Page 114 of A Warrior's Heart

“I know what you did,” I said once the door closed. “You seduced him so he’d stop pondering my words.”

“How clever you are.” Ezra gripped my chin and forced my eyes up to his. “I suppose it’s fortunate that when he’s with me, he thinks with his cock instead of his head. He has a keen mind, but his weakness is beautiful men like me.”

“And you exploit that weakness.”

He smiled. “Every man, no matter how wicked, has a fatal flaw. It just so happens that James can’t resist beautiful things. All reason leaves him.” Ezra shoved my head away from him and walked over to the window. “We all must play a part in order to get what we desire. For me, that’s vengeance for Haman. Also vengeance for myself by killing Triton and taking his place on the throne.”

“Lorcan will never let that happen.”

“We’ll see about that. As I said… every man has a flaw.” When he smiled at me again, chills rippled down my spine. “It’s only a matter of digging deep and finding it.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Malik

Flowers sprang from the grassy field, as did glowing plants of various colors and textures. I sat surrounded by them as I stared up at the dome around Avalontis.

So many times, Troy had sat in that very spot, smiling as he shoved sweets into his mouth. It was his favorite place in the kingdom. I closed my eyes and visualized him beside me. He would loop his arm through mine and lay his head on my shoulder. The scent of his hair would waft up to me, and I’d press my face against the soft strands.

Nearly two months had passed since I’d last seen him. His absence left a hole in my chest. Every night when I tried to sleep, I replayed that day over in my mind. Obsessed over it. Regretted not doing more to stop him.

I could’ve saved him.

“Lose me or lose us both. Those are your only choices.”

I gripped the ring hanging from my neck, my chest aching. It hadn’t stopped aching since I watched Troy run toward the enemy soldiers. He’d been so brave.

Light footsteps rushed through the grass behind me right before small arms came around my bicep.

“Hello, little one,” I said, petting Theron’s wild silver curls. “Have you escaped from your fathers again?”

He grinned and plopped down in my lap, a cookie in his hand.

“Thery,” Alek called from the edge of the field as he walked toward us. “You must come take a bath.”

Theron wiggled in my arms and peeked over my shoulder, crumbs on his cheek. He giggled when Alek reached us and swept him up into his arms.

“Is the prince still training?” I asked, standing from the grass.

Alek nodded. “The trident is an extension of his arm now according to Eva. She says that the two have become one at last. It will take years for him to fully harness its power, but he’s learning quickly. What news from the scouts?”

“James hasn’t ordered any attacks as of yet,” I responded. “His army remains in Talena.”

“Maybe he’s reconsidering this war.”

I shook my head. “No. He’s being tactical. I’m sure he has scouts watching our movements too.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything because I didn’t want to upset you.” Alek shifted the wiggling toddler to his other hip. “But Lorcan had another dream last night.”

“About the battle?”

“No.” He hesitated before adding, “It was of Troy.”

The center of my chest squeezed.

“Lor thinks he’s alive, Malik.”

My knees trembled a moment, but I straightened my spine and kept my composure. If Troy really was alive, he’d be a prisoner of war. My stomach turned as I imagined the horrible things James would do to him.