Resistance (Ilyon Chronicles Book 1) (62 page)

“We’re fine,” Kaden answered.

Of
course he would say that.

“Now that you’ve seen them, Miss Altair,” Richard cut in, “let’s discuss their fates.”

She tore her eyes from Kaden. Her stomach rolled. She was not at all ready for this.

“Here’s what I have to offer,” Richard said as if it were nothing more than a simple business transaction. “Hand yourself over to me, and the emperor will consider showing them leniency.”

Kyrin let out a short, mirthless laugh, strangled by threatening tears. “You’re lying.”

Richard shrugged. “If you return to Valcré, you’ll be able to plead their cases. It’s a better chance than they stand now.”

It was all lies. As if Emperor Daican would listen to a word she said. He’d sooner use her brother and Trev as means to torture her.

Richard took a step forward, and his voice changed immediately to hard-edged cruelty. “Let’s put it this way. If you don’t give yourself up, I will take those two back to Valcré, and they
won’t just be killed. No, I’ll make it my personal mission to see they are tortured—long, slow, painful torture—until they have only enough life left to be dragged into the square and executed in front of the whole city.”

With each vicious word, Kyrin’s chest heaved. Such horrific images left her cold and without strength. The malicious hint of a smile crossed Richard’s lips, and he pressed his advantage.

“You know I’ll do it. So spare them that, at least, and give yourself up.”

For that brief, horror-induced moment, she almost did it—almost threw down her bow and offered herself up, but Kaden’s voice cut into these fear-driven contemplations and pulled her eyes back to him.

“Don’t do it.” Their gazes fused, fueled by the determination lighting his eyes. He strained against his guard. “He’ll just torture and kill us anyway. You know that.
Don’t believe a word—”

The soldier punched Kaden in the stomach, and he sagged to his knees with a groan. Kyrin let out a cry and instinctively reached for an arrow.

“I wouldn’t,” Richard warned with a voice like steel. “Neither you nor your friend.”

Kyrin glanced over at Jace. He too had a hand to his quiver.

“You can’t kill all of us. Not before your brother reaps the consequences.”

At the hiss of a blade, Kyrin’s focus darted back to Kaden. The soldier pressed the tip of a dagger under her brother’s chin, and she lowered her shaking hand back to her side.

“Now, Miss Altair, what is your choice? Will you abandon them to torture, or will you do the noble thing and give them a chance for mercy, or at least a mercifully quick end? It’s up to you.”

Kyrin’s eyes never left Kaden as the crushing pain inside begged her to do whatever she must to save him. But Kaden shook his head, his eyes intense, pleading even. She glanced at Trev and found the same urging in his expression. A hand grasped her shoulder. She flinched and looked back at Rayad.

“I think we should go,” he said gently, but firmly.

Kyrin just stood and looked between him and Kaden with her muscles locked in indecision. Wisdom tugged her one way while her heart pulled her in the other, and right now, her heart was stronger. Kaden needed her. After all the bullies he’d fought and beatings he’d taken on her behalf, how could she just walk away? They’d never abandoned each other. Her eyes locked with his again, and he mouthed, “Go.”

Clenching her teeth and fighting every instinct she possessed, she backed slowly toward the horses.

“Miss Altair.”

She paused at Richard’s razor-edged tone.

“I won’t wait indefinitely for you to think this over. Every day you refuse to show up here in surrender, they will neither eat nor drink, and when I come to the end of my patience, which you’re already trying, I will begin torturing them here.” A monstrous glint flickered in his eyes. “I can send bits and pieces of them to the villagers to give to you. Maybe then you’ll change your mind.”

Kyrin’s stomach nearly emptied, and cold washed over her. The ground tipped underneath her but righted when Jace took her by the arm. She looked up at him, though her vision wavered with tears. Shared pain and sympathy filled his eyes, but also immovable determination.

“Come, Kyrin,” he said in a low voice.

Nearly paralyzed, she followed along numbly as he led her to her horse and helped her mount. She settled in, and Jace sent a searing look back at Sir Richard. Gripping the reins, Kyrin sought Kaden’s face again.

“I’m sorry,” she could only whisper as tears welled until she could hardly see him.

He shook his head. He wanted this as surely as she would in his place.

Before Richard could say another word, Jace took hold of Maera’s bridle and led her around with Niton. With Rayad and Warin covering their back, they rode for the forest and joined the others.

“Let’s get back to camp,” Rayad said. He cast a concerned glance at Kyrin.

Everyone turned, but Kyrin looked back to the field. The coach containing her brother and Trev was just disappearing into the barracks. She couldn’t breathe, and a strangled sob worked its way free.
Elôm!
She covered her mouth and struggled to retain the last failing grip she had on the torrent rising inside her. She forced herself to turn away and found Jace waiting for her. His strength gave her just enough will to prompt Maera forward.

Caught up in a dark, sinking daze, Kyrin saw nothing of the ride back—only Kaden and Trev’s faces and the threat of what Richard would do to them. When they arrived in camp, she slid down from her horse, her stomach a roiling pot she fought to keep down. Those who had stayed behind gathered for news, but Kyrin brushed past them and stumbled off to the far edge of camp. Here, she surrendered to the overpowering weight of despair. Her tears let loose and streamed down her cheeks. She felt as though someone had reached in to crush her heart between iron fingers. Her body convulsed with choking sobs, and she begged Elôm with all her soul to save them.

Kyrin’s mournful cries carried to everyone across camp, but Jace made the first move to approach her. He moved slowly, uncertain. It was the first time in his life he was in the position to offer comfort to another. But he understood her pain and grief, and it hurt him deep inside to see her, his true friend, in such agony. The last three weeks he’d spent with her had reminded him that some things in life were worth living for. She shouldn’t have to suffer so much after everything she’d done for him.

She must have sensed him coming and looked up. Her lips trembled as tear after tear rolled down her cheeks. She shook her head, nearly delirious with emotional pain.

“I want to give myself up.” She choked out the words. “I do, I really do. I can’t bear knowing what will happen if I don’t.”

Jace grimaced, but spoke as gently as he knew how. “Kyrin
…you can’t.”

She squeezed her eyes
shut as another heart-ripping sob broke free.

Jace took a step closer. What might happen if he couldn’t get through to her? “Your brother was right. Richard will torture them regardless of whether or not you give yourself up.” He shook his head, knowing too well the truth of his next words. “Men like him love inflicting pain. He won’t keep his word. If you surrender yourself, it will only give him more pleasure in hurting them.”

“I know,” Kyrin cried in utter despair. Deep sobs gripped her again.

Jace ached to know how to help her. He glanced skyward in desperation.
I don’t know what to do.
It was such unfamiliar territory. Hesitantly, he put his hand on her shoulder. The next thing he knew, she had her arms around him, crying desperately into his chest. He stood stunned for a moment, but then wrapped his arms around her. It felt right to offer her this comfort. How many times while growing up had he longed for someone to do the same for him?

He didn’t say anything, just held her and closed his eyes.
Elôm, I still don’t know for sure if You can hear me, but I hope so, at least for this one prayer. Please, rescue her brother and Trev, and protect them from further harm. And stop men like Richard from inflicting such pain
. He swallowed down his hatred for the emperor and his men.

Evening fell, matching the darkness in Kyrin’s mind. She stared at the flames of the campfire, but found no comfort in them. Endless scenarios for rescue spun her mind in circles.

The men gathered for supper, but she didn’t respond to any of them until someone offered her a bowl of soup. She looked up, and her eyes found Jace. Her stomach recoiled at the mere idea of food, but she took the bowl anyway as he sat down beside her.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

It didn’t escape her notice what he had done for her today and what a feat it was for him. His quiet concern meant more to her than all the other condolences she’d received. Despite her lack of appetite, she ate the soup just to satisfy him.

Long into the evening, she remained at the fire, and Jace never left her side, even as most of the camp turned in for the night. They didn’t say much, but Kyrin welcomed his presence. After
all they’d been through, she didn’t mind him seeing her brokenness.

Sometime near midnight, after a long reign of silence, Jace said softly, “You should go in and try to rest.”

Kyrin turned weary eyes to his. Her mind dragged more heavily than her body, but sleep would surely elude her tonight. Yet sitting here served no purpose. She knew too well that wishing wouldn’t rescue Kaden. She nodded.

“I can try.”

Jace rose and helped her up. He stared at her, clearly struggling for more to say.

“Thank you for what you’ve done,” she told him. “You’re just the friend I need right now.”

His expression eased. “If there’s anything you need, I’ll be right here.”

Letting her head hang, Kyrin huddled on her bed until the slow-growing light of morning sun drew her attention. Sleep had come in only short periods. The rest of the
time she’d tossed and turned while straining her mind until her skull felt as if it were being pried apart. At that point, she’d dissolved into silent, wracking sobs that left her utterly spent. But it was in that darkest moment that the first tiny threads of hope began to take shape. She’d spent every minute since then in prayer.

Now, with the first bird trill outside, she threw aside her covers and dressed. Her body reacted sluggishly, though she tried to ignore it and the persistent throbbing in her head. She descended the ladder quietly, but Lenae was just getting out of bed.