Page 18 (1/2)

I chuckled In all htest ungraceful movement of her hand, much less her entire body Since I had once commented that she had dirt on her face, the possibilities for jokes noere endless Now that I knew she wasn’t perfect, perhaps there was a future for her and et the berries?" I asked

"Eventually" He s So alked farther off the trail until we found a pool where the night’s storm had created a vibrant waterfall Hours seeain, and it took some time for our clothes to dry Then we ate"

I lost ue, but he quickly shook his head "Forgive the way that sounded It wasn’t what you’re thinking"

He started to say er, who didn’t look at all pleased to be summoned here

"We need a place to talk," I said "Privately"

"Why not here?"

I glanced around and rolled er’s men "Because it’s not private, obviously" He started to turn away, but I added, "I’ll give you what you want But only if it’s just you and ?"

"Saving your life" I turned back to Kippenger "Well?"

He nodded at Terrowic and eon The other ait here while this boy king and I talk"

Tobias yelled my name as they unchained him, but I wouldn’t even look at him He didn’t have to understand my decisions, or like them; they werewhen Terrowic brought one as well as I had hoped, and by then, I was exhausted and ached so badly that I couldn’t even sit up while he rechained ed for some soup for me, but Terrowic refused hith to eat it anyway

"While he’s held captive, you’re responsible for his life," Tobias protested "He’s entitled to so," Terrowic replied "If your king wanted basic decency, he should have included that in his bargain"

"What bargain did he ain?"

"I told the" It took all my willpower to force ave theotiate your release When I see you safely away in the , I’ll tell them the rest"

"No! Jaron, you didn’t!"

"What else am I supposed to do?" I yelled back "Watch as they punish you for et me to talk anyway, but you’ll be dead by then At least this way, you’ll live"

"And what about you?" he asked

"They won’t let o," I whispered "You know that Not at any price"

The reality of that was overwhelainst the cold rock wall He looked me over with an expression of sympathy that I hated er I turned away fro of being pitied

"Tell me you’re not broken," he said "I know it must feel that way, but you can rise from this"

"Hoould you know?" I snapped "Do you bear the weight of an entire kingdom on your shoulders? Has an ene you?"