“He’ll get you out?”
“Yes, and when he does, I promise you I’ll bring an end to the shining ones’ rule, but I need your help.”
“Anything.”
“I need a place to hide my family until I can come for them. Until it’s safe.”
“Aren’t they being moved to central Middale?”
“I’ve asked Baba to feign sickness. They’ll stall.”
“Your father is immune to the drug too?”
“Yes. Can you help? I need a hideout, a safehouse where they won’t be found.”
He frowned and reached up to run his thumb across my cheek. “I’ll help, Khatri, but when you go, you take me with you.”
“What?” I scanned his face. “Magnus…”
“You could use me out there, you and this Killion. You say he’s a weapon but is he enough to take out all the shining ones?”
I… I hadn’t thought of that. Killion hadn’t clarified. I’d already promised to get Slade and the other Danaan who could feel out of Middale with me; what difference did one more person make?
“Fine. When Killion comes for me, I’ll come for you.”
“And I’ll make sure your family makes it to safety, I promise.”
The vow was a weight off my mind. “Thank you.”
His eyes darkened, and for a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me. My body tensed, ready to pull away.
“I care about you, Khatri,” he said. “I’m attracted to you, but I’m wise enough to recognize a woman who’s already given her heart away.”
My shoulders sagged. “I…I never meant to lead you on before.”
“I know,” he said. “I knew you were lying about having a crush on me, but it gave me the excuse I needed to not fire you. I’m glad I got that one kiss. I’ll treasure it always.”
Magnus was everything I’d want in a guy if my heart didn’t already belong to another. We couldn’t be lovers, but we could be friends.
And my gut told me that Magnus would make a valuable friend.
Now all I needed to do was find a way to get Nina out of that room, ready for when Killion came for me. All I needed to do was survive the next few days.
The blood trials weren’t going to make that easy, though.
6
Blossom greeted me at the pod on my return and ushered me through the network of corridors that all looked the same, to a carpeted sector of the Keep where the walls were no longer metallic, and I could almost imagine I wasn’t in a fucking spaceship.
We passed several doors then came to the end of a corridor and a set of double doors.
Blossom pressed a button and spoke into a com. “Winter’s Blade for Lord Aspen.”
Aspen? Oh, fucking great.
The doors slid open, and Blossom stepped back.
“His Lordship wishes to see you.”
Of course he did, and I knew exactly why.
I stepped through the doors into a huge lounge area, but there was no time to check it out because Aspen was standing smack bang in the middle. His moss-green eyes pinned me to the spot as I entered.
He was dressed casually today in a V-neck loose shirt, sleeves rolled up to expose the definition of his sword- and whip-wielding arms. The V of his chest was smooth, taut, and hairless. His dark hair fell in loose waves about a face that would have been perfect as a villainous hero.
“What were you thinking?” he asked.
His expression was neutral, his tone almost conversational, but there was a crackle in the air that stung my skin, warning me to watch my step.
I took a moment to gather my thoughts, scanning his chambers decorated in maroons and gold. Plush, cozy, homely. Were his quarters larger than those of the crown prince?
“Answer me.” He didn’t raise his voice, but the bite in them still registered.
“I was thinking I need a chamber like this one.”
He looked at me as if I’d grown a second head.
I rolled my eyes. “Am I, or am I not, Winter’s Blade?”
“Yes, but—”
“Then shouldn’t I get a nicer room?”
He gave me a flat look. “Humor won’t serve you well here, Danika. In fact, if you want to survive the next few days, I advise curbing your tongue.”
He walked toward me, and I locked my knees to prevent an involuntary step back. He stopped too close, right up in my personal space, so I had to lift my chin to look him in the eyes. It made me feel vulnerable and small, and I bet that was exactly what the fucker was going for.
“Your actions today were reckless,” he said. “They caused many humans a lot of unnecessary pain.”
He was lecturing me about pain? “I told the truth. They needed to hear it, and what the fuck do you care about human suffering, hmmm? I saw you kill humans in the Hunt for sport. You and your kind are monsters, and I’m not afraid of you.”
His mouth tightened, and something dark and dangerous flashed across his eyes. “Oh, I know that, Danika. You don’t fear the loss of your life, but you do fear for your loved ones.”
Was he threatening me? No, he was threatening my family.
The corner of his mouth lifted in a cold half-smile. “I wouldn’t hurt you, Danika. Neither would Lowland. He knows your value to Winter, but your family is another matter.”
Ice filled my veins, but fire chased it away as anger bubbled inside me. “You touch my family, and I guarantee it’ll cost you the capital.”
He tipped his head to the side, stag horns gleaming in the overhead light. “And that’s exactly what I told Lowland when he gave the order to have your family executed.”
My pulse pounded in my throat as the realization of how close I’d come to losing my loved ones hit home.
“I explained how a happy Winter’s Blade was a productive Winter’s Blade and that killing your family might make you lose your…mojo.” Aspen touched my chin lightly with a fingertip sending a lance of strange heat down my neck.
I jerked away from his touch.
His eyes narrowed. “Thank me.”
Nerves fluttered to life like hungry moths in my belly. I flicked my tongue out to lick my lips on reflex, and his gaze dropped to my mouth like a searing brand. The pulse in my throat thudded harder, recognizing the look in his eyes. Heat. Desire. But it was gone so quick, I could have imagined it.
“Thank me for saving your loved ones,” he demanded again.
“Thank you.” My voice was a husky rasp.
His hand came up to hug my throat. “Remember who you are and what you are, Danika. Remember the risks that come with disobeying me. Remember that I’m the only thing that stands between Lowland and your family. You belong to me, Winter’s Blade. You’re mine to wield.”
My eyes heated and pricked. A pawn. His pawn. I saw it now.
Power.
He wanted power, and with me by his side, he could have it. I’d won the trials, and Winter kept the capital. The shining ones would fear me, and I…I would be at his mercy, held captive through my love for my family. They’d fear me, and through me, he’d control them.
Power. And maybe even the throne.
His plan was clear now. How had I not seen it before? Except I had a plan of my own. One that would fuck his plan up. I kept my thoughts off my face, just the way Killion had taught me.