Page 98 of The Enemy's Daughter

“And even from the grave, Farron gets one final win, doesn’t he?” he says.

My gaze jerks back to his face.

“I will not have my daughter married to his son, having his grandchildren, and carrying on his name. This ismylegacy. He will not infiltrate my family too.” He slams his open palm against the log wall. “You will marry Liam tomorrow afternoon.”

My face flushes with anger. “Are you sure you want to marry me off so quickly? What if you need to throw me to Gerald a few more times? You know, dangle me like a carrot in front of that vile piece of filth so you can have everything you want.”

A flash of something that looks like disgust passes over his eyes. “I never would have left you with him. Not for long. If I didn’t need him to battle Kingsland, I would have gotten rid of him decades ago. Now that he’s murdered two of my men, I want him gone. I’ll prove that he’s the murderer, and he won’t live past the week.”

How ironic that in an attempt to create a society that’s fairer and more equitable than Kingsland, he has to use murder to stay on top.

And manipulate his daughter.

My head starts to shake, slow at first, then picking up speed. “No. I won’t go along with this. I won’t marry Liam just so you can get one last stab at Farron Banks. And I will not be used to facilitate this unjust war.”

“Isadora.” His voice carries a deadly calm. “Youwilldo this. Youwill fulfill your duty to your people.”

I jump to my feet. “How could you even ask this of me? I’mconnectedto Tristan. You of all people should understand.” Is this not the very injustice that has spawned decades of his revenge?

His face remains etched in stone, leaving me with so much anger I may combust. Nothing, not even begging, is going to change his mind.

So don’t beg.

“I will sabotage you,” I promise. Speaking to him this way is risking my life. But for a man who only respects power, I fear it’s my only move. “Release Tristan and end the betrothal to Liam; do what it takes to make peace with Kingsland, or I will tell everyone the truth. Once people see they’ve been dying needlessly, their sons and fathers dead all because of you, there’ll be no coming back. Doubt will spread like wildfire. You’ll lose more than the support of a couple clan leaders. You’ll loseeverything.”

I brace myself for an explosion of violence. I’ve seen his rage before, just never used against me. But instead, his lips curl into a grin. “It is a privilege that I’ve let you into my secret world; don’t make me regret it. But let me teach you something about blackmail, daughter: you must always hold the greater stakes.”

What does that mean?

“As we speak, the prisoners are being moved to Hanook. Tristan will be kept alive as long as you keep your mouth shut and don’t step out of line.”

Before he exits my room, he looks back over his shoulder. “Consider it your wedding gift.”

33

My room carries a chill that comes with the late evening spring nights. Not cold enough to waste energy building a fire, not warm enough to be comfortable.

Wrapping myself in a blanket, I wander to the window Liam helped me climb through earlier and undo the clasp holding the shutters closed. The wooden slats swing open like a door—so primitive compared to the flawless glass windowpanes in Kingsland.

Everything’s primitive here.

Even me.

Which was exactly Father’s plan.

I can’t help but think how much further along I would be in every facet of my life if I had grown up in Kingsland. If I hadn’t been held back from getting a broader education. From reading widely. From being and doing anything I wanted—with whoever I wanted to.

I realize now that it was intentional to keep me like a plant housed in a small pot, starved of sunshine and water so I wouldn’t bloom. I accepted it. Somewhat. But the idea of going back to thatnow is unbearable. I’ve grown. I don’t fit any longer.

Claustrophobia wraps a tight band around my lungs.

Everything has fallen apart so fast. What do I do?

Free Tristan, that much I know. And I have to believe I can escape as well, and that I can make it back to Kingsland and hopefully clear my name.

But after Father’s confession, there’s a fire of outrage that isn’t burning out. He can’t get away with this. He’s destroying so many lives to maintain his control.

If I did speak up against him, the wedding would be a perfect time—provided Tristan had escaped. All the clan leaders would be present. I could tell the truth, then suggest a vote that Liam become Saraf now.

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