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There was something about his tone that told her what his words did not. “She did it herself, didn’t she? You weren’t the one who killed her.”
He didn’t answer, and she looked up to see that his eyes were closed, fingers pressed to his temples and face pale. “Keris?”
“I hesitated.” The words caught as he added, “I wanted a chance to think of a solution, a way out, but…”
Of course he had. Of course he’d refuse to concede to death being the solution. “Sometimes, there is no way out.”
His eyes snapped open. “I will getyouout, Valcotta. One way or another.”
Except she hadn’t come to this place to escape. She’d come for blood and vengeance. But for all her admonitions about honesty and trust, she couldn’t tell him that. So Zarrah only gave him a tight nod, easing her grip on his wrists.
But she didn’t climb off him, remaining where she was, straddling his hips. Rising meant leaving, and she didn’t want to be alone in her grief. In her guilt.
Keris shifted beneath her, fingers interlocking with hers, and the tenuous control she had over her emotions shivered. Her chest was so tight, and she feared if she opened her clenched jaw, a sob would tear loose. Yet she managed to say, “I should go. I need to go. Serin knows I’m here.”
Instead of answering, Keris sat upright, and Zarrah instinctively shifted her weight so that her legs were wrapped around him, resting her forehead on his shoulder. She exhaled, shuddering, and tears forced themselves free.Don’t cry,she told herself.You’re strong.
Not strong enough.
A sob ripped from her lips with such ferocity she thought it would tear her apart. Might have torn her apart, except Keris wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. Holding her together as sob after painful sob clawed its way out of her body. Only when they eased did he loosen his grip, one hand moving up and down her naked back.
The sensation sent a stab of heat into her core, igniting a throb between her legs, and she clung to the sensation rather than attempting to vanquish it. Focused on how the silk skirt of her dress was pushed up to her waist and that she wore nothing beneath, her naked sex pressed against him. On how the lowcut neckline had pulled sideways to expose one of her breasts. On how the growing hardness beneath her betrayed that he’d noticed these things as well.
She ground her hips against him, her desire ratcheting higher as he groaned softly, his fingers trailing over her naked thighs. Then he said, “You need to get out of the tower before Serin comes looking. He can’t catch us like this.”
Because it would be the death of both of them. Yet such logic meant little when she wanted to drown her grief in his touch. Wanted to drive away the pain in her heart with lust. Wanted to fall asleep wrapped in his arms so that he might ward away the nightmares that were sure to come.
Except she wasn’t selfish enough to disrespect Yrina’s sacrifice by getting herself killed before accomplishing what she’d come to Vencia to do, so Zarrah rose and straightened her dress. “Serin believes I came in here to kill you. We need a reason why I didn’t. An excuse for me being here.”
“Think of one on the way down.” Keris caught her hand, leading her to the door and hauling it open. “We can’t linger.”
The sound of footfalls echoed in the stairwell.
“Shit!” Panic filled Keris’s gaze.
An idea struck her.
She hauled Keris up the stairs, whispering as they climbed. “Tell the guards upstairs that I have information for the king and I wish to negotiate. Then follow my lead.”
“What information?”
“Trust me.”
Keris gave a tight nod, then caught hold of her elbow, leading her up. They reached the first pair of bodyguards, one of them saying, “You aren’t supposed to be alone with her, Highness.”
“I’m not.” Keris looked over his shoulder, then frowned as though surprised to see Zarrah’s escort missing before shrugging. “I’m sure they’ll be along shortly. This can’t wait.”
“Highness…”
Keris ignored the man, pulling Zarrah up the stairs to the top level, where yet another set of guards waited. “She wishes to negotiate with His Grace. Says she has information he’ll consider valuable.”
The guard knocked, then stepped inside, reappearing a moment later to nod at Keris. “He’ll see her.”
The guards fastened her wrists with manacles, and taking a breath to steel herself, Zarrah went inside, the chains jingling with each step.
Silas sat with his boots up on his desk, arms folded behind his back and a glass of amber liquid sitting in front of him. “You’ve been busy, Keris. It’s been less than an hour since you left my presence, and already you’ve managed to have an unsanctioned conversation with Aren Kertell, as well as found the time to facilitate a confession of some sort from Lady Zarrah here.”
“Serin’s tactics have broken the man’s will, and he’s on the cusp of taking his own life, which will cause us significant consternation,” Keris answered. “The Magpie allows his passions for torture to take precedence over your goals, Your Grace. You might remind him who rules, because I believe he may have forgotten.”
