Beta Sinta gathers my things, then puts one arm under my knees and the other behind my back, picking me up like I weigh nothing. I can’t find the energy to protest, and my head flops against his shoulder, soaking his tunic. I close my eyes, feeling the heat of my breath circle back to me from against his neck.
“You never smell bad,” I mumble.
“Should I?”
“It would make you mortal, like the rest of us.”
“I am mortal. That’s why I need—”
“—your help,” I finish wearily, forcing my leaden eyelids up.
“This isn’t a game, Cat.”
“Just leave me here,” I moan. “You can’t carry me all the way back.”
He grunts, like I should know better. “And leave behind my most valued treasure?”
Despite my magical worth, I’ve never been anyone’s most valued treasure. “I won’t be used.”
A smile curves his wide mouth. His lips are expressive, and so…close. “Egeria will win you over.”
I doubt that. I yawn noisily, the tip of my nose accidentally brushing Beta Sinta’s neck. Drawn to his warm, solid strength, I’m tempted to burrow closer. I’m about to give in when a stab of panic slices through me.
Oh Gods! It’s all over. Eight years of hiding, and now this.
I didn’t think it was possible to hate myself any more right now, but I was wrong. “It won’t get that far.”
“You’re wrong. You’re wrong about a lot of things.”
I let that go. I have bigger problems. “I bled on that sword and didn’t dilute it.” I didn’t care at the time. It’s true what they say—drugs make you stupid. “They’ll track my blood. It’s been hours. They’re already on their way.”
He tenses, and his voice turns into a knife’s edge—hard and sharp. “Who?”
I yawn again. Apparently, even the most terrifying people in the realms can’t compete with bone-deep fatigue and drug withdrawal. “It’s your fault. You exposed me.”
His arms tighten, locking me against his chest. “I’ll protect you.”
My eyes drift closed, darkness enveloping me like a shroud. Not for the first time, I wonder how long I’ll live.
Beta Sinta’s heart thuds under my hand.
“You could try,” I whisper, fading into oblivion.
CHAPTER 9
Conversation wakes me up. My head is pounding, I’m on a mattress, still wrapped in my drying cloth under a lightweight blanket, and my wrist is tied to the bed. I obey my first instinct and tug on the knot. When it doesn’t move, I feign sleep and listen. The first thing I hear is Flynn’s gruff voice asking who’s after me.
“That’s what I’d like to know.” Frustration colors Beta Sinta’s answer. He’s pacing, his long strides beating a steady rhythm on a wooden floor. “She told me everyone is her enemy. At the time, I thought she was exaggerating, but any royal or noble would kill to get their hands on the Kingmaker. She can steal magic. Turn invisible. She might even be able to drive a Dragon. The Gods only know what else she can do. She’s even handy with a knife.”
Handy? Handy! My eyes almost pop open out of indignation.
Beta Sinta’s footsteps stop next to the bed. Warm fingers brush mine. “Who wouldn’t want her?”
Something in his tone makes my stomach tumble. That horrible mushy feeling hits me again.
Carver joins the conversation, sounding broody. “There’s more here than we know. More to her.” He exhales loudly. “Can we protect her?”
I doubt it.
“Can we hide her?” Flynn asks.
Maybe.
“We have to get her to Egeria,” Beta Sinta says.
Gah! Her again.
“Our first problem is who’s coming now,” Kato says. “We’ll deal with the rest later.”
Good old Kato. He knows how to get rid of the dung and clear out the stench. Behind closed eyelids I see broad shoulders, Adonis-like features, smiling blue eyes, and sunny blond hair. In my mind, he’s winking at me, his three knives planted in the knot of a tree. I showed him that.
“I could ride hard and fast, bring back a third of the army,” Flynn offers.
“No. They’re protecting the castle.” Beta Sinta’s voice rings with finality, and I mentally roll my eyes. They’re protecting the castle—and his darling Egeria.
“We could find more Magoi and pay them for protection,” Carver suggests.
“That would only expose her more,” Beta Sinta says, pacing again.