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26
MAYA
I’m shaking out of fear and trying as hard as I can not to run forward and wrap my arms around Selliss. The Prince is pacing back and forth in front of our cell, and he hasn’t yet said what he is going to do with either of us.
Selliss hasn’t looked at me since the Prince arrived. I’m terrified that he might be about to die for me, and I’m also incredibly shocked and confused about this whole situation.
Before today, I had been under the impression that Lodra was different. I thought they didn’t hurt humans here. I thought we would be safe here. But it appears that I was wrong about everything.
If we went back to Kriseri, I would for sure die… and Selliss probably would too once the King got word of where we had been. And if we stay here, well, we still might both die. No matter what, we can’t win.
Maybe it’s time I speak up.
“Prince Zalith… if I may?”
Selliss whips his head around to me, his slitted eyes as wide as they can be. He starts shaking his head at me, but I ignore him. The Prince stops his pacing and raises a brow at me.
“What’s your name again?” he asks.
“Maya.”
“And what is it you have to say, Maya?”
“Prince… I know that this is an impossible situation, but please hear me out. I know Selliss to be a good man. I have never seen him hurt a human, and he has never hurt me. He has taken care of me over the past month and made sure that no harm came to me. I understand that he was not always like this, but he has admitted to being wrong. He has changed. Doesn’t that count for something?”
He watches me for a second before turning to Selliss.
“I am not going to kill either of you. I am trying to raise awareness for human and naga relationships, not tarnish their reputation. If I killed either of you, I would be going against my own beliefs. As much as you would deserve that, Selliss. But I am not a hypocrite, and I am not filled with so much hatred that I need to have my revenge. So you two will go free. On one condition.”
“Anything,” Selliss says immediately.
Zalith rolls his eyes.
“Selliss, you will give me every piece of information you have about Kriseri. You will give me any information you have on Yadat, on the army, on the location of every single soldier. You will tell me everything you know, no matter how small it is. Nothing should be left out. This is crucial to the war that is coming. You could help us win this.”
“Yes, absolutely.”
“And Selliss?”
“Yeah?”
“This doesn’t mean you’re completely off the hook. I’m watching you, and I will always be watching you. I still haven’t completely ruled out the possibility that this is all a part of Kriseri’s plan.”
“I can assure you that it is not.”
“Only time will tell. But for now, you’re on probation.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Okay, guards. Unlock the cell. You two will follow me to the castle. You are officially free. I will make sure that no one bothers either of you, but especially Maya.”
Selliss grabs my hand and holds it as we walk out. We stay like this the entire way to the castle. Once we arrive, the Prince stops and turns to us.
“Selliss, you and I are going to have a meeting with Lasta to discuss everything you know. I know that your journey here couldn’t have been easy, so Maya, you are going to wait here for my mate. She is going to come and help you settle in. You will be in good care, so both of you needn’t worry.”
I nod, turning to Selliss. He takes me into his arms, kissing the top of my head and squeezing me tight before letting me go.
“I will see you later,” he says, turning to follow Zalith.
