Page 86 of A Vow of Embers

“That would infuriate you, too. If Xander put me in danger.”

I stayed silent, knowing that was also true. And to be fair, it probably was somewhat my fault. Those assassins had been looking specifically for me. Io wouldn’t have been strangled if I hadn’t been at the temple. “He said something about me being a thief. And an oath-breaker.”

“Well, the thief part will be true if the eye is here because you’ll steal it. For the oath-breaking ... Thrax told me that their father taught them that nothing was more important than keeping their word, that it was the only thing of value they really owned.”

“I didn’t go back on the betrothal because I’m capricious. It was for a higher purpose.”

“And I’m sure he doesn’t know that,” she said. “He would probably feel differently if he did.”

I didn’t care what the prince thought of me. It didn’t change anything. “He’s stuck with me, regardless.”

Quynh looked concerned. “Are you certain of that? If he found someone else, is there a possibility that he might set you aside and marry her instead? Send you back to Locris?”

“He wouldn’t.” Hadn’t she just finished telling me how important his honor was to him? “We have a contract.”

“Does that contract say that you can stay until you find the eye?”

“Obviously not. I would never give him information that he could use against me.” What if she was right? What if he found someone else who could take on the role of wife, someone he didn’t hate? Wouldn’t that ruin his plans since we had already spent time convincing the court that we were in love?

Maybe he wouldn’t care. Maybe he hated me enough that he would happily wash his hands of me if given the chance.

“Did you tell Thrax about the eye?” I asked, worried that my sister’s new connection might have compelled her to say something.

“Of course not,” she said immediately. “I would never betray you. Our sisterhood comes before anything else.”

I pulled my hands away from her and leaned back in the chair, putting my palms over my eyes. I was so weary. “We should just go back to Locris. Forget all of this and leave.”

She was silent for so long that I dropped my hands to make certain she was still in the room. Then she said, “Given everything you’ve told me, I believe Io. That you’ve been chosen to save Ilion.”

Not Quynh, too. “From what?”

“I don’t know,” she said with a shrug. “But I think you will help Ilion, find the eye, and go home and restore Locris.”

“And you’ll come with me.”

She hesitated for a moment too long, and I noticed a strange expression in her eyes. “Of course I will.”

My heart began to thud. She was keeping something from me.

And she confirmed it by changing the subject. “Aren’t you tired?”

I was tired of so many things. “Tired of what?”

“Of constantly fighting. Of always being angry.” She spoke as if she had personal experience with it.

Yes. I was tired of it. It was exhausting to always be on edge, always looking for a reason to be upset or offended, always waiting for the next opening to jab at Alexandros.

Like being in a battle where I never got to put my weapons down.

“Why would that matter?” I asked her. “I told you the vows I took. Even if I was fool enough to have feelings for that man, if I wanted to forgive him for what he had done, it wouldn’t make a difference. I am bound.”

“It matters because I’m going to tell you something you’re not going to like. And I need you to know that you can trust Thrax and Xander.”

My heart dropped from my chest and landed on the floor. “What?” I whispered.

“I know you blame Xander for me being a servant. But that was my decision. And if it makes you feel any better, it infuriates Thrax, too.”

That did not make me feel better. “Why would you choose to be a maid? You’re meant to be more than that.”

---