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“Cleo had nothing to do with it,” Nic insisted. “We were visiting a market to search for a gift, just like I said. That’s all.”
Magnus could have the boy tortured, beaten, put into isolation—but he knew his story would never change. As for Jonas, he was already half dead by the look of him.
If the rebel had truly been broken by this, he’d be of no use to Magnus at all.
“What about our deal?” Magnus asked, looking directly at Jonas.
He lifted his gaze. “You’re choosing now, of all times, to ask me about that?”
“I am. And I demand an answer.”
“I don’t know. I don’t know about anything anymore.”
“I empathize with your pain, Agallon, I truly do. But this is a new day, which will be followed by another and then another after that. Your friend is dead, and that’s a tragedy, but nothing else has changed. Do you remember what you agreed to?”
“Yes.”
“And are we still in agreement?”
There was an extended silence, through which Magnus waited patiently.
“We are,” Jonas finally said.
Magnus summoned the guards back into the tower. “Unchain these two, feed them, clean them up, and bring them to me in the throne room. We have an important matter to discuss.”
• • •
Jonas and Nic were brought into the throne room, both wearing fresh clothes and no longer smelling like they’d been traveling for days without a wash.
“Sit,” Magnus instructed.
Jonas took a seat, then Nic reluctantly did the same.
Magnus pushed aside a stack of papers and picked up a message he’d received by raven that very morning. He slid it toward Nic. “Read it. Out loud.”
With a sullen look on his face, Nic picked up the message, squinting at it in the dim late afternoon light.
Your Highness, Prince Magnus Damora,
Since I’m currently in Kraeshia, let me be as blunt as its people. I have been working as your father’s bodyguard during his trip here. He has offered the air Kindred to Emperor Cortas in exchange for sharing power over all of Mytica and Kraeshia.
Nic paused, then looked up. “The king has the air Kindred?”
Jonas had gone completely pale. “Keep reading,” he said, and Nic went on.
Should the emperor refuse, believe me when I tell you that both you and your kingdom will be at great risk. I strongly advise you to respond to this message immediately, as well as send a representative here to Kraeshia as soon as possible. Mytica will need all the support it can get right now.
I’ve included a piece of evidence to prove that I’m no longer loyal to King Gaius and his ruthless greed.
With great hope for the future under your rule,
Felix Graebas
Nic unfolded the last length of the message and pulled out what looked like a small, dry piece of parchment. He held it up to the light. “What is this?”
Jonas moved toward Nic to get a closer look at it. His eyes widened with shock. “Flayed skin. With a tattoo on it.”
Nic dropped the piece of skin onto the tabletop.
