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My molars ground together, aggravated with the way he never skipped a chance at criticizing me. Calling me irresponsible and incompetent. Not that he was wrong, but where hadhebeen when Brisden shot Marla from the sky and took her captive, huh?
Maybe not so perfect after all…
“I did what you asked me to do.” Poorly, just like I told him I would, so who was the fool for dumping a task of such importance on me? “I’m flying back to Deepmarsh Castle.”
The moment I turned away, Asker’s command cut through my shift. “Wait.”
A deep breath, then I turned to face him and Malyr. “What?”
“What do you know of her?” Asker asked. “You’re the only one here who spoke with this girl, yes? A girl that, by all accounts, grew up so sheltered and protected, few were able to give me accounts of her character. Even fewer are those who managed to behold Brisden’s daughter. We need to understand her true value.”
“She wasn’t exactly eager to make conversation.” Come to think, she’d been pretty quiet and calm where I’d expected her to grow hysterical. “She said if it’s her value we want, it lies in her virtue.”
A lopsided grin tugged on Malyr’s upper lip before it turned into a sneer, as if his face couldn’t decide if that information bemused or annoyed him. “Mmm, she said that, didn’t she?”
“Right before your pet demon stabbed her nursemaid in the neck.”
His gaze immediately fell to Galantia, who breathed evenly once more. “Isn’t she a bit too old for a nursemaid?”
“The girl needs rest.” Elovan rose and turned toward the meadow, her senses sharp enough as she competently walked around Asker. “I’ll have to make her something for the pain.”
“Sheltered. Protected. Adorned.” Asker turned to face Malyr. “She has to be dear to her parents, indeed. We have to offer her up in exchange for Marla. It’s why the goddess brought her here. Why else would she have bestowed me this vision?”
Malyr’s lips pinched tight for a moment as he held Asker’s stare. “Interesting, how you make no mention of the fact that we now have the future queen consort of Dranada in our keep. Most recently, our spies reported that Brisden managed to arrange her betrothal to Prince Domren, yes?”
Prince Domren.
Memories rushed through me, transporting me back to stand at the center of the flames licking at my skin. Sweat pooled, sending a searing droplet to run down my spine as the stench of that night crept into my nose.
Oil.
Ash.
Singed feathers and charred flesh.
I blinked, taking myself out of the ruthless image, bringing Galantia back into focus.Prince Dormren’s betrothed.
Untouched.
Untried.
So fucking helpless.
Heat surged in my veins, funneling down into my breeches. Galantia was pretty before, but this information turned her downright irresistible. Five years ago, I swore I would kill Domren. How much longer until I would finally get my revenge? Might as well bounce his betrothed on my cock while I waited.
Malyr would never deny me a piece of her. Ever since I’d dragged him out of that river all those years ago, feverish and emaciated, I’d had his back. And he had mine, regardless of how many times we butted heads or bickered—which happened more and more often lately.
It hadn’t always been like this. Guess spending so many years of tolerating each other’s shit had started to take a toll on our friendship. Still, we stuck together for our common goal. We both wanted revenge, and we would help each other see it through, come rain or high wind.
“Maybe we could use her to draw Domren out,” I said, eager to make that bastard pay for what he’d done to me. What he’dtakenfrom me. “He’s leading his father’s army now, from what I hear. Forget about Tidestone; it’s Ammarett you want, anyway.”
Asker’s hand settled on the pommel of his blackaerymelsword. “You know the reasons why I made no mention of it, and instead urge you for an exchange of hostages.”
Faint shadows simmered along the edges of Malyr’s armor, which was never a good sign. “Selfish reasons.”
“Marla is my mate.” Asker lowered his head, fixing his eyes on the dirt before him. “Perhaps that makes my reasoning more selfish, but it doesn’t make it unsound. If we draw out Ammarett’s forces and meet them on the field, place ourselves between Tidestone and the capital, we will have the ocean to our left and our human allies in the back, leaving little room for escape should those fickle beings betray us. I must… goddess be good, Imustimplore that you exchange her for Marla and take Tidestone soon after.”
Malyr scoffed. “No army has ever breached the walls of Tidestone.”
