“Oh.” I had known they measured me for a coffin, but never really thought that they had actually built one. I returned the skirt.

“It wasn’t all a waste,” Tohon said. “I learned a lot about you from your neighbors. They told my men you were a nice, quiet young woman. They were just appalled that you had the gall to live and work with them. That they never suspected the truth. I was—still am—impressed you survived so long. After that, I decided to change the bounty. I wanted to meet you.”

What could I say to that? Other than wow. That single decision, to heal Fawn, had set so much in motion. Instead, I asked, “What did they do with…the coffin?”

“It’s here at the castle.”

Chapter 22

A coffin built for me was in Tohon’s castle. “Why did—?”

“Oh, I think you know why, my dear.”

“But we have a contract.”

“We do. And I trust your word to the conditions we included.”

Confused, I tried to reason it out, but failed. “What are you afraid I’d do?”

“Return to Kerrick. I’d rather see you make use of that coffin than return to his arms.”

I relaxed. Of the multiple possibilities of how this mission will end, that one didn’t even make the list. However, a far scarier scenario hit me. “Can you promise you would use my coffin, and not turn me into one of your dead soldiers?”

“And in exchange?”

“If you bury me in the coffin, then I promise not to return to Kerrick.”

He laughed. “All right, my dear, you have a deal.” Tohon held out his hand.

I stepped back.

“It’s not binding unless we shake.”

Clasping his hand, I shook it once and let go. He didn’t. Heat raced along my skin as he pulled me close. Before I could protest, his lips were on mine. My magic responded, filling me with a hyperawareness, amplifying my senses. He pushed the robe off my shoulders and pressed his hands on my back. His touch sent burning waves through my muscles. The sensation bordered between pain and pleasure. I gasped and Tohon deepened the kiss.

A combination of desire and fury flared, yet my fingers laced in his short hair as I pressed my body against his. The room spun and we wound up lying on the bed.

Tohon broke off the kiss. “Good night, my dear.” He stood and opened a panel near the headboard. Pointing to a small knob, he said, “The latch is here. Although I expect you to answer my knock.”

“What if I can’t?”

He waited.

“If I’m healing, I may be unconscious or having fever delusions.”

“In that case, make sure Winter stays with you.”

“I don’t need—”

“I don’t care. I don’t want you to be alone.” His stern expression softened. “I worked side by side with healers at the Guild for close to a year. When you wake in the middle of the night and need water or a change of clothes, Winter will be there to help you. It’s not a request.”

He disappeared into the passageway, pulling the panel closed behind him. Once my heart calmed, I realized my robe had slipped down to my elbows. Embarrassed, I yanked it up, secured the sash and then locked the panel.

I rummaged in the armoire for a set of nightclothes. Tohon’s kiss had thrown me. If Tohon hadn’t stopped… Why did he stop? Probably playing more games.

And I suspected it was my magic that betrayed me. When we touched, his life force acted like an elixir. It felt almost as if I had drank too much wine. I needed to figure out how to keep the touching to a minimum or I would do something I’d regret.

A small voice in my head asked, What is there to regret? What is wrong with enjoying yourself with a gorgeous man who treats you like a queen? Do you want to die without experiencing one of life’s pleasures?

No, I didn’t. But I had imagined it would be with someone I loved. Not a monster who woke the dead. And I needed to keep reminding myself of his misdeeds. Of the abominations he created. Because when he touched me…all logic and fear fled.

After I dressed for bed, I slid under the covers, luxuriating on the soft mattress. The white bedspread reminded me of Mom’s inn. Waking up surrounded by such comfort, I had thought I’d reached the peaceful afterlife. Except Kerrick had anchored me to this world. He had held on and refused to let go. Memories of him sleeping beside me at the inn filled my mind along with the vision of his bare back when he’d sat up.

I jerked my thoughts to the present, focusing on how I would find Ryne. That night I didn’t dream of Tohon’s dead soldiers, which was a relief. Instead, dreams of Kerrick swirled.

Winter brought a breakfast tray in the morning. After I ate, I changed into a black medical tunic and pants. Comfortable and plain, they would be suitable to working with the sick and injured.

Cellina arrived soon after Winter left. She scanned my clothes and grunted. “At least you’re practical. Well, come on. I don’t have all day.” Turning on her heels, she strode through the doorway, setting a quick pace.

If she’d hoped she’d lose me, she was in for a surprise. After all those months of walking, she’d have to run full-out to shake me. I stayed a step behind her as we hurried along hallways, down stairs and through various rooms.

She wore a pale lavender silk tunic and deep purple skirt. Her long blond hair had been twisted into a knot and held in place with a comb that flashed with amethysts. Her regal bearing and fine clothing contrasted with the sword hanging from her waist.

As we traveled, Cellina would stop on occasion. Each time, she pointed out a door or set of stairs that I was forbidden to enter or use. “See that symbol?” Cellina gestured to a circle with three crossed keys inside it. “That means keep out. No one who lives and works in the castle or the buildings in the compound is allowed in those rooms and areas. Understand?”

“Even you?”

“No. As Tohon’s top adviser, I have full access.”

Top adviser? She appeared to be around twenty-five or -six. Close to Tohon’s age. “Your name is familiar. Are you a friend of his?”

“No. I’m another of his…collected. I met Tohon in school.”

“Cellina of Lyady! Kerrick mentioned you had been one of the people trying to be king.”

Her mouth twisted in disgust. “A foolish kid’s game. At the time, I thought it would be fun to be crowned king. In Lyady we didn’t have a monarchy. The people voted for my father to be the president. That game…was just a whole nasty experience. The others took it far too seriously.”

Lyady shared a border with Sogra to the east, Alga to the north and the Endless Sea lapped on its western and southern edges. “Tohon invaded Lyady.”

“Last year. Nothing we could do. The plague had wiped us out.”

“But you’re helping him?”

She shrugged. “So are you.”

Point.

“And it’s better than being locked in some dank prison, rotting.”

True. Although I sensed there was more between them besides school friends. Strange that so many of them should survive the plague. I almost tripped as an evil notion occurred to me. What if Tohon was still playing the king game? But then how would he have protected his classmates from the plague? No one could have predicted the outbreak.

Cellina continued with the tour, showing me the kitchen, dining room and the offices for the advisers. She led me outside. The chilly morning fog lingered in small pockets of white, but the day promised to be warm. The air smelled of spring, reminding me of Kerrick. I cursed under my breath. When I was finally free of him, he still haunted me. This would be a long season.

Behind the castle, the other buildings spread out in an arc. A stable, a couple of barracks for the soldiers, an armory, a kennel and finally the infirmary. Before we entered, Cellina headed toward the thick wall that surrounded the compound. Except, on this side, it wasn’t black, but more of a green with patches of white. As we drew closer, I realized there were huge plants growing next to the wall. Their topmost stalks reaching the top of the wall.