Chapter 13 #3
He is silent. Silent and completely devoid of all reaction.
I count at least ten breaths before I can summon the courage to glance up, to look him in the eye.
“Just as you were sent against your will, so was I brought here against mine. They came for me in the night, took me away from…from everyone I know, and…and I don’t even know where I am.
I mean, yes, of course, they’ve told me all about the history of this place and assured me how safe and impenetrable it is.
But they put a sack over my head for the last four days of the journey here.
And no matter what I say, no matter what I do, they will not listen. And they will not let me go.”
Tears rise in my throat. I swallow them back, determined not to turn into a melting mess before this silent observer.
“I didn’t ask for this. I could never be what they want me to be anyway.
So, I’m telling you now that you’re here under false pretenses.
There is no prize, no ultimate honor or victory to be won. It’s all a sham.”
Valtar moves slightly, the barest shifting of weight on his feet. It’s enough to make me jump back like a frightened rabbit, but his face remains as rigid and unreadable as ever. “And how,” he says at last, “do you plan to manage this escape?”
I lick my dry lips. “The details are…forthcoming.”
“I see. And what will you do when you have gotten free?”
“That is none of your concern.”
Bold words, but his eyes tell me he’s guessed the truth: that I have no idea.
I’ve been trying to come up with a plan ever since my arrival here, but it is difficult to consider where I will go when I don’t even know where I am.
Valtar offers neither criticism nor censure, however.
He merely nods. “And why have you told me this?” he asks at length.
I draw a steadying breath. “Because I want your help.”
“My help?” He looks truly taken aback. “Escaping?”
“No,” I answer hastily. “I’ll manage that on my own.
But I don’t want you taking any more risks in the forthcoming trials.
No daring stunts, no racing headlong to the end, no putting your neck on the line.
There’s no point in it, as I am not going to marry the winner anyway.
So don’t let any wild ideas of competition and manly prowess drive you to overperform. ”
He nods. Not necessarily an agreement, more an acknowledgment.
“Also,” I continue, “I don’t want any more of the champions to die.
” Even as I speak, I see again that vision of Bryon’s brutal end.
It was so quick and so violent, it doesn’t seem real.
But it is real; he is dead. And I won’t have any more of them giving up their lives for an impossible dream. “I want you to help keep them alive.”
“So,” Valtar says slowly, “rather than compete, you want me to…protect my competitors?”
“Yes.”
“And what if I simply inform the king of your intention to escape?”
“You won’t.” I bite my lip. “Will you?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
I shrug. “Black-clad walking enigmas like yourself prefer to keep vital information close to the vest. Is that not true? In case it might prove advantageous later on. Besides,” I add with a small, tentative smile, “I think maybe we’re…friends.”
His scarred eyebrow lifts a fraction. “Friends?”
“Yes, well…” I let my gaze skitter away for a moment before returning to his. “We’re friendly at the very least. That must count for something.”
He lapses into another of his long, considering silences. Then: “Yes. It must.”
“So, you won’t go telling the king then?”
“I will not.”
“And you will stop taking risks during the trials?”
“I will take only such risks as are necessary.”
Not quite the answer I’m looking for, but I let it slide. “You’ll keep the others alive?”
“Does that include Prince Taigan?”
My lip curls, but when I answer, it’s with absolute earnestness: “I don’t want anyone else to die. Not for my sake.”
“Short of overt interference on my part, I cannot stop them from taking risks of their own.”
“But you’ll do your best, won’t you?”
He thinks on it. I watch a muscle in his jaw tick.
Finally, he nods. It isn’t much, but I feel as though a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
I reach out compulsively and grip his hand.
Unfortunately, it’s the wounded one, and he curses softly.
“Oh!” I gasp, trying to pull back. “I’m so sorry! ”
But he moves quicker than thought, his other hand catching mine in a firm grip. “It is appropriate to shake on an agreement, is it not?”
I nod. The pressure of his fingers on mine is very warm.
Not warm like dragon heat, just Valtar warm.
It’s pleasant to stand there for a moment, simply letting him hold my hand.
To know that I’m not as completely alone as I believed myself to be.
I have an ally. I have, if not a friend, at least a cohort.
Perhaps I will survive this whole ordeal after all.
“Now,” says Valtar, “do you need my assistance getting back into your gown?”