“This isn’t an occupied Realm. It’s a Sogran city. They celebrated when Tohon was named king after his father died.”

“If you’re sure—”

“Of course I’m sure. I’ve gotten you this far, haven’t I?”

I fisted my hands, but kept them pressed against my thighs as I wrestled the desire to punch him.

“You shouldn’t be seen in town,” Sepp said. “In fact, head away from this area before you surrender.”

We parted company at dawn. Sepp seemed relieved, and almost gave me a cheerful goodbye. He had made his opinion clear. He believed I wouldn’t succeed. Even though he detailed where I could find him in town, I suspected he would bolt if he heard any rumors about me.

As instructed, I headed in the opposite direction. After a few hours, I realized this was the first time I had been truly alone in more than four months. I stopped as a notion occurred to me. I could disappear. Go back into hiding. Except the dead and the bounty hunters would be after me. Plus I couldn’t let Belen and the others down or go back to those dark days of being in hiding. I pushed on.

I listened for one of Tohon’s living patrols. Around midday, I heard the unmistakable tread of a squad. Heading toward an intercept point, I hid a few of my throwing knives in unusual places.

Should I appear furtive or confident as I strode among the soldiers? Tohon was expecting me. No need for me to hide. Although he would wonder why I didn’t approach one of his border patrols sooner. I’d claim my pride wished to get as far as possible. From what I’d learned about him, he’d understand that.

The hardest part was altering my gait as I walked through the woods. After spending the entire winter blending in with the forest’s song, I had to concentrate in order to make enough noise that would alert the soldiers.

Finally, I produced enough sound. They halted to listen, then hunkered down to ambush me. A small part of me was amused by their obvious actions, but fear dominated the rest. Once they brought me to Tohon, there would be no return.

I clutched Belen’s and Flea’s stones in my pockets, thinking about my keepers. All that I would face and endure, I would do for them. I needed to stop dwelling on the what-ifs, and focus on what I could do and would do, which was everything possible to heal Ryne.

When the ambush “surprised” me, I gathered my nerve as I stared at fourteen armed soldiers. Then the sergeant shouted standard questions at me: Who are you? Where are you going? Who sent you?

Easy enough to answer. “I’m Avry of Kazan. I’m planning to go to the castle. Tohon of Sogra invited me.”

Despite the name dropping, the soldiers confiscated my knapsack, the weapons they found and secured my wrists behind my back. They marched me to the castle. On the way through a shallow valley, I spotted the Sogra castle on the opposite ridge.

It was a beautiful white structure with a black roof, six turrets and surrounded by a thick black stone wall. Behind it were a number of other smaller buildings. As we neared, I noticed a few other details of the main building. Black gargoyles hung over the edges of the roofs. Instead of one big building, the castle looked as if the different kings and queens who’d lived there had added additions to the original castle.

The squad dragged me in through the front gates and into a spacious courtyard. There, they made a big deal over my capture. Tohon and a number of bodyguards arrived. I was presented to the king with a great deal of fanfare. One cold look from Tohon stopped the celebration in a heartbeat. He ordered my release and my things returned.

I rubbed my raw wrists and wondered what game he played now.

“She is our guest. You are to treat her as such, until I say otherwise,” Tohon said. He approached me with a swagger in his step. “My dear, so nice to see you again.”

Before I could reply, he swept me into his arms and kissed me hard. His touch zipped right through me, igniting every single nerve ending. My body responded. Desire flared. I leaned against him and kissed him back.

So much for my plan.

Chapter 21

I was in big trouble. The logical side of my brain staged a coup, wrestling control from my emotional side. With much effort, I broke away from Tohon’s delicious kiss. But he held me tight.

“Let go.” My voice cracked since Emotional Avry was ready to rip her and Tohon’s clothes off right here in the courtyard in front of the soldiers.

Amusement sparked in his gorgeous blue eyes. “How was your first real kiss, my dear?”

Unbelievable. I desired a second, third, fourth…. Logical Avry said, “Let go, now.”

“No. I’m king—I give the orders, not take them.”

“You’re not my king. If you want my cooperation, you’ll release me.”

“It’ll only take a few more kisses, my dear, and you’ll be more than happy to do what I say.”

“Won’t work.” And who was I trying to convince?

“It has with others.” Tohon’s playful tone held a warning note.

“Not with everyone,” Logical Avry guessed. Emotional Avry was still reeling from the kiss.

Tohon’s arms around my back stiffened. I’d hit a nerve.

“You don’t want to manipulate me,” I said. “Trust me on that. You need a healer. Do you want her scatterbrained and swooning over your every kiss? Or do you want me clearheaded and able to do my job?”

His grip relaxed a bit. “You do swoon so well. And it’s so exciting to know my Avry is untouched by man.”

“Because of you,” I said. “Three years on the run from bounty hunters doesn’t give a girl much time to have a love life.”

“And Nasty Kerrick keeps such a tight lid on his emotions.” He tsked. “My apologies about the bounty. I will lift it, my dear.”

“Good. Now let go.”

“Clearheaded and cooperative?”

“Let go and we can discuss conditions and terms.”

Tohon wilted. “Spoken like a legal adviser. All right, my dear. We’ll try it your way first.”

He released me. Emotional Avry fought to return to his arms, but Logical Avry kept a tight grip until the other settled.

“Come inside. We’ll talk terms.” Tohon held his hand out.

I ignored it. “There has to be witnesses before I agree to anything.”

“Why bother? They’re all loyal to me.”

“Humor me.”

“You’ve no idea how agreeable I’m being, my dear.”

Which worried me more than if he refused my request. He and four of his bodyguards strode toward the main entrance of the castle. I noted that only living guards were inside the complex as I followed him. The two-story-high stone doors parted for us without a squeak. I marveled at the skill needed to carve the intricate floral designs into the black obsidian.

Tohon noticed my stare. “Beautiful, aren’t they?”

“Yes.”

“My father had them commissioned from the craftsmen in Bavly. A decent battering ram will smash them into pieces, but my father preferred beauty over strength.” He glanced at me. “He didn’t realize he could have both.” Tohon swept a hand out, indicating the large receiving room. Arched columns supported the ceiling. Gold-framed paintings hung on the walls. Vases and other sculptures sat on pedestals.

“This place is filled with my father’s treasures. He spent an inordinate amount of time buying and collecting them. Inanimate objects that remain where he placed them years ago, collecting dust. Still here even though he is gone. Useless except they remind me that my father cared more for treasure than me.”

Surprised by his honesty, I glanced at him.

“A harsh thing to say,” he acknowledged. “And a harsh reality to admit, but once I admitted it to myself, it was quite liberating.”

“Why tell me?”

“I’m sure Kerrick has brainwashed you into thinking I’m a monster. I’m not. Not only do I seek your cooperation, but your loyalty, as well.”

In my mind, dead army equaled monster. Nothing would convince me otherwise. But I was smart enough to keep my opinion to myself.