“Cleo,” he managed, casting a hateful look at Ashur and Amara. “I’m alive, so that’s a start.”
Another guard held a pale and trembling Lady Sophia by the arm. Cleo’s heart twisted for the kind woman who hadn’t done anything to deserve this rough treatment.
“What is this?” Magnus asked, his tone edged with warning.
“Another of my negotiations.” Amara moved toward Ashur. “And one we had to come all the way to Limeros to discuss, which is unfortunate. This is not a place I’d ever choose to come to if I had any say in the matter. But here we are.”
“A negotiation about what?”
“We tried to do this the pleasant way. We offered Cleo an alliance, but we couldn’t wait forever for a reply, could we? And Magnus—I did what I could to gain your confidence, but I knew your heart wasn’t in it. Too bad. I don’t waste my time or attention on boys I can’t manipulate.”
“We’re all here in search of the same thing,” Ashur said. His gray-blue eyes were steely, and fixed on Cleo in particular. “The Kindred.”
The prince was as cold and calculating as his sister, and every bit as greedy. Even if Cleo had agreed to their terms, she wouldn’t have been able to trust them. The moment they got what they wanted, they would have betrayed her.
She caught Nic’s gaze and searched his face for injury, but saw nothing. Even the bruises and cuts from the guards’ horrible beating had faded in the time that had passed.
I’m so sorry, Nic, she told him silently. This is all my fault.
The Kraeshians knew how important he was to her. Now they would shamelessly use that knowledge to manipulate her.
“The Kindred?” Magnus said. “Sorry to disappoint, but we’re in pursuit of my sister, who has unwisely chosen to elope with her tutor. We want to stop her from doing something she’ll regret for the rest of her life.”
“Of course. Her tutor.” Amara nodded. “First, let’s get one thing straight—I know what Lucia is and what she can do. Second, I know about the earth Kindred at the Temple of Cleiona and how you failed to claim it first. So. Let’s proceed, shall we?”
“Nic . . .” Magnus said slowly. “You’re not so skilled at keeping secrets, are you?”
Nic ignored him. “Let Cleo go. I’ll do whatever you want.”
“You’ve served your purpose already,” Ashur said, his tone cold. “You’ve ceased to matter.”
“Now,” Amara said, her smile returning. “There’s no need for argument. We’re certain you’re here for another crystal that Lucia has located. We want it, and you will lead us to it.”
“Nic stays here with the woman,” Ashur said, nodding at Lady Sophia. “We’ll leave a guard behind to watch over them and make sure they cause no problems.”
“Speaking of guards,” Magnus said. “I have a few of my own, you know. They should be here any moment.”
Cleo eyed him, but stayed silent. He was bluffing. No guards had accompanied them from Auranos. They were on their own with no protection.
“Let them come,” Amara said. “I’ll offer them so much gold I can guarantee that they’ll give me no reason to spill any more blood tonight than necessary.”
Magnus’s expression grew dark, but he offered no rebuttal.
“Let’s move this along.” Ashur nodded at a guard.
The guard put the edge of his sword to Nic’s throat, and Cleo couldn’t hold back a shriek. “Don’t! Spare him, please.”
“You’ll take us to the crystal,” Ashur said.
She was about to speak, to tell them everything to save her friend, but Magnus spoke first.
“Very well. We’ll go at first light,” he said.
“No,” Ashur replied. “We’ll go now. All we need to know is where.”
Magnus gave him a look sharp enough to kill, but said nothing.
Amara nodded at the guard with Nic. “Cut his throat.”
“No, wait!” Cleo shrieked. “Don’t hurt him, please! The Temple of Valoria, that’s where the crystal is. But know that we have no guarantee that Lucia hasn’t already been there and claimed it.”
“It’s a chance we’re willing to take.” Ashur gestured toward the guard, who finally released Nic.
She had to speak, she had to tell them what they wanted to know. Nic’s life was worth more to her than one crystal.
“Then let’s be on our way.” Amara went to Magnus, reached up to grasp his chin, and pulled it down until he met her gaze. “Don’t underestimate what I’m willing to do to get what I want. And what I want is the Kindred—even one quarter of it will do for now. I will kill to get it. Do you understand me?”
“Oh, yes, princess,” he bit out through clenched teeth. “I understand you more than you know.”
Amara sent a poisonous look at Cleo. “See how much better it could have been if you’d embraced me as a friend?”
“I’d rather embrace a boil-covered pig,” Cleo replied. “Which would actually be a pleasant alternative to you.”
Amara laughed, then nodded at the guard holding Lady Sophia. “You stay. The rest of you, come with us. And Cleo, Magnus . . . if you behave yourselves, I may even let you live to see the sunrise.”
CHAPTER 30
JONAS
PAELSIA