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A murmur of approval rolled through the crowd, whispers breaking out, and I saw Haemir pushing through them, grim determination on his face. He stepped into the light, his fiery eyes locked on Theron like he wanted to murder him.
“I won’t allow this, War Marshal.” He growled, his voice low and dangerous. “I refuse to sell my daughter to a warlord for an army. If that’s what you’re thinking, I’d rather kill you and take my chances with the empire.”
“Dad!”
My muscles tensed as Raenisa made a move behind us to draw her sword, but Theron stopped her with an outstretched arm. He stared Haemir down.
“Do you know why I didn’t agree to Peregrines’s offer in the tavern?”
Haemir narrowed his eyes but didn’t respond as Teodosija shifted on her feet, glancing over at the rebels who were listening raptly. What was he talking about? When had he spoken to Teodosija and Haemir?
“Because I knew she’d never agree to it,” Theron continued, jerking his chin toward me. “Freedom for only some isn’t freedom. I swear to take down my mother. The elves will retain Athain, nothing more.”
A murmur went through the crowd, the reaction mixed. Some looked hopeful, others skeptical. Haemir didn’t move. His gaze locked on Theron with an intensity I’d only seen once. The day he’d saved me from that den.
A shiver ran down my spine, a mix of fear and anticipation. I didn’t doubt Theron was aware of the unspoken threat hanging in the air. Haemir lowered his voice, speaking to Theron alone before stalking away into the city.
Gavril squeezed my arm. “I’ll go talk to him.” He hesitated. “I’ll tell him what you told me in the desert.”
I swallowed a lump in my throat. “Thanks, Gav.”
He hurried off into the crowd after our father, tracking his horns as the press of people closed in.
“Kael.” Roza sauntered up despite her hands still being chained, and Zerek close at her back. She met my gaze, her sea-colored eyes no longer filled with hostility. “I guess I should have trusted you.”
I crossed my arms.“Yeah. You should have.”
She made a face at me. “I’m not apologizing.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” We stared at each other for a moment before she cracked a smile.
“Can you get this idiot to unchain me? Since now we’re all apparently friends and are going to work together?”
Zerek shot her an incredulous look. “You’re confident for someone who tried to stab me an hour ago.”
Roza smirked. “You’d have done the same in my shoes.”
A chuckle rumbled from Theron’s chest. “Let her go, Zerek. We have bigger battles ahead than arguing with Kael’s friend.”
I watched as Zerek hesitated for a beat and then, with a slight frown, released Roza’s chains. She rubbed her wrists, shooting him a triumphant grin.“Told you I’d get away, prick.”
Zerek glared at her, ready to argue.
Theron leaned down, his lips brushing against my ear. “Let’s go back to my chambers. There’s still much to discuss,” he whispered, his voice thick with promise.
Roza interrupted, her gaze flitting around the assembly, a storm brewing behind her ocean eyes. “Where is Andreja?”
The sudden shift in her demeanor caught me off guard, an ache forming in the hollow of my chest. I thought we were becoming friends, but I guess not. Once she and Andreja were reunited, I’d be kicked to the side. “No clue.”
Zerek emitted a low, cautionary noise, and I felt an invisible tug of warning as Theron stiffened.
“What is it?”
Zerek glanced around the assemblage. “This isn’t the time.”
Roza shot him a glance that could’ve frozen the sun, but her focus remained unerringly on me. “Kael. Tell me now.”
“I don’t know where she is,” I protested. “Or why you’re all acting weird? What’s going on?”
