Last Stand (The Black Mage #4)(25)

Ella’s arms were draped in heavy furs. How could I have forgotten her distaste of the cold? Her black curls brushed my face as she leaned in close, enveloping us both. “I missed you—we missed you. So much.”

I didn’t bother to reply. I just stood there, holding on to that moment. I didn’t want to let go. Letting go would mean it had passed, and I wasn’t ready to give it up to the rest of the world.

“Ella. Alex.” Darren was standing just behind us when we finally pulled away. I blinked back hasty tears, and for a second I could have sworn my twin did the same. “We missed you at our wedding.”

Alex brushed his dirty palms on his shirt. “After what happened… I couldn’t possibly return.”

“She explained your reasons.”

Alex shot me a look.

“You wanted to find the rebel who recruited Derrick,” I said quickly.

Darren continued. “I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same, were it Blayne.”

“Your Highness,” Sir Maxon, the leader of Derrick’s former squad, stepped forward to introduce himself. “I understand you’re investigating our keep for rebels. Nyx sent envoys prior to our arrival. May I offer up my own squad at your convenience?”

“And here I was just about to ask.”

The man clasped the prince on the shoulder. “Think my men can grab a quick bite in the dining hall first? We rode most of the night.”

“I’ll join you.” The prince followed the knight, and the rest of us trailed behind.

And so began the first hour of the end of our stay.



*

Make it look good. Make it real. Convince Darren. Try not to think about the blood. Tallus knows his role. Don’t think about the pain you inflict. Think of how many his confession will save.

I backhanded the knight before using my other hand to pull him up by the collar of his shirt, rattling him against the bars. “Confess! Your comrades claim they saw you go off with Derrick alone. The innkeeper claims not to recognize your face. You were never playing cards. You were converting my brother and stealing supplies.”

I raised my hand again, telling myself flesh was better than the blade.

“Ryiah!” Darren caught my fist, dragging me away from our chained prisoner. “What are you doing?”

“He’s a rebel!” I was shrieking loud enough that our audience outside the chamber could hear. “Just look at him! This is the man that took my brother and made him one of them! Took him in with his lies and his status as a knight!” It hadn’t been hard to steer the investigation and then take over when Tallus started to stammer over his words. It was surprisingly easy, the words flowed from my mouth like a script. A small part of me admitted this was the way I had longed to confront Nyx the day I arrived.

Make it as emotional as possible and he’ll miss the lies beneath.

“He’s a rebel!” My lungs expanded and contracted with the heavy intake of air. “I know it, Darren. Just listen to him. Look at him!”

“You don’t want to make the same mistake as me.” Darren locked his arms around me. “Love, I’m going to take over now.”

“Don’t you dare set him free!” I clutched Darren’s arm.

“I promise this man will not leave the cell until I am thoroughly convinced—”

“Check his clothes. Check his belongings and his cot. Check his saddlebags! There has to be some proof. There has to be something to show!”

Darren’s grip tightened on my wrist. “You have my promise, Ryiah, but I need you to wait. Do you think you can do this?”

I growled my reply. “If it is him, I want to be the one to wield the blade. For Derrick.” I needed his promise now, before the truth was discovered. I needed to spare the prince this tainted act from his conscience.

“Is that what you really want?”

“It’s the only thing I ask.”

The prince nodded and then knocked on the prison door, summoning one of our men from the other side. “Check Tallus’s belongings. Don’t leave a boot unturned.”

“Right away, Your Highness.”

The prince closed the door and returned his gaze to Ferren’s Keep’s “only” rebel. “I hope for your sake my wife is wrong.”

The knight lifted a bloodied chin, a red bruise already starting to swell across his right eye. “You won’t find anything.” The words were resolute and full of spite. “You are making a mistake.”

Thirty minutes later, a knock sounded at the door.

“Your Highness, sewn into his pillow was a list. Your wife’s brother is one of the names.”

The prince turned to me. “Ryiah, I believe it is your turn.”

In my hand, I produced a blade.



*

Tallus confessed after a long night in the cell. It was one I’d never get back.

“There are no rebels in the capital!” Darren paced the dungeon. “All of them were caught during the attack.”

“That’s only what they wish you to think.” The man laughed, his whole body shaking violently against the corner of his cell as blood and saliva dripped down his face like a madman.

“Then tell me why they lie in wait. Tell me why they haven’t made a move.”