A Court This Cruel & Lovely (Kingdom of Lies, #1)(46)

Lorian went still, and I watched as he pondered my brother, clearly deciding how much of a threat he was to his plan to sneak into the city.

I knew what Lorian did to people who got in his way. I shot him what I hoped was a threatening look. “We need to talk,” I told Tibris. “Come with me.”

Tibris allowed it, and I led him over to the huge boulder by the river. Hopefully the noise of the water would drown out our conversation.

Tibris stared at me for a long moment. I stared back. It was as if we were memorizing each other’s features. And then I was in his arms, tears rolling down my face.

“Mama?”

He tensed, and I felt him shake his head. “I’m sorry.”

I shook with fresh sobs. I’d known. But some tiny part of me had hoped anyway.

“I thought you were dead,” I admitted against his chest. “I told myself you’d make it—that you were smart, prepared. But…”

“I know exactly how you felt,” Tibris said. “I told myself the same. But I didn’t see how you could’ve survived. Mercenaries? Really?”

I laughed. And then I cried some more.

When I had no tears left, Tibris slowly released me. “I have so much to tell you, I barely know where to start, although I know you suspect some of it. Those notes from Vicer weren’t just a way to keep in touch.” He gave me a faint smile.

I rolled my eyes. “I had a feeling that was the case.”

“Vicer always knew you still had your magic.”

My mouth went dry. “He did?”

Tibris sighed. “If there’s one thing Vicer does well, it’s observe. He noted how tense we both were at the ceremonies. How protective I was of you. And how I insisted you learn to fight. You’d get this…hunted look in your eyes whenever anyone talked about the Gifting ceremony. Vicer watched closely over the years, and he figured it out.”

“Did he blackmail you somehow?”

“No. Vicer’s ruthless, but he would never…” Tibris glanced away. “Shortly after he got to the city, he began to send those notes you were so curious about.” He nudged me, and I attempted a smile. “In the villages, we’ve always been told that the gods favored many of the city residents because they were more pious. Vicer learned that wasn’t true at all. Councillors and courtiers favored by King Sabium have the most power, followed by families who’ve shown loyalty over the years.”

I took a deep, steadying breath. “Lorian told me some of this. If you’d had your power…if we’d been favored, Papa might still be alive.”

Tibris swallowed. “Yes.”

“How did you escape? What happened in the village? And how did you find me?”

“One of my friends told me what had happened. His warning gave me enough time to run, and my contacts helped me stay hidden. I went from inn to inn, searching for rumors of a woman traveling alone. One who might look desperate. Then I heard a barmaid laughing about a woman who’d been traveling with five men, servicing them all. She’d overheard one of the men say your name.”

My cheeks flamed, and I winced. “It’s definitely not what it sounds like.”

“Good. I didn’t even like the thought of you with Thol. Five mercenaries…”

I squinted at him and he laughed, but the amusement instantly disappeared. His considering look told me he was wondering if I could handle whatever he was about to tell me.

Finally, he took a deep breath. “Prisca, it’s bad.”

“Tell me. Quickly.”

“After you disappeared, and after Mama was… After she died…” His voice turned hoarse, and he paused for a long moment before continuing. “They began to question anyone close to us. The king’s assessor performed Testings on all of our friends. All of our neighbors.”

My face turned numb. “I know it was Asinia. I saw her on the list.”

Tibris closed his eyes, as if he couldn’t look at me, couldn’t stand to watch me while he broke my heart.

“She tried to run, but they caught her. They killed her mother and took Asinia to the city.”

My knees hit the dirt. Asinia’s mother. The woman who’d always had a kind word, an extra plate of food.

Of course she was dead. I’d seen what had happened to Lina’s grandparents. And I’d chosen denial over reality once again.

Asinia and I were both motherless now. Only, I’d been free this entire time, and she’d been grieving in a dank, dark cell, waiting to die herself.

“Prisca. Please.” Tibris’s voice was pained.

“What did you do?” Lorian sounded livid.

“Don’t touch her,” Tibris snapped.

I was vaguely aware of being lifted, of huge arms wrapping around me. I could hear my brother shouting obscenities, could hear Galon’s sharp voice, but all I could see was Asinia’s laughing face as she teased her mother in their kitchen.

When my vision cleared, I was being held several inches above the ground, the side of my face pressed to a huge, familiar male chest.

Tibris was standing a few feet away, his expression incredulous as his gaze flicked between Lorian and me.

I patted Lorian’s arm. “I’m okay,” I said. “You can let me go.”

Lorian slowly released me, and a small part of me mourned the loss as he stepped back. “We need to move soon, while there are fewer guards on the gate.”