I guess you came by that same evil naturally then, no potions necessary.

Magnus had had a lot of time to think during the journey here. He thought about Cleo, mostly, and wondered if anything would be different now if he hadnt sent Nic after Ashur.

Likely not. Because then Cleo might be with him and his father, and Magnus would be unable to do anything to help her. He hoped very hard that shed finally accomplished what she should have done from the beginning and gone to Auranos to find allies, rebels, assistance of some kind.

She was much better off as far away from him as possible.

Time passed slowly, and night turned back to day as sunlight spilled into their dark dungeon room from a tiny window. The sound of a lock in the door jerked Magnus back to attention, and he shielded his eyes from more blazing sunlight as the door opened and several guards entered the room. Behind them strode the empress herself.

She nodded at him. Magnus, its so lovely to see you again.

Well, I couldnt possibly feel less delighted to see you.

Amaras cold smile held. And Gaius, Ive been so worried about you. Ive heard nothing from you since you went on your quest to find your treasonous son and bring him to justice. Did it not go well?

My plans changed, the king said simply.

I see that.

Is this any way to greet your husband, Amara? Magnus asked. By putting him in chains in a dungeon?

My mother once ran away from my father. Im told he dragged her back to him and locked her in a small, dark room"for an entire year, I believe. She also lost a finger as punishment for trying to escape"she was forced to sever it herself.

She told the story without any emotion at all.

Is that my fate? he asked. To lose a finger?

I havent decided just what Id like to have sliced off your body for all your lies and deceit. But Im certain Ill think of something. In the meantime, I have someone with me whom Im sure youd like to see.

She stepped aside, and Magnus, still shielding his eyes, realized with stunned disbelief that Cleo stood in the doorway.

Her expression was utterly unreadable.

I thought you said you had rebels imprisoned here, Cleo said.

Amara turned to her. These are rebels, working against me to steal what now belongs to me. Am I wrong?

No, I suppose not. Cleo cocked her head. Its so strange to think of them as rebels, though. The word doesnt quite seem to fit.

If were rebels, princess, the king hissed, then what are you?

A prisoner of war, Cleo replied calmly, forced to marry against my will as my freedom was stolen along with my throne. And so it has been for a very long and painful year of my life.

Magnus hadnt said a word since Cleo had entered the dungeon, stunned by every move she made and every word she uttered. This couldnt possibly be the same girl hed come to know, the one full of passion and fire the night their paths had intersected at the cottage in the snowy woods. The one full of anger and hate when she learned that Nic was dead.

This girls perfect mask of indifference rivaled his own.

I gave you many chances to leave, Magnus said. You were no prisoner.

I was a prisoner of the choices taken from me by your father. How many times would he have liked to see this very situation reversed, to see me chained and at his mercy? Mercy, she snorted. That isnt a word I would ever use to describe his actions.

You should have woken me, Magnus said. My father shouldnt have sent you away all alone. I know you were angry with me.

Angry? You think I was"

But to come here, he interrupted her. To, what? Attempt an alliance with Amara?

Perhaps, she allowed. Since shes the only one with any power here, would you really blame me?

What should I do with them, Cleo? Amara asked. Do you want me to consider sparing Magnuss life?

Ill have to give it some thought, Cleo said.

Magnus narrowed his eyes at her. Some thought? The princess needs to give some thought to whether or not I die? Need I remind you that I have saved your life far too many times to count?

This is not a scale on which we must balance such things. This is war. And in war, we must do what is necessary to survive.

He glared at her, then shifted his gaze to Amara. Then perhaps I should arrange an alliance with you for myself.

Amara scoffed. Really? What kind of an alliance?

I remember the night we spent together very well. You are . . . an extraordinary woman, one I would very much like in my bed again.

From the corner of his eye, Magnus could clearly see Cleo fidget uncomfortably.

Really? Amara twisted a finger through her hair. And you dont mind that Ive been with other men since we were together? Including your own father?

I prefer a woman with experience. So many others are so . . . clumsy and awkward in their innocence. He shifted his gaze to Cleo to see if his words, utterly untrue to his actual feelings on the subject, had any effect on her. Dont you think, princess?

Oh, absolutely, Cleo agreed, though there was poison in her tone. You should seek out only the most experienced women. Perhaps you could learn a great deal from them.

Amara kept a thin smile steady on her face. I think such invitations are well behind us, Magnus, but I certainly appreciate the generous offer. What Im more interested in at this very moment is acquiring the air Kindred. I want it.

Im sure you do, the king said. As youve wanted everything Ive had.

Not everything. For example, I dont want you as a husband anymore. Will you tell me where it is?

No, he replied.

I have no patience for this. Amara gestured to the guards. Take the two of them to the pit.

Yes, empress.

The two girls turned toward the door.

Princess . . . Magnus said, hating the sliver of weakness in his voice. Cleos shoulders tensed at the sound of his voice.

She glared at him over her shoulder. I thought I told you to call me Cleiona.

Magnus stared after them as Cleo and Amara left without another word.

Cleiona . . . she wanted him to call her Cleiona.

The name of a goddess. Her full, proper name, not a shortened version of it. The name hed originally chosen to call her to show that he wanted her, that he loved her.

That she loved him.

Could it be that there was still hope that she hadnt abandoned him to this fate? That she had forgiven him his many mistakes?

The guards unshackled Magnus and the king and began pulling them from the dungeon and into the light. They entered a building, then moved down an echoing corridor with a open ceiling.

A pretty girl with short, dark hair and a shapely body leaned against the wall up ahead.

Greetings, she said to the guards. I see that you have the prisoners firmly in hand. Well done.

Indeed, Nerissa. You look lovely today.

You think so? She smiled seductively, and the guards smiled back at her.

Fitting in well here, I see, Magnus said to her coldly.

Very well, thank you. Nerissa began walking next to them, and she slid her hand down the sleeve of the guards uniform. I need to ask you for a favor, my sweet.

Magnuss guard slowed down, while his fathers guards continued down the hall.

The guard looked at her hungrily. Oh?

She whispered something in his ear that actually made him giggle.

That is a favor Im most happy to oblige, my lovely. Tell me when and where.

The king and his guards disappeared around the corner up ahead.

Soon. Perhaps just a kiss for now to make you remember me.

As if I could forget.

Nerissa pulled the guard in and brushed her lips against his. Magnus saw her reach for something in the folds of her dress. She met Magnuss eyes just as she thrust her dagger into the guards gut. The guard immediately let go of Magnus, clutching his stomach.

What are you"? he gasped.

She jabbed him, quick and deep, several more times before he fell to the floor in a bloody, twitching heap.

Magnus stared at the girl in utter shock at what hed witnessed.

Nerissa gestured to someone behind Magnus. Quickly. Cut the princes bindings.

That someone sliced through the ropes that tied his wrists, and Magnus turned. A familiar, angry face topped with a shock of red hair stared back at him.

Nic, he managed.

Nic shook his head. It goes against my very nature to save your arse, but here we are.

Magnus couldnt believe his eyes. Youre supposed to be dead.

And I would be if it werent for your sisters magic. Here I was prepared to despise the both of you for the rest of my life. You, Im still undecided about. Her . . . I now owe my life. He looked at Nerissa. What do we do with the guard?

This way. She grabbed the sleeve of the dead guards uniform, and she and Nic pulled him out of the main corridor and into a shadowed alcove. This will have to do. We need to move quickly.

Magnus, still stunned, grappled to regain his composure. Where are we going?

Were going to Amaras chambers to retrieve the water Kindred, Nerissa whispered. She knows how to perform the ritual to release its magic. I dont know how she learned it, but shes confident that itll work. The prisoners will be used for their blood, to strengthen the magic. I want to do what I can to help them, but right now we need that Kindred in our hands, not hers.

Magnus nodded. Then lets stop talking and start moving.

Nerissa hurried down the hallway, and Nic and Magnus followed closely behind. Finally they came to a doorway. Nerissa looked both ways before unlocking the door. They entered a lavish bedroom with several adjoining rooms full of windows that looked out at the small walled city.

Nerissa went immediately to the wardrobe, checking the pockets of a long line of gowns and cloaks. Check everywhere else, just in case she moved it.

Magnus and Nic did as she said, checking shelves, cabinets, and under the cushions of chairs.

Are you sure its here? Magnus asked.

All I know for sure is that she didnt have it with her earlier.

How do you know?

I helped her dress, and it was definitely not in any of her pockets. Check the other room.

Magnus wasnt sure how he felt about being ordered around by a servant, but he continued to do as she instructed. This girl had far more talents than simply being a personal attendant.

But, of course, he now realized that Nerissa Florens wasnt just any attendant. She was a rebel.

His search left him empty-handed, and he returned to the bedroom, but Nic and Nerissa were nowhere to be seen. Where did you go? Nic? Nerissa?

He scanned the large room until his gaze fell on two bodies lying on the floor.

Nics eyes were shut, an angry red mark on his temple. A few paces away, Nerissa groaned with pain.

Her eyes met Magnuss and immediately widened with fear.

Magnus felt a sharp pain on the back of his head, and then the world went dark.

CHAPTER 30.