big and wide as a cat. “You do know how pointless threatening me is, right?”
“This knife has a point.”
He pushed the dagger away, and he ducked his head under the pump. “I’ll tell you everything, once I know I have your loyalty.” He washed the blood from his hair, and then flipped his head back, splashing my family’s things like they meant nothing.
I sheathed my dagger in my belt. “I’ve no need for your assistance. I’ll find him on my own.”
“Don’t leave; I know his haunts better than you do.”
I let out a laugh. “Haunts. Well-chosen word, you spawn from hells.”
“That line of insult is both blasphemous and tedious. I heal. I don’t know why. It is a new development, but I’m still human. I’ll lead you to him when I’m good and ready.”
I clenched my fist. “You’re the Devout’s biggest enemy. It’s best to stay here where you are hidden. I’ll save my brother and we can regroup.”
He scoffed. “I’m not going to be left here like some damsel in a tower.”
That’s it. I threw a clay pot at his face. He dodged and the thing shattered. But not loudly enough. “If he truly was your best friend, then perhaps you should have thought of him before you betrayed us all.”
He winced. “But you … You saved me. I thought—”
“You thought you’d flirt your way into my heart, and you’d walk all over me like you do all the others?”
“Well … Yes.”
His eyes widened as I stepped forward. “I didn’t save you because I had some twitterpated foolish feelings for you, you smug fool. I saved you because Edvarg needed to be stopped. I did it for your father, who is a good man and a great king.” I pointed my finger into his chest. “You are not what you were supposed to be. Not by miles.”
I let out a breath. That was good to get off my chest.
The glass bauble around Ryo’s neck glistened in the light. I brought it closer. It was Savak. I was sure of it; the thing was covered in tiny white birds. Perhaps the Savak had found a way to heal him. I wrinkled my nose in disgust and turned away.
“I will not trade one dark dungeon for another,” he said. “I will not be left alone to die again. And I have a task set by my father, the rightful king. I will face what’s coming on my feet.”
“It’s not your choice, Ryo.”
His eyes flashed. “Your Highness.”
“What?”
“You should call me Your Highness.”
“I should have dropped the axe on your skinny neck.” I curtsied deeply. “Your Highness.” I met his glare with one of my own. “Now tell me where my brother is.”
“I won’t. But I will lead you there.”
He was impossible. I forced out a puff of air. “Fine. Get dressed.”
Father’s old clothing should fit him. I crossed to the cupboards and threw a white cotton shirt at him.
“Why?” He plastered on a grin. “Do you find me distracting, Lady Tomlinson?” He gestured to his naked chest, now clean and very distracting.
My cheeks flushed. “Let’s keep one thing clear. There will be no flirting. I am not interested in a spawn from hells, nor a prince who is more card shark and womanizer than royalty. I wouldn’t dance with you if you asked, wouldn’t help you if you were on fire, and I wouldn’t flirt with you if you turned into a whipped pie.”
He pulled the shirt over his head. “Do you often flirt with whipped pies?”
“More often than I’d flirt with you.”
His lips twitched into the shadow of a grin, which I did not find amusing. He sat on the edge of the bed he died in and tugged his boots back on. “We’ll need supplies first. Stay close to me on the way. I know how to navigate these streets, and if we happen upon an Everstrider, let me do the talking. We’re going to need them in order to survive what’s coming.”
I opened a trunk. It was mostly empty except for two identical training swords. I grabbed the plain wooden hilt and offered the other sword to Ryo. “Why? What’s coming?”
He tested out the sword by slicing the air twice, and then he grinned. “Don’t worry your pretty head about it. You’ll be safe at my side. I will protect you.”
I narrowed my eyes and stood my ground.
He didn’t know me at all if he thought I’d be led by someone who wouldn’t treat me as a partner. I