A decision has been made.
The continued silence tugged on her instinct to flee. But to where? Her prison had been the safest place in the palace. And somehow, she knew this man would not let her escape his intentions whatever they were. “Answer me.”
“Yes.” There was a gentle finality to his words.
Her breath caught in her throat and fear cramped her stomach. “Why? I have no enemies in Amagarie.” Or friends. No one should want her death. The emperor had not sent him, she was far too valuable to his army. And then she knew that was the very reason she’d been marked for death. “I am not a part of the Emperor’s army. I am trying to escape him. Tonight,” she said hoarsely.
Curiosity flickered in that flat golden gaze. “Were you?”
“Yes. Look.” She waved her hands toward the small bag on the bed. “Everything that I value is there, and I packed to flee tonight. If you just let me go, I will disappear from Mevia and never return.”
He moved toward the left side of the bed, but instead of reaching for the bag he picked up the book the emperor had thrown at her feet earlier.
“What is this?”
And somehow, she sensed he knew the nature of the book. Her hands trembled. “It is the Darkage’s lexicon. It holds in its pages the origins of their beasts and how they mated.”
“Why do you have this?”
“The emperor ordered me to study from it, but I have no intention of doing so.”
“How many people have you tortured for the emperor?”
She flinched, guilt and regret rising to choke her. “Please, I—” she took a deep breath. “While I invaded their minds and read their secrets I did not take their lives. Even when he ordered me to.”
“And the Darkans you controlled at his command?”
“I am not certain what you have heard, but I was only able to pull forth the beast from two Darkans, and I did not kill them.”
Something haunting and merciless flashed in his gaze, and she stumbled even further away. “You do not have to kill me. I hate working with the emperor. He is a man without honor or conscience. I swear on my honor I was leaving the empire tonight. It is the emperor himself and his vile machinations I am running from. You could help me leave here. I am the Princess of Dxyriah, and my people await my return.”
“And do you believe the emperor will allow such a promising weapon as yourself to simply leave?” There was no mercy in that dark, expressionless face as he demanded, “A woman powerful enough to pull the chakra that lives within Darkans to life and then control it? Are you so foolish to believe he will not send his elite team of geikans to hunt you?”
She’d heard whispered rumors of geikans, that they were assassins of the highest order in possession of the deadliest and most unique abilities. How naïve? She h
adn’t considered the emperor sending assassins for her. “You could give me the chance to flee. There is no guarantee if I am hunted I will be caught. My realm is undergoing a revolution, and I must return at all cost. My people need me. I cannot afford to be recaptured, I assure you.”
He smiled. Barely. “And what do you believe the king of the dark will do to you when he discovers you are a weapon to use against his people? What do you think will happen when he learns you mercilessly invaded the minds of his kind, tormenting them, breaking them on the orders of the emperor?”
Dread iced through her veins.
“The death I offer you will be quick and painless. If you are taken to the Darkage to stand trial for the crimes committed against King Gidon Al Shra’s people, you’ll beg for mercy, and it will not come.”
She believed him. The rumors she’d heard of the dark ones painted a picture of unremitting brutality and a nation that was feared by all in Amagarie because every citizen of the Darkage housed a demon beast that was beyond powerful when utilized. She’d thought it mad that the emperor would try and capture even one of their kind. How had she not thought about the implications of the king of the Darkans finding out? Had the emperor prepared for that? “It was never my intention to hurt anyone,” she whispered.
She thought quickly of the other rumors that spoke of the Darkage as the kingdom that was in desperate need of wealth and trade advantages. “I will make atonement to the dark king when I am able to. I am wealthy. My kingdom is rich in minerals and technology that will benefit the Darkage, and I will offer them in recompense. I will also offer you and whichever kingdom you are from unmatched wealth. Just let me leave without a fight.”
Shilah saw no softening in his mien, and she sensed he would not be deterred. In battle Shilah would typically read the mind of her opponent, anticipating everything they did before they acted. His shield prevented that, and she hated the uncertainty that burned in her.
How could she defeat him?
She never took her eyes or her mind from him, her body remaining still and ready, perfectly balanced. His lips curved slightly at her actions, and she narrowed her eyes hoping the fact he underestimated her fighting skills would give her the opportunity to escape. Her slight stature and delicate build always made others believe she was weak. While she did not possess the deadly art of hand combat, or the ability to move with such speed she appeared a blur, Shilah had the will of her forefathers, and the hope of her people on her shoulders. She could not allow this man to defeat her. And she wished with her entire heart she was braver. The knowledge she may very well lose had a hollowness rising through her.
“Kala.”
The need to connect with her sister was instinctive. Shilah’s throat closed, not knowing how to say farewell. A hated wave of vulnerability washed through her.
“What is it, Shilah? I have packed, and I am awaiting you.”