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I held Gem down, making her listen to every word I said. “You’ll tell the games master that Salas fought alone against six men and won. You’ll tell her you’ve made inquiries into his background, and his past is clean.”

“But—”

“You’ll tell her,” I wouldn’t let her squeeze a word of protest in, “that you personally vouch for him and give him your recommendation to become one of Her Majesty’s royal gladiators.”

Gem released a long, tortured moan as if I was slowly twisting her arm out of its socket.

“You are insane, Ari.” She dropped her face into her hands.

I didn’t argue with that. It was insane. A crazy, daring plan based on lies. And if the lies were exposed, none of us would get out of it unscathed. But the queen’s gladiators enjoyed care, protection, and respect no other group of unmarried men in Rorrim had. And I wanted Salas to have it all.

“There are only three people who know the truth—you, me, and Salas. All three of us have very good reasons to keep it to ourselves. It will work,” I assured her.

She lifted her head, looking at me like I’d completely lost my mind.

“The men who become Her Majesty’s royal gladiators have impeccable reputations.”

“Do they really?” I arched an eyebrow. “Or are their reputations only as good as the references they receive from powerful women?”

She made a face, as if I was feeding her the sourest lemons straight up. “Think about it, Ari. You want me to pass a whore for a warrior. It’s impossible. The games master will see right through it the moment she meets him.”

I shook my head at that.

“Salasisa warrior. He’s fought more battles in his life than you could ever imagine. He’s a survivor, and he’s gotten through it all while keeping his kindness and integrity intact, which is more than I can say about many people here in the royal palace. What he needs is a chance. A word in his favor from the powerful lady chamberlain, the favorite niece of Her Majesty, would surely convince the games master to give him that chance.”

Gem tilted her head, squinting at me from her perch on the desk.

“And if he refuses to take this chance?”

I rubbed my chest against a stab of worry. “He certainly has the right to refuse.”

“Well, there you go!” She tossed her hands in the air. “I’ll stick my neck out for him, and it’ll be all for nothing. He’d be stupid to miss out on such an opportunity, but we established already that man isn’t bright. When we paid off his last debt, he was dumb enough to trip and fall right back into another one. He clearly has no clue what’s best for him. They say he doesn’t evenreflect. Ever. Clearly, he feels no shame and no fear, like an animal.”

But Salas didreflect. I’d seen it. Only it wasn’t pain or humiliation that scared him. It was me and what I made him feel.

“He has to have a choice,” I insisted. “Ultimately, it needs to be his decision. I want you to explain what’s going on, without pushing or coercing him either way. Do you understand?”

“Ah so,” she said slyly. “You don’t want me to do to him what you’re doing to me? It’s fine to coerce me, but not the slave.”

I felt a slight pinch of guilt about forcing Gem into compliance, but it remained just slight.

“It’s not the same, Gem. You’re only risking your status. In Salas’s case, his life is at stake. You will lay it out to him as is. Then, you’ll give him a choice. If he doesn't accept our offer, you’ll let him go. Either way, we’ll have Madam Trela hunt the real killer without distractions. But if Salas refuses your help, I’d like to speak with him before he leaves Egami.”

“No, you won’t!” Gem jumped to her feet. “If I do this, Ari, if I put my wealth and status on the line for a worthless whore, there is one thing I absolutely demand of you. You will never speak to that man ever again.”

“But if he refuses, I need to hear his reasons why.”

If I were completely honest with myself, I wished to see Salas just one more time if he chose to leave the city and my life for good.

But I’d already broken my promise to Mother not to see him after the last night Gem had arranged for him to come to my room. I’d promised her not to associate with him anymore, but then went to the slaves’ barracks anyway.

Gem was right to doubt me. When it came to Salas, I had no willpower to resist his pull, even if my honor was at stake.

Gem gave me a knowing look. “There is absolutely no need for you to know the reasons for his refusal. If you’re giving him a choice, it’s not up to you what he chooses. If he wants to slave his life away, let him. Respect his decision and let him go. And if he takes this chance,” she lifted a finger for emphasis, “then you won’t search out his company either. I don’t give a fuck about how much you care about him or how much you may miss him.”

“But I’m not—”

She huffed, cutting off my protests. “You made a huge mistake, Ari. He was supposed to be a nobody, a fleck in your memories, a toy for you to use for a night or two. And look wherewe are now. You’re blackmailing me and lying for him. And all for what? A whore is not a gladiator, even if you dress him up as one. He’ll get himself killed during his first fight in the arena. Which will probably be the best outcome for all of us.” Looking bitter and disappointed, she demanded, “Swear you’re not going to see him one on one ever again. No talking. No fucking. From now on, you don’t know him at all.”