Page 89 of Captive of the Stolen Empire

He knew me well. Sadly, much more so than I knew him it now seemed.

Have I been blind all my life?

Chapter40

Ilya

Guilt racked me.

I’d stolen information from Lucien, then given it away despite the night we’d shared, despite our promise to be there for each other. It was the opportunity I’d waited for. Longed for. But now…

Gabriel and Fernand sat across the garden from me. The wooden towers they moved around the game board cast long shadows in the afternoon light. A game of cities and conquest. The bitter humor in that wasn’t lost on me. Had Gabriel read the information I gave him? Did he care? We’d shared no more than small talk, and Fernand still acted like a hurt child, avoiding me.

Blue skies, crisp breezes—nothing calmed me today. Even the changing colors of the leaves, fading from greens to bright yellows and reds as the season advanced, stirred my frustration.

Bubbly laughter pierced the air, grating on the last of my nerves.

Reyna rounded a bend in the gardens, blinding smile in place, a match for the bright red dress hugging her form. Worse, Elin trailed behind her, looking as happy as I’d seen in days.

I crossed the pathways of moss and stone to them without thought, my body moving of its own accord as I simmered with fury. Pull my innocent friend into her web? Unacceptable.

“We need to talk.” One way or another, I’d learn where her allegiance lay.

Laughter cut off abruptly. Nearby guards halted their conversations and looked our way.

Reyna frowned. “I tried the other day, but you werepreoccupied. Maybe tomorrow we could—”

“Now.” I shook my head.

Elin tilted her head in question, but I ignored her. I slipped my arm through Reyna’s, a much more companionable gesture than I felt, and pulled her with me toward a side door exiting the gardens. We wouldn’t be able to talk out here, not like we needed to.

“Stop right there.” One of the guards held up his hand, stepping in front of the doors as we approached. Blessedly, Reyna hadn’t put up more of a fight or argument. Instead, she looked as confused as Elin had when we left her behind.

My mind raced, coming up with the best excuse I could think of. “It’s my blooding cycle,” I mumbled, feigning embarrassment. “I need Lady Reyna’s assistance.” Bless The Four, the nearby guards were all male.

The guard’s brows scrunched as he looked to his companion, a younger man whose cheeks had flushed and wouldn’t meet my eyes. He gave a noncommittal shrug.

“Fine, be quick about it,” the older one said, throwing open the wooden door behind him. “Second door on the right.”

As if we didn’t know.

A whiff of human waste perfumed the enclosed room despite the pine branches and dried herbs that hung from the ceiling. Sliding the bolt in the door, I turned on Reyna in the cramped space.

“You’re going to get us found out,” she said in a harsh whisper.

“Us? You were planning to get me thrown in the cells if I followed your treasonous suggestions.”

She reared back, mouth agape. “Why would you think…” She shook her head.

I crossed my arms. “Gabriel and Fernand asked you about a certain farmer. You said he was sympathetic to their goals.”

“He was. I’m almost certain.”

“And this ally sold them out? Or you did?”

She pursed her lips. “Neither. I didn’t know some of the captains were attending without their armor. They didn’t decide that until just before, and I didn’t find out until it was too late.”

“Right, too late or—” My tongue halted as the words sunk in. My arms fell limp. “How do you know they decided just before?” I didn’t even know that. Lucien never mentioned it.

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