Page 108 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

His gaze lingered on me, his touch slowly falling away, but the distance between us wasn’t just physical. He didn’t believe me—he didn’t trust me. That made two of us.

“And you?” I asked. “Were you injured at all?”

“I’m unharmed.”

Just like Slade and Daegel had said.

“Who were those people?” I asked. “The ones who attacked us?”

He leaned away, his expression shuttering as effectively as if he’d slammed a door between us. “Criminals whose minds have been twisted by Heliconia. They are a danger to the crown and our people. Rydian and his men followed their trail and destroyed them already.”

Lie.

My chest burned with the word I let die on my lips.

“And the shop owner,” I pressed.

“What about him?”

“Before the attack, he said something about his magic being weakened.”

“Just an old man talking nonsense. He’s also been neutralized, so you needn’t worry.”

I flinched, my eyes going wide. “You killed him?”

“He was possibly complicit in?—”

“Possibly?” I repeated. “You don’t even know for sure, and you killed him anyway?”

“None of that is your concern. All that matters is you’resafely returned to me.” His tone made it clear the subject was closed.

I paused, clearing my throat and shoving aside the sorrow that pricked at me for the poor shopkeeper. When I spoke again, my tone betrayed nothing of what I felt. “It’s time we discussed those resources you promised me.”

“Yes, I’m told you’ve been spending considerable time in the library. I supposed that’s better than training with a sword in the barracks. Have you found anything helpful?”

My eyes narrowed. Did he really expect the library to be sufficient? Or that I would be content to remain locked up inside this castle? To never pick up a sword again?

“I’ve gone as far as I can go with the historical records you have here. I think it’s time to investigate the source.”

“Which is?” he asked, brow lifted.

“The Verdant?—”

“That tribe’s been dead for centuries.”

“It’s possible remnants of their magic still exist there.”

“Aurelia, I promised you resources, and I’ve given you access to the royal library, which has an extensive historical collection. I think that’s more than generous, especially given that our true focus should be on sealing our alliance and using it to bring other courts to our aid.”

“I don’t see why we can’t do both,” I said. “You spoke of an oracle?—”

“I’m afraid my men were unable to locate her.”

I lifted my chin, fighting the urge to drive my fist into his lying mouth. “Then I will begin arrangements for the journey south?—”

“You will not leave this place unless I order it,” he boomed, loud and final.

I waited for him to apologize or take it back. To smooth it over like the charmer he pretended to be. But he didn’t bother.

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