Page 77 of Of Kings and Thieves

“Col is unharmed,” Killian said. “For now, The Harrow believes keeping Col cooperative is in his best interests. And having you in captivity gives Col… motivation… to behave.”

Infuriated with myself, I turned and slammed my fist into the wall, biting back a cry as pain lanced through my hand.

Warm fingers wrapped around my wrist, pulling my arm away from the wall. “Do not injure yourself further,” Killian chided. “You’ll need to be at your strongest when the time comes to act.”

Moving his other hand over mine, he muttered a strange spell, and the pain lifted.

But I didn’t want to lessen the pain. It was all I had, what I needed to stay sane. I wrenched my arm from his grasp. “And when will that be? How long do I have to sit in this room, wondering when you’ll all come to your senses and realize I’m not worth saving?”

Hurt flickered in Killian’s eyes, visible for a moment before his expression smoothed into its usual impassive mask.

Feeling guilty, I looked away. “I’m sorry.” I let out a long sigh. “Old fears creeping in, I guess.”

“We haven’t forgotten you, Samara,” he said softly. “Nor will we. We’ll stop at nothing to bring you, Col, and Magnus to safety. But we must be smart. Careful. The Harrow and Moredanea grow more dangerous and unpredictable each day. When the time is right, we’ll make a move.”

“We? Are the others safe, then?”

“Kolvar, Scarlet, Melion, and Silvius got out of the labyrinth thanks to you. And yes, they were able to fight their way past the guards who tried to capture them. They are safe.”

I sighed and moved to sit on the bed again, too wrung out to feel any more emotions, even though I wanted to feel relieved.

Killian sighed again. “I can’t give you false hope. Only the truth. We’re working to find a way to defeat them, to protect our people, to save you and Col. But these things take time.”

His words should have been comforting. Instead they only left me cold. “Col’s coronation should have been a happy occasion. A celebration. Instead it’s... this.” I gestured to the cold room.

After a long moment of silence, Killian spoke again. “There will be a banquet in a little while. They’re preparing the great hall now. The Harrow believes displaying you and Col together will crush any remaining spirit of rebellion in his subjects.”

I looked up at Killian. A banquet meant a chance to see Col, to speak with him, however briefly.

“You must be careful,” Killian warned, as if reading my thoughts. “Don’t do anything to anger The Harrow. Play your part for now, until we are ready to act.”

I bristled at the order, but Killian was right. As much as I hated to behave for that sadistic bastard, one wrong move could mean punishment for me or Col. So, I would smile and nod and pretend to be the obedient little puppet The Harrow wanted me to be.

For now.

Killian studied me for a long moment, as if searching for any sign of deception in my expression. At last, he nodded. “Keep your head down. Follow orders. The time will come.”

I studied Killian, wondering how he managed to remain so calm and cool all the time, even in the face of such danger and uncertainty. Was it simply his training, or was there something else at work? I knew so little about him, even now, only that Col had once saved his life.

As if sensing my thoughts, Killian met my gaze.

“Col trusts you,” I said slowly, “but why?”

“Because of our history together,” he answered cryptically. But there was a sadness in his eyes, a weight that spoke of shared secrets and hidden pain.

“What kind of history?”

“Enough to know we can trust each other with our lives,” he replied, remaining vague. “If you don’t trust me, trust in Col’s judgment.”

I wiped a hand over my face, feeling frustrated and powerless. “I do trust you, I just…”

“I know,” Killian said, his tone somber. “You are right to question. I don’t fault you for it.”

I nodded. “What about Magnus?”

“Unharmed, for now,” Killian said. “But he’s in the dungeons, awaiting The Harrow’s judgment.”

I stared at Killian, the question heavy on my tongue. “And me?”

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