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And Jonas had cared so very deeply for her.
Her heart broke for him. Oh, Jonas.
Cleo pulled away from Nerissa’s side and walked toward Jonas and Magnus.
Magnus saw her first, his expression shifting to displeasure in an instant. “What are you doing here?”
“Why wasn’t I informed about this?” Cleo snapped.
Magnus rolled his eyes. “You shouldn’t be here. Return to the palace immediately.”
“No.”
He hissed out a breath of annoyance. “These docks are no place for a princess.”
Ignoring the prince, she turned to Jonas. “I just heard about Lysandra.”
Jonas met her gaze. “I didn’t even know how much she meant to me until moments before she . . .” He scrubbed his hand over his face. “I was so blind.”
“There are no words, Jonas. I’m so very sorry.”
She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. It took a moment, but he returned her embrace.
“I’m going to kill the king. Not for the prince, not even for all the Mytican citizens he’s tried to own and exploit. I’m going to do it for her.”
She nodded. “I know you’ll be successful.”
He pressed his lips against her forehead, kissing her gently. “I’ll see you again soon, your highness.”
“You’d better mean that.”
Jonas nodded and gave her a half smile before heading for the gangplank and boarding the ship.
Cleo risked a glance at Magnus. Not for one solitary moment did she forget he was standing only a few paces away.
His arms were crossed over his chest and he studied her, his expression blank apart from the tight line of his jaw.
“What a tender farewell,” he said. “How romantic.”
Yes, of course the prince was dense enough to believe their exchange had been one of romance rather than friendship born during a time of hardship and grief.
She decided to let him believe whatever he wanted about her and the rebel.
She forgot all about Magnus when she saw someone approaching her—Nic, taking her completely by surprise.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded.
He regarded her with curiosity, shifting the bulky satchel he held to his other shoulder. “I was about to ask you the very same question. Have you spoken with Nerissa?”
“Yes. She hasn’t told me everything, but she’s told me enough.” She took hold of his coat sleeve. “I know about Lysandra. That’s awful beyond words. But, Nic, you could have been killed too.”
“But I wasn’t.”
“Perhaps next time,” Magnus said, interrupting them. “Cassian, go back to the palace. You’re not wanted here.”
Nic glared at him. “I’m going to Kraeshia with Jonas.”
“Nic, no,” she said, her voice nothing more than a rasp. “Jonas is ready to put his life in danger by going on this trip. You might think you’re ready to do the same, but I refuse to risk losing you, too.”
