Page 79 of Between Smoke and Shadow

“It won’t be enough,” I say. I run my hand through my hair, weaving around her. “I used my best weapons—cheating and the element of surprise. My only chance at besting Malek was killing him. And even cheating, I failed.”

I pace the room. Once, twice, three times. Tora watches me silently, her red lips in a tight line.

“He’s going to kill her, and I won’t be able to stop him.” My voice cracks, but I’m too worked up to care.

The words worm into my brain like parasites. I’m striding the room faster now, hands jittering as I try to make a plan. Something to get Rune out. Not in a few weeks, but tomorrow or the next day. Before Malek is well enough to ruin her.

“Stop,” Tora says. She catches my arms, craning her chin to look at me. “You’re going to work yourself into a panic.”

I don’t tell her that I’ve been far past panic for days now.

“I lied, okay?” She says, worrying her lip with her teeth. “Malek isn’t planning anything against Rune.”

I reel backward, ripping out of her grasp. I’m slow to process the words, but it all snaps into place at once. My sisterliedto me, forced my hand before I was ready. If I hadn’t been impulsive, I could have made a better plan. Instead, I’d been reckless—and look what it’s cost.

“Why.” Not a question, a demand. It’d be a roar if I weren’t in a state of shock.

“I was afraid you were going to lose,” she whispers. A soft pink colors her cheeks. “And in the training room, you’d gotten so furious when I mentioned her. You crushed the doorframe with your bare hand, Harrick. Did you even notice?”

I didn’t.

“That’s not possible,” I say. Then, shaking my head, I continue, “But it doesn’t matter. I acted rashly because of whatyoutold me. Your lie won this battle, but it’s lost me the war.”

“Don’t say that. We’ll figure something out,” she says quietly. She’s squirming, a dark blush coloring her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Harrick. I was trying to help.”

I close my eyes, squeezing them until my head aches. Tora is being honest—I fully believe that—but it doesn’t change the fact that she’s completely screwed me over.

“Malek isn’t plotting against Rune?” I ask. Despite everything else, I need to hear her say it again.

“He’s not. I doubt he even knows who she is,” she says. She looks me in the eye, but I can tell she’s squirming inside. “I wanted you to hate him enough that you didn’t fear him. That you wouldn’t hesitate to kill him. I thought it was the only way you’d come out on top.”

“Well, it didn’t work,” I snap.

“You held back!” she yells, shocking us both. Her chest heaves, and her voice shakes, even as she lowers it. “You could have cut through him with those vines, and we both know it. You didn’t. You held back, Harrick. Andthat’swhy he’s still alive.”

We stare at each other for a long moment. Me, waiting for her to take it back, to admit she’s wrong. Her, waiting for me to acknowledge that she’s right, that Icouldhave cut through him if I tried.

“Leave!” I snarl. “Haven’t you done enough?”

“I’m not going anywhere,” she says. Her jaw is tight, her shoulders stiff. “I know you don’t believe me right now, but we’ll find a way to make this right.”

I don’t respond, don’t say another word. Tora sighs and moves to the couch, settling in beside me. She doesn’t say anything else either. She only takes my hands and submerges them in the bucket of ice.

“I forgot I left this here,”I tell Rune as I sit on her bed. I flip through the pages ofIllia’s Tome, nerves spiking as I look through the chapters. I was a fool to forget this here. If anyone had searched her room, she would’ve been killed.

When Rune doesn’t respond, I glance up to find her anxiously watching me from against the wall. She’s said exactly two words since I arrived.Hellowhen I knocked on her door.Yeswhen I asked if I could come in. Now, she stands with perfect posture, hands clasped. Back to being frustratingly nervous and timid. She bites her lip as I study her, shifting under the weight of my gaze.

“Do you want to sit?” I ask. I close the book, scooting to make room for her.

She blushes like I’ve asked her to get naked, but she still joins me. I’ll take any progress I can get. She smells like the cheap soap servants use. I wish I could gift her something better, something that smells sweet yet bold, like her. But the best I can do right now is food and clean clothes. The room still carries a hint of the dinner I sent an hour ago.

“Are you okay?” she asks.

My shoulders loosen at her question, at the softness of her voice. It’s been two days since my victory against Malek, and this is the first time I’ve been alone with her. It’s well past midnight, but her lights are on. There are perks to Joran knowing my secret—so long as he doesn’t threaten exposing it.

“Somewhat,” I say truthfully. “I’m glad I won. I just…wish it ended differently.”

Rune stares at me curiously but waits for me to continue.

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