Page 44 of The Blood Traitor

“Have you learned anything yet, Eidran?” Caldon asked, promptingKiva’s gaze to shoot to the unfamiliar young man, her eyes widening with realization.

Eidran was the name of the Royal Guard who had originally planned to infiltrate Zalindov, but he’d broken his leg, leaving Jaren to go in his place. From what Kiva had gleaned while eavesdropping on the Royal Council, he was one of Evalon’s best spies when it came to gathering rebel intelligence. Last she’d heard, he’d been recovering from his injury in Albree, but that had been months ago — he’d had plenty of time to heal and, apparently, find his way back to Jaren.

“The general said we should wait for you,” Eidran answered, his voice quiet, calming even. Despite his formidable size, there was something very settling about him.

“Well, we’re here now,” Caldon said, offering no further explanation as he strode toward them, with Kiva quickly following. “Remove their gags, and let’s hear what they have to say.”

If Ashlyn was annoyed that her brother was giving the orders despite her outranking him, she didn’t let on. Her focus was solely on Torell and Cresta as Eidran tugged the cloths from their mouths.

Immediately, Tor looked at Kiva and rasped, “Are you —”

“Quiet.”

The word was low and brimming with barely restrained fury, a command even the bravest of souls would know not to ignore.

And it was said by Jaren.

It was the first time Kiva had heard his voice in weeks, and it took everything in her not to start tearing up again. She only managed because Cresta sent her another look, this one saying,Get it together, you softhearted fool.

Kiva fisted her hands until her fingernails dug into her palms. She was desperate to find out how her brother was there, what Cresta was doing with him, why Caldon had said Tipp hadn’t wanted to be near them, and so many other things. But she knew better than to speak, thevery air simmering with tension. She shot a pleading glance at Caldon, but he was too busy looking worriedly at Jaren to notice, so Kiva turned to Ashlyn. The princess held her eyes before offering a slight nod and stepping forward until she was in front of Tor.

“Torell Corentine,” she said, “I’m Ashlyn Vallentis.”

“I know who you are, General,” he replied.

His emerald gaze was steady and full of respect, which seemed to take Ashlyn aback. But she rallied and said, “It takes either a brave man or a stupid one to turn himself in as you did tonight. You’re wanted for treason, the penalty for which is a life sentence at Zalindov.”

Kiva flinched, and all eyes shifted to her — including Jaren’s frosty gaze.

“Since we just came from there,” Cresta drawled, mercifully reclaiming their attention, “it’d be really annoying if you made us go straight back.”

Kiva sent her a grateful look, to which the redhead just rolled her eyes, as if reminding Kiva that it was becoming an irritating habit to save her — even from herself.

Ashlyn squinted at the ex-quarrier. “Have we met before? You look familiar.”

Cresta shrugged within the confines of her ropes. “Are you the one who arrested me five years ago?” When Ashlyn shook her head, Cresta said, “Then no, unless you’ve visited for Family Day in that time. Maybe we shared tea and cookies.”

Kiva resisted the urge to snort at the veryideaof Zalindov hosting a “Family Day.”

Ashlyn’s mouth tightened, and she returned her focus to Torell. “You came here knowing that we’d —”

“Can we speed this up?” Cresta interrupted, shifting on her seat. “My ass is numb.” She jerked her chin toward Kiva. “You already know we’re here for her. Sure, we didn’t know she’dbehere, so we got luckywith that. But now that we’re all together, how about you save time by leaving the threats and just asking your questions?” Cresta continued before anyone could respond, “I’ll start you off. This one” — her chin jerked toward Torell this time — “was unconscious during everything that went down with their sister at the palace.” Her hazel eyes locked with Jaren’s as she brutally added, “You know, the night you lost your throne and your magic?” She whistled through her teeth. “Not your best day.”

“Cresta,” Kiva hissed, the strangled word barely leaving her throat.

“What?” Cresta asked with fake innocence. “We all know what happened. Gods, you wouldn’t shut up about it forweeksat Zalindov. I’ve never seen anyone more broken, and that’s saying a lot, considering where we were.”

It was as if all the air had been sucked from the room. Kiva shut her eyes to block out what she might see — ornotsee — but then she felt a hand on her arm, and she reopened them to find Caldon’s pale face before her.

“You were back at Zalindov?” His voice was raw, as if he didn’t want to believe it.

Cresta snorted. “Where the hell did you think she was? After how much she’d come to care for you all, do youreallythink she would have stayed away of her own free will and not tried to fix things?” She snorted again. “Do you really think she would have stayed away fromhim?” Her gaze speared straight to Jaren again, and Kiva couldn’t resist looking as well, only to see him standing as still as death. His face remained blank, but his eyes —

They were blazing.

Kiva’s traitorous heart gave a thump of hope, but then he blinked and whatever he’d felt at the news of her being back at Zalindov vanished as swiftly as it had arrived.

“There was nothing she could do, though,” Cresta went on, her words landing like blows. “Warden Rooke sentenced her to the tunnels this time —”

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