Page 170 of Warlord's Plaything

I step forward, pointing to the center of the map."This place is bound by blood. The magic is old, tied to sacrifice, tied to lineage. The only way to sever it completely is with the blood of someone connected to the land."

Silence.

Then Hira understands.

Her body stiffens, her breath hitching slightly.

"Your blood."

I nod.

"Yes."

A beat.

A slow, dragging moment where I can feel the truth sinking into her bones.

Menias snorts, shaking his head.

"So what? We bleed you a little? That doesn’t sound too bad."

Hira’s jaw tightens.

"Not just a little,"I murmur."It has to be enough. Enough to sever the connection completely."

Her face darkens.

But she doesn’t argue.

Not yet.

Because now is not the time for it.

The meeting ends with final strategies, final orders.

Menias and his warriors retreat to prepare, their voices low, their armor gleaming under the firelight.

But Hira doesn’t move.

She stays, standing at the boundary of the fire’s glow, her body wound tight, her gaze locked on me like she’s trying to solve a puzzle she doesn’t like.

"Say it."

She doesn’t flinch."You’re planning to die."

I smirk."I’m planning to win."

"That’s not the same fucking thing."

I step closer.

Close enough to see the way her throat works when she swallows.

We’re only inches apart, the warmth of her body calling onto me.

"Would it make you feel better if I lied?"

"No."

---