” Salarin repeats, but she sounds happier about it this time.
