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Had anyone else seen what Aren had seen?
“Why do you believe I’d risk my own people to save her when I’m not even willing to risk them to save my own skin?”
He’d taken the bait of the truth, and now Keris needed to hook him with a lie.
“Because,” Keris said, “if you do it, she’s promised Eranahl will be supplied with enough food to outlast my father’s siege.”
“I can’t see the Empress agreeing to that.”
“Zarrah’s a powerful woman, and the deal is with her, not the Empress. Take it or leave it.”
She’d be furious at him for making the promise without consulting her, despite the fact that speaking with her had been impossible. But Keris didn’t care. Would stoop low and sacrifice every drop of his own honor if that was what it took to get her out of this place.
“Allying with your kingdom’s greatest enemy to win the crown.” He gave a low whistle. “If your people discover that bit of information, it will cost you.”
Aren wanted this to work. Keris could see it in his eyes, the glitter of hope where he’d believed there was none. Guilt rose in Keris’s chest at the deception, but he quashed it. If Lara succeeded in assassinating their father, Aren wouldn’t need Valcotta’s help—he’d have the King of Maridrina’s. “Agreed. Which is why it’s much better for both of us if it’s perceived that you and yours were responsible for liberating her.”
“You’ve access to my people now. You don’t need me for this.”
Keris grimaced, deeply wishing that was the case. “Serin doesn’t trust me, so I’m under near-constant surveillance when I leave the palace, which means I can’t contact your people directly. I need the harem to facilitate communication. But here’s the rub: they despise Valcottans, so there isn’t a chance of them agreeing to this plan of mine.” He probablycouldcontact them himself, but he didn’t trust that they wouldn’t reveal his request to free Valcotta to Coralyn.
“And your solution to this rub?”
“The harem won’t help me free Zarrah. But they will help freeyou.” Keris smiled. “Which is why you’re going to use them to help orchestrate your own escape, and when you run, you’re going to take Zarrah with you.”
Aren stared at him for a long moment, weighing the risks with the potential reward. “All right. What do you need from me?”
Keris nearly slumped from the relief that flooded through him. This was going to work. He was going tomakeit work.
“We can get your people in, likely six of them,” he answered. “What they need is foryouto figure out a way to escape once they remove your chains.”
Inclining his head, Aren said, “I’ll see what I can come up with. But I think this conversation is over.”
Seconds later, boots thudded against the ground, and Keris turned to find one of his father’s personal guards standing behind him. “His Majesty wants to speak with you, Your Highness,” he said. “Now.”
59
ZARRAH
Stomach hollow and a dull roar of noise deafening her ears, Zarrah set the letter back on her enemy’s desk.
I’ll allow my niece to die a thousand deaths before negotiating with a Veliant. Do with her what you will, but be prepared for the consequences.
It couldn’t be real. Couldn’t have been written by the same woman who’d come to Zarrah’s rescue. Who’d untied her and cleaned away the rot and gore. Who’d raised her like her own child. Who’d made her strong.
Who’d promised her vengeance.
“Not the response you’d hoped for, I’m sure,” Silas said, stealing back her attention. “Especially given she was like a mother to you after her sister’s death. This must be a tremendous blow.”
It wasn’t real. Couldn’t be. Had to be a forgery. A trick of Serin’s hand because he wanted Keris’s plans to crumble so that he could see him dead.
As if hearing her thoughts, the Magpie said, “If you doubt its authenticity, I’d be glad to arrange a meeting between you and the Harendellians.”
Her jaw trembled, and Zarrah clenched her teeth. But that didn’t stop her eyes from burning or her stomach from hollowing as the realization thatthis was no tricksank into her core.
“You thought she’d do what it took to get you back. Truly believed she’d sacrifice her pride to save you.” Silas rubbed his stubbled chin. “Which means you are either a fool or caught within her thrall.”
Her thrall.Zarrah shivered.
