Page 151 of Esperance

Amryn

Amryn’s wrists were secured in frontof her by one of Tam’s men, and he had a firm grip on her elbow as they moved down a dimly lit corridor. They’d left Samuel to die in the tea room, and now Tam led the way to the library. With the Feast of Remembrance going on, they didn’t pass any servants or guards in the halls.

They were nearly to the library when Tam said suddenly, “I expected you to ask how I know what you are.”

Considering Tam had turned the tables on them, poisoned them all, and taken Amryn prisoner, the fact that she knew Amryn was an empath seemed almost inconsequential at this point.

Tam looked over her shoulder, her eyebrows lifting at Amryn’s silence. “Or perhaps you’ve already guessed who shared your secret?”

The list of people who knew she was an empath was far too short.

Rix, who wouldneverbetray her.

Her father, wherever in the Scorched Plains he was.

And . . .Tiras.

Just thinking his name made her pulse quicken. Took her back to the room where her mother died. Blood, all over her. His horrible smile.“I made them nothing.”

Tam exhaled sharply, and the sound snapped Amryn out of her nightmarish memory. “I thought you’d be curious, but clearly I was wrong.” Tam twisted back around, her footsteps quickening.

“Who told you?”

The question came out soft. Desperate. And far more tortured than Amryn had wanted it to.

Tam glanced back at her, smiling faintly. “Maybe I’ll tell you before you die.”

Frustration, fear, and desperation knotted inside Amryn. Her fingers itched for the comfort of the prayer coin in her pocket, and she tried to find comfort in the soothing hum that came from the amulet. Her gut clenched as she thought of her last kiss with Carver, and she just wanted to go back to the beginning of this horrible night.

The library doors were closed. There were no guards stationed outside, which was odd, since Jayveh was inside.

Tam opened the door and pushed inside. Scattered among the tables of the great study area lay the bodies of Jayveh’s guards. Jayveh was a prisoner, guarded closely by five rebels. The princess’s wrists were bound in front of her, but her split lip, an already-forming bruise on her cheek, and the rip in her crimson sleeve showed evidence of a fierce fight. Still, she did not look defeated. Even with blood streaking her mouth and her hair a knotted mess, she stood with shoulders thrown back and her chin held high. She looked every inch the empress she was destined to be, and the towering bookshelves behind her—cast in thick shadows because there were only a few lamps lit—made an imposing backdrop.

Jayveh’s eyes narrowed on Tam. “You will die for this.” Her fury was potent, blistering the air around her. She also felt betrayal and sadness, but they were muted by her sheer rage. Then her eyes darted to Amryn, and a wave of concern washed from her. “Are you all right?”

“Fine. You?”

Jayveh’s jaw worked. “I’ll be better once Tam’s dead.”

“I’m not the one dying tonight.” Tam motioned for Amryn to be moved to Jayveh’s side, and then she drew out a dagger. Her voice was perfectly level and chillingly cold. “Your uncle warned us you might not be fully committed to the cause, Jayveh. You fooled me for a while, though—I thought your adoration of Argent was a ruse. But it wasn’t, was it? You’ve been working with him from the start.” She shook her head. “Even if you hadn’t betrayed us, I’d have to kill you. You have Argent’s spawn growing inside of you, and I can’t allow that thing to live.”

Amryn grimaced. Tam’s hatred, her lust for revenge—it was physically painful.

Or perhaps the poison was beginning its work, because there was a horrible pinching in her gut, and she could feel sweat sliding down her spine.

Jayveh’s bound hands fisted in front of her stomach. “I swear to you, Tam, I’ll—”

“What?” Tam cut in. “Give me riches if I leave you alone?”

“No.” Jayveh’s eyes darkened. “If you try to harm me or my child, I’ll kill you.”

Tam almost smiled. “I think I’d enjoy a fight with you. But I’m afraid I’m far too busy. Your husband will be here any moment.” She turned to two of her men, who were dressed as Esperance guards. “Stand guard at the doors. We don’t want Argent seeing anything amiss until it’s too late.” She eyed Jayveh and Amryn. “And don’t bother screaming any warnings. If you do, it will be the last sound you ever make. And why risk an earlier death when you won’t even know if he’s close enough to hear you?”

Amryn’s throat burned with panic, but she needed to do something—even if it was only distracting Tam. “The poison you used tonight; is it the same one you used to poison our tea?”

Jayveh jerked. “Poison?”

Tam ignored the princess as she eyed Amryn. “I didn’t poison that tea. Do you really think I would poison myself?”