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“We have our orders,” she says. “Why would we not just kill you all?”

Her eyes are cold, reptilian. Oh yes, she would enjoy watching me die.

“You tried that once,” I say with a smirk, letting my gaze linger on the deep lines etched into her face. I glance back at Calysian. His stare burns into the witch, heavy with retribution. “Do you really want to try again? Let us pass now, and we’ll become the next regiment’s problem.” I nod toward Kyldare. “And you will have your revenge.”

“I will make yousufferif you do this,” Kyldare hisses.

Bridin stares at us for several long moments. I know what she’s thinking. She wants to kill us. Wants to make Calysian pay for what his power did to her face, her body.

And yet she’s not sure she can. Even with fifty soldiers at her back.

The general at her side doesn’t say a word. His presence is a formality. Everyone knows the witch will make this decision.

Bridin’s eyes shift to Kyldare, and I’m willing to bet she’s reliving every order he gave her in that tower, every snarled comment, every insult.

She smiles at me. “You are only delaying your fate,” she says. “But as you said, you will become the next regiment’s problem.”

I almost snort. Bridin will go back on her word the moment she can. Which means we need to stay one step ahead of her.

Kyldare begins to tremble—just asItrembled each time he ordered his men to restrain me in that tower. “Please,” he croaks, turning to face Calysian.

Cold rage fills Calysian’s eyes. “You never should have touched her. And youdefinitelyshouldn’t have caged her. Remember that as you succumb to what is sure to be an agonizing death.” His smile is dark and feral as he leans close to Kyldare, lowering his voice to a whisper. “As you die, your last thought will be this: Harming Madinia Farrow was the biggest mistake of your life.”

My heart stops, and then starts again, beating irregularly in my chest. I take a deep, shuddering breath as Calysian takes Kyldare’s arm and hauls him toward the witch.

I stay put, watching as Kyldare fights desperately for his life. But the chains have left him vulnerable. Powerless. Weak.

Perhaps I should show mercy. Perhaps I should at least feel some regret.

But I don’t. I feel vindicated. I feel satisfied. I feelcontent.

I hold my breath, preparing for duplicity from Vicana’s people, but they don’t move. Calysian unchains Kyldare and shoves him toward the witch. She immediately strikes out with her power, and Kyldare slumps to the ground. Several soldiers lift him, hauling him away.

Calysian slings the chains over his shoulder and saunters back to my side. He shows no concern for the soldiers surrounding him, his gaze fixed on my face.

Bridin gives us a nod, and with a wave of her hand, the soldiers begin to march south, leaving the trail empty.

I follow Calysian up the incline. He unties Hope, leading her toward me. His hands shift to my waist, but I grab his wrists before he can lift me onto my horse.

“Wait.” I press my hands to his chest. “I don’t understand.”

“I know you, and I knew what you were planning the moment you refused to sleep near me.” His hands tighten on my waist.

“Why didn’t you tell me you knew? Why did you agree to Kyldare’s plan?”

“Kyldare wouldn’t have believed instant cooperation from both of us. He saw my agreement as a victory, and your unhappiness as proof I would not betray him. No one could miss the hurt in your eyes over the past few days. The betrayal.”

“And did you enjoy that? The hurt? The betrayal?”

He leans close. “I should have. Some part of me even thought I would. But no. I didn’t. I wanted to shake you for your distrust. And yet I can’t blame you for it.”

My throat tightens. “You could have stopped me. It would have been easier for you to get the second grimoire.”

His eyes are cool and clear as they meet mine. “I promised you I would make them pay for every second of life they stole from you. This is just the first. What I will do to that witch will be spoken about for centuries.”

My heart jolts. “Calysian.”

He cups my cheek. “Kyldare has made enemies amongst Vicana’s people. Now he’s a traitor. Vicana’s witch will keep him alive. Nothing we could do to him could be worse than what that witch will do. And there’s something particularly delicious about knowing the horror he turned on you will be turned on him.”