Page 89 of The Enemy's Daughter

But finding out that Liam became leader of Cohdor for me—this one hurts. To challenge a clan leader, you must first demonstrate your master skills in your clan’s area of expertise. For Liam, it was various wood building assignments. He then had to race up Mount Haines on foot, light a fire at the top, and return before the time limit. But after days of no sleep and surviving the brutal elements,he was exhausted, and barely survived the required fight with the old clan leader that came next.

All that for a chance to be with me.Burning ashes.

Liam’s face turns solemn. “It’s not just Percy and me who know, though. I don’t trust that doctor to keep silent when he’s questioned.”

My heart rate doubles. Of course the prisoners would be questioned, and since Henshaw barely tolerated me, I wouldn’t be surprised if he cracked like a bloated, dead toad. “Then I need to speak with him.” I crawl forward on the bed. This is my way to Tristan. “I should speak with both the prisoners.”

“I already have. I told them not to say a word about you.”

My bubble of hope pops. “And?”

“Like I said, it’s the doctor I’m worried about. I’ve given instructions that no one is to lay a hand on them, but you and I both know that won’t last. If they want to survive, they’ll have to speak. And they’ll be forced to get real specific when they see Tristan’s injuries ending up on your body.”

It’s a relief that Liam thinks sharing injuries with Tristan is automatic and not what it is: a choice. He also doesn’t know that distance disrupts the connection. I can only hope those two beliefs continue to protect Tristan somewhat, but it can’t last. And Liam’s right; Tristan’s current wounds on me, and any future ones should I need to help him again, will tell a story of treason. The only option is to find Tristan and escape—before any harm comes to him.

“We have to find a way to break their magic,” Liam says, thick brows pushing together.

His words give me an idea. “Marriage,” I whisper.Please don’t let me regret this.“Marriage is the key to the Kingsland magic. It’s theonly reason Tristan and I married in the first place. I was hurt and about to die. It’s a long story,” I say to his confused face. “The point is, he married me, and then his magic connected us. We shared my wound, and I was saved. It started with marriage.”

His face hardens with anger. “What did they do to almost kill you?”

My gaze darts to the closed door as male voices leak through from the hall. It’s Father’s men, which means Father’s home too. “We’re running out of time; I’ll tell you later. The point is—”

“We need to end your marriage.”

I can’t believe I’m suggesting this, but it’s the only reason I can think of for Liam to allow me a conversation with Tristan. “I didn’t sign a certificate. There was no elaborate ceremony. There was a woman asking a question—a priestly sort of leader. Tristan said yes, and I was barely coherent when I agreed. I don’t know what needs to be done to end it. I’ll need to talk to Tristan myself to find out.”

“I’ll do it,” he offers.

“You slit his throat. You won’t get anything out of him without torture, and that’s not an option.” I give him a significant look. “It has to be me.”

Liam’s face turns thoughtful. “I could talk to the doctor; he’d be more likely to share.”

No.“I—I don’t think the doctor would know. He doesn’t have the magic. Very few people in Kingsland do. Just give me five minutes with Tristan. Please.”

“You shouldn’t be traveling all the way to Cohdor in your condition.”

Tristan’s inCohdor.

I lock eyes with Liam. “I can do it.”

His lips thin, then relax. He reaches out and takes my hand but doesn’t stop there. Moving in closer, his head dips to press a gentle kiss to my forehead.

It’s all I can do not to push him away for what he did to Tristan. I don’t care if he’s been hardened by what he’s experienced, or if his motivations were to save me from being punished for treason. I’m not sure I can ever forgive Liam for what he did.

He pulls back. “We’re going to be together. It’s all going to work out.”

I try to smile and hate myself when I succeed.

“We can make the trip tomorrow if you’re feeling up for it,” he says.

“Why not now?” Besides the obvious urgency, there’s also the need to know if Enola is okay. And the longer I’m gone, the harder it will be for me to clear my name in Kingsland. I can’t let Caro and Annette get away with what they did. I have to go back.

“Because of your... neck.” He makes a face like I should know better.

I press on the bandage, and it really doesn’t hurt like it should. I rise off the bed and walk to my small hand mirror pinned to the wall. After unraveling the cloth, I find nearly a four-inch gash, stretching from the middle of my neck to under my left ear. It stings, and the stitches are tight, but already it looks like it’s had a week to heal.

Fates.

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