“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.”
In other words, I needed to pull myself together. I nodded.
The mercenaries resumed packing up the camp. Tibris wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “I’m sorry. I wish I didn’t have to tell you. Wish it could be different.”
I looked up at him. “I’m getting Asinia out. Will you help me?” I asked.
My brother sighed. But he’d obviously known this was coming, because the hint of a smile curved his mouth. “Of course I will. But we have to be smart about this. You think no one’s tried to free their friend or family member before?”
“I know. But she’s all alone. Her mother is dead, and she’s all alone. Oh gods, Tibris.”
“Shh.” He held me and rocked. “We’ll go to the city. Vicer will help us.”
I pulled away. “And what exactly is Vicer doing?”
He lowered his voice. “He’s a rebel, Pris. The people in our kingdom shouldn’t have to live this way. So he’s fighting back.”