Page 59 of Royal Rebel

“Yes,” Venn said. “We heard the story more than once. Zander’s own family suffered the same fate. His son was arrested on suspicion of being a rebel, and he was killed during his interrogation. While Zander took care of affairs, his home was burned to the ground—with his son’s wife and child inside. Zander can’t prove it, but he knows the fire was set by the Hunt. According to what we’ve heard, they set fires as warnings or retribution for anyone suspected of rebellion—and they do it on Grandeur’s orders.”

Clare’s heart was no longer beating. Her lungs were locked.

Vera glanced at her, concern in her eyes. “Clare? Are you all right?”

Bennick was kneeling in front of her in the next moment, his hands gripping hers.

“What is it?” Venn demanded. “What’s wrong?”

Serene swallowed. “We recently learned Clare’s home was burned. Her brothers were inside, and . . . there were no survivors.”

Chapter 13

Serene

“Hekilledthembecauseof me,” Clare whispered.

Serene watched her as they stood on the balcony of her large suite. The sun was setting, and it was the first moment they’d had alone since Venn and Vera had shared what they’d learned during their travels.

David Holm’s name had hit her hard—he was one of her rebels. Thank the fates he and his children were all right, despite everything they’d been forced to suffer.

The Hunt . . . James had told her weeks ago that Grandeur had formed the Hunt, but she hadn’t realized how evil their actions were—or how widespread of a problem they’d become.

They’d set fires to homes, killing everyone inside . . .

Her stomach was in knots, but she tried to keep her tone level. Controlling her voice, her reaction—it was all she could control right now. “We don’t know that for certain.”

Clare pulled her eyes from the glittering sea and put her back to the stone railing. Looking at Serene squarely, she said, “Grandeur ordered that fire to be set. I know it. He doesn’t trust me; he hasn’t for a while. He thinks I betrayed him for you.”

Serene tried not to wince, though she didn’t think Clare even noticed the accusation in her words. Her decoy was many things, but never cruel. No, she was just stating fact. It didn’t occur to her that she could be blaming Serene for this.

Fates, if Grandeur had done this, then itwasher fault. She’d convinced Clare to be her spy. To feed information to Grandeur. To push his paranoia. To see how far he would dare to go, or how hard he might dare to strike.

She supposed she had her answer now.

She swallowed hard, feeling sick. She’d never meant for this to happen. She thought he’d strike at her, not Clare. Not two innocent boys.

Serene strived for calm. They didn’t know anything for certain. “We don’t know the results of Commander Markam’s investigation into the origins of the fire. There could be—”

“Grandeur killed my brothers to punish me,” Clare bit out. “Even if Commander Markam learns the truth, do you really think he’ll share that with me? Or will he protect the Hunt and the prince?”

Serene’s shoulders fell. Of course Commander Markam would protect Grandeur. Protecting the prince was protecting the crown—something the commander had taken oaths to do at all costs. The Hunt might be a new faction of soldiers, but it was still part of Devendra’s military. The commander would protect them, too.

“I need to send someone else to determine the truth,” Clare said. “To find proof that Grandeur did this. Someone who has no ties to Devendra, or the Hunt—or the rebels,” she added, as if she’d read Serene’s intention to offer.

She wasn’t offended that Clare didn’t want one of Serene’s rebels to look into things. She could understand Clare’s need for someone with no biases to determine the truth.

“Do you have someone in mind?” Serene asked.

“Yes. Latif.”

Her eyes widened. “The man who is currently in prison for abducting you and agreeing to kill you?”

“He was blackmailed by Prince Liam,” Clare said. “And Latif said he was never going to kill me.”

“He said thatafterhe was arrested.”

“True, but he did save my life in the prison the other night—twice. I trust him. He’s a man who wants to redeem himself by doing something good, and he’s loyal to me.” Clare met Serene’s gaze. “Will you ask Desfan to release him?”

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