Page 113 of On Brutal Thrones

“But surely you understand that this is bigger than him.” Valtor lifts one shoulder. “Think of your sister.”

My heart squeezes painfully.

“Think of the berserker’s enslaved family. Think of the vampire and...” He waves his hand dismissively. “Whatever it is he wants.”

I can barely breathe. Because beneath the offer is a threat. He doesn’t have to say it. If I accept, we win. If I refuse… the Vultures are his chosen champions. And one of them will claim a courted prize.

Lyra.

The thought makes bile burn the back of my throat.

Valtor moves closer. I don’t realize I’m backing away until my heel hits one of the rocks where I left my clothes.

I glance toward the top of the hill and draw a breath to shout.

“Don’t bother,” Valtor says.

My gaze snaps back to him.

“They don’t know I’m here.” He gestures lazily toward the hill. “A simple ward. Should your companions care to look this way, all they’ll see is you enjoying your bath.”

I stare at him. The men are right there, close enough that I should be able to call for them, and they have no idea I’m standing here with Valtor.

His smile deepens.

“Think about it, Nyx.” My name sounds obscene in his mouth. “Your sister returned to you. Your friends rewarded. You could go home a champion.” His gaze moves slowly over me. “Perhaps I might even find other ways to reward you.”

Every part of me goes cold. I want Thorian. I want him here so badly my chest aches. But even if he were here, he couldn’t protect me from this. No one can.

And somehow, that makes me straighten. Because there’s nothing left to hide behind. No one else can answer for me.

“I don’t need another reward.”

Something flashes in Valtor’s eyes. Surprise, perhaps. Then amusement.

“Everyone wants something.”

“I already told you what I want.”

“Yes.” He smiles. “Your sister.”

I hold his gaze despite every instinct screaming at me to lower mine. “And Thorian.”

His smile fades. The pressure around me becomes crushing. My lungs seize. The river surges against the bank, and somewhere overhead, thunder rumbles through a cloudless sky.

For one horrible moment, I think he’s going to kill me.

Then everything settles.

Valtor exhales as though I’m exhausting him.

“Even if I agreed,” I say carefully, forcing the words through my dry throat, “Thorian would just enter again next year.”

Valtor goes still. The water around him darkens. It’s not gradual. One moment it’s clear blue, and the next it’s the color of a storm, waves churning around his waist despite the rest of the river remaining calm.

My fear changes. Until now, some tiny part of me has believed this was just a conversation. It isn’t. It never was. I’m standing inches from an immortal being who could tear me apart with a thought, and I’ve just reminded him of a truth he’d rather ignore.

His eyes meet mine. The blue is gone.