Page 185 of The Chains You Defy

Since we’d headed out a few hours ago, I hadn’t spoken a single word to Antas. Instead, I was brooding. My uncle left me alone and kept his quiet, although his eyes drilled into my back on a regular basis.

Our speed was unacceptable, and no matter how hard I pondered, nothing changed this truth.

“I’d be much faster if I shadowwalked to the Cuirt.”

“And how would that play out? Arriving alone, drained, if not burned out?”

My teeth clamped together so hard that I wouldn’t have been shocked if they cracked. I despised when someone who wasn’t me was right. “Your brother orchestrated all this shit. He even had the audacity to gloat about his ministrations.”

“I am not surprised he is behind this plot. And his intentions are not especially hard to read.”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you remember that my mother was a member of the Cuirt?”

“Vaguely.”

“I spent my first five decades there before my father learned of my existence and relocated me to his lands so I could receive an education alongside Galrach.”

My furious gaze settled on Antas. He normally never spoke about his early winters, and although I’d always wondered why, I was too out of myself to appreciate him opening up. “So, since you’re such an expert, why did your brother orchestrate for Nayana to join Cantarlann?”

“Because the Cuirt houses the Graigh. They are rumored to have the ability to undo divine magic under certain circumstances. And since you made your intention to escape Galrach’s control very clear, my best guess is that he is attempting to break you, or at least to weaken you in case you consider declaring an open war. Even if you cannot harm him.”

“Have you just implied that the Graigh can break the binding between Nayana and me?” A cold fist wrapped itself around my chest and squeezed.

“According to rumors, yes. Though there is no definite proof.”

“Then we need to speed up.”

“We havemore time than your panicked mind suggests, Dion.”

Glaring at Antas, I narrowed my eyes. Why was he so calm? Was he—

No.

Or—

Had he switched loyalties and was secretly working for my grandfather?

“The Cuirt plays by its own rules. Even if Cantarlann brokered a deal with my brother—someone like him, so embedded in their philosophy, would not subject anyone to their rituals on a whim. And the ancients would never force their most holy services onto outsiders who do not have a certain level of initiation. And not only do they preach free will, but also have the Graigh never accepted Galrach as their sovereign and could not care less about his wishes. So, if Nayana refuses, nothing can convince the ancients to separate your connection.”

Silence was my answer of choice, allowing Antas to speak while I was trying to discern if he’d changed sides. Paranoia draped around me like a cloud, something I’d never experienced in such intensity before.

“For an outsider, the Cuirt is a wonderful place. Everyone is living in harmony with each other, everything is peaceful, and love is the greatest good. But when observed critically, it is undeniable that the core is rotten.”

“Elaborate.”

“Leadership claims anyone can leave whenever they please and without a reason, but once they assume someone has the intention to abandon the Cuirt, the Courtlings unpack an array of tactics, from showering the individual with affection in abundance to administeringmind-altering drugs. In the past, I spoke to quite a few former members who escaped, and all their stories match.”

“What about you?” Luckily, my apprehension had calmed, and I was less inclined to brand Antas as a traitor.

“As I mentioned, Folai appeared out of the blue and took me to the family estate, where I grew up alongside Galrach.”

“And Thain?”

Maybe—

Fuck.