Page 23 of Clash of Storms
"Why should you care? And what's worse than being sentenced to a life asyourmate?"
Sirius tried not to flinch. He leaned closer, his attention focused on the guard. "I'm trying to help you survive this," he breathed. "Why are you making this so difficult?"
"Why should I not make this difficult?" She grabbed a fistful of his shirt. "You call me a 'nobody' but I'm a woman with my own hopes and dreams, and I'll be damned if I'll go down without a fight. I will never, ever reveal a single one of Árdís's secrets."
Sirius glared at her. Stubborn bloody fool.
"You care for her."
Even at the risk to her own life.
"She's my princess, my hope." Malin shivered, as if the nearness of his body bothered her. "She's the only true heir left in this rotten court, and when her people rise, they'll crush you and the cursed blight of your family from existence."
"Careful sweetheart," he murmured. "You're starting to talk about rebellion, and if my father catches a glimpse of it, he'll crush every bone in your body to discover the truth."
"What little is left of me," she whispered, "once you're done with me."
His heart beat a little swifter. His reputation was dark enough it seemed he'd fooled even her.
"I'm not going to hurt you."
I could never, ever hurt you.
He needed to get her out of here. Now. Somehow.
Unable to help himself, he slid his hand to the back of her neck, more of a caress, than anything. Her hair brushed against his knuckles. This was the nearest he'd ever been to her.
"No? You heard what your father said. And if he thought you were harboring a traitor, he'd string you up beside me. Why should you care?"
Sirius glanced toward the door, then leaned closer, practically breathing in her ear. He needed her to trust him enough to get her out of here. "Because you don't have to tell me Árdís's secrets. I know she left last night, using the southern cellars that lead to the servants' portal. I know she's going after her mortal husband. I was there. I let her go."
Malin staggered back as he released her.
She stared at him in shock. "You're lying."
"You know I'm not."
"Why?" Malin whispered.
Sirius glanced at the door again. Pressing one hand flat against the cell wall beside her face, he leaned closer, brushing his lips against her ear. "Because I did not wish to mate with her, nor she with me. It seemed the only way to avoid the situation. But I think it wise if we both keep our voices down. My father wouldn't appreciate knowing I allowed Árdís to leave. If you cannot trust me, then trust that. You hold this secret over my head."
Malin was barely breathing, and he could hear her heart racing as she turned his words over in her mind.
"I just need to know where she's going."Trust me. Please."That's all. And I shall take you with me. If you help me, then I shall set you free."
"You're going to bring her back," she blurted.
"I like this little more than you do, however, I'm running out of cards to play. This has not gone as expected. I need the princess back, and I'll mate her if forced to do so. Or would you prefer that Roar finds her first? Neither of us want him named as heir."
Thought raced through those dark eyes.
Sirius held his breath.
"There's only one place for the princess to flee to," Malin whispered. "Only one place she's safe from those who might follow."
The only place that was safe for her was—
Hell.
