ridding the threat against Xarion and Egypt.
But a whisper of doubt settles in my core. Why did Candra come to me? If she’s so confident in my feelings for the pharaoh, why not seek out a more likely ally? As much as I loathe the thought, a Narcolym would be a more willing ally to her over me.
I’d never sacrifice Xarion for anything—anyone. If Candra is so desperate for the scepter, she’ll have to kill me to get to Xarion. More than my binds urging me to protect the pharaoh, my heart demands it. I can’t live in a world that would steal him away.
And suddenly, I realize that is why .
Xarion trusts me. Above all his guardians, I am the one he listens to, doesn’t often command. I am the one who would question any other guardian trying to lead him past the safety of the barrier. I’m hindering Candra’s mission.
The other guardians are unable to commit treason against their master—but I am not. As Candra revealed, I’m a trusted slave. The one close enough to the pharaoh to betray him.
“Star?”
Turning to meet the person that goes with that seductive voice, I face Xarion. “I asked for time alone.”
“I know.” He’s draped in a thin linen tunic, his bare arms crossed over his chest. His face scrubbed clean of the ceremonial paint. “But your silence is driving me mad. We’ve always been able to discuss anything. I need to be assured that you’re all right.”
“I am. My wounds are nearly healed.”
“I’m concerned with more than your physical wellness.” His sandaled feet swallow the distance between us in three strides. He touches my wrapped arm, then his hand moves to my back, his fingers tracing the soft flesh of the recently healed cut on my shoulder blade. “Though I am relieved of that.” His mouth presses into a hard line. “I’m ordering the army to march on the Leymak tomorrow. I thought you should know.”
My mouth parts. “I think we should wait. At least for the full army to return before going into battle again.”
“I’ll not allow Octavian to intimidate me. I won’t hide behind walls, trapped like—”
“Xarion,” I say his name low, and his hard features relax slightly. “No one thinks you’re weak, or hiding. There is nothing to prove to your people, other than being smart and choosing the right course of action.” I reach out and touch his clenched fist. “You’ll do them no good by rushing headstrong into battle.”
His fingers twine with mine, and he releases a heavy breath. Looking at our interlocked hands, he says, “You were right before.”
Curious, I raise my eyebrows.
“About me. About being scared to become King. I am, but I want you to understand that my fear has nothing to do with how I feel about you.” His gaze captures mine as the breeze pushes his dark bangs over his forehead. “I was so angry earlier tonight—and so much has happened since.” He tightens his hold on my hands, not knowing how true his statement is. “I wasn’t able to finish explaining. There’s another option, Star. I’ve discovered a way for us to be free and remain here—together.”
My chest tightens. Those words should make everything better—should shut out the rest of the world, leaving only Xarion and me. But so much talk of freedom and war and Xarion’s imminent demise . . . it’s like a blast of Charge to my heart.
“Fadil’s was scepter can reverse the sorcerers’ doing. It can make you human. Fadil can’t work the magics, but I won’t stop delving deeper until I can. I’ll prove that even though yes, I fear my role as Pharaoh, I’m not trying to shirk my duties by wanting to be with you. I plan to go before the Council and declare my feelings. It’s my choice who I love, and who is slave and who is free. Hades. It doesn’t matter, because if they still do not accept us after you’re human—”
“I can’t hear this,” I say, and step out of his comforting touch. “Not right now.”
His eyes darken. They sharpen as he
But a whisper of doubt settles in my core. Why did Candra come to me? If she’s so confident in my feelings for the pharaoh, why not seek out a more likely ally? As much as I loathe the thought, a Narcolym would be a more willing ally to her over me.
I’d never sacrifice Xarion for anything—anyone. If Candra is so desperate for the scepter, she’ll have to kill me to get to Xarion. More than my binds urging me to protect the pharaoh, my heart demands it. I can’t live in a world that would steal him away.
And suddenly, I realize that is why .
Xarion trusts me. Above all his guardians, I am the one he listens to, doesn’t often command. I am the one who would question any other guardian trying to lead him past the safety of the barrier. I’m hindering Candra’s mission.
The other guardians are unable to commit treason against their master—but I am not. As Candra revealed, I’m a trusted slave. The one close enough to the pharaoh to betray him.
“Star?”
Turning to meet the person that goes with that seductive voice, I face Xarion. “I asked for time alone.”
“I know.” He’s draped in a thin linen tunic, his bare arms crossed over his chest. His face scrubbed clean of the ceremonial paint. “But your silence is driving me mad. We’ve always been able to discuss anything. I need to be assured that you’re all right.”
“I am. My wounds are nearly healed.”
“I’m concerned with more than your physical wellness.” His sandaled feet swallow the distance between us in three strides. He touches my wrapped arm, then his hand moves to my back, his fingers tracing the soft flesh of the recently healed cut on my shoulder blade. “Though I am relieved of that.” His mouth presses into a hard line. “I’m ordering the army to march on the Leymak tomorrow. I thought you should know.”
My mouth parts. “I think we should wait. At least for the full army to return before going into battle again.”
“I’ll not allow Octavian to intimidate me. I won’t hide behind walls, trapped like—”
“Xarion,” I say his name low, and his hard features relax slightly. “No one thinks you’re weak, or hiding. There is nothing to prove to your people, other than being smart and choosing the right course of action.” I reach out and touch his clenched fist. “You’ll do them no good by rushing headstrong into battle.”
His fingers twine with mine, and he releases a heavy breath. Looking at our interlocked hands, he says, “You were right before.”
Curious, I raise my eyebrows.
“About me. About being scared to become King. I am, but I want you to understand that my fear has nothing to do with how I feel about you.” His gaze captures mine as the breeze pushes his dark bangs over his forehead. “I was so angry earlier tonight—and so much has happened since.” He tightens his hold on my hands, not knowing how true his statement is. “I wasn’t able to finish explaining. There’s another option, Star. I’ve discovered a way for us to be free and remain here—together.”
My chest tightens. Those words should make everything better—should shut out the rest of the world, leaving only Xarion and me. But so much talk of freedom and war and Xarion’s imminent demise . . . it’s like a blast of Charge to my heart.
“Fadil’s was scepter can reverse the sorcerers’ doing. It can make you human. Fadil can’t work the magics, but I won’t stop delving deeper until I can. I’ll prove that even though yes, I fear my role as Pharaoh, I’m not trying to shirk my duties by wanting to be with you. I plan to go before the Council and declare my feelings. It’s my choice who I love, and who is slave and who is free. Hades. It doesn’t matter, because if they still do not accept us after you’re human—”
“I can’t hear this,” I say, and step out of his comforting touch. “Not right now.”
His eyes darken. They sharpen as he
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