Page 132 of Keeper of the Word

Foolish. That was something else. Odd. She’d never felt foolish in her nineteen years in Ashwin. Even while she was learning. But since meeting Tolvar and his band, she’d felt foolish many times.

But admitting her feelings for Hux was the most foolish notion of all.

Anger. A newer sensation. Pity, melancholy, and appalled were not new. Seeing into the future brought out those emotions easily. Visions of people acting perfectly idiotic, selfish, or ill-advised could naturally evoke those emotions. But anger, in the degree she was harboring it, was different. And ’twas not solely placed on Hux. The sovereign made her angry—she tried blocking the grievous sight of the ravenmaster’s head from her mind—the mess created with his son, his obstinance at not taking her heed. The ordeal that she’d suffered in Tam’s Ford made her angry. Angry. Tolvar abandoning her here made her angry. She had to admit, even Dashiell fleeing made her angry.

A commotion in the courtyard below seized her attention. ’Twas too early for such a ruckus. A dozen horses appeared and pranced and pawed, as if having been galloped for a stretch. Her nose touched the pane as she leaned to ascertain what occurred.

There, astride one of the horses, his brown hair distinguishable yet disheveled, was Dashiell.

Elanna sucked in her breath. The prince. Surrounded by guards like a criminal.

She glanced at the chest of drawers where the Edan Stone was hidden.

Stars or no stars, power or no power, Elanna would not stand by. With more effort and time than it should take, Elanna dressed and exited her rooms.

The only person in the corridor was Hux. He awoke upon hearing her door open.

“Lady,” he said, standing from the chair he’d been napping in. “I told Joss to get some sleep. She needs rest, too, or she’s no good to you. I know you do not trust me, but I assure you, I fell asleep only moments ago.”

Elanna put up a stiff arm, and Hux stopped. “Peace.”

“What is it?”

“The prince needs me.”

“He has returned?”

She nodded. Her eyes went in the direction of Tara’s apartments. She could arouse her, but Tara was worse off than Elanna. Her hand was still maimed. She’d hardly been able to leave her bed.

It would be only Elanna, then.

She inhaled, willing strength into her legs. She headed down the corridor, but Hux grabbed her arm. When she turned, he immediately let go.

“Not that way. Come this way.”

She paused.A true villain.But he was Hux.

“I know. I know. I should have divulged to you my terrible past. I would like to make explanations. Tell you everything. But I will not make excuses. You need not trust me. I can go fetch Barrett.”

But the prince needed themnow.

“Let us not speak of that at present. There are greater matters at hand.”

Hux nodded and led the way.

Chapter

Fifty

TOLVAR

He’d been offered water but not food. A healer had examined his wounds yet not treated him. And because he was still tied to this same chair days later—his back gnawing as if it’d been torn—he sat in his own piss.

He’d managed to not defecate himself. But his dignity hung by a thread.

Tolvar had seen practically no one. Turas had not returned, the healer had refused to speak to him, and the three servants who’d given him water cowered silently.

Being tied to a chair, in this foul condition, made for both a brooding and contemplative Wolf. The rarest of all his sides, Tolvar had to admit.