Page 181 of Scourged

“Andrian.” Mariah’s command was sharp as she moved, resting a hand on Andrian’s arm. The man instantly relaxed, his face dropping all hints of his wrath and settling into his usual ambivalent mask. He shook his arms loose and rested backagainst the table. Sebastian blinked at his change, still touched by a hint of surprise.

He wasn’t sure he would ever grow used to that. To an Andrian who was still Andrian—still an ass, still insufferable—but was no longer … lost. An Andrian who was saved from himself and was learning how to trust.

An Andrian inlove.

Sebastian’s fear and shameful regret had driven him to rash decisions after rescuing Andrian and Mariah. But now, seeing them, seeing the way he was to her … He couldn’t deny there was something between them that no one could understand. That not even the gods could touch.

Mariah chuckled lightly.

“My, my, Ryland. Is that really it? You just wanted my attention?” She took a step forward, cocking her head. “So, you’ve known about that apartment building ever since the Winter Solstice?”

Ryland nodded, keeping his eyes downcast.

“And correct me if I’m wrong, but it is now, what … the middle of spring? Early summer?” Mariah glanced around at her Armature and was answered by grim nods and dark chuckles. “If I’m understanding you, that means you knew about that building and what happened there formonthsbefore bringing it to someone’s attention.”

Ryland paled, his eyes going wide again. “I didn’t—you didn’t?—"

“What?I didn’t ask?” Mariah surged forward, the tip of her family’s dagger appearing beneath Ryland’s jaw.

“Do you know what they did in that building? Do you know how many people were hurt, how many people werekilled? On the goddess’s most sacred night, do you know how many were there topolluteit?”

Ryland gasped like a fish, more terror flashing in his eyes.

“I should do it. Kill you for that, I mean.” Mariah’s voice was so flat, so emotionless, it raised the hairs on Sebastian’s arms. “It would be so easy. I’d only have to push, just a touch, just enough to hit an artery. That’s all it would take for you to choke on your blood.”

Ryland whimpered, his eyes closing as he panted, pulling against his bonds of light and shadow.

They stayed like that for a moment. Mariah, with her dagger against Ryland’s throat. Ryland, shaking with his fear. Andrian, Sebastian, and the rest of her Armature tense and alert, waiting with wide eyes and clenched fists.

After what felt like an eternity, Mariah released a breath.

“But I hardly think killing you will do any good. Not yet, anyways.” She dropped her dagger and took a step back.

Ryland sagged against his bindings, sweat dampening his hair.

“Trefor, Matheo,” Mariah called, turning on her heel. Trefor and Sebastian’s little brother stood a little taller.

“Take Ryland to the dungeons. He’ll wait there until we get back. If my family is found safe and we return here with them, then we can revisit his sentence and what exactly we’re going to do with him. And if we can’t …” Mariah glanced back over her shoulder. “Then I hope you give him a comfortable cell because he will rot down there.” Mariah strode for the door at the other end of the meeting room, Andrian following her. The bindings around Ryland fell away just as Trefor and Matheo reached him, securing him between the two of them.

“Wait,” Ryland croaked, lifting his head weakly from his chest.

Mariah paused, turning halfway. “Yes?”

Ryland swallowed. “What do you plan to do about them? About the lords? You can’t … You can’t beat them.” His head dropped again. “None of us can.”

“I don’t believe there are any men in this kingdom who are that powerful. Anyone can be beaten. And I assure you, Ryland.” Her voice dropped into a low, deadly promise. “Theywillmeet their end. I will burn the entire kingdom down to see it done if I must.”

Sebastian lingered in the room as Mariah and Andrian continued out through the back door and Ryland was hauled away. Quentin, Drystan, and Feran traded low whispers as they slowly followed Mariah and Andrian, presumably back to their rooms to finish packing for their journey. They were set to leave tomorrow, just after daybreak.

Sebastian stayed in that room for many long minutes, alone. He stared at a swirl in the wood of the meeting table, the reds and golds of the mahogany gleaming.

And as he stood, he realized he was afraid.

Sebastian was also angry, of course. He wanted to rip the world apart by Mariah’s side as she searched for her family, wanted to burn the lords where they stood. Never once had he doubted his faith in her, to the world she wanted to build, to the future she could bring about during her reign. He’d already fought for her, had stood by her even when so many in the kingdom turned their backs.

But he was afraid of what might happen if they failed. If they couldn’t rescue her family. If the lords sprang whatever trap they’d laid.

He was afraid for Mariah. For what was happening to her. For who she might become.

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