Page 27 of Tisak

“Florin,” I whispered so low it was barely a sound.

He nodded and stepped away from me, taking my hand and leading me around the tree. “We’re here, Braz.”

“Thank the goddess,” Braz said, turning and dropping to one knee so he could gather us both in his huge arms.

It felt so good to be wrapped up in his strength that I didn’t realize at first he was wearing his cloak and armor, with a rucksack slung over his shoulder. “Braz, what are you doing?”

He pulled back and looked from one of us to the other. “I read your note, Theon. I’m coming with you.”

10

Weylyn

“Iunderstand your position, Weylyn. I do, but—”

“Theon was a slave,” I gritted out, glaring at Kasper. “The same as every person here. He’s got the same brand on his arm as I’ve got on mine. If I’m welcome, and he’s not…” I shook my head and stood to my full height. Kasper and I had been in his tent since we’d gotten back to camp, and I’d gotten Nica settled with the healers.

Nica.

Goddess, how I wanted to be at his side right now. Soon, I kept telling myself. Theon was ours to protect, and my tiger would tear the skin from my bones if I let him come to harm.

“If you choose to send him away, so be it. But we go with him.”

Kasper sighed and sat. “Please, sit. It’s been a long day.”

I sat, eyes roaming over the table between us. It was covered with maps and bits of parchment scribbled with notes. I didn’t envy Kasper the job of leading the Resistance. I understood he had to always consider the health and safety of the whole, while also taking the risks necessary to win this war.

“I know.” Kasper started and paused. “When I was still a slave, I had a wife.”

Looking up, I met his gaze.

“She was the light of my world, and she died still a slave.”

“I’m sorry.”

He nodded. “I understand the love you have for Theon, and I need you to understand that I don’t want to send him away. However, Ineedto figure out how to keep the camp safe if he’s allowed to stay. You have to understand, Wey, even if I pledge that he continues to be welcome here, there are those who will never accept him. Especially now.”

It was my turn to sigh. “We’ll be fighting off our own people as often as the mages.”

“That’s my fear, yes.” Kasper leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “We cannot afford the infighting. Despite what happened today, our mission was a success. Holcot was captured, and to save his own skin, he gave us what we needed to know.”

My eyebrows shot up. “You let him live?”

“Of course not,” Kasper scoffed. “He was granted a merciful death. It was more than he deserved.”

“What about the Lady?”

“There was nothing left of her but ashes and blood… what was it that set him off? Why did she trigger such a response?”

I closed my eyes, Samir’s face vivid in my mind. “At House Natas, during one of his exhaustive parties, she wanted the death of another slave for spilling wine on her dress. The slave, Samir, was Theon’s friend. Natas ordered Theon to kill him.”

“Dear goddess.” Kasper wiped a hand over his mouth.

“He couldn’t do it.” I licked my lips, dropping my gaze to the maps on the table in front of me. “So I did.” Kasper’s gaze bore into me. “After, I asked that Natas let that be my one favor for winning the Pelas Games. He agreed, but only in that it lessened the punishment for my actions. That’s when he ordered my other wing cut off.”

A visible shudder went through Kasper’s body. I was sure he wouldn’t allow such a response to be seen in front of others, but here with me, the only other gargoyle in camp, I was glad he didn’t hide it.

“Theon had to witness that,” I continued. “He watched me slit his friend’s throat, and then he watched Sephiran cut the wing from my back. We both still have nightmares.”

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