Page 79 of Bound By Deception

Silence fell then, and Bree waited for him to continue. Eventually, he did. “The prince and I were lovers.” His throat bobbed. “One night … after we’d lain together … he told me that Talorc’s overkings are building him three great armies with one single purpose … to take on the Shee.” Bryce paused there, his breathing labored as if even speaking taxed him heavily. “At dawn, I rose early and rushed up onto the wall with a silver acorn. But I’d just handed it to Eagal, and was watching him fly away, when Kennan stepped up next to me.”

Bree stilled. “He saw the silver acorn?”

“Aye … and he betrayed me to the king.” Pain flared in Bryce’s gaze, and his grip on her wrist tightened then. “You should flee this place. Mac Brude enjoys torture. If he ever discovers … who you really are …” His voice choked off, his body going rigid.

“Don’t worry … I’m going.” Bree paused, leaning closer to him. Her chest constricted then. Bryce was in a pitiful state, and yet he was worrying about her welfare. “But first, I need to know what you told the High King.”

Silence followed her question.

“Bryce.” Her hand squeezed his. “After interrogating you yesterday, he’s mobilized a war band. They set out at dawn. Where?”

His breathing hitched, despair flaring in his single eye. “I told them that at mid-summer, we gather outside Dunmorth Barrow to dance under the Strawberry Moon.” His breathing hitched then, his chest rising and falling sharply. “I withstood him for solong … but in the end … he broke me.” Bryce’s thin throat convulsed. “I’m sorry.”

Bree’s heart lurched, alarm eclipsing the pity that stirred deep in her chest. Aye, he was sorry, but Bryce had told the High King where their people celebrated Sheathan. The festival took place the eve after the Marav observed Mid-Summer Fire. Dunmorth Barrow lay to the north, in the heart of the Hallow Woods—an area the Marav avoided. At Sheathan, the Shee, including the Raven Queen herself, emerged from the ancient barrow, bringing with them offerings of sweet mead and summer fruit. They then spent the night feasting and dancing in their sacred place.

So, this was where mac Brochan had been sent.

In six days, there would be a slaughter.

“You must let our queen know,” Bryce rasped.

“I will,” she replied firmly. Her gaze held his then. What was she going to do about him? On her way down to the dungeon, she’d flirted with the idea of rescuing her predecessor. But it was foolish to even consider it. No, she couldn’t take Bryce with her—and Mor’s instructions had been clear. They couldn’t risk letting the High King extract more details out of him.

As if reading her thoughts, the prisoner moved his hand from under hers and gripped the edge of the blanket. He then drew it back to reveal the ruin beneath. Oozing sores and cuts covered Bryce’s naked body, some so deep she could see bone. His guts bulged from a hole in his abdomen.

Bile stung the back of Bree’s throat. How was he still alive?

“Don’t give him another chance to play with me,” Bryce whispered, a plea in his voice. “I don’t want to give him anything else.”

Drawing in a deep breath, Bree nodded. “You wish for mercy then?”

He let out a deep sigh. “Aye.”

“Then you shall have it.” She drew her dagger.

Bree watched Eagal take flight, winging his way into the enshrouding mist.

She then exhaled sharply.It’s done.

Aye, it was, and she should have felt a heady rush of relief. But she didn’t. Instead, she felt sick.

Curse her Marav woman’s body and its unruly mind.

It had made her weak.

Bree turned from the wall and made her way toward the nearest set of stairs. And as she did so, her pulse stuttered.

Once Mor received word of what the High King was plotting, she’d move swiftly. And when Prince Kennan, the chief-enforcer, and their band of enforcers and warriors converged on Dunmorth Barrow, carnage would follow. Only, it wouldn’t be the Shee who fell, but the Marav.

Cailean mac Brochan would die.

Bree’s heart kicked hard against her ribs, and she yanked her cloak close.

He spared you, and this is how you repay him?

She clenched her jaw so tightly that pain darted through her ears. No, this was the way it had to be. She’d been sent to use him. She shouldn’t care about his fate.

But that was before last night.Before they’d lain together. Before he’d let her go.

---