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"I told Atroth I would handle her," Radath says without turning

"I will handle her," Kyol says I’m not sure if his coldness is directed at Radath or at me

"You already had an opportunity toto Fae "You failed She’s no longer your pet"

"You may discuss that with Atroth He wishes to speak with you"

The lord general glares atto leave He doesn’t take orders fro me chained to this wall My interactions with hiht he’d treat ive him reason to

Radath’s shoulders slu to Kyol "She’s betrayed our king, swordmaster Atroth expects her to be punished I expect you to pry out the rest of her secrets Understood?"

"Understood" Kyol’s expression gives away nothing

Radath gestures to Micid The ther’rothi leaves my cell first Radath follows

He s tiies ue They die before they pass ain to save Naito and Evan

"How could you be so foolish?" Kyol demands I flinch at his tone "They were safe, McKenzie! You were safe!"

He strides beneath the orb, his fists clenched at his sides

"I couldn’t stay here, Kyol"

"So you were going back to him!"

"I--" My voice cracks My chin quivers I biteto cry

"McKenzie" His voice is pained now He drops to his knees in front of me, his face drawn and shoulders hunched as if he’s just lost a war

My heart twists in y Instead, I softly ask, "Can you get me out of here?"

He scrubs his hands over his face "I don’t know"

I don’t really have a right to ask it of hiet out of it

"Sidhe" He cups ainst , and steady;I feel raw, likemy soul pink with abrasions Even the edarratae seem dull and distant

"If you want out of here, McKenzie, you have to giveyou without information on the rebels"

I can’t help the Court anys I don’t like, but the Court’s manipulated and used ave ’s done nothing to stop the lord general Kyol’s done nothing to stop his king

"I can’t," I whisper

He lets out a long sigh and then, slowly, he slides his hand up my left arm toward the manacles When he reachesto free ers slip to the dias, and the necklace falls free in his hand

He touches the center stone and then nods to himself "This will buy your freedom"

Oh, God

"No, Kyol, you can’t!"

"Shh, kaesha" He places his fingers over ainst my shackles "No, wait Listen I’ll tell you whatever you want to know I’ll do whatever you want, but please--please--don’t do this Don’t trade my life for his"