A few hours later, we still hadn’t left his chambers. Seated at his small table, we were playing some kind of board game I was unfamiliar with, and he beat me every time.
My leg bounced restlessly as he studied the board, deciding his next move.
“If you insist on doing that, at least let me give your legs a reason to shake,” he teased with a lopsided grin, his eyes never leaving the board. My leg halted.
“We need to talk to Thana again,” I blurted and his eyes snapped to me.
“Why? She can rot down there for all I care.”
“Why? What do you mean why? Because she was forced and she didn’t even succeed—”
“Thankfully,” he added. “But we don’t know what else she’ll do, or if she’ll try again. She cannot be trusted.” He paused, swallowing hard. “How can you have forgiven her so easily? She tried tokill you, Ara.”
I dropped my eyes, sighing.
“You don’t think I know that, Rogue? And I haven’t forgiven her, not entirely, but… I just don’t blame her.” I raised my eyes back to him. “If I could’ve saved my mother by doing the same to someone else, I… I think I would’ve.”
His brows furrowed as he nodded slowly.
“Besides, there are so many questions we haven’t asked,” I continued. “Like how does she communicate with him? Through the fire? And is he waiting for her response? What if he kills her family if she doesn’t respond?” I flinched at the thought of yet another death and a wave of grief settled over me. “Look, if you don’t want to go, fine. I am, so you can either let me go alone or you can join. Those are your only two options.”
He hesitated, a muscle ticking in his jaw.
“Fine, but don’t trust everything she says,” he said and rose to his feet, walking to the door. “Well? Let’s go.”
I hopped up and jogged to his side.
Once in her cell, I gasped as a hand flew to my mouth, horrified. She was pale and her eye was mottled with deepening bruises, blood dripping down her forearms where the metal cuffs bit into her skin.
“Release her,” I demanded, staggering towards her. My hands hovered above the shackles and her head lifted to me, startling awake.
“No.”
“Yes! Look at her. She’s wasting away.”
“No. She made an attempt on your life and she will suffer. Whether that’s here in the dungeon or in death, you choose, Ara. What should you have me do?” he asked, lethally calm.
I started to argue when something behind him caught my attention. A set of keys hanging on a hook.
“Let her live,” I uttered and turned back to Thana, stifling a small smile of victory. I would be back as soon as he released me. I could do that much.
Feeling Rogue’s suspicious gaze on my back, I took another step toward Thana.
“Thana, can you talk with me?”
“Yes, what is it you wish to know?” she rasped.
“What were your orders once you killed me?”
Her face blanched, her eyes bulging as she jerked against the restraints.
“Oh Goddess, I was supposed to send him a note telling him it was done. If he-If he doesn’t receive confirmation, he will kill my family. Please.” Her eyes darted from me to Rogue, pleading. “Please. Let me do that much.”
“You are not leaving here,” Rogue declared.
Thana choked on a sob, her eyes wide and brimming with tears.
“I will do it for you. Tell me what to say,” I blurted.