Chapter 36
Theo
As Theo stood guard of the tower steps with his dagger in hand, he waited for Esaias to return with the bags for their journey and his sword. Each second sent a drop of sweat down his back, and not even the coolness of the library could contain the heat building within him. Amaris wanted to stay.
Esaias’s panting breaths came from down the way. He handed Theo his sword, which he promptly tied to his belt before racing up the steps. All thoughts eluded him. Should he embark on the journey with her or beg her to stay and find a way to resolve everything?
Someone tried to poison her! Theo reminded himself. Luana Bay wasn’t safe for her anymore. The walls of his childhood home felt wrong. It was where he’d grown and expected to live his entire life.
He opened the tower door and saw Amaris sitting up on the cot with Pricilla at her side. He didn’t have time, though, to send a prayer of thanks to the gods.
“We need to get her out of here now. Adelaide is waiting for us with the boat,” Esaias announced. He threw Amaris’s bag to her.
She caught it, pausing as she slid her hand over the fabric. With a sigh, she stood and stepped behind the worktable, rummaging through her pack and beginning to get dressed. Theo averted his eyes but caught the subtle shake of her hands.
He turned, and Pricilla was there. She grabbed him by the cuff of his shirt and pulled him to the other side of the room. Her arms folded across her chest, and she pouted. “Are we going to discuss how you tasted the poison on her lips?”
There was an easy answer for that. “Another time.”
Amaris came back around the worktable. Before Theo could run to her, Pricilla snagged his arm.
“She doesn’t remember,” she whispered, offering a sympathetic look.
His heart plummeted. The Conjugation? Our kiss?
“What do you mean?” Theo asked, struggling to hold himself together.
“She doesn’t know who spiked her drink or even what happened during the Conjugation, whatever happened.” Pricilla raised a brow. “But I think she doesn’t want to leave.”
Theo turned to Amaris, who sniffled as she folded her ruined gown and set it on the bed. She rubbed the tulle between her scarred fingers. “Do you want to go?”
She turned over her shoulder, her lips slightly parted.
“What are you talking about?” Esaias cut in. “Of course, she wants to leave. Your father—”
Theo closed the distance between them. “Amaris, if you want to leave, we’ll take you out to the boat right now. But if you want to stay, I’ll find a way.”
“Are we forgetting—”
“How?” Amaris cut Esaias off.
Theo desperately clawed at his mind, deciphering anything that could work. Amaris was a brilliant mystique and had proven herself ten times over. “I’ll speak to my father.”
“Because that worked so well the first time,” Esaias interjected.
“Not since she stepped in when Bennet whipped me.” Theo straightened up.
“If it wasn’t for you, I would still be on that cot, barely able to move.
You healed Esaias of scrying fever and brought breath back to my lungs.
They only want someone to blame. Luther said my father took convincing. That means there’s still a chance.”
It was a small chance, but one Theo was willing to take. To have Amaris stay and give her the chance to remember what they’d shared sparked hope in him. If she wanted to stay, he’d defend her with his last breath. He would be dead if it wasn’t for her. He owed her his life.
“I…” Her voice was raspy.
He wanted to move, to pull her to his chest and show her what their kiss had meant to him and hopefully to her. But before he could reach out, an explosion shook the tower.
He threw himself at her and pinned her to floor. She winced beneath him as the walls shook.
“Was that—” Esaias began.
“Cannon fire,” Theo called, poking his head up. Esaias was crouched over Pricilla, dust and debris raining over them.
Theo pulled Amaris to her feet. Another blast sounded, shaking the ceiling and sending more bits of dust falling around them.
His blood filled with the rage of war. The monster within him slithered to the edge of his mind without a hidden stitch to hide behind.
Theo breathed and allowed the creature from the depths of his mind to wait. He couldn’t unleash it.
“Did you say cannon fire?” Amaris asked, the whites of her eyes overtaking the oceans.
“Both of you get downstairs and barricade the door. Don’t let anyone in, understand?” Theo ordered.
“But, Theodoric—”
“No, Amaris,” he shouted. “Lock yourselves in and don’t leave until I come and get you.”
His gentle composure was gone, replaced by the commanding officer.
She took a breath but nodded. He wanted to pull her to him and give her a moment to remember what they shared, but this was his home, regardless of what he told himself.
The surviving memories of his mother resided within its walls.
He forced himself to turn away and headed down the steps.
Theo and Esaias sprinted through the library and into the hall. Chaos ensued around them. Another cannon blast sent the walls shaking and the portraits shattering as they hit the ground.
“What in the bloody crack in the realm are you two still doing inside? Get your asses out there now!” Bennet snapped from down the hall.
He stormed toward them, two swords drawn and a look of brutal conquest in his eyes.
Theo gripped the hilt of his sword, mainly to hold his composure as he stalked closer, but also to show he wouldn’t be afraid.
Bennet had been testing him ever since he returned home, attempting to break him, to see if he’d truly become a soldier or if he’d cower under his thumb.
Bennet stood before him, their noses inches apart. There wasn’t a whiff of alcohol on his breath. “Are you ready to defend your people or are you planning to hide that bitch who killed one of my men?”
Was he the one to poison her?
Theo leaned in, forcing Bennet to balk. “Amaris didn’t kill that soldier, and I’ll defend my people, not to show you my loyalty, but because that has never been in doubt.
My allegiance is to Luana, my home. You and my father can throw whatever you wish at me, but I’ll protect everyone of Luana Bay, and that includes Amaris.
She saves people, and you’ll see that soon enough. ”
Bennet released a snarl. “Gather a few soldiers and defend the western entrance,” he grumbled. “Several are already positioned along the gardens, but we need more. Grab them from the southern doors. They’re making their push along the coast.”
The metal of Theo’s sword dug into his palm. “Who?”
Bennet flared his nostrils and said, “Deavopan.” His tone grew colder. “Esaias, stick with him, and both of you try not to get killed.” He took off at a sprint for the northern entrance.
Another blast echoed through the hall, and Theo rolled to the side as a large portrait attempted to squash him.
Esaias bent forward, resting his hands on his knees. “What in all of Magoria is going on? Why would they attack us?”
“I don’t know,” Theo breathed. “My father has been obsessed with incriminating Amaris instead of focusing on Duncaster. What if they killed Freville and left his body as a diversion?”
Drawing his sword, Esaias twirled the silver blade with a smirk. “Look who’s thinking like an officer again.” He reached out his other hand, waiting to pull Theo along.
Theo didn’t have time to further ponder the implications. He grasped Esaias’s hand to fight for them, Amaris, and his people. He hauled him to his feet, and they once again went into battle.