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I smiled at her, my heart swelling with relief that she was awake. She was strong. She’d heal.
“We’re in Sailtown,” I told her, confused at the agitation on her face.
“No. You can’t be here,” she said, her voice weak as she looked around. As if I’d be afraid of a few rebels. She was still delirious from her ordeal.
“Shhh, save your strength. They’ll protect you. If you stay in Adraedor, my mother won’t stop until she’s killed us both.”
“Theron—“
She cut herself off as I stopped Vaernix—the rebel boy I’d captured before stood before us in the middle of the dusty street. His eyes were hard on me and he ran forward when he realized I was carrying Kael.
“Kael!” He shouted, sprinting toward us.
As he ran, others followed, rebels streaming out of the canyon walls. They spread out around us, their faces stern and determined as they encircled Vaernix.
Fuck.
This was more than just a few rebels. Tension filled the air, like a wave of energy that surrounded us. I realized with dread that there was no way to escape now.
Vaernix reared beneath me, sensing danger, but I didn’t have time to worry about myself now—I had to protect Kael. I quickly dismounted, not wanting Vaernix to throw us both off into the chaos below and injure Kael further. Kael stood, her legs weak as she clung to my arm. The rebel boy rushed forward and pulled her into his arms before I could protest; holding her against his chest protectively.
A pang of jealousy ran through me and I took a step forward, ready to rip her from her arms when she spoke.
“Hey, little brother.”
Chapter 33
Kael
Itookadeepbreath and stared at Theron. Rebels surrounded him, holding swords to his throat. I could almost feel the cold metal against my skin as they pressed closer, waiting for my command.
Theron’s eyes were locked onto mine, beseeching me to reveal the truth. “Kael, please. Tell them we’re together.”
I couldn’t. If I did, the rebels would kill both of us.
His eyes begged me for an answer, one that I could never give him aloud. I refused, not looking his way as I turned to my brother, limping from my ordeal. The pain hardened my resolve as memories of what Rhazien had done rushed through me. The Carxidors were a stain on the world that needed to be rinsed clean.
Roza sneered at him, her words dripping with venom. “She doesn’t look like she was protected. She’s still wearing that collar like a dog.”
Theron’s voice was strained, desperate. “Kael, please. You know I care for you. Tell them the truth about us.”
But I couldn’t. Not yet.
Instead, I hardened my expression and spoke to Gavril, ignoring Theron’s attempts to speak to me. “Don’t kill him. He’s the emperor’s heir now, and he’s more valuable as a bargaining chip. Tie him up.”
Theron struggled, fighting against the men who swarmed him, tearing his armor off piece by piece until he was shirtless and bleeding, forced to his knees in the sand. I couldn’t stop staring at him as they bound his arms with leather ties. The betrayal that filled his gaze hollowed my stomach.
“What is he talking about?” Gavril demanded, and I shot him a hard glance.
“I had to do... things to complete my mission. Don’t ask me about it again.”
“Kael...” My brother began, and I shook my head, unwilling and unable to explain.
“Don’t,” I warned.
“We’re discussing this later.” He scowled at me, running a hand over his face as he processed what I’d left unsaid. “Does that mean the Beast is dead?”
I nodded, and the surrounding rebels erupted into celebration, their voices echoing off the canyon walls. But I couldn’t tear my attention away from Theron. He was glaring at me with such hatred that I felt it like a knife in my chest.
