Page 71 of The Oracle of Dusk

He slapped a hand over her mouth.

“Watch what you say. Even the walls have ears here, Aurora.”

She pulled his hand away, rolling her eyes.

“Your ears aren’t as sensitive as mine. I wouldn’t have begun this conversation if I weren’t certain no one else could hear us.”

He frowned, puzzled by her.

“What is it you want from me?” he asked.

“I want an ally I can trust enough not to turn on me before I’ve done what I need to.”

“To slay your beast?”

“Yes. I thought Orithyia would be that ally, but I was mistaken.”

“So you betrayed her in the hopes of purchasing my loyalty the other day?” he asked, brows raised as a smile turning up the corners of his lips.

Why did that make him happy? Shouldn’t he be angry that she’d tried to manipulate him? Shouldn’t he be wary of her for giving away temple secrets?

“To prove that you would get as much benefit from a partnership as I would,” Aurora replied, her heart racing. Would he be satisfied with just her knowledge, or would he demand more?

“What do you propose?”

“My knowledge in return for your help defeating Drakon.”

“This beast seems troublesome. Are you certain your knowledge will be enough recompense for my efforts?”

If the veritable hoard of artefacts wasn’t enough, she doubted anything else she could tell him would suffice. There was no guarantee that he would believe she could see glimpses of the future, or that she’d come from his future and knew his fate. Orithyia had kept her alive because it cost her nothing to do so. But would Theron act with such cold cunning, and not just toss her to the wolves?

What a mess. If only the hero of the holy sword were here, then she would have a true ally. Whoever, or wherever, they were in Trisia, she hoped she could meet them. No records existed of their name, nor had any statues depicting them survived the millennia. Aurora had to hope she would be able to spot the holy weapon to identify the wielder. Only together could they deal with Drakon. She had to remind herself that Theron was merely a stepping stone to that outcome, and while his resources could be invaluable, she also couldn’t afford to slip and fall.

“Never mind. I’m not sure I could afford your loyalty anyway. I’ll return to my room. Whatever your motives, thank you for saving me, Your Majesty.” As she got up to leave, he caught her wrist.

“You asked why I saved you. My brother caught torchlight fever as an adult—a death sentence. Just like you. Except this was a time before we had any inkling of how to treat it. He didn’t survive. I didn’t want to watch someone worth saving die like that in front of me if I could help it.”

She put a hand over his.

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

Worth saving. She blinked in surprise.

“You asked for honesty, and I would count myself lucky to be your ally. But I have my own conditions.”

Aurora swallowed nervously. Could she really be so fortunate as to count a king, doomed though he may be, as an ally? All without the need to make herself his plaything?

“What conditions?”

“That you help me get back to Aureum. And that you remain with me until then. I vow to protect you in the meantime.”

She gripped the fabric of her nightgown. All the stories said he was meant to return to his kingdom soon enough, so it wouldn’t even cost her anything, except a delay to her travels, which, given the sound of the bells, was unavoidable anyway. And the protection of a king was worth its weight in gold. Would it really be so simple? Had something finally gone right for her? It was almost too good to trust, and yet, she couldn’t find a reason to deny him, except if his demands kept her here until it was too late.

“As long as it doesn’t interfere with what I need to do, then I agree.”

And not a moment too soon. The next attendant had come to wait outside the door. Aurora leaned in to whisper in his ear.

“The walls have sprouted ears again.”

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