Aren stiffened, then closed his eyes and nodded once.
It might well be true that they had time, that Zarrah would be safe enough in Kian’s camp while they Keris nodded. “If we time it for the cover of darkness, all Daria’s man in the guard need do is get a
Keris shook his head. “How long do you think Lara will go without communication from you before she gets desperate?” Seeing Aren was going to keep arguing, he added, “Lara asked me if there was a limit to what I’d sacrifice, and this is it. She’s the limit. I won’t allow my sister to die for the chance of me living—not if my capture will ensure every last one of you gets out alive.”
“It’s a good plan,” Daria said.
“It’s a shitty plan.” Aren crossed his arms. “And it’s not like you to submit, Keris. You’re a survivor.”
“Then trust that I will.”
“That’s not good enough. I’m not leaving you to fight this battle by yourself.”
Keris’s chest tightened with emotion he couldn’t quite put words to that the man he’d once thrown to the wolves was willing to risk so much for him.
Even if he wasn’t worth it.
So Keris struck the final nail that he knew would secure Aren’s cooperation. “It’s not just Lara’s life that is at risk anymore.”
Aren stiffened, then closed his eyes and nodded once.
BAIT.The word made her lip curl in disgust, her anger rising, because by fleeing Daria and her tribe, she’d placed herself like cheese in a trap.
Her aunt hadn’t put her on this island to teach her a lesson; she’d put her on this island to catch someone. Not Keris, for her aunt knew better than anyone that he had washed his hands of Zarrah.
The rebels.
For years, her aunt had been incarcerating the rebels here rather than executing them. Building their numbers and ensuring they suffered, trying to lure the commander who plagued her into an outright attack so that she could crush him. But rescuing his people hadn’t been incentive enough for the commander, so to sweeten the pot, the Empress had added Zarrah to the mix. Why she was worth so much to the rebels was yet a mystery to Zarrah, but there was no denying that Daria had valued her far more than she reasonably should.
Which meant that somehow, Daria had known her identity from the moment she’d arrived. Had
been trying to protect her because she’d somehow known that the commander would feel compelled
to make a move on the island.
Clenching her fists, Zarrah bit down on a scream of frustration. Her goal had been to join them, and now she’d discovered she was bait to lure them into a trap and destroy them. Yet again a pawn.
Only … something didn’t fit.
Zarrah’s skin crawled as her eyes skipped over the message, which seemed no more something her aunt would write than Keris. The Empress might be a monster, but she was a monster with her own form of honor, and it wouldn’t allow her to employ the services of murderers she’d condemned. And it certainly wouldn’t allow her to grant them freedom. Which meant …
The tent canvas abruptly collapsed, crushing her to the ground.
Zarrah snarled, punching and kicking, trying to fight her way loose, but more hands than she could count were holding her down. Yet as she was bound and gagged, one thought played over and over in her head.
There was another player in the game. And she knew exactly who it was.
For years, her aunt had been incarcerating the rebels here rather than executing them. Building their much to the rebels was yet a mystery to Zarrah, but there was no denying that Daria had valued her far
to make a move on the island.
Clenching her fists, Zarrah bit down on a scream of frustration. Her goal had been to join them, and now she’d discovered she was bait to lure them into a trap and destroy them. Yet again a pawn.
Only … something didn’t fit.
Zarrah’s skin crawled as her eyes skipped over the message, which seemed no more something her aunt would write than Keris. The Empress might be a monster, but she was a monster with her own form of honor, and it wouldn’t allow her to employ the services of murderers she’d condemned. And it certainly wouldn’t allow her to grant them freedom. Which meant …
The tent canvas abruptly collapsed, crushing her to the ground.
Zarrah snarled, punching and kicking, trying to fight her way loose, but more hands than she could count were holding her down. Yet as she was bound and gagged, one thought played over and over in her head.
There was another player in the game. And she knew exactly who it was.
EVERYTHING WAS IN motion.
Daria’s contact among the guards was in position, his role made easier by the revelation
that members of Daria’s tribe were particularly fond of certain trees, nurturing them tall and strong. Even now, those trees were being cut down to form a bridge for Daria’s tribe to cross under the cover of darkness.
Which would only be possible if Keris sprung the trap and everything played out as he intended.
“I don’t like this,” Aren muttered. “It doesn’t feel right.”
“You’re just jealous that I get to be the hero and you’re once again relegated to helping people cross a bridge.”
Not rising to Keris’s baiting, Aren exhaled and rubbed at one temple. “I think we should hold off.
Consider other plans that don’t involve handing you over to the enemy.”
“Only a temporary handover,” Keris said. “Besides, it’s too late to go back now. Daria’s people arranged the trade, which means that Kian knows I’m here. Which means so do Petra’s guards. If
Daria doesn’t go through with the trade, they’ll assume that it’s because there’s a strategy in play and be more mindful of guarding their rear.”
“We could lure them onto the island,” Aren argued. “Fight them on ground that Daria controls.”
Keris huffed out a frustrated breath. “The Valcottan soldiers guarding this prison aren’t stupid. If they know that I’m on this island and that they have to come to find me, they’ll bring enough soldiers to slaughter everyone alive. Quit making bad suggestions; battles are supposed to be your
competency.”
“This isn’t a battle,” Aren growled. “It’s a fucking sacrifice, and Lara’s going to castrate me when she discovers I agreed to it.”
“You’ll be fine. She’ll understand. Though it warms my heart to hear you believe my sister values my life over your balls.”
“You two bicker like lovers.” Daria caught hold of Keris’s arm, pulling him to a stop. “It’s time you were silenced, anyway. You’re my prisoner. And you”—she pointed at Aren—“aren’t supposed to be here. So get to the rear.”
Aren’s eyes narrowed, but rather than arguing, he retreated.
“He’s not used to being ordered around,” Keris said. “He’ll try to take control so as to do something heroic. If you value the lives of your people, don’t let him.”
Daria snorted. “Typical man.”
“Zarrah trusts that typical man, so it serves your best interests to keep him alive.”
Daria didn’t answer, only bound his arms behind his back. But then her hands stilled. “Do you love her?”