bloodstones?”
He laughed dryly. “That’s the difference between us, Nor. I don’t care what they think.”
I wanted to believe it was a bluff. The dream-memory belied his words. But he had been a child then. I had to remember that the years since had warped him. “Is there nothing I can say to prevent this war? No truce you would agree to?”
He almost looked sorry for me. “This was inevitable, Nor. Talia was always going to try to claim the throne in the name of her children, and I was never going to allow it to happen.”
“Even though you’re not the rightful heir? You haven’t turned twenty-one yet, and you know how Ilarean succession works. Your little sister is your father’s heir.”
“Ah yes, Princess Zoi. How is the little brat?”
“She’s four years old. You can’t possibly resent a child.”
He tossed his hair over his shoulder. “My father would still be alive if it weren’t for that child and her conniving mother.” He stared past me, to where Talin and the other soldiers waited. “I can see my brother hasn’t changed. Still watching over you like a hawk.”
“He wouldn’t have to if you could be trusted.”
He arched an eyebrow. “I have been honorable, haven’t I?”
Today, I thought bitterly. There had been nothing honorable about his treatment of me in New Castle.
“So those are your terms? Your blood in exchange for the Varenians?” His tone was nonchalant, but if he was considering the deal, he must need my blood even more than I’d realized.
I nodded. “Yes.”
“And how will we make this proposed exchange?”
“Tomorrow, same place, same time.” I took a deep breath, hoping Ceren couldn’t see the sweat dripping from my forehead. “You can cut my arm and collect a single bowl of blood.”
“In exchange for all of the Varenians? That hardly seems like a fair trade.”
“Fair trade” was not a term Ceren had any right to throw around. “If you’re so intent on this war and so sure you’re going to win it, then one more bowl of blood should be all you need.”
Something gleamed in his eyes, and I had the terrible feeling he had tricks up his sleeve I couldn’t anticipate. “Fine,” he bit out. “I’ll agree to your terms. Tomorrow, same time, same place. Once the deal is complete, the truce is off. By the end of this week, Ilara’s fate will be sealed.”
I nodded. “Very well. I’ll relay the terms to Talia.”
He started to turn, then reined his horse back around. “One more thing, Nor. I need to know if it works both ways.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What do you mean?”
“Can you see my memories in your dreams, or do I alone hold that honor?”
My blood ran cold at his words. “What?”
“Little Nor, writhing in agony from the wound on your cheek.” He touched his face where my scar was. “Being scolded by your mother for your sister’s failings. You want to be loved so badly, Nor, and that will always be your greatest weakness.”
Ceren had violated me many times before: touching me without permission, locking me up, stealing my blood. But somehow this was worse. “Stay out of my head, Ceren.”
“Why would I do that, when I enjoy watching you suffer so much?”
I nudged Titania away, refusing to let him know how much his words disturbed me. “I’ve seen you, too, Ceren,” I said over my shoulder. “And you are as much of a child now as you were then.”
26
With the first part of my plan in place, we rode back to New Castle. Talin asked me repeatedly what deal we had made, but I wouldn’t tell him anything until Zadie, Sami, Ebb, Adriel, Osius, and Grig were present. This plan affected all of us.
A part of me still couldn’t believe I had agreed to Zadie’s idea. When I’d told her that I planned to offer my blood in exchange for the Varenians, her protests had begun even before I finished speaking.
“I won’t let you offer yourself up to Ceren like a fish on a platter,” she had said in the courtyard, her amber eyes blazing with anger. “I can’t believe you thought you could get away with this.”
“I’m not going to tell Talin, and neither are you. You promised.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “That was before I knew you’d completely lost your mind.”
“Zadie, offering Ceren a little of my blood in exchange for the Varenians is a good deal. Frankly, we’ll be lucky if he even agrees to it.”
Zadie and I had argued back