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I was going to be sick.
“Then she let them escort her into Tempeste, to be outfitted in the finest gowns and jewels, convinced two of my guards to disobey orders, which cost them their lives.” Every word was a slap across the face, because every word was true.
I opened my mouth to explain, but Tavion cut me off.
“Of course, that was after she slaughtered a hundred of Solok’s men just inside the ward. You can’t get within fifty feet of it, the flies are so thick.” The darkhaired male crouching by the fire tilted his head, his dark eyes already passing judgement.
Only the collared male wasn’t acting like I was the world’s biggest piece of shite, but there was no kindness in his expression, either, only detached curiosity, as if weighing the chances of me reaching our destination alive.
Probably not very good.
Any chance of convincing these males to help rescue Ember fled the second they’d found out about Tavion’s brother. Any efforts I made to convince them I was innocent would be dismissed.
I was only a slave, and a slave’s word meant nothing, not against Tavion Montgomery’s, Commander of the Fae King’s guard.
These males were friends, they had a history. I was a stranger, and the way they looked at me spoke clearer than words.
They’d take me where I was going, but only because I was worth something to them. This would be a brutal trip, every bit as brutal as the journey with Solok, and there’d be no kindness extended to me if I couldn’t keep up.
I turned around, stumbled behind the dead trees and vomited, wishing I had something more in my stomach to heave into the dirt while Tavion’s bitter laughter echoed from the clearing.
How in the name of the gods had I mucked everything up so badly?
“Don’t let them steal your power, Anaria.”
I never had power, not even before Solok appeared. I wiped my mouth on my sleeve, rewrapped the scarf around my hair, tucked in every errant strand. Once they saw my white Fae hair, they’d truly despise me.
For a moment, I debated returning to the palace.
Trading myself for Ember. My worthless life for hers.
She was good and kind, and…
“Stop feeling sorry for yourself and get back in the clearing, little thief.” Tavion was so close his breath heated the back of my neck. “You do know how to ride, don’t you?”
I wanted to cry.
I didn’t know how to do anything. I knew how to bow and scrape and wash dishes, but no, I didn’t know how to do anything valuable or important or useful and Tavion damn well knew it.
“No.” I smoothed my shaking hands down the front of my dress before I turned around. “They did not give the slaves riding lessons in Varitus.”
His face went still, as if I’d surprised him, then he snatched my arm. “We’ll be traveling through rough terrain, and we’ll be riding fast. This is no time to lie to me.”
“I’m not lying.” I squinted up at him trying to see past his mask. “I don’t know how to ride. I’m sorry.”
Tavion’s eyes weren’t dark anymore. They were a grass green, darker than mine,but green. The same color as the male who’d tried to save me, and now…there was no denying the truth.
I’d killed his brother.
“Of course, you can’t. Worthless all the way around.” He dragged me closer so we were nose to nose. “I will not be carrying you. If it was up to me, I’d stake you out in this clearing for the king to find, and watch them spike your head on the front gates.” His grip loosened. “But I need you alive to collect my reward, which is why I’ll deliver you to the Shadow King breathing.”
I figured that’s about all I’d be by the time I arrived.
“Zorander.” Tavion shoved me into the empty clearing. The tents were gone, Tristan and the collared male nowhere in sight. The male with the long hair—Zorander—was already on his horse, waiting beside an enormous gray stallion. Tavion headed for the huge creature, hooking his thumb over his shoulder at me. “She can’t ride. Leave the extra horse. She’s with you, Zor.”
Zor’s lip curled in disgust, then he reined his horse closer, as if he expected me to somehow leap off the ground onto the thing’s back. He held out his hand, and I went to take it, but he grasped my wrist instead and then lifted me through the air until my ass hit the saddle with a solid thump.
“Swing your leg over.” He instructed, cursing softly while I fumbled around, my skirts getting caught on everything, including his arm. “Why am I stuck with her?”
