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Nevan swallows hard. “A distraction and time. I just needed time to continue my search and the guards’ attention otherwise occupied. I didn’t think… I didn’t realize…” He shakes his head, not saying another word.
And all I can think is how he could have come to me.
“If you had asked, I would have helped you,” I tell him. “But you followed me in secret. You went behind my back, and then you…” I shake my head. “A woman is dead.” Visha is…
“I know. Iknow.” He slams his hands into his chest. “It is my fault, and I will have to live with that.”
His eyes grow vacant as he glances away. And I see the guilt and regret and remorse. I see it and I don’t know if it is because I hate myself for what happened or because he also shares part of that and reminds me too much of it, but every time I look athim, all I see is Visha’s face now. And it may be a selfish need, but I don’t want to be reminded of it every time I see him. I will remind myself of it enough on my own.
“I played a part in this too. I also accept that responsibility. But I would advise you to stay far away from me,” I warn him before moving back and stepping closer to Kestral, hoping a measure of his self-control and calmness brings some comfort to the thrum of torment rushing through me.
I feel his eyes on me but ignore them to watch Veles step forward. He whips out his blade with a smirk on his face and moves toward Nevan.
Cyra blocks him with a narrowed look. “We cannot kill him, you know that. He is one of the three that holds potential.”
I frown.One of the…
“You ruin all my fun.” Veles sighs, placing his blade back at his side.
Cyra gives him a pointed look. “I keep you alive.”
Veles rolls his eyes at him. “Don’t bring rational thought into this. You know it’s hard to kill a thief.”
A thief?
Kestral glares at them both. “Let’s move this along. We need to?—”
“What are you doing here?” Veles asks, cutting off whatever Kestral was about to say.
I glance in Veles’s direction to find Oryn rushing toward us, a sword in hand as if ready to fight.
His eyes widen on Veles. “You.”
“Me.” Veles smiles but it’s not a nice smile meant to reassure; rather, it’s one meant to frighten. “Again, I will ask. What are you doing here, and with a sword in your hand?”
“What amIdoing here?” Oryn asks, looking exasperated. “I came to help, Seren.” He points his sword toward me. “I overheard the guards talking and came as soon as I could.But… what areyoudoing here?” His question is full of ire and accusation, but Veles gives him a bland look, crossing his arms.
“How convenient of you to show up when she no longer requires any help.”
Oryn opens his mouth but glances down at Nevan and does a double take. “I—Nevan?”
Nevan doesn’t answer him at first, still lost to his thoughts. “I just wanted to find my wife. I did not mean for any of this to happen.”
“Any of what to happen?” Oryn asks, but Nevan remains silent.
Veles takes it upon himself to explain. “Nevan is the reason you were rushing so gallantly to save Seren.”
“What?” Oryn asks with a growing frown.
“He ruined her plan and managed to get someone killed,” Veles says.
I wince at his bluntness, but he doesn’t notice and continues on with his little tirade.
“And all for his own selfish needs.”
Oryn opens his mouth and closes it a couple of times before glancing over at me.
“He didn’t mean it, I’m sure.” He looks to me for understanding, but I have none for him. “We were running out of time. He prob?—”
