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She would destroy this betrothal, starting tonight.
Ben would not leave Solia’s side until she released him, saying, “You have been steadfast in your protection of my sister. Walk with her and let her ease your concerns about how she has fared since taking up residence in Orthros.”
Cassia felt Lio’s gaze on her as the knight offered her his arm. She tried to send Lio reassurance in her thoughts, but all she managed was a flare of bitter frustration. She schooled her face as she and Ben strolled through the spell-lit camp, staying within sight of the women in the pavilion.
“Your Ladyship, the wards on my holy amulet of Andragathos protect us from prying Hesperine ears. You can tell me the truth.”
She doubted anything about that amulet would prevent Lio from knowing what they spoke of, but if it loosened Ben’s tongue, all the better.
“Are you all right?” he asked with such sincerity.
She patted his arm in reassurance. “You saw what the Hesperines are like during the Solstice Summit. You know you don’t need to worry about me.”
“I respect them as our allies, but their ways are not ours. It must be lonely for you, living in such a foreign place, with only your prayers to remind you of home.”
“I am not lonely. I have many friends there, Hesperines and Imperial mortals.”
Ben’s eyes narrowed. “Have they given you proper living arrangements befitting an emissary of Kyria?”
Cassia choked down a laugh. Lio’s bed was the last place one would expect to find Kyria’s handmaiden. “I am well provided for.”
Ben looked at her intently. “Ambassador Deukalion behaves honorably around you? None of us begrudge him his admiration for you—as long as he remembers it must remain unrequited.”
“Lio is my partner,” Cassia said carefully. “We work well together as diplomats.”
“My lord and I worry about you. If he has taken liberties, I swear we’ll—”
“Ben, what have you been telling Flavian about Lio?” Cassia stopped herself and tried for a calmer tone of voice. “The ambassador has been nothing but a friend and ally to us. He does not deserve for his honor to be questioned.”
“He is still a heretic, and you are still betrothed to my lord. When he learns the Hesperines have paired you with a male partner, he will not take kindly to it.”
Cassia could not entirely dismiss this as Ben’s propriety. Flavian had a nuanced sense of honor. He had been genuinely anguished when she had gone into perceived danger in Orthros. Even as he remorselessly sinned in bed with Sabina, he would persist in his foolish notion that he was honor-bound to protect Cassia because of their betrothal promise.
She felt the urge to shake Flavian and Ben. But she and Lio would have to tread very carefully indeed.
“You have an escort whenever you are in the ambassador’s presence, don’t you?” Ben pressed.
Ha. When she was with Lio, their only companion was their mutual Craving. “You see that I am traveling with my sister, and we also have Diviner Tuura and Princess Kella with us.”
“But the Hesperine delegation is only the ambassador and the two Stewards.”
Cassia swallowed a laugh. “My virtue could not be safer with Mak and Lyros, I assure you.”
Ben looked uncomfortable. “I am aware of their…understanding…but Orthros should at least send female Hesperines along with you. It isn’t appropriate for you to spend so much time with males.”
“These are unprecedented times, Ben. All of us must be prepared to take unprecedented action for our cause. Which is why I must find a way to release Flavian from his obligation to me.”
Ben’s steps slowed, and he turned to her under one of the stained glass lanterns that reminded her of her real home. “But you’ve come back to Tenebra. Surely that means there is hope you can remain with us.”
She squeezed his arm gently. “No. I will always return to Orthros.”
“Your place is at your sister’s side,” Ben protested.
“Nothing will ever separate me from my sister again. But Orthros is where I belong.”
The red lantern-light made the lines of pain on his face look deep. “How can Princess Solia’s return not change your decision?”
“It is not a decision. I cannot fight what binds me there—nor would I wish to.” Cassia bit her tongue before her angry words tumbled out. I belong with Lio. None of your foolish human discomfort matters.
