Page 93 of War Hour

Did he remember the night before? When he had stepped into my space, saying things he had no business telling me as merely a reluctant ally. Even less now that I know the wider scope of his plan.

Trials, I hope he didn’t.

Sar looks at me as if she expected a different reaction. What did she want me to say? That confirming Torryn and I were drugged explained everything that happened in the judgment hearing? That it’s the answer I’m looking for, and all will be forgiven?

“Sar, why don’t you let me talk to Lysta? Alone.” Torryn nods for her to leave.

She scrunches her nose, but bites her tongue, turning on her heel to leave. Before she exits, she gives me one last half smile. “I’m glad you’re safe. We—I was worried.”

Left with just Torryn, I brace for what he has to say. Even though Torryn comes to stand in front of me, I angle my body, lowering my eyes. I tell myself it’s so he can’t skim the thoughts floating on the surface of my mind. But even I can’t deny how much it will hurt to hear his excuses while meeting his eyes.

“Things aren’t the way it seems,” Torryn starts, tilting his head to catch my gaze.

More excuses. More manipulation. When would he learn I just want the truth?

Pursing my lips, I nod tightly, anger rushing through me. “I’m seeing that now, Lord Torryn,” I say, keeping my voice just on the icy side of polite.

Torryn does a double take, peering down his nose at me. His jaw clenches. “Why are you calling me that?” he asks, voice lowering.

“What? Your title? I find it is the appropriate thing to call you.” I tilt my head in his direction. “Lord Torryn.”

“Yes, but you’ve never cared to do so before.”

“Well, I’m sure you’d prefer it to what I want to call you.”

Torryn backs away from me, both hands held up in defense. “Obviously, you aren’t ready to talk about this yet. When you’re ready to hear my side, you know where to find me, Lysta.”

My jaw drops.

“Your side? Your side is you used me. You manipulated me. Worst of all, you gave me hope you could fix everything.”

“I didn’t come to Falland to fix everything!” Torryn shouts, voice echoing off the marble of the entry hall. Torryn looks to the side before speaking again, this time in a whisper. “But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been trying to since I met you.”

I want to believe him. I want to trust that he didn’t bring me here for selfish purposes. But every lie, every misdirection, the kept secrets and manipulations—they outweigh any hope I have.

“You need to leave me out of whatever game you’re trying to play here. I can’t lose much more Torryn—I can’t be the one to pay the price for whatever you’re angling for.”

Chapter 36

In the morning, Evander isn’t the only one waiting outside my door.

Next to Evander’s lean figure, the guard posted to the side of my door seems massive, with hulking shoulders and trunk like limbs. He grips the hilt of the sword hanging at his hip when I appear and watches me.

I freeze for a moment, pausing in the doorway as I glance between the two figures. My heart rate doubles in speed. Why is a guard outside of my room, where there never had been before? Evander had said nothing about what happens the day after you are banished from your court. However, I assumed he would warn me if I’m to be carted out of the capital premises.

Evander doesn’t acknowledge the guard as he greets me good morning, quickly leading us on our way. Nor does he concede anything different about this morning until we are well out of earshot.

“Sorry about that,” he mutters with a sigh.

“Am I a prisoner now?” I ask, glancing back at the guard shrinking with our increasing distance. “’Cause this doesn’t feel like I’m a guest anymore, Evander.”

Anxiety seeps into my tone as I look at him with wide, panicked eyes.

Am I now such a threat I require an armed guard to watch my movement in the dead of night? They hadn’t feared the freshly Trialed girl who had walked up their steps only a few weeks ago.

Evander rubs my upper arms, shushing me before pulling me into a hug. I tense, then relax in his embrace. His voice is low and soothing in my ear.

“You’re technically not a part of any court, at least right now. That’s why they added precautions. As soon as we talk to my father, it’ll go away.”

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