“You don’t know nearly as much as you think you do.”
“Are you in love with her?” Magnus’s unpleasant smile stretched wider. “Is that why you risk life and limb again and again for that girl? The type of girl who normally wouldn’t give you a second glance?”
Jonas wouldn’t allow himself to be insulted or intimidated by this evil, murderous snake. “Where is she?”
“Around the palace, I suppose. Doing princess things.”
“If you’ve hurt her in any way, I swear—”
“What? You’ll kill me twice?”
“I’ll do everything I can to make it feel that way.”
“I know we’ve never exactly seen eye to eye, Agallon. But before you cut my throat, I have some very valuable advice for you.”
“What’s that?”
“If you want to get anywhere in this kingdom—and especially with Cleo—killing me is the absolute last thing you should do.”
Jonas barked out a laugh. “Is that so?”
“I know you want my father dead more than anything else. And I’ll let you in on a little secret . . . so do I.”
Jonas struggled to maintain his steady grip. “Liar.”
“My father wanted the princess dead, but I chose to keep her alive. That’s treason, Agallon. And one day very soon he’ll arrive here and demand my head for defying him. Gaius Damora is still a relatively young man. He has plenty of time to spawn a new heir to take my place.”
The prince’s claims sounded absolutely ludicrous. Was Jonas really expected to believe that Magnus had defied his father and saved Cleo from death? “If all that’s true, then why are you here at the Limerian palace, playing king on your daddy’s throne?”
“I’m standing in as the man in charge, which is within my rights while my father’s away. I figured this would look much better than if I were to disappear and go into hiding. So here I am, waiting for the King of Blood to return so we can finally face each other, ruthless father against disappointing son. The wait has given me a lot of time to think. And what I’ve realized is that my father has done many evil things—to you, to me, to virtually everyone who’s crossed his path—that can never be forgiven. He deserves death, not a golden throne and a bright future.”
Jonas grappled to maintain both his concentration and his grip on the sword. “Even if I believed you, which I don’t, what difference does it make to me? Why should I care about any of your royal problems?”
“Because we both hate the king. And because you and I shouldn’t be enemies anymore.” Magnus held Jonas’s gaze steadily. “We should be allies.”
Now Jonas had to laugh, the suggestion was so ridiculous. “How convenient for you to make such a suggestion while I have a sword to your throat.”
“You and I don’t exactly get many opportunities to talk,” Magnus countered. “Now put down your sword and join me inside the palace where we can discuss our plans.”
Jonas was in the perfect position. He had the opportunity to kill the Prince of Blood, to strike a serious blow against King Gaius that would damage him deeply. But if Magnus was being truthful, if he’d committed treason against his father and was patiently awaiting his wrath, then if Jonas were to kill him, he’d be worse off than he was before. Then the king could easily persecute Jonas as the killer of both Prince Magnus and Queen Althea.
The bounty on his head would quadruple.
“I have friends watching,” Jonas said slowly, inwardly kicking himself for leaving Lysandra and Olivia behind in the village. “If you try anything, anything, they’ll put an arrow in you.”
“Understood.” Magnus held his hands out to either side of him, showing that he wasn’t going to reach for any weapons. “So, what do you say? Truce?”
“I wonder, would you show me any mercy if our positions were reversed?”
“If I thought you could help me, I certainly would.”
“If I find out that Cleo’s been mistreated in any way, I will kill you.”
“I assure you she’s fine.” Then Magnus nodded sagely. “I can see that it’s true what the princess says about you, Agallon. You’re a great leader who cares about others more than yourself. You’ve changed a lot over these last few months, haven’t you?”
Had Cleo really said that about him?
“She’s changed too,” Jonas said, trying not to let on how flattered he was. “She’s been through immeasurable pain, and has only grown stronger from it.”
“Yes. She’s a glowing example to us all.” Magnus eyed the blade that was still at his throat. “So let’s go inside and talk, then, just the three of us.”
Jonas had two choices. He could assume that Magnus was a manipulator and a liar, just like his father, and follow through on his initial plan to end his life right now. Or, he could take a risk—the ultimate risk—and trust the claims of his sworn enemy in the hopes of benefiting the greater good.
He was still haunted by the pained and disappointed look on Felix’s face when he’d learned that Jonas believed the worst about him despite months of loyal friendship. Of course Felix had lied about his past. He did it because he wanted a new beginning, to be free from his past mistakes.
Jonas wished he could go back to that night and make a different choice.
Forcing himself to put Felix out of his mind, he sheathed his sword and offered Magnus a hand. Magnus grabbed his wrist and got to his feet.
They eyed each other for a silent moment.
“This feels very strange,” Jonas admitted.
“For us both.”
Magnus led him to a palace entrance, where two guards opened the doors for their prince.
“Guards,” Magnus gestured toward Jonas, “this boy here is a known rebel. Remove his weaponry and put him in chains. Then bring him to the throne room.”
Jonas grabbed for his sword, but the guards slammed him to the ground before he even touched the hilt.
“And send for the princess,” Magnus said. “It’s time we all had a nice little chat.”
• • •
Jonas wasn’t sure what felt worse: losing his weapons, or losing his mind.
The latter, he thought. Definitely the latter.
Jonas had no one to blame but himself for believing the prince’s lies. The only relief he felt came from the fact that Lys and Olivia were still safe in the village. But that bright spot was quickly snuffed out when he was brought into the throne room, in chains as requested, where he saw both Olivia and Lysandra standing helplessly with their hands bound behind their backs.
“What are you doing here?” he hissed.
Olvia shrugged. “We followed you.”
“I told her we probably shouldn’t,” Lysandra said. “But she convinced me.”
“And now . . . ?” Jonas prompted the witch, hoping she would wield her elementia and somehow break them free. “Can you do anything?”
“I’d rather see what happens next and take it from there.”
“‘See what happens next’?” he repeated, stunned.
The earth Kindred sat at the bottom of the satchel he’d given to Lysandra before trespassing on the palace grounds. Where was it now?