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Though he’d never forbidden me to use it, he did code-lock it. I’d assumed the extra security was for Lark, but what if the lock was for my benefit? Aric and Jack might be up to something.

Changing the subject, I said, “I meant to ask you what happened to the poppy plant I grew on your desk.”

Aric’s lips thinned. “The Hanged Man removed it. Which angers me inordinately, considering all the other things he did to us.”

I thought about growing Aric another one, but it wouldn’t be the same—just like any ring I made for him now wouldn’t have the same meaning as the one I’d given him. I knew we were both thinking about that loss.

Lark knocked on the study door and entered, looking fresh from a shower. Her demeanor was antsy. From nerves about this meeting? Or because she wanted to return to her project?

She took the seat beside mine. “I’m here. Let’s meet.” Attitude rolled off her. In the past, she’d almost always been deferential to Aric.

Irritation flashed over his face. “You agreed never to breed creatures without my express permission. You gave me your word.”

Her claws dug into the armrests of her chair. “And you promised to keep me safe until it was my turn to bow out. But you let Ogen attack. And Paul. You haven’t kept me safe for shit.”

My jaw dropped open.

He turned to me and raised his brows. See? Then he faced Lark, staring her down. “You’re expressing a death wish,” he murmured, “to the one man sure to grant it?”

She jutted her chin.

His lips curved—not a smile. “It seems we have become less useful to each other. We should end our arrangement.”

I quickly cut in, “Aric, she doesn’t mean this. She’s just hyped up. Spilling blood can bring on the heat of battle. I would know.”

Lark snapped at him, “What are you gonna do? Exile me? Got a newsflash for you: the livestock stopped reproducing without my power. Happy apocalypse! Which means, you’ll starve without me. Looks like I hold all the cards—”

His sword was against her throat before I could react. “The splintering begins.”

“Whoa, wait!” I leapt to my feet and hurried around to where he leaned across the desk. “Let’s all be cool about this. Please.” Was he feeling the heat of battle? I made sure to touch his bare hand; the contact with my skin had calmed him in the past.

Eyes on Lark, he told me, “She’s right. Ogen and Paul nearly killed you. So why in the gods’ names would I keep yet another lethal Arcana under my roof with my wife and son?”

“Aric, please.”

Yet he didn’t budge. “Seeing her like this, can you tell me she’ll never return to that resurrection? Or harm you?”

I couldn’t vouch for her. She wasn’t herself, and she had screwed me over before. “It’s not that simple.”

Aric’s muscles had swelled with aggression, yet his voice remained ice-cold. “We must make it simple. For our son. Everything for him.”

Too late, Lark looked nervous. The bloodlust receded, leaving a scared teen in its wake.

Two Arcana had died in this castle in a span of months. How to save a friend? How to keep my alliance on track? “Please put down the sword. I’m asking you, Aric.”

Gazing down into my eyes, he bit out a curse in Latvian, then lowered his weapon.

With the immediate threat past, I turned to Lark. “Look at it from his point of view. That creature could kill us so easily. And what if you die in battle? We’d have no way to control it.”

One of her fangs dug into her bottom lip as she clearly thought through scenarios. “So if I stop resurrecting things, I can stay?”

Before Aric could speak, I said, “Yes. If we can trust you to stop and to get rid of that creature, then of course you can.”

Aric didn’t contradict me, hadn’t moved.

“Why don’t you head to your room, Lark? I’ll come see you in a bit.” And ask about her new revelation.

She nodded with relief and hurried out of the study.

Aric returned his sword to the stand and began to pace. “You suffer guilt over the past games—gods know I’ve heaped the blame on you myself—but you can’t let it cloud your judgment. You’ve softened so much toward other Arcana that you’re placing yourself and our son at risk.”

I needed to make him understand. “When Lark removed the cilice from my arm, she took a leap of faith and trusted me not to hurt her. Then she remained by my side to fight. I’ve got to do the same for her.” Despite my doubts.

He exhaled a long breath.

“What?”

“I cannot fault your loyalty. It’s what makes you so different in this life. I think that’s part of why I fell in love with you for the first time in this game.” He’d told me that he’d desired me before, but had never surrendered his heart. “Yet sieva, I fear your trust will be your downfall.”